CHAPTER NINE
Even though he maintained his composure while speaking, Jazz could tell that Optimus Prime was upset. Not necessarily with their failure to stop the Decepticons from getting away with Megatron's head, but with the general repercussions that the Decepticon's public presence would mean.
"The Decepticons must be aware of our code of secrecy," the Autobot leader murmured as he paced through the command center. "They're trying to provoke us, have us 'come out of our shells,' so to speak."
"While bringing back Megatron in the process," said Arcee as she leaned against a wall. The Autobot scout had recently returned to the base and reported her discovery of Megatron's headless body being extracted by the Decepticons.
"So what do you suppose we do?" Ironhide asked. "Sit on our afterburners and let the Decepticons terrorize the humans? Or try to protect them and get flak in return? Either way, we lose."
Laying on a repair slab while Ratchet fixed his leg, Sunstreaker scoffed. "Why should we care what the humans think, or what happens to them? We should spend more time on fixing the Ark and simply leave the humans--"
Suddenly, Optimus was at Sunstreaker's bedside, startling both him and Ratchet. The Autobot leader jabbed a finger into the yellow mech's chest.
"Do not finish that sentence," Optimus said sternly. "We do not abandon the needs of others for the sake of our own. If the humans require our protection from the Decepticons, we will give it to them, regardless of what the consequences mean for us. All life is precious; I will see to it that none of it is taken. Are we clear on that subject?"
Taken aback by Optimus' stern lecture, Sunstreaker could muster a quiet, "Yes, sir."
The Autobot leader relaxed. "Good. I know it may be a hard prospect for you to grasp, but--"
"Prime," Prowl interrupted, "we have a transmission from Sector Seven."
Optimus sighed. "From Agent Fowler, no doubt."
"Guess again."
Optimus turned to the viewscreen on the main computer and saw the gruff visage of a blond-haired man.
"Director Joshua Red," the Autobot leader murmured. "How are you faring?"
"Not too good, all things considered," the recently-appointed Director of Sector Seven said coldly. "I saw what your little fight did to Detroit."
"That wasn't any of our doing!" Ironhide protested. "It was that Lugnut fella with that explosive punch of his!"
Ignoring him, Red said to Optimus, "I hope you have a reasonable explanation for this."
In quick order, Optimus explained to him about the reemergence of the Decepticons and their presumed plot to bring back Megatron. When he was done, Red's face was still its impassive self.
"Let me get this straight," the Director said, "and correct me if I'm misreading into your story... but do you mean to tell me that you've pretty much brought your war to our world?"
"That is a slight exaggeration of my statement," Optimus said. "And even if it wasn't, it is not because of us that the Decepticons have returned; like I've said, it's because of--"
"Megatron," Red interjected. "So you say. But why have they picked now to return instead of a hundred years ago?"
"I cannot answer that because I do not know," Optimus said quietly. "If we always knew what the Decepticons were up to, the war would have ended long ago."
"I see." The Director made a steeple with his fingers. "Is there anyway for us to avoid your war? Anyway for you to take it away from Earth?"
Optimus shook his head. "Only if we repair our ship or build a new one. Either option will take some time."
Red sighed in exasperation. "So our world is doomed either way."
The Autobot leader did not reply. After a tense silence, Red said, "I shall discuss with the security council on this matter. Director Red, out."
When the Director's face had vanished, Sideswipe uttered a loud groan. "I think I'm starting to see where Sunstreaker's coming from. If the humans don't like us, why should we help them?"
"They are merely concerned for their planet," Optimus said. "And I don't blame them. Knowing what our war did to Cybertron... I cannot stand the thought of the same happening to others."
Silence reigned for some time. It was broken when Wheeljack rushed into the command center, carrying the device Verity had been brought to them.
"Prime, you're not going to believe this," the Autobot inventor said. "I examined the device, like you said, and...."
"What?" Optimus pressed. "What is it?"
Wheeljack gave him a grave look. "It's definitely Cybertronian tech, but not just any Cybertronian tech. I think it came from the Institute."
* * *
"All systems online. Spark pulse looking good. He's going to be fine...."
Red optics flickered online as Megatron came to. Starscream was not sure whether to be pleased or upset by this, but he maintained a passive face. As the Decepticons leader, rebuilt into a new body larger and stronger than his previous one, sat up, Lugnut fell to his knees.
"He lives! The glorious Megatron lives again!"
At this, Megatron's metal brow furrowed in confusion. "Megatron? As in... as in the Fallen's forsaken name?"
Starscream was taken aback by this. "Why, of course, my liege," he said warily. "It's the name you adopted for yourself when you took over the Decepticons--"
"What?!" Megatron bellowed in alarm, jumping off the repair slab he had been laying on. "I am no Decepticon! I'm a commander of the Autobot Elite Guard!"
Starscream exchanged bemused looks with Knock Out, while Lugnut began to tremble, visibly worried by this outburst.
"You've never been one to joke, my liege," Starscream then said to Megatron. "Are you all right?"
"Of course I'm not! I'm surrounded by Decepticons!" Megatron seemed to reach for a blaster rifle, only to realize none was present. It was then that he seemed to realize he was in a new body. He looked back up and stared at Starscream. "What... have you done to me?"
Starscream's nonplussed expression was soon replaced by a cunning grin. "Oh, this is just too good...."
EPILOGUE
--113 Years Ago; moments before the Ark's crash--
"The 'Cons are firing on us!"
As flames erupted all around the plummeting Ark, another fire also burned-- within Megatron's very spark. It was the fire of anger.
Starscream! He knew that it was the Air Commander who had ordered the Nemesis' attack on the Ark, despite knowing that the Decepticon leader was still on board.
When I get my hands on that two-faced traitor, I'll--
Before he could finish that thought, a blue fist collided into his face and Megatron went staggering back into the wall, pressed against it by the ship's failing gravity system.
"It's over, Megatron," Optimus Prime muttered. "Regardless if I die as well, I'm going to make sure you do so with me."
Megatron barked out a laugh. "You had your chance when you had your little tantrum. How can you hope to pull the trigger on me now if your 'good side' keeps getting in your way?"
"Who says I need to pull the trigger on you?"
Recovering a large blaster from a fallen Autobot, Optimus began to repeated shoot at the wall Megatron was pressed against. The weapon eventually tore open a hole that led into the planet's atmosphere. As the air threatened to pull Megatron out of the ship, the Decepticon leader struggled to escape it.
"No! I cannot be denied of my destiny! I CANNOT BE DENIED!"
"Too late."
Optimus fired again, this time at Megatron's feet, and the Decepticon leader went flying out the ship, eventually catching fire as he plummeted towards the ground below. It wouldn't be long before the Ark did the same.
--60 years later (1961)--
The industrial region near Portland, Oregon had not seen use in quite some time. That was just as well for Scorponok; that meant no humans would be present as he moved about in robot mode, in search of useful materials.
As he recovered metal and steel of different sorts, a voice spoke in his head; it was that of his binary-bonded partner, Abraham Dante.
Cybertronian signature detected.
Looking up in intrigue, Scorponok abandoned his scavenging for the time being and made his way towards the source of the signature. It did not take long for him to find it.
There, at the bottom of a deep crater, was the ruined, deactivated body of Megatron.
Scorponok grinned wickedly, nefarious schemes already running through his head. "Oh, this is just too good...."
TO BE CONTINUED
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