Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga VI, Prologue and Chapter One

PROLOGUE

   In the early days of the First Golden Age, Cybertron was protected by the mighty Omega Sentinels, said to be some of the first Cybertronians to follow the Firstforged. However, by the time of the Galactus Crusades, the then-current Prime saw them as an obstacle to the expansion of his empire. In the end, only one remained: Omega Supreme.

   Were it not for Omega Supreme's guidance, the rebellion against Galactus Prime would have failed and Cybertron would be forever ruled by tyranny. Since the founding of the Autobot Commonwealth, Omega Supreme had served as an advisor to the Prime, from Nova to Nominus to Guardian. When the first Great War broke out, the Omega Sentinel did not wish to take part in the combat and secluded himself on a remote satellite in the Muta-Gaath Nebula. Nonetheless, Sentinel Prime would approach the ancient guardian for advice and it would always benefit the Autobots in the war.

   Now, it was Zeta's turn.

   The Autobot Supreme Commander, having adopted a silver and gold color scheme to replace the previous blue, stood before the seated giant. Omega Supreme watched him with ever-observant optics, his golden face impassive as always.

   After a long moment of silence, Zeta Prime finally spoke. "It would seem that the Decepticons have us at a disadvantage. Every day, I hear something about the Warriors Elite, or a driller attack, or an energon raid. The bodycount increases each day and there are less hot spots appearing on Cybertron or any of its moons."

   "Such are the horrors of war," Omega Supreme said in his deep, bass voice.

   Zeta scowled at him. "Indeed. But I can no longer tolerate it. We lack the time, patience, and resources to catch up with the Decepticons in terms of arms. I know of only one thing to use against them."

   Omega Supreme narrowed his eyes. "Me."

   "Exactly. The spies I've sent out report that the Decepticons are planning on unleashing something big. You are the only one who can protect us from such a threat."

   "I was never made to be a warrior," Omega Supreme said sternly. "A guardian, a watchful protector, yes. A warrior, never."

   Zeta's scowl deepened. "So you'd rather sit here and watch Cybertron burn then try to save it?"

   "I have had this conversation before with Sentinel Prime. He came to me during the previous war and urged me to fight. Like you, he accused me of being a coward. But he soon realized that it was not weaponry they needed, but knowledge and wisdom."

   "This is a different war," Zeta Prime snapped. "The Decepticons have had thousands of years to plan and prepare while we were willfully ignorant. Times have changed."

   "Indeed they have," Omega Supreme said quietly. "But not for the better."

   The Autobot leader glared at him. "If you will not fight, then so be it. I must ask you one last thing, though."

   "Speak."

   "The Matrix of Leadership. Can it indeed light our darkest hour?"

   Omega Supreme stared at Zeta, his eyes briefly flickering towards his chest, in which the ancient relic was held. Finally, he said, "When something ceases to be observed, how can we be sure it continues to exist?"

   Zeta Prime sneered. "Forget I asked."

   With that, the Prime turned on his heel and strode out of Omega Supreme's chamber, ignoring the guardian's steel gaze.

DAWN OF THE AUTOBOTS
Part 3: When Heroes Prevail

CHAPTER ONE

   "Tell me what we've got, Mirage."

   The blue and white Autobot materialized before Orion Pax with a grim expression on his face. The five Autobots huddled together in their makeshift shelter eagerly awaited his report.

   "I counted at least a dozen Seekers, led by that viper Slipstream. Several turrets and Vehicons are surrounding the fort, and at least two Guardian droids are protecting the entrance."

   "Well, that's just lovely," Bumblebee muttered. "Had no idea prototype weapons were worth so much protection."

   "These are 'Cons we're dealing with, 'Bee," grunted the grizzled soldier Ironhide. "They'd place just as many Vehicons and droids if it was just a bucket of energon."

   "So what's the plan?" asked Sideswipe.

   Orion Pax scratched his chin. "I'll tell Elita and her unit to drop the payload on them. Once the 'Cons are distracted, Bumblebee and Mirage will sneak into the fort while you and Ironhide cover them. Ratchet and I will help Elita's team.

   "Once you get whatever they have, Jetfire will blast an opening for us and we'll be home free."

   "A bit too optimistic there on that part," Ironhide grunted as he readied his arm cannons. "But who am I to decline a chance to beat up some Decepticons?"

*  *  *

   "Any day now, Arcee."

   "I don't work well under pressure, sis," Arcee snapped as she balanced her sniper rifle on its stand. "Besides, I doubt those Vehicons will be leaving anytime soon."

   "Quiet," hissed Jetfire, surveying the Decepticon fort's defenses from behind their cover. "They might hear us."

   "Buddy, your wings are poking out," said the rookie Hot Shot. "Vehicons might not be very observant, but-"

   "All right, fine," the Autobot flier muttered as he folded down his wings.

   Elita-One frowned at the unruly nature her team was displaying. Normally, of course, Arcee and Jetfire were more calm, but Hot Shot's juvenile nature often got them all revved up.

   "Okay," Arcee finally said. "I've got 'em in my sights."

   Elita nodded. "Fire."

   Arcee pulled the trigger of her rifle, which seared through the head of a Vehicon, neutralizing the Decepticon trooper. The other Vehicons turned in alarm, spotting Arcee, and instantly raised their blasters. As enemy fire hailed upon them, Elita smirked. 

   "Let's roll."

*  *  *

   Guns blazing. Seekers diving from above. Chaos all around. A typical day on Cybertron in this time and age.

   Sideswipe couldn't help but smile as he plunged his right arm-blade into the chest of a Vehicon trooper while firing his blaster at another. He could barely here Ironhide's scolding remarks on his recklessness and gung-ho attitude, but he paid them no heed.

   In short time, he, Ironhide, Bumblebee, and Mirage were in the Decepticon fort and fighting their way through Vehicons, Genericons, Seekers....

   "You know," Sideswipe said over the sounds of battle, "I've always wondered: where does Megatron get all of his cannon fodder?"

   "I don't know, the streets of Kaon?" Ironhide growled. "Just watch where you're swinging that blade before you chop your own head off."

   Sideswipe grinned as he swiftly dispatched a Genericon with said blade. "Whatever you say, pops."

   "I think I've found the main chamber," Bumblebee called, pointing to a small door blocked by several heavy-type Vehicons.

   "What makes you think it's where they're hiding the prototype weapons?" asked Mirage.

   Bumblebee shrugged. "Call it a hunch."

   While Ironhide and Sideswipe handled the bulk of the Decepticon forces, Bumblebee and Mirage charged towards the door. The Vehicon brutes readied their shoulder cannons and were prepared to fire until both Autobots vanished before their eyes. While the dim-witted troopers tried to comprehend what had just happened, they suddenly jerked as Mirage's rifle hit them both in the back. As they fell to the ground, the pair of spies deactivated their cloaking devices.

   "Wow," Bumblebee said. "Kudos to Wheeljack for making those cloaking patches, eh?"

   Mirage shrugged. "I guess. I mean, I can do it naturally."

   The yellow Autobot's eyes widened. "Really? How?"

   Before Mirage could answer, Ironhide and Sideswipe came up to them, a field of deactivated Decepticons behind them.

   Mirage smirked at the pair. "Glad to see you're through. Mind opening this door for us?"

   Ironhide nonchalantly raised his arm cannons and blasted not just the door, but the entire wall open. Once the smoke had cleared, the four Autobots got a clear view of the prototype weapons the Decepticons were guarding... only to find none of the sort.

   Suspended over the floor by energy binds was an old mech in purple and red armor, his age indicated by the beard-like formation on his face, a symbol of sorts adopted by aging mechs to signify their wisdom. It took only a few seconds for the Autobots to realize who it was.

   "Alpha Trion!" Ironhide exclaimed as he rushed to the sage's aide, undoing the energy binds. "How long have you been here?"

   "Oh, long enough," Alpha Trion said weakly. "I do resent whoever made their underground passage between here and my humble abode."

   "Do you know why they captured you?" Sideswipe asked as he helped the old Autobot down.

   Alpha Trion's optics clouded for a moment before he sighed. "They wished to interrogate me."

   "About what?" asked Bumblebee.

   "It matters not," the historian said hastily. "I did not tell them what they wanted to hear."

   "Are there any other bots who they might capture to get their answers?" Mirage asked.

   Alpha Trion frowned. "Only one."