Transformers: Beginning and End

[Imperial Overlord]

Nit: Overload's team? We're Wreckers now?

I certainly never said that.

[Imperial Overlord]

"Breakout," said Overload, extending his hand, "glad you made it."

"Thank you," said Breakout. He took Overload's hand and shook. "It's good to see you too."

"Breakout," said Shellshock, extending his arm.

"Shellshock." The two military 'bots slammed their forearms together with a loud clang. "Still a team I see."

"Yep," said the big mobile artillery 'bot. "Still taking a knife to gun fights?"

"Sometimes it's the best weapon for the job," said Breakout. "Other times missiles and cannons work better."

"Yeah," said Shellshock, "I'm all over the missiles and cannons."

"And I have something a little bigger than knife," said Overload.

"So I put the two of you together and get one warrior," said Breakout.

"You bet," said Shellshock with a smile.

"One very big warrior," said Overload.

"Hey Breakout," said Stryke, joining the conversation. "What did you end up taking as your vehicle form? 'Cause I took this!" He transformed into a brick like vehicle with eight large wheels and a cannon mounted on the roof. "It's a M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System!" said the military 'bot excitedly. "The latest and greatest by the premier military power of this world! Their latest high tech fighting vehicle! And its called a Stryker! Get it? Stryke, Stryker? Isn't it sweet?" He transformed back into robot mode, almost jumping with excitement.

"According to the Marines, the elite warriors of that very nation, it is not sweet," replied Breakout. "In fact, according to one of it's warriors the Stryker is, and I quote 'with the exception of the Osprey, the worst piece of shit that brass has tried to kill Marines with.'"

Stryke's expression drooped and he looked down at the ground. He kicked some dirt in the air. "Well I think it's nifty," he said quietly.

"I think you look good," said Crimson.

"Thanks," said Stryke. He brightened up. "So is this everyone who has joined the party?"

"Autobot or Decepticon?" Overload asked.

"Hey youngsters," said Kup as he walked toward the group. "What are you talking about? My audio receptors don't work as well as they used to."

"I'll pay good energon to kill him now," Overload whispered to Breakout. "If you let him start talking, you'll regret it. Trust me on this."

"Prime wouldn't approve," said Breakout.

"See?" said Shellshock to Stryke. "He isn't that fun to have around."

"Who isn't any fun to be around?" asked Kup. "Speak up."

"Breakout isn't," said Shellshock, just a little bit too loudly. "Good enough for you?" he said, his voice rising as he spoke.

"Yeah, you're a funny 'bot," said Kup. "Keep it up and I'll show you why military 'bots have been running in fear of me since before Megatron came out of the mold."

"Yeah," said Shellshock at his normal volume, "the problem is that they were the military 'bots on your side."

"Why you little punk . . ."

"Little?" said Shellshock. "Your head barely comes up to my chest."

Stryke smiled and Crimson giggled. "Some 'bots," said Kup stiffly, "have no respect for the dignity and wisdom of their seniors."

"When you display wisdom or dignity, let me know," said Shellshock.

"And that's it," said Overload. "Round goes to Shellshock. Just like all the other rounds for the past sixty thousand vorns. Except the ones where it went to me."

"Hmmf," grumbled Kup. "Are you done yet?"

"Pretty much," said Shellshock with a grin. "Seen those Aerialbots? Autobot owning the sky. I like it."

"If they had the experience, fire power, raw strength, or maneuverability of Megatron's Seekers that might be the case," said Breakout. All of them stared at him. "They are capable robotss and they can combine into a powerful warrior, but they are not yet the equal of the Seekers. We should not take air superiority as granted, especially when most Decepticons can fly and Megatron has also received reinforcements."

"He's right," said Overload. "Blunt, but right. The Predicons are bad news all by themselves."

"You can say that again," said Kup.

"You are not that old," said Overload.

"You wanna bet?" Both 'bots stared at each other. Then Overload looked away.

"That's not all," said Shellshock. "Megatron might take some of the losers back into the fold. Some of them will have flyer vehicle modes. Blitzwing, for example."

"And Deathstrike," said Breakout.

"Deathstrike," said Stryke. "Deathstrike's here?" His eyes flashed vividly. "He won't be for long."

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Cybertron, Six Million Years Ago

Stryke pulled himself out of the opening at the top of the elevator shaft. "All clear," he said as he walked into the room. The glass dome that capped the tower had been shattered ages ago. "Keep low," said the dark green Autobot as he crept to the edge of the tower. Stryke was a big, blocky Autobot with a bulky machine pistol in his hand and a cannon mounted on his right shoulder. He peaked over the ruined equipment and remains of the wall. "Yeah, just what we're looking for."

The other Autobot was a shorter and slimmer silver robot with black streaks. He carried a laser carbine with an under barrel attachment as he crept up next to his friend. His head popped up. "Yeah, great view." Before them stretched kilometers of ruined buildings and battered roadways, casualties of the long war. In the distance were the outer walls of Megatron's fortress of Kaon. Between here and there were retractable bridges, extendable barricades, and defence towers.

A sensor cluster extended from the smaller Autobot's shoulder and began sweeping the area. "Doesn't look that good for the big offense," said Stryke.

"Yeah," Quicksilver agreed. "The sensor data just makes it worse. The defences are too strong. A head on assault on this place is asking to get our chassis handed to us. We don't have the strength yet."

"Too bad," said Stryke. "I was hoping after the way we cleaned their chronometers as Antihex that we could end this with a big push."

"So was I," said Quicksilver. "Looks like we'll have to kick a few more Decepticreeps into the wreckage pile and pull the teeth of some of these defences before we can do the big push."

"I'm up for that. Ironhide is going to be disappointed."

"Ironhide is always disappointed. It allows him to be grumpy all the time. Come on, we've got to get the bad news back to Prime."

"Right." The Autobots descended down the shaft.

Quicksilver landed first. "Careful, we're still in Decepticon territory. We may have beaten Starscream and his Seekers into junkicons, but that still leaves a Megatron with a whole bunch of other soldiers."

"Stop being so nervous," said Stryke. "You have me here to back you up if we get into trouble. As always."

Quicksilver peaked out. "It's clear." He transformed into a sleek silver vehicle with a black stripe along the sides. "Let's roll out."

Stryke transformed into a long, multiwheeled vehicle with a top mounted long barrelled cannon. The pistol became the base of a smaller secondary weapon. "With you," Stryke said.

Quicksilver darted ahead, crossing a long bridge and then a avenue lined with shattered buildings. Stryke followed behind at full speed, unable to keep up with the coasting Autobot. "Don't get too far ahead," Stryke warned.

"Faster we're out of here the safer we'll be," said Quicksilver as he darted through a field of rubble. Ahead was the ramp leading up to an abandoned city terrace.

"Too fast and I won't be there to bail you out when you get into trouble," said Stryke.

"There won't be any- uh oh." Three sleek battleship grey hovercrafts appeared at the edge of the terrace, preparing to descend the ramp. All of them had shot barreled gun turrets on the top and a pair of small missile pods. The Decepticon symbol was embossed on the nose of the hovercrafts. "Trouble!" Quicksilver sent as he turned abruptly, nearly flipping himself over, and sped into cover.

The Decepticons unleashed several particle beam blasts that tore white-hot holes in the roadway and the rubble. Quicksilver transformed and fired blindly back before ducking back into cover. Stryke transformed, his feet hitting the ground running. "Quicksilver!" he shouted.

The Decepticons transformed, becoming grey metal humanoids with carbines in their hands and rocket pods on their shoulders. They were reformated transformers who had joined Megatron and been changed into forms more suitable for war. The Autobots despised them as cowards and turncoats, the other Decepticons despised them as weak until they proved themselves otherwise. They were Megatron's least valuable warriors, but they were still warriors and Megatron would squeeze out of them every advantage he could get.

Stryke's shoulder cannon fired an explosive shell at the Decepticons, who were already scattering for cover. The blast cratered the ramp and sent smoke and shrapnel through the air. Stryke raked the top of the terrace with his energy pistol, saturating the area with rapid fire energy pulses. Quicksilver rose up and added in his gun.

"Piece of junk traitors!" Stryke roared. One of the Decepticons popped up and fired a missile from each shoulder pod. One of the missiles shot for Stryke, the other arced toward Quicksilver. Both Autobots leapt away, ending up behind the base of the same ruined building. The missiles detonated where they had been less than a second ago.

All three Decepticons had risen up know and were firing at a steady rate with their carbines. The bolts blew glowing holes in what was left of the building's walls. "This is not so good," said Quicksilver.

"You think?" replied Stryke. He extended his pistol around the corner and unleashed a stream of energy bolts that drove one Decepticon back under cover for a moment. "What's left of this building isn't going to last too much longer and then we are out of cover."

"I'll distract right, you break left," said Quicksilver. "Close and kill." Decepticon particle beams were now eating holes in the wall next to them.

"Sounds like a good plan, under the circumstances," said Stryke. Two violet particle beams flashed in between the two Autobots. "Ready."

Quicksilver broke left. "Go!" The sensor mount on his shoulder sent out blasts of bright light and sensor static and he launched jammer modules and flares at the Decepticon's position. Stryke ran wildly, sweeping the top with a long burst from his pistol as he closed the gap.

The Decepticons were momentarily confused and disorientated, but they recovered quickly. Two of them drove Quicksilver back into cover with blasts from their carbines, the Autobot's left arm smoking from a glancing blow. The third exchanged fire with Stryke.

Two bolts from Stryke's pistol struck the Decepticon, cratering and weakening armour on his right shoulder and his upper chest. The Decepticon stood up fully and fired missiles from both of his shoulder launchers. As he did so Stryke stopped for a moment and steadied his aim. A tremendous blast fired from his shoulder cannon and then the Autobot was diving away.

The missiles just missed Stryke, but the detonations sent shrapnel knifing into his armour in a dozen places. Fortunately, no major circuits were damaged and he was still in full fighting shape, although now would be a bad time to get hit by Thundercracker's flame thrower. The Decepticon hadn't been so fortunate. Stryke's blast had caught him just below the head and breached his armour. His body was now sprawled on the ground above with smoke rising from the cavity in his chest and optics darkened.

The other two Decepticons turned on Stryke, sending particle beam blasts at the Autobot. Quicksilver popped up and unleashed a flurry of laser blasts, scoring a direct hit on one of the Decepticon's left arm and driving them back into cover. Stryke used the opportunity to ascend the sloped sides of the city terrace with a mighty leap and then scrambling up the rest of the way.

One of the Decepticons rushed over to gun him down as Stryke pulled himself up. The Autobot raised his pistol and fired a storm of energy bolts at the Decepticon at point blank range. The first couple of energy bolts cratered armour and the rest burned their way through to tear up the robot's insides. Smoke poured from the head sized rent in the armour and broken circuitry crackled. The Decepticon's optics faded as he crashed to the ground. The third Decepticon tackled Stryke and their momentum carried them over the side of the terrace. The slid their way down, punching and grappling with each other.

Stryke landed and the bottom. The Decepticon rose up and slammed his breastplate with his fist, denting it. He rose up again for another blow and Stryke let him. The blow further deformed the Autobot's armour, but allowed Stryke to get his hands on the Decepticon's torso and push him off. The 'con landed on his back and both transformers raced to their feet. Stryke won and kicked the the Decepticon in chest, knocking him back down.

Stryke stomped on the Decepticon's already damaged left arm, crushing it. Then he stomped on the Decepticon's chest. Armour bent. He stomped again and it buckled. A third time and it deformed. A fourth and it crumpled inward. Stryke could feel internal components being crushed under his foot. The Decepticon squirmed like a pinned bug. A roaring noise filled the air.

"Oh no!" said Quicksilver. "It's Deathstrike!" The midnight blue heavy fighter screamed through the air on the trail of thrust provided by his powerful engines. The Decepticon strike leader swept passed the two Autobots and began turning to make his attack run.

Stryke stepped away from the crippled Decepticon. "We can stand and fight," he said.

"Sure," said Quicksilver. "And we might win. Or he might kill us. Either way, odds are more Decepticreeps will be joining the party before it's over and then our circuits will really be cooked."

"Not enough cover around here," said Stryke as he transformed into vehicle mode to join Quicksilver. "I'm not fast or maneuverable enough. He'll gun me down if I try to run." He half flew up the ramp in the wake of the faster Quicksilver.

"Not if I can help it. Transform and hide in the Iconis Tunnel. I'll draw his attention."

"He'll gun you down for sure!" objected Stryke as the Autobot's sped passed ruined buildings. Deathstrike was on their tail now. X-ray laser pulses from his nose cannon left violet ionization tracks in the air as the Decepticon opened fire. Stryke's gun swiveled around to fire a blast at the Decepticon and disrupt his attack run.

"Hard Right!" Quicksilver said and turned. Deathstrike's laser cannon blew huge holes in the building behind him. The Decepticon jet screamed passed. "That's some seriously nasty firepower he's carrying."

"He's not the only one," said Stryke. "Fighting is better than running."

"I can loose him in the Deckris Maze," said Quicksilver. "The only other alternative is letting him practice his attack runs until his buddies arrive and he's a better shot than those three losers we just tangled with."

"I still don't like this plan," said Stryke.

"Iconis Tunnel ahead!" shouted Quicksilver. The long tunnel stretched for more than two kilometers over a great rift and ended on the other side at the battered plateau city of Metricon. Large chunks of the wall and the tunnel roof were missing but it was still fairly structurally sound.

"I hope the Decepticons haven't mined it again," said Stryke as he rushed for the tunnel.

"Mined?!" squeeked Quicksilver as he darted ahead into the tunnel. "The Decepticons mined it?"

"That was a while back," said Stryke as he neared the tunnel. "They probably haven't done it again." Behind him Deathstrike roared through the air, coming in low and fast.

"You've got company!" Quicksilver yelled and spun.

"Die Autobot," Deathstrike growled and two missiles dropped from his wings.

"Incoming!" Quicksilver yelled. Stryke was at the edge of the tunnel. The Autobot transformed and flung himself into the tunnel wall, trying to make himself as difficult a target as possible. Two missiles streaked for him. One overshot and blew another hole in the tunnel wall. The other struck the Autobot in the back and exploded.

Stryke sagged to his knees, smoke pouring from a crater in his back. "Stryke!" said Quicksilver. The Autobot slowly stood up. "How bad is it buddy?"

"Bad. Heavy damage to my primary systems."

"Can you transform and roll?"

"I . . . think so." Stryke transformed back into his vehicle form.

"I'll buy you time buddy," said Quicksilver, transforming back into vehicle mode.

"No!" said Stryke.

"If he doesn't see someone come out the other end of the tunnel he's going to know he's got us in here. He'll trap us in from that side and his Decepticreep buddies will come up this way. If he sees the Autobot he didn't fire upon come blazing out, he'll give chase. It's the only plan that will work. See you back in Iocon." Quicksilver sped off. Stryke lumbered after him.

Deathstrike was circling back to see if any Autobots emerged. If they did he would run them down and destroy them. If not, he would transform and dig them out. Stryke, if he still functioned, would be a formidable warrior but Quicksilver would die easy. The speedy little Autobot whipped out of the tunnel and then turned hard. The Decepticon turned and swooped down toward him.

Quicksilver took a hard left to prevent Deathstrike drawing a bead on him and turned right and drove straight ahead, smashing through a ruined building and causing the Decepticon to overshoot. Quicksilver turned right again to speed ahead, left the road to crash through another ruined building, and then whipped down a road, cornering with impossible skill to turn left yet again and speed down a bridge ramp that connected Metricon to the Deckris Maze one kilometer below.

Deathstrike cursed as he overshot the speedy little Autobot again. The Decepticon was fast, but not maneuverable and the keeping up with Quicksilver's sudden rapid turns was proving difficult. Very difficult. By the time the Decepticon had lined up to take a run at the bridge, Quicksilver had left it and was darting among the dark towers of the Deckris Maze.

Once Deckris had been an industrial center with tall refinery towers, smelters, and transmission towers providing goods to all of Cybertron. The war had shifted priorities and resources in other directions and for a long time Deckris had been dark and abandoned. The tall buildings made it easy to hide and dodge Decepticon fliers but the deadly terrain was also a good place for Decepticon ambushers. Deckris was a no man's land, no longer valuable and hazardous to both sides.

Quicksilver darted inside an empty plant and transformed. Deathstrike's lack of maneuverability would further hamper his jet form in here. As long as he proceeded cautiously, he should be able to exit the Maze without being spotted and make his way back to Iocon. Meanwhile, Stryke would have been able to put some distance between him and the Decepticons and should make it back okay.

He headed across the empty factory floor towards a loading bay door. He peeked outside. All clear. A quick dash would take him to another building. He broke from cover and began to run. Then a knife of white-hot pain shot through his vitals. He saw the edge of a glowing hole in the front of his armour and then his motive system stopped working and he fell.

He heard the sound of engines from behind him and above as Deathstrike descended from the roof. "How?" he whispered.

"I didn't try to chase you into the maze Autobot," growled Deathstrike. "I went up and watched you instead. Then I transformed, dropped to the roof, and waited for you to come out. And now you die."

[Imperial Overlord]

Earth, Now

"So," said Starscream, "that was quite the welcome for someone who came crawling back."

Deathstrike turned around. He was alone in the corridor with the Decepticon Air Commander. "Starscream," he grated. "What do you want?"

"What else?" said Starscream with false sincerity, "but to welcome you back into the fold. You're one of us again, serving our glorious leader Megatron. Under my command, of course. What else could I have meant?"

"I have not interest in your games Starscream. I never have and never will."

"Don't overstep yourself traitor," Starscream hissed. "You're no longer Megatron's little pet and you were never my equal."

"Care to test that Starscream?"

"I'm right here traitor."

"That's rich, coming from you."

"I never abandoned Megatron. You, on the other hand, left when the going got tough. How long are you going to stay around this time?"

"Don't push me Starscream."

"Or what? I'll have to shut down your circuits with my null ray? Throw you across the room and pound you into scrap? Fly rings around you? I'm not some second tier flier or quivering ground bound Autobot that talks tough whenever Prime or Brawn is around to back them up. I'm the Air Commander of the Decepticons and the leader of the Seekers. I was piling empties on the scrap heap long before you were ever formed."

Deathstrike smiled savagely. "Think about this Starscream: Megatron's air wing is stronger now and I am more of tactician than Thundercracker, Skywarp, or Ramjet. If Megatron decides to rid himself of an unreliable air commander he can do it now without crippling his forces. You've become expendable. Do you think you can take Shockwave, one on one, if it is decided that you've become a net liability?"

Starscream scowled. "Watch your step Deathstrike."

"I always do," said Deathstrike. "Now leave me out of your plots. I am here for one purpose: to kill the enemies of Megatron. Whoever they maybe."

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"Mommy mommy!" said the small boy at the edge of the crowd. He was pointing frantically. "A tyrannosaurus rex!"

A blond woman in her late twenties looked down the street. "Which one is that?" she asked, feigning ignorance.

The brown skinned boy pointed again. "The big one, on two feet."

"Oh. Yes, he's very impressive," the woman said as the Dinobots advanced down the street. "There's some other dinosaur robots with him."

"Mom, they're called Dinbots. The teevee said so!" The ground shook as the mighty robots approached. The crowd roared and waved streamers. The Dinobots looked around bemused. The most fearsome, aggressive, and brutal warriors serving the Autobot cause were being greeted by crowds of enthusiastic humans, including children. This was not the way things were supposed to be.

"The tyrannosaur is the leader!" the little boy said breathlessly. "I heard it on the teevee! His name is Grimlock! Hi Grimlock!" He waved frantically.

Grimlock waved his two fingered hand at the crowd. "Just like pit matches. Except winner already decided. Me Grimlock like," he murmured.

"Grimlock likes the crowd," Wildrider said to Breakdown. Both Stunticons were parked in the second level of a parking lot, watching the local television coverage of the Autobot parade.

"Always did," said Breakdown. "I don't like it that he's here."

"Stop worrying so much. The Dinobots won't be a problem."

"Can you hear yourself speak?" asked Breakdown acidly. "You just said Grimlock's Wrecker Team wouldn't be a problem!"

"We'll have the distraction and a surprise. We'll take half of them down before they know what's going on and we'll form Menasor and crush the rest."

"Easier said than done."

"Well, if you're afraid of the risk . . ."

"Who are you calling afraid? Who jumped the Siletex Gorge when the bridge went down? Who slammed through three Autobot elite warriors to get your chassis out a crossfire? Who lead the way when we ran the gauntlet when things went bad at Temaron after our air cover bugged out?"

"Well then, I guess you're up for this."

[Imperial Overlord]

"We are proud," the portly human continued, "to present Optimus Prime and the Autobots this key to the city, in recognition for what they have done, not only for the people of this city and this country, but the entire human race. They came as strangers to our world, but they have demonstrated very human compassion and virtue, helping to defend us from those who would plunder our world and save us from the collapse of our own society." The ceremonial key glittered huge and gold in the human's hand. Optimus Prime knelt down to engulf the key in his own massive manipulator.

"Thank you," said Optimus Prime. "for this sincere and moving gesture of friendship. You and your world have been kind hosts to us, proof that the once you look passed superficial differences the alien is not truly alien at all. Different worlds birthed us, but in what matters we are the same. We cherish, we hope, we struggle, and we sacrifice both for ourselves and for others. We are united not despite our differences, but because-"

A roar cut off Optimus Prime's speech. The Dinobots turned their heads to the side. "An explosion," said Grimlock. "Near the water. Me Grimlock say we go and check it out. Swoop fly and scout."

"Excuse me mister mayor," said Optimus Prime. "An early intervention by my Autobots could be crucial in saving lives if the disaster is as bad as I fear." The Autobot leader stepped away from the podium and transformed. "Please make way," said Prime loudly. "Lives may be at stake." The crowd parted instantly before him, with an alacrity that Moses could only have envied when attempting the mythical parting of the Red Sea.

The big Autobot accelerated through the gap. "Hey, wait for me Grimlock," said the Dinobot leader as he rushed after Optimus. The other Dinobots hurried after their leader. "Swoop, fly over and see what happening."

"I go," said the Dinobot, leaping up and transforming into a pteradon. He shrieked as he flew up above the buildings and then down towards the thick column of smoke rising from the waterfront. "Me Swoop says it looks bad."

"We'll try to rescue as many people and create a fire break to prevent it's spread so rescue forces can contain it," said Prime as he raced through Seattle's streets. He braked hard at an intersection, coming to a halt in a space impossible for a human vehicle. The driver of the minivan, oblivious to how close she had just come to being crushed like an empty pop can, drove blissfully on. Prime accelerated and rushed through the gap in traffic to cross the intersection and speed on. Every second counted.

"Think I used too much explosive?" asked Drag Strip?

"Nah," said Wild Rider. "Blowing up a whole block, wrecking the surrounding buildings, and setting a bunch more on fire should get Prime coming in a hurry."

"Wonder how many humans I killed?"

"Don't go padding you kill score. Meatbags aren't worth a spent energon chip."

"The only kills that I'm counting will be Wreckers we're just about to scrap," said Drag Strip. "I'm just curious about how many fleshlings I just scrapped."

"Fleshlings don't get scrapped," replied Wild Rider. "They get garbaged, although they're pretty much garbage to begin with. A couple hundred I guess," he said.

"They do count in case of a tie," said Drag Strip. "Hey, there's Swoop."

"Yeah, scouting. Prime should be here soon."

"This is Dead End, I have eyes on Prime and his Dinobots. Relaying coordinates."

"Excellent," said Motormaster. "Set up for ambush plan delta. Lay into Grimlock and his Wreckers while I finish Prime."

"Finish Prime?" said Wildrider. "Someone's cocky."

"I heard that," said Motormaster. "You'll answer for it later. Doubly if you don't perform well in battle.

"Scrap," said Wildrider.

"Got to watch what you say over the general frequency," said Drag Strip as the Decepticons started their engines darted onto the the congested streets, bashing three cars out of their way to force their way through an intersection and an unobstructed traffic lane. The sped off, leaving crumpled metal and snarled traffic in their wake.

Optimus Prime drew close to the disaster scene. "Primus no," he said as he saw the magnitude of the devastation. The loss of life had to be enormous. He accelerated to clear the next intersection as the light turned from green to yellow. He was just entering it when one of the vehicles, another eighteen wheeler, accelerated impossibly fast. Motormaster, never the most original of thinkers, struck Prime in the side and T-boned him through the intersection, crushing a BMW on the other side.

Motormaster and Prime transformed as Drag Strip and Wildrider came up behind the train of Dinbots following Prime. Double barreled cannons popped out of their roofs and they opened fire on Sludge, the trailing Dinobot. A half dozen violet bolts struck the Dinobot before he knew what was happening. He staggered into a half turn, taking more hits as he did so. The robotic brontosaur was immensely tough, but even he had limits. With an anguished roar he staggered and fell.

Motormaster assumed robot mode looming above Prime's prone body. "I'm the king of the road!" he screamed as he stabbed with his energized sword. Optimus tried to roll out of the way, but only succeeded in taking the blow in his side.

Motormaster twisted the blade to widen the wound and enhance the damage, the blade's energy field frying circuits and slagging mechanisms as it did so. The Decepticon pulled the blade out to stab again. Prime lurched up, clasping his hands on Motormaster's forearm. "No."

Prime rose up, sparks sizzling in the wound in his side. He heaved, sending Motormaster crashing down into the road, leaving a depression in the asphalt. Humans were fleeing in panic, abandoning their vehicles. The Autobot leader could hear the sounds of shots being fired as the other Stunticon opened fire on the Dinobots. Grimlock's troops were tough, but there were limits. Motormaster regained his feet.

He charged Prime, swinging his sword above his head. Prime dodged the downward strike and kicked the Decepticon into a building. Brick crumbled into dust at the impact. Prime followed up rapidly, reaching into the hole in side of the building and pulling Motormaster out sans sword.

The Decepticon head butted Prime in the face, causing the Autobot's grip to slacken. Motormaster pulled away and slammed his fists into Prime's chest. The Autobot leader fell back. "This time Prime, I am going to end you." His fist smashed Optimus in the face, knocking the Autobot further back.

Prime's fist hammered Motormaster in the lower torso, denting armour and rattling his mechanisms. The Autobot leader struck again, hitting him high on his chest. "Not this day," said Optimus as he followed it up. "Not any day. You're a bully and a coward." A double hand smash left Motormaster sprawled on the street. "You can dish it out, but you can't take it. This day you pay for your crimes."

"No!" said Motormaster, surging upwards. He charged Optimus, tackling him and driving them both into the damaged building. The entire wall collapsed, half burying them in rubble. The Decepticon was on top. "I", he screamed, "WILL," he said as he hammered his fists down, "KILL," he continued as he struck Prime, "YOU!"

Prime, dented and battered, reached out and pulled the Decepticon down in a bear hug, robbing Motormaster's blows of their power. The Autobot leader regained his feet and walked out of the ruined building. He squeezed. Metal shrieked as Motormaster's chassis bent.

Prime lifted the Stunticon leader high. "It's over," he said and threw Motormaster into an unoccupied stretch of pavement. The Stunticon leader lay their stunned. A panel opened as Optimus reached back. His laser rifle rose up to meet his hand, expanding to it's full size. Prime stepped back into the intersection to battle the remaining Stunticons.

The Stunticon ambush had been devastatingly effective. Slag and Snarl had been laid low by Stunticon fire and Swoop's hasty return to aid his comrades had resulted in a wing being blasted off and a crash half a kilometer away. Only Grimlock remained on his feet and fighting, retreating to alley mouth and daring any Stunticon to engage him directly. None took up the challenge.

Motormaster's hand came up, clutching his cyclone gun. Prime's momentary distraction, his concern for his people, had shifted his attention and his position away from Motormaster. Prime swiveled and the dropped the muzzle of his laser rifle toward Motormaster's body.

Motormaster fired a fraction of a second earlier. The blast struck Prime in his wounded side and sent the Autobot leader crashing down with a cry of anguish. Motormaster rose shakily to his feet, secondaries and back ups compensating for offline systems. The ground dropped away from beneath his feat as he rose into the sky.

"Stunticons!" he shouted. His voice was weak and filled with static. "Merge into Menasor!" Four forms rose up to meet him. A titan crashed back down, the impact of his landing sending cars bouncing up and knocking fleeing humans off their feet.

The scared and dented giant took a step and the ground shook again. "I will leave no Autobot uncrushed."

[LadyTevar]

I see Nitram got the "welcome home" gift he wanted

[Imperial Overlord]

"Me Grimlock not like," muttered the ex-gladiator as the huge gestalt stomped forward. Menasor took a pair of hits to the chest from Optimus Prime's laser rifle and kept on coming. The Autobot leader dodged behind the wrecked building. Two blasts from the cyclone cannon sent debris flying everywhere and turned the building into rubble. Menasor stomped forward.

Grimlock raised his rifle and fired, sending a rocket into the gestalt's right arm and another into his back. Menasor's head swung around, giving Prime enough time to start moving out of the giant's path. Another pair of laser bolts hammered the Decepticon's battered chest armour. "You die now Prime," Menasor roared as he strode forward.

Grimlock jogged forward, firing rockets into the huge warrior's back. Menasor roared with pain, but refused to be distracted. The Decepticon swung his electron sword at Optimus, cutting the Autobot's rifle in two. Menasor drew back his arm to swing again.

Prime didn't wait for the blow to land. Instead he lunged forward and tackled Menasor around the leg. Metal screamed as the Autobot leader smashed into the giant Decepticon. The impact forced Menasor's leg back and off the ground and unbalanced the massive warrior. The Decepticon teetered and fell. Abandoned vehicles were smashed flat under the giant robot.

Prime raised his fists and brought them down on Menasor's thigh. The gestalt's massive armour buckled. Menasor pushed himself up as Prime slammed his fist through the gap in the deformed plate, grabbed cables, and pulled. Lines spilling green fluid and arcing electricity came out with Prime's fist. Menasor howled and kicked Prime with his other leg, sending the Autobot tumbling.

Menasor staggered up. Then Grimlock hit him from behind, scarlet light crackling around his sword. The Dinobot's blade punched into the back of Menasor's left leg, through the joint actuator, and out through the front armour plate. The Decepticon's legs buckled and forward. Grimlock raised his in both hands and stabbed down into Menasor's upper thigh. Armour melted away from the impact point like boiling slag and sparks flew from wound.

Menasor kicked Grimlock away with his other leg. The Decepticon rose clumsily into the air and began climbing up. Grimlock raised his rifle and fired, blasting holes in battered armour but failing to inflict serious damage to Menasor's internals. The battered warrior rose out of sight and Grimlock ceased firing. "He big, but not so tough."

"Thank you Grimlock," said Optimus as he staggered toward the Dinobot leader.

"Tackling Menasor without weapon. Big processors."

"He's big but clumsy," said Prime. "I just played to his weak points, not his strengths."

"So you say. Grimlock say that nothing scare Prime."

"That's not true," said Optimus, "but you can't let fear prevent you from doing what has to be done."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Too bad we weren't there," said Shellshock as he watched the news clips on Teletraan-One's big display. "We would have sent that rust bucket to the scrap heap."

"All five of them," agreed Overload.

"Megatron's getting bold, to strike so close," said Ironhide.

"Those weren't Megatron's soldiers," said Crimson. "Motormaster and his boys take their marching orders from Straxus and they weren't among the captured."

"Wait," said Ironhide, "if Straxus sent them here to kill Megatron, why did they set an ambush for Prime?"

"I don't know," said Overload, "but I think we should find out."

[Imperial Overlord]

"Megatron," said Shockwave as the Decepticon leader entered the command center. "Havoc is accelerating toward C-plus transition jump to leave the Sol System."

"So the Stunticons are leaving," said Megatron with a smile. "It appears Motormaster got all the Optimus Prime he could handle and then some."

"Indeed," said Shockwave. "The logical next more for Straxus is not to compartmentalize knowledge by dispatching a single attack force, but to risk the widespread revelation of your continued existence by hitting Earth with overwhelming force."

"Correct," said Megatron. "Too bad we won't be here when he arrives." He activated his com system. "Starscream, Deathstrike, and Razorclaw report to the command center."

They didn't have long to wait. The door slid open and Starscream stepped through the threshold. "What do you want, oh mighty Megatron?" asked the Decepticon Air Commander.

"Starscream, always a pleasure," said Megatron. Deathstrike and Razorclaw followed Starscream into the room. "Havoc has left the system. I'm going to dispatch Astrotrain on a mission to the Predacon ship with a full load of supplies. You, Deathstrike, and Divebomb will fly escort."

"What are your intentions Megatron?" asked Razorclaw.

"We are leaving this planet," said Megatron. "With Astrotrain and your ship we can transport all of my warriors along with enough ammunition, energon, and supplies to begin my campaign of reconquest. By the time Straxus's next strike force arrives we will have already left and begun striking our first targets."

"The Lair is not yours to command," said Razorclaw. "The ship is ours and we have not sworn ourselves to you. Yet."

"Of course not," said Megatron. "Surely, you will not begrudge your fellow Decepticons a single short trip in exchange for fuel and supplies?"

"As you say," said Razorclaw. "As long as there are no misunderstandings."

"Of course not," said Megatron. And how many times have you said yes to my requests? Your Predacons are half way to swearing themselves to my service already.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cybertron, Now

A thousand thousand spires glowed in Cybertron's dark sky. The city of Polyhex shown with life as fusion and fission reactors converted matter to energy and made parts of Cybertron live again. Multikilometer long factory lines assembled lines of drones that were the backbone of Straxus's empire. The majority of the drones were labor or espionage models that serviced Straxus's paranoia, but a few were combat models that helped patrol the vast territory that was theoretically under the Decepticon tyrant's control.

The spires served a variety of purposes. Some were sensor emplacements or communication centers. Others were reactors or energy transmission towers. Others served are repair centers, supply depots, or barracks. Many were empty or half built, in the process of being rebuilt and refurbished as part of Straxus's glorious empire.

A single Vehicon approached the tower, transforming into a Decepticon warrior as he reached the base of the spire. Two drone guards raised their rifles and pointed it at him. The Decepticon sent them a tight beam transmission and they lowered their weapons. He entered the spire.

An elevator took him to the upper level. The spire was filled with data banks and a managing computer system that another race might have called an AI. The dome of the spire housed high powered transmission horns and sensitive receptors on different levels. The elevator stopped just below the top level. A single Casseticon was sitting on a chair and managing a huge bank of screens. "What do you want?" he asked without turning around.

The Vehicon held out a slim silicon wafer. "We recovered this from a dead traitor. It's damaged and the data scrambled. We think it's from an intercepted communication. My commander sent me hear to verify."

"Why not central?"

"Closer and my boss has been spooked by how jumpy the higher ups have been. He doesn't want to show up with problems, only solutions."

"I can understand that," said the Casseticon. "HQ com traffic has spiked through the stratosphere and everyone's walking on spun silicon containers. Straxus sent three Decepticons to the slag pool. It's pretty scary up there at boss altitude."

"Yeah," said the Vehicon. "Never been so glad to be a groundpounder stationed in the boonies." He held out the wafer. The Casseticon took it and pluged it into an access port.

"It's damaged."

"Yep," agreed the Vehicon. "That's why my boss sent me hear for reconstruction."

"Alright," said the Vehicon, tapping keys to engage the data banks and the dedicated computer systems. "Comparing with the data banks, full access." His attention was focused on the screens, not the Decepticon behind him.

"That's good," said the Vehicon.

"Getting results," said the Casseticon. "It's junk," he said. "Flight schedule from two vorns ago. Outdated." He spun in his chair to find himself looking into the barrel of the Vehicon's pistol.

"Thanks for engaging the system on a high access sweep," said Swindle, "but I don't need you anymore." A violet bolt blew open the Casseticon's head. Two more bolts holed his torso. Mech fluid oozed from smoking craters. The Combaticon tossed the body aside and began accessing the information he was really after. Taking that patrol leader's ID and IFF package and reformating himself to appear to be a Vehicon had been a stroke of genius, if he had to say so himself. Now he would find out what was giving Straxus such a huge glitch in the motivator circuits and use it to his own advantage. And maybe help his fellow Decepticons.

[LadyTevar]

It Functions!

I see the plot's thickening here.

[Skyfox120]

I like this story... although I am curious as to whom Scourge and the Sweeps will align to. At this point I see three possibilities Autobots, Megatron, or Straxis... Since they are currently just evaluating the factions they can see on Earth alla re still open.

While good money is probably on Megatron, with Straxis as a runner up.. Especially since they are wearing the decepticon symbol. I can't help but hoping that for some reason Scourge tries to ally with the Autobots against Unicron (perhaps having seen countless tyrannies fall to Unicron in his past he doesn't view megatron's regime as anything out of hte ordinary for Unicron to fear... but hte autobots are strange...) If only because the possible plot evolutions and conflicts of such a alliance intrigue me.

If pressed to pull some statstics out of thin air I'd say there is a 90% chance scourge allies with megatron (Having just observed him emerge triumphant against Straxis's forces), 9% straxis, and maybe a 1% longshot with the autobots...

As to the decepticons fleeing earth...I wonder if Megatron is planning to give optimus and the planet a 'parting gift'... Or with the decepticons no longer in Earth space, if OPtimus might reconsider giving the US cybertonian technology....

[LadyTevar]

Skyfox, iirc Scourge is Unicron's herald, a-la Silver Surfer and Galactix.

[Skyfox120]

Skyfox, iirc Scourge is Unicron's herald, a-la Silver Surfer and Galactix.

Yes but earlier in the story it showed a Scourge and his sweeps defecting (Or at least believing to defect...) when Unicron ordered a recall to reprocess all his sweeps....

One sweep was destroyed for calling scourge a traitor for not obeying unicron and pondering what it is about cybertonians Unicron fears, by the rest of his Sweeps which were loyal ot Scourge and his orders.

THan had Scourge watching earth pondering which side to join.

[Imperial Overlord]

Earth, Now

"Prime," drawled Ironhide, catching the Autobot leader as he headed towards Wheeljack's lab. "Teletraan-One has picked up three Decepiticons headin' towards space."

"Seekers?" Prime asked

"One, maybe two. The third is bigger."

"Astrotrain," said Prime. "What was their course?"

"Not in line to head toward any planet in the system," said Ironhide. "I'm guessin' that with Havoc leaving Megatron's up to somethin'."

"Yes, but what?" said Prime. "Have Jetfire go for a recon flight. Tell him to keep his distance and avoid engagement, but I need to know what they're up to."

"Prime, if we send the Arielbots we have more than enough firepower to send those Deceptacreeps to the scrap yard."

"They won't be able to catch Astrotrain in deep space," said Prime, "and I don't want to lose our air cover to a Decepticon feint."

"Alright Prime, but I don't like it. We need to hit them hard. We got our cans kicked in Canada and we need to hit back."

"We will," said Prime, "but we need to figure out where first. How are the repairs going?"

"Crimson's little ship is a nice piece of work. Just needs refueling and it'll be ready to go, although I would prefer to refit first. Little thing doesn't have no guns. Breakout's and Hot Rods are leadin' the repair and retrieval team for their ship."

"Good," said Prime. "Megatron is going to be thinking about trying to take command of the Decepticons again and that means they'll be leaving Earth. We need space transport in order to be effective in this next stage of the war."

"You have a plan Prime?"

"I'm working on one. Let Overload know I need to talk with him in four hours."

"Will do. Anything else?"

"No, just get those ships ready to get back into space."

Ironhide gave an human salute and departed. Prime waited for a moment and then walked into Wheeljack's lab. The Autobot's chief scientist was manipulating several holographic images of design schematics that floated in the air in front of him. "Wheeljack," said Prime. "Your Project Terra is approved."

The Autobot scientist turned around. "Outstanding. What about the ships?"

"They don't need your skills. These new Autobots do."

"You got it Prime."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cybertron, Now

"Megatron lives!" roared Warhulk. The ancient warrior towered over the other Decepticons in the darkened chamber.

"Indeed," said Onslaught. The Combaticons were the back bone of the anti-Straxus insurgency. In their gestalt form they possessed more strength and firepower than even the ancient and battle hardened Warhulk. "It would explain why Straxus's operations have been disrupted and his best troops absent."

"Do the Autobots know?" asked Brawl.

"They wouldn't tell us if they did," said Blast Off.

"I don't know about that," said Vortex. "I'm sure one could be . . . persuaded to be forthcoming on the subject." The rest of the Combaticons laughed.

"This changes things," said Onslaught. "If Megatron lives."

"Straxus will try to fix that," said Blast Off.

"He'll fail," said Warhulk.

"He'll hit him with everything he can," said Onslaught. "Even Megatron has his limits."

"He is Megatron."

"We should wait until we get more intelligence," said Swindle. "If Megatron lives, that changes things. If Straxus has scrapped him, nothing has really changed."

"How do we figure out what's happening?" asked Blast Off. "What intel sources do we have?"

"I can think of a couple," said Swindle. "They won't be too cooperative though."

"I can fix that," said Vortex. The Decepticons exchanged looks that conveyed that they were in perfect accord.

[Imperial Overlord]

Earth, Now


"Well I thought it would be worse," said Hot Rod as he examined the exposed engine thruster.

"You haven't looked at the port engine yet," said Breakout. "Whoever that Decepticon flyer was, he had impressive firepower."

"A fusion cannon would have hit harder," said Hot Rod. "A high powered x-ray laser could have been worse as well." He circled around to the other side of the ship.

"Sure," said Breakout, "but he had a high rate of fire. Shockwave and Megatron can hit harder, but they can't match that volume." He pulled off a shredded engine manifold.

Hot Rod just stared at the wreckage. "Slag."

"She won't fly, not even a short hop, without a rebuild."

"That's a mess alright," said Huffer. The yellow and purple Autobot was up on the side of the trench carved by the Wrecker ship's landing. "Good thing I brought a trailer full of spares along. I better get to work I guess."

"Hey," said Hot Rod, "it's not like your the only 'bot here. We're both going to be giving you a hand."

"Sure," said Huffer dourly. He was the engineer. He always ended up doing most of the work. Breakout drew his energon knife and began to cut the totally wrecked parts of the engine away from the merely damaged parts. Huffer transformed back into a yellow truck and rolled over to the trailer he had hauled up north. He drove it over next to the side of the trench and transformed.

"So," said Hot Rod, "what do you make of Overload's bunch?"

"Civilians," said Breakout. "Good at what they do and they can probably hold their own in a fight, but civilians."

"Stryke and Shellshock are military models."

"Stryke is a military model, but not military personality engrams. Stryke thinks like a refitted civ 'bot. He's not a warrior."

"If you're using that as a definition, neither are a lot of Decepticons."

"They aren't. Most of them are thugs, bullies, and bandits in warrior's bodies." He cut away a large chunk of melted conduit.

"True," said Hot Rod. "Some are though."

"They are the best and the worst," said Breakout. "Like Megatron."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Overload strode through the orange-gold corridors of the Ark. "Prime," he said, "you wanted to see me?"

"Yes," said Optimus. He was standing in front of one of Teletraan-One's display screens. The local group of stars filled the monitor. Two objects were highlighted. One was Sol and the other was a rogue planet. "I'm going to depend a lot on your team and Hot Rod's during the days ahead. Megatron will abandon Earth and attempt to take control of Straxus's empire."

"Are you sure?"

"I know Megatron. He'll be returning to Cybertron as soon as possible. We've been away for a longtime and the planet has changed. More of it has been damaged and some of it has been restored by Straxus. I'll need your team to be our guides."

"Of course Prime, but how are we going to get to Cybertron? We don't have enough transport for all of us."

"That's true for the moment," said Optimus, "but we aren't going to go directly to Cybertron."

"The Wreckers. They'll have extra ships."

"And fighters," said Optimus. "From what you've told me Straxus rules all of Cybertron he can reach, but Megatron will change that. The Decepticon civil war will be our best chance to liberate the planet."

"Prime," said Overload slowly, "I respect you enormously. We all do, but do you have any idea how many warriors Straxus has under his command?"

"That's why we aren't going to try and stop Megatron," said Optimus. "We're going to let the Decepticons smash themselves to pieces and then we'll strike."

"It sounds good Prime, if it happens. Straxus has so many troops . . . ."

"He'll have a lot fewer when they realize he's being attacked by Megatron," said Optimus. "Unless he's changed, Straxus had no ability to inspire his troops with anything other than fear."

"No," said Overload, "that's exactly the Straxus we know and loath. You can count on us Prime. We won't let you down."

Optimus put his hand on the other 'bot's shoulder. They were almost equal in size. "I know you won't," said Optimus.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Outer Sol System, Now

Deathstrike sat down at the command console at the front of the Lair's bridge. His fingers flew over the controls. Behind him Starscream settled down in the captain's chair. "Lay in a course for Earth orbit," said the Decepticon Air Commander. "We have to be ready to receive our mighty leader and all of his valiant soldiers."

"Already done," said Deathstrike. He tapped a key. The ship rumbled. "Firing main engines."

Starscream glowered. "I didn't give you the order to execute."

"My apologies," said Deathstrike.

"I don't like your tone," said Starscream.

"No one likes your tone," replied Deathstrike. Astrotrain and Divebomb laughed.

"Silence!" shouted Starscream. "I am in command here! You will obey my orders or face my wrath!"

"Yes, Commander Starscream," said Deathstrike. His voice was devoid of emotion. Starscream was his lawful superior, and although extremely irritating and untrustworthy, highly skilled and intelligent. There was no doubt that he could back up his ego and fits of temper with deadly force.

"Good. Everyone man stations." Divebomb and Astrotrain took seats.

"I'm detecting multiple contacts," said Divebomb, "moving under power."

"Multiple?" said Starscream. "That miserable ingrate Jetfire must have called for reinforcements from Earth."

"We should have junked him when we discovered him following us," said Divebomb.

"And let him distract us from our mission and lead us on a wild goose chase?" asked Starscream. "No. Display vectors."

"Jetfire's burning his way back to Earth," said Deathstrike, "and those others are keeping their distance."

"An envelopment?" asked Astrotrain.

"No," said Starscream. "It would take too long. This ship is armed and with those vectors they wouldn't trap us until we got back to Earth where we would have reinforcements. No, this is something else. These," he said, "are new players in the game."

[Imperial Overlord]

Cybertron, Now

"I don't like this plan," said Blast Off as the Combaticon flew over Cybertron's dead cities. The other four Combaticons were resting inside their comrade's shuttle form.

"Trust me," said Swindle, "this will be as smooth as glass."

"Glass isn't that smooth on a microscopic level."

"It's an expression," said Swindle. He looked over at Onslaught. "Everything will be fine, right boss."

"Right," said Onslaught. "If anything goes wrong we'll show them why even Megatron feared us."

"Yeah," said Brawl. "We're the Combaticons, the best damn warriors on or off Cybertron. If there's a fight, we sure as silicon won't be the ones that lose it."

"Unknown flight," said a radio transmission, "identify yourself."

"We've been picked up," said Onslaught.

"Yes," said Swindle, "by that tower twenty klicks ahead. Just like I thought we would. Blast Off, adjust your course."

"Already done," said Blast Off. "Responding." He switched on his transmitter. "This is Flight double zero-nine-seven. We are preceding as ordered." Below the Decepticon the battered and dark surface of war ravaged cities gave way to the bright lights of the reclamation zone.

"There is no record of your flight."

"Then you aren't authorized to know about it," replied Blast Off. Swindle snickered at his comrade's haughty tone.

"That's just right," said Swindle. "Keep it up."

"Flight double-zero-nine-seven, prepare to land for verification and security check."

"If you insist you miserable piece of scrap," rumbled Blast Off, "but I will have your name and operating number."

"Perfect," said Swindle. "You don't want to overplay it."

"Tower's coming up," said Vortex.

"Get ready to jump," said Onslaught.

"Me first," said Brawl, edging his way to Blast Off's bay door.

"Here we are," said Blast Off. The door slid open and Brawl jumped, followed by the rest of the Combaticons. Beneath his was a glass armoured dome at the top of a three kilomter tall tower. Twenty meters of sensor mast protruded from the dome. Inside were a pair of drones and a single Casseticon. The Casseticon was looking up with an expression of surprise on his face.

Brawl hit the thick glass and aimed a sonic cannon at the roof. It exploded in a shower of razor sharp fragments, which would have sent the Combaticons spilling down if they hadn't been ready for it. They dropped down as Blast Off transformed outside.

Vortex sprayed the Casseticon with a blast of hot glue, freezing the Decepticon's limbs and pinning him to the spot. A moment later the drones opened fire on the falling Combaticons. A bolt struck Brawl in the chest, sending the Combaticon spinning away. Onslaught blew the drone's head off and then pumped fire into it's torso. The machine slumped as Swindle blew holes in the chassis of the other drone. Burning wreckage slumped to the deck.

"Well well well," said Vortex, smiling. He approached the pinned Casseticon.

"P-please. Mercy."

The Combaticons laughed. "Mercy?" said Vortex. "I don't think so. But perhaps I could be persuaded. If I think you've been helpful enough."

"P-please. Anything. Anything!"

"Anything?" said Blast Off, with false innocence. "Anything at all?" The other Combaticons laughed. "Why then I'll take your memory core!"

"No! The damage to my persona-"

"You'll still have one," said Vortex. "Or I could just rip it out and risk damage. Of course, I'm sure your laser core won't survive that."

"P-please!"

"Choose." A panel in the Cassticon's chest slid open. "Why thank you," said Blast Off with a smile. He reached inside and pulled out a slim black rectangle. "That wasn't so bad, was it?"

"You'll let me go?"

"Let you go? No, although your comrades might free you. I won't harm you though." He stepped aside and passed the memory block to Swindle.

Brawl stepped forward. "I didn't make any promises though," he said.

"No!" The Combaticon reached into the Casseticon's exposed chest and squeezed. The Decepticon's cry became a scream and then went silent. Brawl pulled a mass of circuitry out of the smaller 'bot's chest.

"So much for the runt."

"If we can save the congratulations for later," said Blast Off, "it appears the runt in question was able to send a distress signal. We have company."

The Combaticons looked outside. Overhead a half dozen Dreadwings were flying towards them as two Guardian Robots thundered towards them with long, slow strides. The distinctive whine of Vehicon sirens drifted up from the streets. "Looks like we have company," said Onslaught. "Let's give them a welcome, Combaticon style."

[Vehrec]

That's one of the few G1 episodes I can clearly remember-even at the time I was struck by how dumb Starcream was to pick out such a maladjusted bunch into such sup-par bodies.

Nice to see how badass you've made them-although thanks to Teleetran 1 and Animated, I'll always think of Swindle as a RonCo salesbot.

[Imperial Overlord]

Earth, Now

"Megatron," said Soundwave. "Lair has arrived in high orbit."

"Excellent Soundwave. Signal Thundercracker, Blitzwing, Skywarp, and Ramjet to escort Astrotrain on his supply runs."

"As you command Megatron."

The Decepticon leader turned away from Soundwave as Shockwave entered the command center. "All is in readiness Megatron," said Shockwave. "I should point out that the number of supplies we can transport are limited. A long term campaign cannot be sustained with the material we can fit in Astrotrain and Lair's holds."

"I am aware of that Shockwave," said Megatron. "We will have other resources to draw upon and I have no intention of fighting a prolonged war and decimating the Decepticon ranks."

"Given the defences in place around Straxis's headquarters, a conventional decapitation strike will be impossible," warned Shockwave.

Megatron clenched his right hand into a fist. "Yes and it suits my purposes to let Straxus to continue to believe he is invulnerable. Let Prime believe that we will engage in a destructive civil war and bide his time. By the time they learn that they are wrong it will be too late and I will be the master of the Decepticon Empire." He laughed.

"Megatron," began Shockwave, "the available data suggests that your analysis of the situation is overly optimistic."

"Ah Shockwave. Are you wondering if I have become . . . deranged? Succombed to megalomania? Are you wondering if it is time for you to replace me as leader of the Decepticons?" Silence answered him.

"I have not. The problem with with analysis Shockwave, is that you can only analyze the available data. And what kind of Decepticon leader would let his enemies know all his secrets?"

"Megatron," interrupted Soundwave. "Incoming transmission from Deathstrike."

"Put it through."

Light flashed on the main screen and the picture resolved into the form of Deathstrike's head. "Hail Megatron."

"Report," said the Decepticon leader.

"Megatron, our mission was unopposed, but we did encounter unknown observers. They maintained their distance and refused communications."

"Logic dictates that those units are spies in the service of Straxus," said Shockwave.

"Perhaps," said Megatron, "and perhaps not. Keep me informed Deathstrike."

"Your will, mighty Megatron." Megatron cut the communications link.

"You suspect something else," said Shockwave. It wasn't a question.

"Too many different factions are converging here," said Megatron. "And Straxus was never subtle. Why would he send spies, spies with FTL systems, instead of a strike force?"

"Other Cybertronian factions? Quintesson agents? The probabilities are not too low to be considered. What do you intend?"

"To find out, one way or another," replied Megatron. "When the time comes. Begin the evacuation. We done with Earth. For now."

[LadyTevar]

I'm glad you've not forgotten this one.

[Imperial Overlord]

Cybertron, Now

The photon missile hit the dread Dreadwing where his left wing joined the fuselage. The blast of x and gamma rays vaporized a five meter diameter hole in the armour on the other side of the Decepticon's chassis, allowing the plasma shockwave created by the vaporization of his belly armour to jet into the sky in a fiery column. The blast flipped the Dreadwing up into the air and into a spin. The wing, already badly damaged from both the heat and the blast effects of having a plasma shockwave tear through its structure, separated from the Decepticon's body and flew through the air like an axe tossed by an insane god. The Dreadwing completed its tumble by passing over the Combaticons and smashing through the wall of the air control tower. The fuel explosion which gutted it was a muted epitaph to its short life.

A half dozen Vehicons were piled up at the end of the street where they had been picked up and tossed by Vortex's winds against a long ago looted maintenance facility. Pinned to the wall by Vortex's winds, they had been easy targets for the rest of the Combaticons as they struggled to escape. None had.

"We are the Combaticons!" roared Brawl as Onslaught transformed from missile truck back into robot mode. Brawl rolled forward on his treads, going over and crushing the wreck of a downed Overseer before grinding a badly damaged Casseticon into scrap. "Even Megatron feared us! None can stand against us!"

A thousand astroseconds ago, this part of Cybertron had been lit and gleaming. Now everything within ten kilometers was wrecked or burning. Or both. "Can we leave now?" asked Swindle. "If we stay around here long enough, even Straxus will be able to gather up enough clods to drowned us in chassis."

"Aw boss 'bot," complained Brawl. "We've barely killed twenty of them. I'm just getting warmed up."

"And as Swindle has said, we've lingered long enough," said Onslaught. "There will be other times. Blast Off! Transform and prepare to receive passengers."

"As you wish," said Blast Off loftily. "I shall oblige you." He transformed into an armoured space shuttle and the rest of the Combaticons piled in. Engines flared and Blast Off roared down the street and then up into the sky, skimming along at barely above roof top level. "Dreadwings on intercept vectors," he said. "Unfortunately for them, they aren't fast enough to catch up."

"You would think," said Brawl, "that having just lost four of their buddies to the boss 'bot that they might be thinking twice about tangling with us."

"They're not that smart," said Vortex. "Trust me, I've been through their cerbrocircuits."

"Incoming ground to air missiles!" said Blast Off. Four streaks of fire flew through the air ahead of Blast Off, leaving contrails as they converged on the Decepticon. "Get ready!" Blast Off's nose dipped and he dropped to street level, heading straight for a ruined tower. The Decepticon transformed, his parts compressing as he resumed robot mode. The rest of the Combaticons were ejected from his changing body and engaged their flight systems. They weren't enough to entirely kill their forward momentum, but that was the point.

They crashed through empty windows and ruined walls of the tower in a rain of debris. They hit the ground running, charging for the other side. The missiles converged only to find empty air and nothing matching their target profile. They twisted and detonated against the building, blowing huge holes in its already weakened structure.

The Combaticons kept moving. "Data relay," ordered Onslaught. Blast Off sent a data squirt containing his last readings to his fellow Combaticons.

"Vehicon missiles," said Swindle. "While we were fighting their bodies, they moved into position to block our escape."

"We can crush them easy," said Brawl.

"The Dreadwings will have time to join the party," said Vortex as he trailed his comrades through the ruined rooms and corridors.

"That doesn't matter. We'll tear through them," said Brawl.

"And as dumb as Straxus is, he knows that," said Onslaught. "That dome near the launch site is just the right size."

"Right size for what?" asked Brawl.

Onslaught leapt out of an empty window. "For Guardians." The rest of the Combaticons followed him. "Combaticons! Form Bruticus!"

The five Combaticons joined together, merging the the grind of matching parts and the massive energy drain of mass conversion. Between five large Decepticons, the energy cost was more than manageable. One Decepticon hit the street, greater than the sum of his parts.

The merging of five minds into a unified whole was a tricky process, one that in Bruticus's case functioned by unifying basic drives. In other words, while many of the Combaticons making up his body were very, very bright, Bruticus was a moron. That wasn't a great liability because Bruticus retained his components' skills and the plan that Onslaught had come up with moments before calling for the merging. Bruticus wasn't smart, but there was nothing wrong with his memory banks.

The ground shook as the giant Decepticon warrior trotted forward. The Dreadwings were converging on his position, one flight off to his right and the other off of his left. He pivoted sharply to the left and fired a brace of missiles from his shoulder launcher while unleashing blasts from the cannon in his right hand. One cannon blast tore the wing off a Dreadwing, sending it spiraling down toward the ground. Another Dreadwing dodged the first missile and the cannon volley only to be struck in the engines by the second. It went down in flames.

Missiles flared and flew from fuselage ordinance bays and violet blaster bolts split the as the remaining Dreadwings strafed the giant robot. The buildings around Bruticus were blown to rubble. Small craters were blasted and blown in his armour by warheads and energy bolts. He swayed slightly, drew a bead on a Dreadwing, and blew it to scrap. Metal rained from the sky.

He lumbered forward as the Dreadwings circled at a distance, unwilling to make another attack run that could mean their deaths. One block over, four Vehicons felt the ground shake and heard the impact of every step. As one they transformed and fled.

The wall of a ruined dome next to where the Vehicons had stood exploded outward and two slate-grey Guardian Robots stepped out. They raised their cannon arms as Bruticus came into view.

Siege cannons that could blow warrior-robots to pieces or blast apart fortress walls smashed Bruticus's torso armour. The Decepticon warrior howled in rage and retaliated. His blaster cannon struck the one Guardian in the face, blowing out its primary optics. Missiles streaked from his shoulder launcher. The other Guardian raised its claw arm and blocked the strike, taking the blows on its super heavy arm armour as Bruticus howled and charged.

"NONE CAN STAND AGAINST BRUTICUS!" he roared as he body slammed the second Guardian. Both robots toppled, but Bruticus was on top and Bruticus was much, much faster. "NONE!" he roared and brought both fists down. The Guardian blocked with his arms. Armour plate dented and deformed. "NONE!" The armour on his claw arm was torn away. "NONE!" Circuitry was destroyed and internal structure caved.

The other Guardian had lost its primary targeting sensors, but it was still able to locate Bruticus with its secondaries. It lurched toward the Decepticon and grabbed his right arm with its claw. Bruticus snarled and rose off the prone Guardian's body. The other Guardian rammed the side of its cannon arm into Bruticus's body as a bludgeon. Bruticus jerked the Guardian forward with his trapped and and drove his fist forward like a giant pile driver. The already damaged face plate shattered and the Guardian's skull, and primary cerebrocircuits, were smashed. Bruticus tore is arm free of the falling Guardian and kicked it in the chest.

The other Guardian was getting up, but it was slow and clumsy compared to the raging Decepticon. Bruticus kicked it in the chest, knocking it back down. The Decepticon loomed over the giant robot and raised its foot. Bruticus's limb descended. Again and again and again. Armour deformed and failed. Internal supports bent and warped. Wiring was torn loose, circuit boards and motivator bundles crushed. Ruined capacitors violently discharged into the downed robot's insides.

Bruticus reached over and tore off the crippled Guardian's cannon armed. The blinded Guardian was getting up. Bruticus charged, leaping into the air as he did so, his makeshift club raised above his head. "No one can stop Bruticus!"

[LadyTevar]

And that is how the Combatticons should be written.

Brutally.

[Imperial Overlord]

Earth, Now

"There they go Prime," said Wheeljack, pointing at a Teletraan-One's screen. "That's got to be Megatron and most of his warriors."

"You're right Wheeljack," said the Autobot Leader. And we know where they're headed."

"Cybertron," drawled Ironhide. "We oughtta kick all those Decepticon crates to scrap."

"Soon enough Ironhide," said Optimus. "We have preparations of our own to make." Bumblebee blazed down the corridor towards the group of Autobots and transformed. "What is it Bumblebee?"

"Prime, the president is here. His helicopter just landed."

"I'll be out to see him immediately," said Optimus. The big Autobot transformed and rolled down the corridors of the Ark, the other Autobots following in their leader's wake. He transformed back to robot mode when he reached the outside. A cluster of nervous looking Secret Service Agents surrounded a regal looking black man in early middle age. "Mister President," said Optimus Prime.

Barack Obama stepped out from his bodyguards and extended his hand. The Autobot Leader knelt and took the frail human appendage in a hand that could crush stone to powder. "It is an honor to have you as a our guest," said Optimus Prime as he released the human's hand and stood up. "Your country has been kind to us."

"We are indebted to you and your people for everything that you have done for us," replied the American. "Your valiant struggle against the Decepticons protects us all. Electrical cars and fusion power will help the whole world meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. You and your people have our gratitude."

"Thank you Mister President. As you might be aware, we will be leaving soon."

"Yes, I am. I have to say I am deeply concerned about your departure. Without the Autobots the Earth is at the mercy of marauding Decepticons, should they ever seek to return."

"That concerns us as well," said Optimus. "Earth has welcomed us and become our second home. We must take the fight to Megatron and Straxus, but we cannot abandon you either."

"Fortunately," interjected Wheeljack, "there's a solution to our problem."

"Yes Wheeljack," said the Autobot Leader indulgently. "Bring them out."

Four more Autobots rolled out from the interior of the Ark. They were ambulance, a police car, a fire truck, and a motorcycle. Behind them came a helicopter and it rose up once it emerged out into the open. The Autobots transformed into their robot modes.

"Mister President," said Optimus. "May I present Hot Spot, Blades, Streetwise, Groove, and First Aid. They are the Protectobots and they will defend Earth in our absence. They can combine to form a powerful warrior, Defensor. If any Decepticons raiders show up, the Protectobots will send them packing."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cybertron, Now

Two grey steel cats the size of tigers prowled through the desolate canyons of Cybertron. Each tiger had a pair of missiles attached to his sides and a head full of sophisticated sensors. They kept to the shadows, swinging their heads back and forth as they scanned for molecules of lubricant, hot spots, and energon spikes with a sensitivity most 'bots could not match. They stalked between piles of ancient rubble and the shattered and striped bodies of warriors who had fallen long ago.

One swung his head to the right. Chemical sensors built into his muzzle detected molecules of mech oil. Silent as a ghost it stalked towards the source, the other cybertiger following in his wake, ready to back up his pack mate.

There, next to a pile of wreckage. A few tiny spots of mech oil, but fresh spots. The feline head turned towards the mound of garbage. There was mag flux from an improperly shielded circuit, too faint to be detected by any but the most sophisticated of sensors at close range. It growled softly and turned back to his packmate. They had much to report.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sol System, Now

Megatron strode onto the Lair's bridge. "What now, oh mighty leader?" asked Starscream from behind him. "Are we to assault Straxus's forces and retake Cybertron with just one ship and a handful of warriors."

"Be silent Starscream. You might learn something," said the Decepticon Leader. A faint smile was visible on his face.

"I await your instruction great Megatron."

"Soundwave, activate the FTL communications system. Full power."

"As you command Megatron," replied the Decepticon Intelligence Officer. "Activated."

Megatron typed in a code. "Transmit."

"Transmitting." There was a long moment where everyone waited.

"Well?" said Starscream. "Is something supposed to happen."

"Patience Starscream," said Megatron.

"Incoming reply," said Soundwave. "No message. Only a pulse."

"Location of the pulse?" asked Megatron.

"Beyond this system's Oort Cloud."

"Set intercept course, maximum velocity," ordered Megatron.

"What is it Megatron?" asked Starscream. "What could you possibly have hidden out there?"

"You haven't figured it out Starscream? And you take such pride in your intelligence. You'll find out soon enough."

[Imperial Overlord]

Cybertron, Eight Point Seven Million Years Ago

A riot of holographic images hung in the air, selling everything from lubricants to custom decals to VR games. Cliffjumper ignored them, sliding his small body rapidly into and out of gaps in traffic and slamming on the speed in the short straightaways. The little 'bot ignored the calls of anger and protest from the slow 'bots as he raced through traffic beneath Cybertron's silvery towers.

Cliffjumper swerved behind a huge van that had an image of Megatron on his back doors. The gladiator was pointing at the view with one hand and held a battle axe high with the other. "Beautiful!" Cliffjumper called out and then pulled a hard turn and ducked into a side street. The little Autobot was still whipping along at high speed when he hit the breaks and turned hard, darting into the entrance of a building that had seen better days.

"Hey Wheeljack!" he called out as he entered a huge room full of table and clutter.

"Over here Cliffjumper," said the scientist. He was over by the far wall, manipulating a holo image.

Cliffjumper transformed and walked across Wheeljack's home/repair shop/laboratory. "See the fights yesterday?"

"You know I don't watch that stuff," said Wheeljack with a hint of distaste.

"You should," said Cliffjumper. "It's awesome. Seriously, you should. Almost nobody ever dies, but the repair bills. . . woo! The action is great. You should have seen it last night. Megs gave a great opening speech. Got the whole crowd roaring and then he and Grimlock went at it. I've never seen fighting so good! Grimlock won by a microfiber."

"I'm not going to waste good energon on watching one set of desperate 'bots slag another bunch of desperate 'bots."

"You shouldn't knock it until you've seen it. They all know what they're getting into and they're getting well paid. Where else is a military descended model going to make good that kind of energon? Besides, the receptor chips for the broadcasts don't cost much. Half the empties in the dark zones have one. Although seeing them in person is so much better."

"So you say. Look, I don't like them. I don't like the amount of energon that they suck in. I don't like that a lot of 'bots are out of jobs and barely scratching by and they're watching 'bots smashing 'bots. It's trouble, mark my words."

Cliffjumper through up his hands. "It's just entertainment. It's not their job to solve society's problems." He looked over at the holodisplay. "What are you working on?"

"Photoelectric cells in the form of building cladding. If I get this right, every tower on Cybertron will be able to reduce it's energy budget by a quarter."

"You do that and there's going to be more energon in the system. More energon means the value will drop and every 'bot will be able to afford more."

"Yep."

"Wheeljack, you're a genius."

"I know, but don't let that stop you. Tell me again."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The steel gray Autobot looked up from his desk as the three prospectors walked in. Four different projector screens were connected to a dozen different datalines, streaming in hard data live. Hardscan looked up.

The prospectors were big, former military models that did deep space survey. They towered over the four meter tall data manager. This didn't intimidate Hardscan. He knew his place in the order of things. He wasn't an important 'bot, not one of the ones that called the shots and made the decisions. He was a piece of the machine, a piece that made sure that those decisions were enacted. The 'bots before him were lower on the scale. Disposable actors, their only purpose in existence was to obey those set above them.

Of course, they didn't see it that way, especially their leader. Hardscan considered firing them out of hand, but no, that wouldn't result in optimum results for the company. He would let them speak and then smash them back into their place. "What do you want Starscream?" he asked.

"Why hasn't work been started on C-1976, C-1977, and C-1978?" said the flyer. "They're worth a fortune."

One of the data screens popped up and displayed the locations and survey reports on the three asteroids in question. Hardscan didn't need to read the screen to know the details. "The company hasn't decided to exploit them yet," replied Hardscan coldly. "You'll get the bonus when drilling begins."

"Why hasn't it?" asked Starscream angrily. "Given the current energon rates and the contents of those 'roids, they're worth almost as much as the rest of the company combined. Are you holding out on us?"

"Starscream," Hardscan said coldly, "the company drills at it's pleasure, not yours. I can assure you that no one is trying to cheat you out of your measly bonus. When the energon supply drops sufficiently, the company will drill those rocks and you will get your tiny, tiny bonus."

Thundercracker put his hand on Starscream's shoulder and tried to pull his friend back. "Come on Starscream. It's all about price manipulation. Nothing we can do."

"You can't treat us like this!" shouted Starscream. "You pay us in scraps and we burn energon and risk our lives to find the rocks that keeps you wealthy! You're late with our bonuses and they're never what they should be!"

"If you don't like it," said Hardscan. "You can quit. I'm not sure how future employers will like the idea of having malingering ex-military models with poor efficiency reports as employees." Hardscan smiled. "You could also take us to court. Can you afford a good lawyer?"

Starscream snarled. "Come on," said Skywarp. "Let's go. We ain't gonna win."

"That's right," said Hardscan. "You aren't going to win. You'll never win. You're a bunch of oversized, energon inefficient, military model losers. This job is the best you'll ever get and if you don't like it, you'll be out on the street, blacklisted, and eating through what's left of your accounts until you're just another bunch of empties."

The flyers turned to go. "Before you go," Hardscan said, "I want an apology from you two on letting your loser leader come into my office, insult me, and waste my time."

Thundercracker and Skywarp looked at each other, hesitating. "Do it," Starscream hissed.

The two big 'bots turned around and bowed clumsily. "We're sorry," said Skywarp.

"For what?" insisted Hardscan.

"We're sorry for letting Starscream bother you."

"That's all?" insisted Hardscan.

"We're sorry for letting our loser leader insult you and waste your time," growled Skywarp.

"Better. Now get out of my sight while I decide on how much pay to dock you."

The military models slumped out dejectedly. They passed two big Autobots armed with blaster rifles and walked into a sprawling hanger. Thrust and Dirge walked toward them. "How did it-" Thrust began, but then saw Skywarp shake his head.

"I knew it," said Dirge.

"They'll pay for this humiliation," said Starscream. "They'll pay for everything they've done to us and taken from us. I swear to Primus himself that one day it will be our day and they will be ones at our mercy."

"Yeah," agreed Skywarp. "One day." The other military models nodded.

"Hey," said Thundercracker, "Megatron has a fight in three thousand astroseconds. Wanna catch it at Neon Circuits?"

"Yes," said Starscream. "I want to watch him kill something."

[Imperial Overlord]

Deep Space, Now

Deathstrike looked up from the sensor screen. "Megatron, we're reading a large object on our scopes."

"Excellent," said the Decepticon leader. He leaned over his subordinate to examine the sensor screen. He entered in a code sequence and tapped the transmit key. "Continue on course and prepare to dock. Scrapper, prepare your Constructicons for a full inspection and repair mission."

"Your will, Lord Megatron."

"So Megatron," said Starscream, "are you finally going to reveal what your big secret is?"

"Take a look for yourself Starscream," said Megatron with self satisfied smile on his face. His voice dripped with condescension. "A mechanism of your intellectual capability should have no trouble interpreting this sensor data."

The Decepticon Air Commander walked over to the sensor displays. "Cold and almost dead, scanner returns are painting image-. His optic flared. "So this is why you're so pleased with yourself. I must admit that this is very impressive."

"Thank you Starscream. I'm glad that you approve. Decepticons, I give you the Nemesis. Lost to us for four million years, it will act as our flagship when we crush that traitor Straxus and take back what is rightfully ours!"

"There's a few problems with that plan Megatron," said Starscream. "Even with the energon we have on board, we can only fuel the Nemesis for limited operations. A full scale military assault on Cybertron can't be sustained, even if we had the numbers."

"I'm quite aware of that Starscream. Fortunately, Straxus has provided us with the answer to that particular problem. I'm sure Astrotrain can give us the coordinates of his energy extraction operations. We'll fuel our war machine directly from Straxus's treasury and his soldiers will join us or perish." Megatron's eyes glowed as he clenched his fist. He saw the smiles on the faces of the Predicons. He had them now, they accepted his leadership instinctively. Soon Cybertron would be his!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cybertron, Now

Ultra Magnus, Omnius Sophorum, and Elita-1 stepped into Preceptor's laboratory. The Autobot scientist looked up from the body he was examining. Alpha Trion continued to examine a component in a magnifier. "Any new information, Preceptor?" Ultra Magnus asked.

"Unfortunately not. There are no identifiable clues regarding the origin of this mechanism although Alpha Trion has a new theory."

"Which is?" Ultra Magnus asked.

"The design is a severe deviation from Cybertronian designs," said the ancient Autobot. "The possibility exists that it was created by an exiled military 'bot faction."

"Just what we need," said Ultra Magnus. "More enemies."A large boom roared through the Autobot base. "What was that?" Ultra Magnus asked.

"That came from the entrance," said Preceptor as Elita-1 and Ultra-Magnus raced down the corridors. "All Autobots, prepare to defend the base!" Ultra Magnus yelled over comm network.

A huge cannon floated in Cybertron's dark sky. Above the cannon were four Overseers in gunship mode, each floating over a different part of the junk strewn canyon. Beneath the cannon, smoke rose for a hole in the canyon floor.

Straxus transformed from flying gun mode back to robot mode. His axe crackled with violet energon. "First wave, advance!" he commanded.

Two robotic tigers bounded to the hole and fired the pair of missiles they carried on their hips. More explosions shook the base and then they charged down into the hole. Four vehicons armed with carbines and sporting a missile rack on one shoulder followed them. Behind them stood two massive Guardian Robots and scores of Decepticon warriors. A flight of six Dreadwings streaked by overhead. "Kill them all," commanded Straxus.

A mid-sized blue and white Autobot by the name of Fastdash was firing his pistol at the Decepticons charging down into the Autobot base. Both the outer and the inner blast doors had been blown to scrap, along with an unfortunate yellow and black Autobot by the name of Tinker. "You Decepticon slags!" Fastdash yelled.

The cybertigers dodged out of the path of his bolts. One jumped high, the other low. Fangs tore through his left knee, causing the Autobot to topple as the other Decepticon raked open his chest armour and bit into his chest. "Aaaaaaaa!"

A pair of blasts from Chromia's pistol smashed tiger ripping through Fastdash's chest. The other sprang to the side and out of her line of fire. "It's okay Fastdash," said the blue Autobot, "I'm here."

She looked up and saw the four Vehicons. "Oh scrap." She dodged back, exchanging fire with the Decepticons. She put two holes in a Vehicon chest, causing the Decepticon to stagger and fall, before back flipping out of the line of fire. Blaster came up beside her. "How bad?"

"Bad," she said. "We're about to be up to our optics in Decepticons."

"That's just the way I like it," said Ultra Magnus. "I'm going to get Fastdash. Cover me."

[Imperial Overlord]

Ultra Magnus charged forward, his laser rifle raised high. Four Vehicons were advancing down the ramp towards the Autobot base, blaster carbines at the ready. The Autobot fired first. A pair of laser beams struck the Vehicon on the far left, burning through the Decepticon's armour and cooking it's insides. The Vehicon toppled. Violet particle beams flashed around Ultra Magnus and two struck the heavily armoured 'bot in the torso. He displayed no reaction to the hits and blew off the missile launcher and the right forearm of the Vehicon next in line.

The other two Vehicon's fired missiles as Ultra Magnus bent down to pick up the downed Autobot. One went high and the other exploded into smoke and fragments as Ultra Magnus shot it out of the air. The Autobot leader took another hit to the chest as he amputated another Vehicon's legs at the knees. The Decepticon wailed and tumbled down the ramp as Ultra Magnus retreated. Chromia blew the Vehicon's face off with one placed shot.

Ultra Magnus pulled Fastdash back into the corridor, passed Moonracer and Chromia. Ultra Magnus passed Fastdash's body over to Blurr. "Get him to Perceptor."

"OhyesUltraMagnusrightaway," said the blue and white Autobot. He raced off as fast as he could while dragging an Autobot that was almost his size, which was about as fast as most other Autobots could run. Magnus slumped.

"Magnus!" cried Chromia. "Are you all right?"

"System damage. The Decepticon beams didn't penetrate my armour, but they carry a lot of charge and generate a lot of heat on impact. Back ups and rerouting is handling it until autorepair gets the damage is fixed."

"What should we do?" Blaster asked. "They're could be a lot of Decepticons out there."

"We hold the line so we can evacuate with as many resources as possible," said Ultra Magnus. "The escape tunnels are rigged with traps. This is just a setback. Blaster, get to Omnius Sophorum and coordinate the escape and defense plans. You and your cassette 'bots will act as our reserve and his bodyguard."

"Right away," said Blaster. The communication's 'bot turned and ran down the corridor, passing Elita-1 as she came the other way.

"Status?" she asked.

"We're under heavy attack," said Ultra Magnus. "We need to evacuate." There was an enormous boom and the ground shook, almost knocking the Autobots off their feet.

"What was that?" Chromia asked. There was another enormous boom and the ceiling cracked.

"They're coming through the ceiling!" shouted Moonracer.

"Cover front!" Ultra Magnus yelled. "They'll try to hit us from both directions at once!"

A third blow and the ceiling collapsed, revealing the huge metal fist of a Guardian Robot. The massive robot loomed over the breach it had smashed opened and extended its hand to grab and crush Ultra Magnus.

The Autobot leader fired the missiles attached to his armour at the shoulders. The streaked up at the Guardian, narrowly missing it's arm and continuing on their path. They struck the giant robot in the face and exploded. The Guardian rolled away, smoke rising from the craters in its head which used to house its optics.

"Nice shooting!" said Moonracer.

"Here they come!" said Chromia. Two Vehicons and four Casseticons armed with heavy rifles came sprinting down the ramp, guns blazing. As they did so, four Casseticons jumped down, armed with heavy two handed battle axes that crackled with active energon fields.

"Oh Scrap!" said Firestar. Ultra Magnus put two shots into one of the axe wielder's torso before the 'bot hit the ground. The other three attacked as the two Vehicons fired missiles down the corridor and opened up with their blaster carbines. They at least had the courtesy to aim high and slightly reduce the danger of hitting their fellow Decepticons with friendly fire.

Moonracer aimed high and fired off a pair of rapid shots, blowing up the missiles in midflight. A blast from a Casseticon's gun caught the green fembot in the abdomen and another blast struck her in the right side of the chest. "Moonracer!" Chromia yelled as she fired. Her shots downed a Vehicon as Firestar blasted a Casseticon's arms off.

Elita-1 kicked an axe wielding Casseticon into the wall hard enough to scramble his circuits. Ultra Magnus pistoled whipped another, caving in his head and sending the Decepticon slumped to the floor. The remaining Casseticon buried his axe into Ultra Magnus's left thigh, severing circuits, actuators, and a mech fluid tube. Elita-1 grabbed the Casseticon by his upper arms and yanked. Hard. With a squeal of tearing metal the Decepticon's arms were torn from his sockets.

Firestar took a blast to the chest as the red fembot downed the other Vehicon. Chromia took out another Casseticon as a stray bolt struck Ultra Magnus. The Autobot leader spun and blasted open the chest of another Casseticon. Smoke rose from the gaping wound in it's chest as the small 'bot fell to the floor. The last Casseticon's upper torso exploded as fire converged on it from Chromia, Firestar, and Elita-1.

"Fall back to the next intersection," said Magnus. "Before they decide to start dropping explosives."

"Get Moonracer out of here Magnus," said Elita-1 as gestured for the female Autobots to fall back.

"No. I'll stay and hold-"

"No!" she said. "You've taken how many hits? How much secondary damage? How much more can your armour take? How fast can you retreat even without that leg wound? No, get back, get time to recover, and lead the way out. We can fall back fast when things get back. Now go."

"Elita!" shouted Chromia. Elita-1 turned to see two Casseticons leading a detachment of two Vehicons flanking a blue and white Decepticon in vehicle form. She recognized the Decepticon instantly. The moderately armoured chassis ground forward on a pair of tracks and supported a gun turret consisted of four long thin blaster cannons.

"Scrap," said Elita-1. "Gunstar." Violet light filled the corridor.

[LadyTevar]

I don't know what's more awesome -- Ultra Magnus getting the shit blown outta him, or him being able to TAKE it

[DarkSilver]

It's a a bit of both....

At least IO has managed to make Big Suck Lo....erm...Ultra Magnus...in something interesting.