Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga IV, Epilogue

EPILOGUE

   Like in all wars, the victory at Vehicon had come at a price; the Autobot soldier Orion Pax had been captured by the Decepticons and spirited off to who-knows-where. It was anyone's guess what Megatron's intentions were.

    As he sat at his desk, scribbling in his journal and studying the Covenant of Primus as he always did, Alpha Trion could not help but wonder if this Orion Pax was destined for something. His name continued to crop up in random places, whether it was from the mouths of news reported or the text of ALTernity Today.

   It would make sense, of course; Orion's brother, Optronix, had meant to succeed Sentinel Prime when the time came, only for him to end up becoming their sworn enemy, Megatron- a name derived from the forsaken name of The Fallen.

   Almost absentmindedly, Alpha Trion took his copy of the Covenant and turned to one of its first pages, which introduced the first Thirteen: Prima, Vector Prime, Sigma Prime, Solus Prime, Micronus Prime, Alchemist Prime, Nexus Prime, Onyx Prime, Amalgamous Prime, Quintus Prime, the Liege Maximo, the Fallen, and the Arisen.

   As Alpha Trion's eyes glided across the pages, studying the names and roles of each Prime, he began to wonder: each member of the Thirteen was said to have represented an aspect of Primus, with the first few representing his goodness, and the last his darkness.

   If that were the case, then was the Arisen truly darker than the Fallen, as some often theorized? And if Optronix was to be the metaphorical "reincarnation" of the Fallen, as some prophecies predicted, then who was to be Arisen's reincarnation? And what about Prima, Vector, and the others?

   Leaning back in his seat, Alpha Trion let out a sigh. As he always told himself, all he could do was record time as it happened and do nothing to intervene or prevent an event from happening.

   And if the rise of Megatron was to perhaps herald the return of the Chaos Bringer just as the fall of Megatronus had, then so be it.

*  *  *

   "Frag, how were you able to put this armor on in the first place?"

   "Not so loud," Suture hissed as Ratchet removed the Magnus Armor's chest plate so that he could repair it. "Do you want the whole infirmary to know my secret?"

   "Technically, they already do," Ratchet muttered as he brought out a welder. "The medics, at least."

   Suture sighed as he looked at his temporarily discarded helmet, sculpted to resemble the late Ultra Magnus' head. "Ever since I took up this job, I've been almost as paranoid as Red Alert; not just about getting my cover blown, but also...."

   "Also what?" Ratchet asked when Suture didn't finish.

   "Ghosts," the former medic said quietly. "I feel as if Ultra Magnus' ghost is haunting me, influencing my every movement."

   Ratchet snorted. "There's no such thing as ghosts, Suture. Just like there's no such thing as a Sparkeater, or the Necrobot, or a Gliding Fist."

   "Guiding Hand," Suture corrected him. "And I suppose you have a point. I just feel like this whole concept is amoral; posing as a dead bot and denying them a proper funeral... it's a bit creepy, if you ask me."

   "Maybe you should see a psychiatrist like Rung," Ratchet suggested. "I know he's not a medic and thus not technically allowed to know your secret, but I also know that he has a duty of care towards his patients and keeps such info confidential."

   Suture merely shrugged, leaving Ratchet unconvinced that he was considering it. Before he could return to his work, the door to his workplace slid open and Lancet came rushing in, dragging in a heavily injured Autobot.

   As Suture hurriedly put his helmet back on to conceal his identity, Ratchet gave the young medic an irritated look. "Lancet, what did I tell you about knocking?"

   "He's hurt really bad!" Lancet exclaimed. "His spark's shrinking by the second! And besides, Cogwheel's room is all filled up!"

   "All right, hurry up and get him on a recharge slab." As Ratchet helped Lancet lift up the Autobot's failing body, the former immediately confirmed the younger medic's evaluation; the poor mech's spark was no bigger than his thumb.

   "I don't know, Lancet," Ratchet murmured. "I don't think we can save him."

   Suddenly, the dying Autobot's arm shot up and grabbed Ratchet by the shoulder, pulling him down. Then, in a raspy voice, he spoke a single word.

   "Prometheus."

   Then, with a flicker from his optics, the Autobot died.

*  *  *

   Megatron stared at the comatose body that stood behind the orange-tinted glass shield of the capsule, situated within the Foundry of New Kaon. While he waited for Rossum and his crew to retrieve another sample of ununtrium, all Megatron could do was envision the victories he would achieve with the completion of the Warriors Elite.

   Worlds would soon fall into his grasp. Citizens would soon tremble at the mere sound of names such as Heretech and Killmaster. And their leader....

   Megatron mused over the prospect of Orion Pax leading his super-warriors. His brother's appearance would be drastically different of course, and the name 'Orion Pax' simply would not do for a Decepticon. Then, it dawned on him.

   Worlds falling. Citizens trembling. Like a plague they come....

   Grinning, Megatron patted the glass shield of the capsule. "You will do well for the Decepticon cause... Scourge."

TO BE CONTINUED