CHAPTER FIVE
--Earth--
"So they just... left?"
"It was the strangest thing," Ironhide said, having returned to the Autobot base with Hound and Bulkhead following the encounter in Arizona. "One minute we're tusslin' with the 'Cons, the next they're reachin' for the skies."
"They must've gotten whatever they were after," Arcee said. "Did you pick up any energon readings?"
Ironhide snorted. "You try scannin' for readings when a 'Con's throwin' you off a cliff, cacklin' like a hyenabot."
Optimus Prime sighed, closing his optics as he pressed his fingers against the crest of his helmet. "Whatever it was they found, I'm sure it's something they plan on using against us. If only we knew when and were they're going to strike."
Standing at the main computer with Wheeljack, Prowl turned to the Autobot leader. "Prime, transmission from Agent Fowler."
"Put him through."
Instantly, the Sector Seven agent's face filled the screen. "Optimus Prime. I've received reports that Agent Salazar, stationed in Arizona, was killed by Decepticons. Is this true?"
Optimus glanced at Ironhide, who solemnly nodded. "I'm afraid so, Agent Fowler," the Autobot leader said. "We tried to stop them, but they quickly fled from the scene with whatever they were after."
"You mean you don't know what they were after?"
"I'm afraid not."
Fowler huffed. "Well, that's just great. Never much liked Salazar, to be honest, but...." He pinched the bridge of his nose before saying, "Anyway, we did more investigation on the device your... kid pals found last month."
Optimus nodded. "And?"
"We discerned the origin of the gear-shaped 'M' symbol. We believe it to be the insignia of Machination."
"Who are they?"
"A shadowy organization," Fowler said darkly. "All we have on them on are rumors and speculation, but we might finally have our first clue to their existence."
Optimus rubbed his chin. "Interesting. Can this clue lead us anywhere?"
Fowler grimaced. "Not anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"It's been stolen."
--Velocitron--
Brakedown quickly ducked as an oil can went flying over his head. It was going to be one of those wild days at the Fast Joint. History had just been made with today's Speedia 500; Nitro, leader of Velocitron for the past two hundred years, had just lost to his sister Override, making her the first female leader of the planet.
From what he had gathered so far, not everyone was pleased with this development. But as long as it meant more business for him, he couldn't care less.
After picking up the discarded can, he looked up to see a violet-armored fembot entering the bar. Right away he could tell that she was not a Velocitronian, lacking the sleek frame his people were accustomed to. Regardless, he took a liking to her when she swiftly decked an over-energized mech who had overestimate his chances. She then made her way towards the counter.
"What will it be?" Brakedown asked.
"Do you know anyone named Optimus Prime?" she asked.
He snorted. "Who hasn't? He's almost as famous as Blurr around these parts."
"Has he visited here recently?"
"Not here at my bar." He squinted his optics in contemplation. "I seem to recall some rumors of him being at the Speedia a hundred years back or so, but that's it."
"Is there anyone around here who would know for sure?"
He shrugged. "You might want to try asking Nitro. He was leader of Velocitron around that time and probably would have met with Prime."
"Where can I find him?"
Brakedown opened his mouth to answer but then stopped. "Why do you want to know?"
"Optimus Prime has been missing for over a hundred years," she replied. "I'm trying to find him, and thought Velocitron would be a good place to start."
Brakedown considered her words for a moment before slowly nodding. "Well then, you can probably find Nitro at the Central Stadium in Delta. The Speedia's only just finished, so he's probably still being hounded by reporters and fans."
She nodded in gratitude. "Thank you."
With that, she got up and left the rowdy bar. Brakedown watched her go until a rude customer pulled him back to his duty.
--Earth--
"Was this all you managed to procure?"
Skywarp sneered at Starscream as he set down the medium-sized solid ore of energon down on a slab in Knock Out's lab.
"Give me a break," the Seeker grunted. "We've been scouring this blasted planet for a year now. Be glad we found anything at all."
Starscream fought the urge to lash out at his fellow Seeker for his attitude. "Whatever. Knock Out, I want you to study it."
The red Decepticon sports car smirked. "For what?"
The Air Commander's optics flared indignantly. "For... for volatile substances! I want to make sure it won't explode if I try to infuse myself with it!"
The medic's eyes rolled. "As you wish."
"'As you wish...?'"
Knock Out huffed. "Lord. Starscream."
"Thank you." Sticking his nose to the air, Starscream strode out of the lab. On his way to the bridge, he felt a large shadow fall over him.
"Lord Starscream? What was that ore Skywarp and the others recovered?"
Starscream smiled to himself. The voice, face, and body certainly belonged to Megatron, but due to unknown circumstances, the Decepticon leader's memory had been set back to before he first became a Decepticon, when he was the Autobot Optronix.
Like any smart Decepticon would have done, Starscream had taken advantage of Megatron's amnesia and recounted the events of the past thousand years... albeit with some rewording and embellishment.
Turning to face his amnesiac predecessor, Starscream said, "We have found a special kind of energon here on Earth. It is called Ultra-Energon and we believe it to be able to enhance a Cybertronian's strength and durability.
Optronix looked intrigued by this. "Can it help us defeat the Autobots?"
"We can only hope." Starscream found it very hard not to laugh at the former Megatron's new-found naivety and gullibility. If this was what Optronix had truly been like, then it was a wonder that he had managed to join the Elite Guard.
As the two of them continued walking to the Nemesis' bridge, Optronix said, "Is there anything you want me to do, Lord Starscream?"
Oh, how I enjoy hearing those words from that wretched mouth. Aloud, Starscream said, "Nothing in particular."
Optronix frowned. "But I am unfamiliar with this new form, and there are several Autobots down there I can test it against."
Starscream smirked. "Have patience, my friend. Your time will come."
At that moment, they entered the bridge, where Soundwave was waiting at his monitor. The Decepticon spy inclined his head towards them.
"Star-- Lord Starscream, I have detected another source."
"Wonderful," the Air Commander said as he sat down in the command chair. "Where at?"
Soundwave took a moment to discern the exact location. "A human facility in Tampa, Florida."
Starscream abruptly leaned forward in his seat. "What? Humans?! How could they have gotten their hands on Ultra-Energon?"
"I theorize they came across it and recovered it like we have."
"But... but they wouldn't know how to handle it or what to do with it!"
"I am simply reporting what I--"
"Enough!" Starscream sharply waved a hand to cut the spy off. "Send a team down there to retrieve it. I don't care if they need to raze the entire city to get it, just as long as that Ultra-Energon is in our hands!"
"As you command, Lord Starscream."
As Soundwave set to work, Optronix leaned forward to speak into Starscream's audio receptor. "Is now the time?"
The Seeker found himself smirking again. "Yes. Now is the perfect time."
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