Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga I, Chapter One

This story is my take of a modern G1 story. It takes several cues and ideas from IDW's continuity, but with my own spin (most of the time).

TRANSFORMERS REGENERATED

CHAPTER ONE

   It was a night like any other. The streets of Iacon were deserted and curfew had kicked in. I, of course, being a high-ranking officer, was excepted from such regulations. Feeling low on energon, I drove over to Maccadam's Old Oil House and-

   "Ya' gonna order somethin', hon, or just pursue your career as an author?"

   Nightbeat looked up from his datapad to look at the orange femme server who was waiting impatiently for him to order. Doing his best to mask his irritation, the Autobot detective said, "I'll have the Visco Supreme."

   "And?"

   "Some peace and quiet."

   With a huff, the waitress turned on her rolling heels and carried out Nightbeat's order. Just as the detective was about to return to his datapad, the ground shook, prompting him to look out the window he was sitting beside.

   Across the street, fire spewed from the Forum of Enlightenment, a place for public meetings and rallies. Autobot security officers moved in disarray while two Cybertronian vehicles dashed from the scene of the crime. Scowling, Nightbeat set down his datapad and quickly moved out of the Oil House, converting to his car form once outside. As he took pursuit, he called out after the presumed culprits.

   "Hey, you guys! Pull over!"

   To his surprise, the two vehicles did just that, screeching to a halt so fast that Nightbeat drove right past them. Morphing into his robot mode, he turned around and aimed his blaster at them.

   "All right, transform with your hands up," he ordered.

   The two vehicles did as told, converting into their short and stocky robot forms, their short arms raised towards the sky. Keeping his blaster trained on them, Nightbeat brought two pairs of stasis-cuffs and slowly approached them.

   "That's right," he said. "Stay right there while I-"

   Suddenly, just as the detective was within a foot of them, the two mechs converted theirs arms into pile-drivers and slammed them into the ground, generating a tremor that sent Nightbeat flying off his feet. The culprits then took the opportunity to transform and take off.

   Nightbeat struggle to convert to take pursuit, but it felt like his transformation cog had been dislodged. All he could do was lay there and until someone- most likely an Autotrooper- found him. As he waited, only one thing bothered him more than having lost his quarry.

   There goes my chance of getting that Visco Supreme.

*  *  *

   Checkpoint, chief of the 303rd Iacon Division of the Autobot Security Force, sighed as he viewed the report sent in by officer Nightbeat. According to him, the Forum of Enlightenment had been set aflame by a pair of mechs- identical in everything buy color- for reasons unknown. It then detailed Nightbeat's involvement in the chase and how the crooks got away.

   As for the attack on the Forum itself, three Cybertronians were killed, including- and most prominent among them- Momus of the High Council. Checkpoint's lieutenant Flatfoot had dispatched an Autotrooper unit to find them, but the chief doubted that they would succeed.

   As he set down the datapad with the report, Checkpoint's comlink chimed and his old partner, Depth Charge, spoke through.

   "Hey, Checkers," the gruff-voiced Autobot said. "How's it going?"

   Checkpoint groaned. "How many times have I told you not to call me that?"

   "Dunno. Lost count two weeks ago."

   "Whatever." Checkpoint rubbed his forehead. "Anyway, it's not going well at all. You've heard about the attack on the Forum of Enlightenment and Momus' death, I take it?"

   "Everyone has," Depth Charge said. "It's all over the news-feed. Heck, even Whirl knows, and he doesn't even get out much."

   "Get to the point," Checkpoint snapped. "You obviously called me for a reason."

   "Right. Shortly before the Forum attack, two 'bots were murdered at the Altihex Casino."

   "Hmm. Haven't heard about that."

   "Because Altihex is under my jurisdiction, not yours. Anyway, one of the victims was someone of high esteem."

   Checkpoint steeled himself. "Who?"

   "Decimus of the High Council."

   Checkpoint's spark skipped a pulse. "The same Decimus who runs the Commerce Guild?"

   "Know any others?"

   The chief sighed, rubbing his forehead again. "Have you caught the murderer?"

   "Not yet," Depth Charge said. "A dispatch of my officers is pursuing them right now."

   "Current location?"

   "At this point, they should probably be right over your head."

   As if on cue, a trio of Skydarts streaked past Checkpoint's office window, pursuing a black-and-purple-colored jet. Shaking off his startlement, Checkpoint smirked to himself. A colorful entrance, as always.

DAYS OF DECEPTION

Part 1: Seeds of Deception