CHAPTER SEVEN
--1,050 years ago (Cycle 8765)--
"Come, Magmatron. There is one last thing I must show you."
The former Beast King followed the First One into the depths of Carcer. They eventually reached an isolated door, which the First One opened with the press of a panel. The door slid open to reveal a cylindral chamber placed at the end of the room, baring a unique green symbol.
Magmatron's mouth fell open in shock. "Is that...?"
The First One nodded, the joints in his neck creaking. "We Carcerians value truth above all else, but deception is sometimes necessary in order to protect others."
"You mean no one else knows about this?"
"Only those born from Carcer's hot spots. It is our birth-right to know the truth and our duty to hide it from others." The First One raised a rusted finger at Magmatron. "When I am gone, you will be First One and it will be your duty to make sure he doesn't get out."
"Why me?" Magmatron asked. "You've only just met me."
"Perhaps. But I know you've had experience in leading a colony. In fact, you've ruled longer than I have. I trust you will be sufficient."
"I suppose." Magmatron stared at the chamber for a moment before looking back down at the First One. "You know, you have yet to give me your name; only your title. Before you go... can I at least know your name?"
The First One smiled as he closed the door. "These days, I don't have much use for my name. All of my friends are long gone. But if you must know... my name is Rook."
--Present--
Magmatron ran with all the speed his beast mode would grand him. Elitus and Sandstorm called after him, but he had no time to answer them. Time was running short.
Upon reaching his destination, he converted to his robot mode and stormed up to the brain module, pushing past Wingblade and Ironhead.
"Carcer!" he bellowed. "Stand down!"
"No," the Titan boomed. "Not Carcer. Never again Carcer. I am Vigilem."
"You lost that right to your name long ago after you betrayed your brothers! You will know your place!"
Vigilem laughed, a sound which caused those who heard it pain from its volume. "You are not my master. I answer only to one."
"Your master isn't here," Magmatron growled. "He has received the same punishment as you. You will answer to me."
"If you could see how pathetic you looked. I am a Titan, Magmatron. We were the gods of Cybertron. To me, you are nothing more than a speck of dust."
"Magmatron!" Elitus came running into the room, with Sandstorm close behind. "Payback just told me -- there's been a breach in sector G-2!"
Magmatron's optics widened as he turned back to the brain module. "No...."
"Oh, yes," Vigilem said. "You've been so preoccupied with me that you've forgotten what's been my cargo for over nine thousand years."
Turning on his heel, Magmatron said to Elitus, "Dispatch all security to sector G-2!"
"I'm sorry, Magmatron, but I'm afraid I can't let you do that."
Suddenly, Elitus, Sandstorm, Wingblade, and Ironhead all vanished before his eyes. Magmatron spun back to the brain module, teeth clenched in rage.
"What have you done to them?!"
"Nothing," Vigilem said. "I've simply removed them from the playing field, along with everyone else on board. They're down on Paradron, where they will be out of the way."
"Then why am I still here?"
"My master has something special planned for you. A reward for playing into his hands."
Feeling a hand fall on his shoulder, Magmatron turned around to see the face of his nightmares. A hideous, glowing red maw twisted into a horrifying grin as crimson eyes bore into his.
"Come, Magmatron," the Liege Maximo said. "There is one last thing I must show you."
* * *
From the safety of the Peaceful Tyranny, Tarn watched as the Titan lifted up towards the sky and blasted off into the night, quickly becoming just another star in the backdrop of the universe.
The others showed little interest in this event, save for one. Nickel's optics had been wide with awe from the moment they had arrived and seemed to be stuck in a perpetual state of wonder.
Tarn could understand why. Nickel hailed from the colony Micron; unlike most colonies, Micron revered their Titan more than they did their Prime, as Prion was one of the only Titans to maintain a relationship with his so-called "children". In a way, Nickel viewed Titans the same way Tarn once had Megatron.
Once.
After today, however -- in fact, for the past seven months -- he was no longer sure what he believed in. The Megatron he knew was gone, in more ways than one. From the day he had been told, to his face, that the old ways were being renounced, that things were changing, his faith had been on tenterhooks ever since.
Now that Megatron was dead -- at his own hands, no less -- it felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He now felt free to pursue his own dreamds for the Decepticons; to make it the empire he wanted it to be.
"Tarn?"
Broken out of his reverie, Tarn turned to look down at Kaon. The crimson Decepticon was grinning at him.
"I've located Stormshot. She's down below, less than thirty megamiles away. Shall we--"
"No, Kaon," Tarn quietly replied. "It's time for us to leave."
Kaon blinked. "But... the List...."
"The List can wait, my friend," Tarn said, plotting a course in the Peaceful Tyranny's navigation system. "We have an empire to build."
* * *
Stormshot watched as the D.J.D.'s ship flew off into the night. She released the breath she had been holding in, the tension draining from her body.
A hand fell on her shoulder. "You all right?" Skyfall asked.
"Yeah," she murmured. "It's just... I've had a long day."
"Yeah. Same here." Skyfall looked around the crowd of stranded Carcerians. "Don't suppose you've seen... those two anywhere, have you?"
"No, I haven't." Stormshot turned towards the black mech, rubbing her arm. "Skyfall, I want to thank you."
"What for?"
"You've... I know you haven't really done anything, but... seeing you again, for whatever reason, has made me comfortable with who I am."
"An Autobot?"
"That, too. But I'm speaking mentally; more than just faction. The kind of person I am."
Skyfall chuckled. "Believe me, I've been having similar struggles. But I'm glad I could help either way." He then tilted his head. "How did you end up here anyway?"
Stormshot looked away. "It's a long story...."
"I've got time."
She smiled. "Well... it kind of goes all the way back two hundred years ago, on a little planet called Hydrus Four...."
--211 years ago (Cycle 9604)--
"Hey, Stormshot!"
Stormshot looked up to see a familiar red bot running up to her. She allowed herself a small smile as the Autobot skidded to a halt, panting.
"Hey, Skyfall," Stormshot said. "What brings you here?"
"I heard you've completed your Act of Affiliation," Skyfall said. "Congratulations! It took me nearly a year to pass my exams, but you did it in under two months!"
Stormshot shrugged. "What can I say? We M.T.O.s are fast learners."
"Heh, I guess so. Did Ultra Magnus give you any trouble?"
"Actually, it was Optimus Prime who performed the ritual."
"Aw, what? You are so lucky." He then looked over at the plaque Stormshot had been standing in front of. The words 'Sidestep of Hexima' were embolden on it.
"What, uh, what are you looking at?" Skyfall asked.
"I killed this bot," Stormshot murmured. "He was my only kill on Hydrus Four."
"Oh." Skyfall rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, things like that are gonna crop up once you get Autobranded. Luckily, you'll have it easy than most ex-Cons in our ranks."
"Are there others?" Stormshot asked. "Like who?"
"Like, I dunno. I think Jetfire is one. He joined early on in the war. He's the only one I know though."
An awkward silence passed between the two bots. After a while, Skyfall cleared his vocal processor.
"Anyway, I have to go. I'm being transferred back to Kimia. I, uh, I hope to see you again soon. Good luck on your Autobranding, and congratulations again."
"Thanks," Stormshot murmured, returning her gaze to the plaque. "See you around."
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