CHAPTER SIX
When Livewire finally came to, she felt as if she had been trampled by a herd of nosorons and that all of her energon had gone into her. She quickly found out the latter to be true, when she realized that she was hanging upside down, her feet chained to the ceiling. Before Livewire could figure out where she was, she heard a gruff voice chuckle from behind her.
"Would you look at that, Scrapper? We've gotten three trespassers in the course of, what, an hour?"
"Two," a second voice muttered, belonging to the Constructicon Scrapper. "And one of them was on the brink of death when we found him, so he was hardly a challenge."
"Oh, so he's dead now?"
Out of the corner of her optic, Livewire saw two purple fists grab a lifeless body hanging next to her. She quickly shut them when the fists began tearing it apart.
"There. One less prisoner to feed."
"Nice going, Bonecrusher," said a third, haughty voice. "I was going to use that for my next masterpiece."
"Blow it out your actuator, Hook," the gruff voice identified as Bonecrusher growled. "Lest we've still got the brat and the femme."
"Hmm, point taken," the one called Hook said. "They're both fairly young, so their transformation cogs should still be fresh, and the girl's paint-job is simply gorgeous. It would look nice melded into the final product."
"Hey!" Livewire snapped, growing sick of the banter. "That's no way to compliment a girl!"
There was a pause, which was soon followed by laughter.
"You got a feisty one, Bonecrusher," Hook said. "Maybe we should spare her if she behaves-"
"Mute it, you cogs!" a fourth voice bellowed. "Take the fresh metal to get melded, pronto!"
"You heard him," Scrapper barked to the others. "Get back to-!"
He stopped when the ground shook, something no doubt impossible considering that they were all underground. Then the walls began to tremble as well. His voice sounding slightly agitated, Scrapper said, "Bonecrusher, why is the mech you just tore apart beeping?"
There was a pause as Bonecrusher tried to discern the problem. "There seems to be a comlink wedged into his spark casing," the Constructicon finally said, sounding mildly baffled.
"And... do you know who he is?"
"Yeah, his name's Skar or something. He's the guy who put me into Trypticon Prison. Think he's one of the..." Another pause. Livewire could almost feel the dread that filled the air. "...The Dynobots."
At that precise moment, the ceiling to the Constructicons' work site caved in. As workers began to scatter, five hulking mechs descended into the chamber, wielding giant swords and cannons. The largest of them, carrying a glowing energo-sword, stepped forward and snarled, his scarlet visor gleaming with bale.
"Skar always was one for subtlety," he growled. "Hope he forgive me for not being as... restrained."
Raising his sword towards the cowering Constructicons, Grimlock bellowed, "Dynobots, munch metal!"
* * *
"How may I be of assistance, Optronix?"
The mech whom Alpha Trion had once called student scowled as he sat opposite of the historian. "Where is the Key to Vector Sigma?"
The question took Alpha Trion by surprise, but his face remained stoic. "Why do you want it?"
"To access Vector Sigma, of course."
The ancient historian leaned back in his seat, clasping his hands together. "Some do not believe Vector Sigma actually exists. What makes you so certain that it is more than just a myth?"
"I know it's not," Optronix replied. "Because I believe in it."
Alpha Trion smirked. "And why do you desire to access Vector Sigma?"
"To create an empire."
The sage's previous smugness vanished, replaced by agitation. "So you're one of them. You've sided with Trannis."
It was Optronix's turn to smirk. "Indeed, I am a Decepticon. But I'd hardly call myself loyal to Trannis. You see, he is an old model, not unlike Sentinel Prime. The Decepticons are due for a change in leadership."
Alpha Trion's optics narrowed. "I take it those already following Trannis are not enough to build this empire of yours?"
"I'm not building an army, if that's what you're getting at," Optronix said. "No, I want to bring forth a new generation of Cybertronians to populate the new world I have in mind."
"Access to Vector Sigma does not simply allow one to create a plethora of sparks in an instant," Alpha Trion snapped. "Besides, what is this about a new world and a new generation?"
Optronix glowered at him. "Cybertron is dying, old one. Those who currently walk upon her blessed land have drained her of resources. Cybertron and her people... must be reborn."
"I see. And so you are to be the leader of this... new world?"
Optronix nodded, rising up to his feet. "Sentinel Prime had envisioned me as the Prime who would light the darkest hour, as foretold by an ancient prophecy. I am here to fulfill that prophecy."
"How? By committing genocide against your own people only to create new ones?"
Optronix smiled mirthlessly. "Call it what you like. You will understand one day, no doubt."
As he turned to leave, the former Autobot added, "You're going to thank me for this some day, just as I thank you for shaping me into who I must be."
For the first time in ages, rage filled Alpha Trion. Rising from his own seat, the old sage kicked away his desk, startling Optronix and Beta Maxx. He then reached behind his back and unsheathed the ancient blade he had carried for millennia and yet had never used until now.
"If you dare force the blame of all of your wrongdoing on me again, I will bury this blade into your spark."
Optronix chuckled. "Quite spry for someone as old as the stars themselves. And just what makes you think that you can fight me, let alone kill me."
"Primus is at my side," Alpha Trion said. "And I do believe he's pushed you away."
Optronix laughed again as he brought out a blade of his own. "We shall certainly see about that."
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