CHAPTER TWO
Given their brilliance and scientific skills, the Seekers were given the most leeway out of all of those allied with the Decepticons by the Tyrest Accord (the Constructicons were given similar freedoms). In fact, quite a handful of them served in some Autobot air forces, while others- such as the dense Skywarp- often went rogue. Due to their loyalty, they were given a science station that orbited Cybertron, near its sole-remaining moon.
Standing on the station's bridge, Starscream, Air Commander of the Seekers, admired the magnificent world he and billions of others called home. At the same time, he listened to the only other mech who accompanied him in the room, and who was also telling him that it would all plunge into the Inferno if the Autobots did not consent to the Decepticons' demands.
"And just how exactly does this have to involve me?" Starscream asked his guest.
"Your Seekers are vital to the Autobots," was the reply. "If you were to side with the Decepticons in the... hypothetical war, Sentinel Prime would have lost a major asset."
"What if some of the Seekers dissent to the Autobots?" Starscream asked. "Or to the Decepticons, if we decided to stay with the Autobots?"
"I would hope that you have a tight enough control over your men. If need be, a... promotion for one of them would be in order."
Catching the slightly malicious turn in his visitor's tone, Starscream turned to face him. "I see. So, ultimately, the choice is out of my hand. I am to either consent to your terms or be... removed from office."
The guest shrugged. "My apologies, Air Commander. I am merely acting on the behalf of Lord Trannis."
"So, naturally, he sent the person with the incredibly large fusion cannon attached to his arm to persuade my decision."
The visitor chuckled uneasily. "Ah, yes. To be honest with you, that was merely an upgrade given to me by Trannis' men without my knowledge. So then, what will it be?"
Starscream sighed. "Very well. I shall grant the Decepticons full access to my Seekers and their developments. Satisfied?"
The liaison nodded. "Quite. In that case, I shall take my leave."
"One last thing," the Air Commander said. "I take it that, since you are Lord Trannis' liaison, we will be meeting often."
The liaison nodded in response.
"In that case, may I ask for your name so we can get better acquainted?"
The Decepticon smiled. "I suppose you might as well. My name is Optronix."
* * *
"So, what's the verdict?"
Observing the strewn out parts of the late Levitacus that laid before him, Prowl said, "This was definitely a murder."
Behind his visor, Tumbler's eyes rolled. "Gee, obviously. What, were we under the assumption that he committed suicide?"
Ignoring the cynical remark, Prowl continued, "By my analysis, it would appear that Levitacus was stabbed by a solitarium blade, with multiple cuts and slashes to add insult to injury."
"And then he was hung under the Neurospan Bridge for us to find him." Tumbler shook his head. "Why do I get the feeling this guy won't be the last of these assassinations?"
"He won't," Prowl said bitterly. He handed his partner a datalog. "This was found on his person."
Taking the device, Tumbler turned it on and viewed its latest entry, though it did not appear to have been written by Levitacus himself. It stated, Three down, four to go. Kaon's number one is next.
Tumbler scratched his head. "'Kaon's number one?' What does that mean?"
"Emirate Xeon," Prowl replied. "He represents Kaon on the High Council, thus being their number one."
"So, how are we going to protect Xeon?"
"The Emirate is due for a meeting with Councilor Ratbat tomorrow. I'll have a security team escort and protect him at all times."
"And if he refuses the assistance?"
Prowl frowned. "Then he will have signed his own death warrant."
* * *
The moment he and Councilor Shockwave had arrived in Kaon, Mindset knew that something was wrong. Although the Councilor was in a high-enough position to enter the blockaded city-state without any trouble, Mindset would not expect him to bring anyone to a place like this.
"Er, sir?" Mindset said, his optics darting left and right. "Why are we here?"
Shockwave smiled. "Fret not, my friend. No harm will come to you here."
Mindset raised an eyebrow. "But... there are Decepticons hiding out here!"
"And?"
The inventor blinked. "You... you have control over them?"
The councilor's smile became more mysterious. "You could put it that way."
Before Mindset could inquire further, the two of them arrived before a derelict building. Shockwave brought out an ID chip and inserted it into a device near the entrance. When it was accepted, the door slid open and Mindset cautiously followed the councilor inside. As the door closed behind them, a dim light illuminated the room they were in. Walls of obsidian surrounded them while pieces of machinery littered the floor.
As he took it all in, Mindset murmured, "What is this place?"
"I like to call it the Black Room," Shockwave said. "Not a clever name, I know, but it is apt."
"Why have you brought me here?"
The councilor looked down at him, smiling deviously. "This is your new workshop, Mindset. You are to continue your Power Core Combination experiments here so that the Decepticons may use them."
Mindset scowled in irritation and disbelief. "And what if I refuse to work?"
"I'm sure Buzzsaw will ensure your devotion." Shockwave nodded at a gold and black bird-like mechanoid which perched on a nearby ledge, glaring sinisterly at Mindset.
The Autobot engineer shifted his gaze frantically, searching for an escape. When he found none, he sighed despondently. "All right. I'll do it."
Shockwave smirked. "I am satisfied by your eagerness to comply."
With that, the councilor turned and walked out of the Black Room, leaving Mindset alone with his work and a murderous bird.
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