Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XIV, Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX

--The Nemesis--

    The pain had finally stopped. The shock of energy had ceased pulsing through his body.

    Falling out of the torture device he had been restrained to, Starscream struggled to pickup his bearings. Rising shakily to his feet, the Seeker saw that Knock Out, his assigned torturer, was nowhere to be seen, nor were the two Vehicons standing guard.

     Limping to the door, he opened it and peeked out down the corridor. No sign of activity on either side. That was odd; usually there were Vehicons regularly patrolling the entire ship. Had he just been forgotten about?

    He thought about returning to the bridge but then stopped to reconsider. If he dared show his face to Megatron, the Decepticon leader would simply give him an even worse punishment than what he had already endured. He would find nothing on this ship but death.

    After double checking to make sure the coast was clear, Starscream sprinted for the hangar.

*  *  *

    "This is mutiny!" Megatron bellowed, now restrained by stasis cuffs and placed alongside the Autobots. "How dare you betray me! How dare any of you betray me!"

    The other Decepticons merely looked from him to Soundwave, who now stood at the Nemesis' helm. Having seen how easily the communications officer had taken out Megatron, whom they had all seen as the most powerful of Decepticons, none of them wished to take on Soundwave.

    "Traitors!" Megatron continued to scream. "All of you!"

    "Serves you right after betraying us, Optronix," Ironhide spat at him.

    Megatron gritted his dental plates, unable to lash out at the Autobot. Optimus simply gave him a sidelong glance, carrying of mix of pity and grim satisfaction with it.

    Soundwave stood there in total silence for a long moment. Then, rather suddenly, six holographic figures materialized before him, their appearances hidden by shadow.

    "You have done well, Soundwave," the center figure said. His voice struck Optimus as very familiar. "I promise you that your services will be repaid."

    "Repayment is unnecessary, Lord Galvatron," Soundwave said. "Seeing our plan come to fruition is enough."

    "You certainly are a mech with simple tastes, Soundwave," said a second hologram. "Have you succeeded in capturing Optimus Prime and Megatron?"

    "Yes, Jhiaxus. Both of them are restrained here on the Nemesis' bridge."

    "Good work," the one identified as Galvatron said. "Keep them there while the Decepticons carry out their invasion. Then, when the time is right, we will make ourselves fully known. Until then, enjoy the show."

    Soundwave bowed. "As you command, Lord Galvatron."

    At that, the six holograms vanished as quickly as they had appeared. Megatron appeared too flabbergasted by all of this to speak, allowing Optimus to question the communications officer himself.

    "That was Galvatron?" he said. "I thought he perished with the original Ark."

    "The Ark's crew never perished," Soundwave said. "They have functioned to this day. And today, they shall make their final voyage."

--Gorlam Prime--

    "They sure are taking their own sweet time in there," Brainstorm muttered, glancing towards the door to the council chambers.

    Strongarm visibly bristled as she carried her axe in her hands. "Is there anything stopping us from  bringing the doors down and shooting at everything?"

    "Our dignity?" Chromedome offered.

    "I think we should wait," Glyph said. "Imagine if we burst in there, guns ablaze, all because we don't fully trust Sentinel Prime just because he's not dead, and it turns out to be a big misunderstanding."

    Brainstorm shrugged. "I fail to see the downsides of that."

    Suddenly, the doors opened and the crew turned to see Elita, Windblade, and Nightbeat being pushed out by imposing figures. None of them looked like Sentinel Prime and the violet one in the lead had a Decepticon symbol emboldened on their chest.

    Strongarm roared in fury as she charged towards the strangers, axe held high over her head. Before she could even reach them, a large mech in green and black lunged forward and tackled her to the ground, pinning her there.

    The violet mech snorted in derision. "Autobots. Impetuous to the last."

    His voice struck all of the Autobots as familiar; disturbingly so. "S-Sentinel Prime?" Glyph stammered.

    He smiled mirthlessly. "Not anymore. Today, you shall know me as Galvatron."

    "Galvatron?" Rewind was astonished. "Nova Prime's first lieutenant? But... but you're an Autobot."

    "In the days when no other factions existed, yes. But after countless thousands of years, a change in ideology becomes necessary. After all, to stagnate is to die."

    "What are you going to do to us?" Elite said bitterly.

    Galvatron chuckled. "Why, nothing at all. You hardly pose a threat to us, and if we didn't want you to know of our existence, Nightbeat here would not have led you here."

    The others glared daggers at Nightbeat, who held up his hands defensively. "Guys, I had no idea, really--"

    "He really didn't," said a hunched-over mech with wings and orange armor plating. "He was our sleeper agent, made just for an occasion such as this."

    "Indeed," Galvatron said. "Now then, you are all free to leave Gorlam Prime and spread the word of our coming. The universe needs to be prepared for its new conquerors. Rollbar!"

    At once, the white and violet mech came forward, bowing before Galvatron. "What is thy bidding?"

    "Return these Autobots to Velocitron and--"

    Before he could finish, the wall behind Rollbar suddenly exploded and a blue and red bot came crashing through. He collided into Rollbar and pinned the mech to the ground, aiming a gun at his forehead.

    "Nobody moves, nobody gets hurt-- except maybe this guy!" the stranger shouted theatrically.

    The Autobots stared at him in bewilderment while Galvatron simply looked wryly amused.

    "And to what do we owe such a visit?" he said sardonically.

    The blue mech pointed angrily at Rollbar. "This bot right here. I'm here to kill him."

    "What?!" Rollbar exclaimed. "Skids, buddy, it's me! Rollbar! Your part--"

    Skids silenced him with a hard backhand. "Not anymore. Not after what you've done."

    Rollbar looked up at Galvatron pleadingly. "My liege, please! Don't let him--!"

    Before he could finish his sentence, he and Skids vanished in a flash of light, leaving the Autobots and Heralds in a stunned silence. After a long bout of it, Galvatron turned to another one of his followers, a blue and white mech with cape-like wings.

    "I believe we've had enough guests, don't you, Scourge?"

    The Herald of Unicron nodded before waving a hand over Elita and her crew, sending them falling through a portal.

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XIV, Chapter Five

   EDITED 5/17/2015 Took out mention of Gravitas.

CHAPTER FIVE

--Gorlam Prime--

    "Show me your identification."

    The large gray mech had a strong grip on Skids' arm, to the point of creating small dents in it. The Autobot did not so much as flinch, instead raising his gaze to meet the brute's.

    "You don't need to see my identification."

    The mech tightened his grip. "What do ya' mean I don't? Do you not have security regulations where you're from?"

    "Oh, no, we have those." Skids grinned mischievously. "I just never had a need for them."

    Then, with the brute still holding onto him, Skids jumped and flipped himself over the mech's head. He then brought out a gun and fired a dart from it. This caused the brute's optics to go dim before releasing his hold on Skids and dropping to the ground, deactivated.

    After looking around to make sure no one had witnessed the spectacle, Skids made his way towards Watchguard Tower.

*  *  *

    "What?!" Elita was aghast as she stared at Sentinel Prime. "Y-you mean you wanted the Decepticons to start the war again?"

    Sentinel smiled, though it lacked any track of mirth. "It's what needed to be done. It was was only viable option to bring Cybertron to a weakened enough state. The first war between our factions wasn't enough; the Tyrest Accord bought the Decepticons enough time to gather their full strength."

    "This is the biggest load of scrap I've ever heard," Windblade snapped. "Why would you deliberately turn Cybertron into a weakened planet?"

    "In time you will see." Rising from his seat, Sentinel turned to the councilors. "And I do believe that time has come, hasn't it, my friends?"

    The other councilors merely nodded their heads.

    Elita gave Sentinel a suspicious look. "Time for what?"

    "For the veil to be lifted."

--The Nemesis--

    Optimus Prime was at Death's door.

    Or at least, he had been. As the barrel of Megatron's fusion cannon glowed, he thought that death was an absolute certainty. He closed his eyes as he braced himself for the end. He did not welcome his demise, but he was prepared for it.

    A gunshot went off. He felt nothing.

    When he opened his eyes, he was expecting to be in a featureless plane, one of the most common depictions of the afterlife. Instead, he saw that he was still on the Nemesis' bridge. The fusion cannon had ceased glowing, but it was not smoking from the barrel as if it had gone off. He was still alive.

    Shock was plastered on Megatron's face, but it slowly contorted into anger. He then spun around to confront the one who had fired the shot, which had gone straight into his back without inflicting any injury.

    Standing there, away from his station, gun in hand, red visor gleaming, was Soundwave.

    A tumult of emotions raged through Megatron; anger, confusion... betrayal.

    "Soundwave," he growled through gritted teeth. "What... is the meaning of this?"

    Unmoving, Soundwave stared at him straight in the optic. "You shall not kill Optimus Prime."

    Megatron's mouth fell agape. "And why shouldn't I? Who are you to give me orders?"

    "We need him alive. As well as you."

    "'We?' Who is this 'we?'" Megatron launched himself towards Soundwave, seizing the comm. officer by the throat and pinning him against his own monitor. "What secrets have you been hiding from me?! Your leader?! Tell me!"

    He thrashed Soundwave as he said this. His former follower remained stoic as ever.

    "You are not my leader," he said coldly.

    Megatron's optics widened. "What--?"

    Before he knew it, the tables had been turned. Faster than even the naked optic could follow, Megatron was suddenly the one being pinned down, lying face down on the floor. Standing over him triumphantly was Soundwave, whose relaxed body language suggested that he had performed fare more difficult fears than this in the past.

    Everyone on the bridge stood by and watched on in shock. Even the eternally loyal Lugnut did not dare trifle with the one who had felled his glorious leader.

    Once he was sure that no one would challenge him, Soundwave put himself through to all Decepticon channels.

    "All forces: commence the invasion."

--Cybertron--

    "Decepticon ships inbound." Wing Saber gave the other Autobots a grim look as he brought out a pair of swords. "This is it, everyone."

    Ultra Magnus grimaced as he readied his weapons. All around him, others were doing the same; Springer and his Wreckers were loading up their guns, the Aerialbots were already preparing to fly out... it was just like the Decepticons' previous invasion, which had led to the false peace that was now ending.

    He knew full well that no peace would come as a result of this.

    As the other Autobots looked to him expectantly, Magnus gave out his last command. "Roll out."

*  *  *

    So this is what victory feels like.

    Standing on the bridge of his flagship-- a replacement of the one he had lost over a century ago-- Shockwave studied the world of Cybertron as the fleet of Decepticon ships descended upon it. This was hardly the outcome he had been expecting; after everything they had been through, were the Autobots that willing to throw away their lives so recklessly?

    Of course, he wasn't one to complain.

    "The fleet is awaiting your orders."

    Shockwave turned his single-eyed gaze to Slipstream. Although the Seeker's expression was neutral as always, he could see the lust for battle burning in her optics.

    Decepticon savagery at its finest.

    Then, with a nod, he gave the order.

--Gorlam Prime--

    Windblade had her sword out, holding it in a defensive position. Elita and Nightbeat were also reaching for their weapons. Sentinel Prime merely looked on in mild amusement.

    "What are you planning?" Elita demanded. "What's this all about?"

    Sentinel laughed harshly. "This is about what is necessary. This is about what needs to be done, for the sake of the Cybertronian race."

    "What do you even call yourselves?" Nightbeat asked. "You're not Autobots, you're not Decepticons. What are you?"

    Sentinel did not reply. One by one the councilors rose to their feet... and shifted before their eyes, assuming completely different appearances. Then, Sentinel Prime did the same: crimson armor become violet; his cape-like back panels became wings. Helmet antenna became horns, and blue optics became scarlet.

    No longer did Sentinel Prime stand before them. Instead, an ancient warrior long thought dead loomed over them.

    "We are the Heralds of Unicron," he said coldly. "And our day of reckoning has come."

    All three Autobots backed away, startled by the mention of the Chaos Bringer's forbidden name.

    The mech who once called himself Sentinel Prime smiled ruthlessly at them. "And you may call me Galvatron. After all, it will be the name you shall be worshiping from here on out."

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XIV, Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

--Gorlam Prime--

    The Council of Ancients resided in a circular chamber located at the highest point of Watchguard Tower. The five councilors sat on daises that hovered high up in the air, while Sentinel Prime stood at a golden podium that loomed over those who stood before it, providing him a regal and imposing aura.

    Elita stood before the former Autobot leader, with Windblade and Nightbeat at her side while the others waited just outside the council chambers. Leaning across his podium, Sentinel Prime stared Elita in the eye, his own optics twinkling in a mysterious manner.

    "So then, what do you want answered?"

    "How are you still alive?" Elita demanded.

    Sentinel chuckled lightly. "Was I ever dead to begin with?"

    "We all saw you die," Nightbeat said. "Whether it was there in person or on a viewscreen, the whole world witnessed it."

    Sentinel smiled slightly as he leaned back in his seat. "I was never on Cybertron to begin with."

    All three Autobots stared at him incredulously. "What?!"

    "I had optics on the Decepticons. I knew they were planning an assassination, so I left for Gorlam Prime a few months early."

    "Wait," Windblade said quietly. "You knew the Decepticons were planning to start the war again? Why didn't you try to stop them?"

    Sentinel chuckled again. "Because that's exactly what we wanted them to do."

--Cybertron--

    The weight of the entire world was on Ultra Magnus' shoulders.

    Lives were hanging in the balance. On one end were those of Optimus Prime and Alpha Trion, two beings that every Autobot looked up to. On the other were the lives of Cybertron's entire population. Did he dare try to save both, or would he end up sacrificing them all in the process?

    The clock was ticking.

    I don't know how Prime does it, he thought to himself. All the hard choices he had to make... did he ever make one he regretted for life?

    As he looked upon the city of Iacon through his office window, he sensed the approach of someone from behind. By the sound of joints creaking, he could easily tell who it was.

    With a sigh, Ultra Magnus said, "Before you ask me, Kup, I can tell you right now: I have no idea what I'm going to do."

    Kup grunted as he leaned against a wall. "We could attack their New Kaon."

    "We lack the resources to do that and they would likely execute Prime and Trion the moment we did that." Magnus shook his head as he turned to face the Autobot veteran. "I was never meant to be in this sort of position. I'm... I'm just a soldier."

    "Now you're sounding pathetic," Kup said sharply, spitting out a loose screw. "Put yourself in Prime's boots. Would he sacrifice Cybertron just 'cause the 'Cons had a gun to his head?"

    "No...."

    "And if you were the one 'bout to be executed, would you want Prime to sacrifice Cybertron for your sake."

    "Of course not. But the Decepticons will try to take Cybertron either way--"

    "And are you gonna let 'em?" Kup stormed up to Magnus and jabbed a metal finger in his chest. "This is our home, soldier. Are we gonna fight for it or not?"

    Magnus stared down at the cyan-colored veteran, mulling over his words. Finally, in a grave voice, he said, "Yes, we are. Because that's what Prime would want." Heaving out a sigh, he added, "Get me through to Megatron."

--The Nemesis--

    "Lord Megatron, transmission from Cybertron."

    Megatron chuckled darkly, throwing an offside glance towards Optimus. "I wonder what the verdict is. Put it through, Soundwave."

    The communications officer acknowledged the order and brought up the visage of Ultra Magnus on the viewscreen.

    "Ah, the surrogate Prime," Megatron said with a twisted smile. "How does it feel to be given the same level of respect as--"

    "Can it, Megatron," Magnus snapped. "I have your answer."

    The Decepticon leader waved an airy hand. "Out with it then."

    Ultra Magnus took a deep breath before saying, "In the name of the Autobot Commonwealth, and for the sake of the Cybertronian race itself... we refuse to give control of Cybertron to the Decepticons."

    Megatron shifted in his seat; this was not the answer he had been expecting. "You do realize that your leader's life is at stake here, don't you?"

    "I do," Magnus murmured. "This was hardly an easy decision to make. But I know Prime would not want us to sacrifice our home for his sake. This is what he would have done." He then stared coldly at Megatron. "Give us liberty... or give us death."

    Snarling in rage, Megatron blasted the viewscreen with his fusion cannon. He then whirled to face Optimus, aiming his weapon as his face contorted in fury.

    "How does it feel, Prime, to have you own men turn on you?"

    "They aren't turning on me," Optimus said defiantly. "They are doing what's right. This war isn't about me."

    "It's always been about you!" Megatron bellowed. "You're the hero everyone looks up to! You're the warrior everyone aspires to be! You're the one Autobot who's managed to interfere with all of my plans!"

    His optics narrowed into slits. "But you won't interfere with this one. The age of Primes shall finally come to an end." The barrel of his fusion cannon glowed as it charged up. "Let the reign of the Decepticons begin."

--New Kaon--

    "Well, that is an interesting turn of events," Tarn mused aloud as Ultra Magnus' response was broadcast across all Decepticon channels. "I never would have thought the Autobots would give up on their idols so easily." He shrugged nonchalantly. "Not that I'm one to complain."

    He and the rest of the Decepticon Justice Division turned to face their solitary captive: Alpha Trion, restrained to Kaon's electric chair form. Above and behind him, sealed in a cylindrical container, was the sage's Mini-Con companion, Beta Maxx. The diminutive Autobot pounded on the glass walls of his prison.

    Eager to get to work, Tarn turned to face the hovering cameras that were ready to depict Alpha Trion's upcoming demise.

    "Your leaders have spoken!" he boomed to those watching. "Say farewell to the Autobot you have known for eons. His death shall mark the end of the old age and the beginning of the new."

    He punctuated his statement by charging up his double-barreled arm cannon.

    "Do not bother shielding your eyes. You'll be seeing more of this as the day goes by."

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XIV, Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

--The Nemesis--

    Bumblebee ducked as a volley of rockets came after him, fired from the launchers on Brawl's shoulders. Nearby, Bulkhead was wresting with Lugnut, while Ironhide fired his cannons in vain at the latter's back.

    The yellow Autobot looked up in time to see Brawl looming over him. He quickly rolled away as the Decepticon brought his fist down, creating a small crater into the spot Bumblebee had just been. Growling angrily, Brawl transformed into his tank mode and swiveled his turret to aim at Bumblebee.

    Before the Decepticon could fire, Ironhide was suddenly on top of him. Brawl swung his turret to shake the Autobot off but failed. Ironhide then bended the tank's barrel to aim at Lugnut and jerked it to fire. The violet Decepticon was sent flying into a wall.

    As Bulkhead turned his sights on Brawl, Ironhide jumped away in time as the large green Autobot swung his wrecking ball at the tank and pummeled it into the ground.

    "Not bad, kid," Ironhide said to Bulkhead, slapping him on the back. "Now let's get a move on."

    Bulkhead beamed at the veteran's praise before helping Bumblebee up. As they continued down the Nemesis' corridor, Ironhide contacted Optimus on his communicator. 

    "Prime, what's your status? We're nearing the lift to the bridge."

    "Same here," Optimus responded. "We had a run-in with Blitzwing, but we'll be joining you shortly."

    "Good to know. Ironhide, out."

    Once he had ended the connection, Bumblebee said, "Does anyone else feel this is all a bit... easy? I mean, Lugnut and Brawl are usually tougher than that. And we haven't run into any Vehicons besides those two earlier...."

    Ironhide gave him a bemused look. "Are you seriously complaining about us not getting into trouble?"

    Bumblebee shook his head. "No, not at all. It's just that--"

    "Forget it," the veteran Autobot said curtly. "Just focus on the mission."

*  *  *

    Discarding the stolen communicator, Soundwave looked down on the unconscious forms of Optimus Prime, Arcee, and Ratchet. Blitzwing had made remarkable short work of them, though it helped that Soundwave had manipulated elements of the corridor they were in from the bridge to give the irrational Decepticon some leverage.

    Returning to his station, Soundwave viewed his monitor before saying to Megatron, "The other three Autobots are nearing the bridge."

    "Let them come," Megatron said calmly as he prepared his fusion cannon.

    Turning from his own station, Knock Out gave his leader a wry look. "You say that as if you planned for this to happen, my liege."

    "For the Autobots to appear on this ship? No. I hardly expected it." Megatron then grinned heartlessly. "But improvisation is a strategist's greatest weapon."

--Gorlam Prime--

    Elita One, her team, and Rollbar ascended the steps that led up to the doors of Centurion Tower. According to Rollbar, it was from here which Sentinel Prime and his Council of Ancients ruled Gorlam Prime. As they walked into the entrance chamber, Nightbeat began to slow his pace.

    "I know this place," he murmured.

    The other stopped to give him surprised looks. "Do you?" Windblade asked.

    Nightbeat slowly nodded, albeit with uncertainty. "It just seems... familiar. I just... can't put my finger on it."

    Rollbar smiled. "Well, Sentinel Prime did request that some of the buildings in this city to resemble those on Cybertron. In fact, it is Sentinel's desire to create a new Cybertron from Gorlam Prime."

    Glyph looked at him curiously. "Why?"

    His expression darkened. "We have heard and seen what your war has done to Cybertron. Needless to say, we are appalled by it."

    "Don't blame us for it," Strongarm muttered. "It was the Decepticons who started it all."

    Rollbar shook his head. "It doesn't matter to us who fired the first shot. Both factions are responsible for continuing to wage it."

    Before any of the Autobots could object to his statement, Rollbar continued down the main hall. Elita and her group followed, even more wary of him....

--The Nemesis--

    Optimus Prime awoke to the last face he wanted to see today.

    Grinning down at him, Megatron said, "Did you have a nice nap, Prime?"

    "Go to blazes," Optimus retorted.

    Megatron laughed harshly. "That's no way to talk to your brother."

    Optimus wanted to lash out at him but the stasis cuffs on him prevented him from doing so. "Stop calling yourself my brother! He died long ago and you replaced him!"

    The Decepticon leader merely grinned. "Keep telling yourself that, brother. What ever helps you sleep comfortably."

    As Megatron walked away, Optimus saw that he was not alone on the Nemesis' bridge; Arcee, Ratchet, and the others were also restrained, watched over by Thundercracker and Skywarp. Despaired by the fact that he had led his comrades to this, Optimus hung his head in shame.

    "Don't look away now, Prime," Megatron called to him from his command chair. "I want you to witness my triumph."

    "What are you talking about?" Optimus asked, lifting his head up.

    His response came when a metal sphere came into the ship's view as the Nemesis exited hyperspace.

    Cybertron?! he thought in alarm.

    "Shall I begin the broadcast now, my liege?" Soundwave asked Megatron.

    The Decepticon leader shook his head, resting comfortably in his seat. "We wait for our cue. Then, we take the stage."

--Cybertron--

    Hundreds of optics were glued to the large screen that dominated the facade of the Great Dome of Iacon. The broadcast which played on it was being played on all viewscreens across Cybertron; it was mandatory to notice it.

    "People of Cybertron," said the telecast's main focus, Shockwave. "We have given you time to mend your wounds, bury your dead, and recover from the damages done by our war. But now, the inevitable outcome cannot be avoided.

    "Exactly one hundred and thirteen years ago-- to this day-- your beloved Optimus Prime departed Cybertron in the hopes of finding the AllSpark and reclaiming your home-- our home's lost glory. And he never returned. I'm sure a few of you lost faith, but the majority clung onto the belief that he would return to you, cradling the AllSpark in his arms, and bring forth a new Golden Age.

    "Feast your optical sensors, then, on your iconic leader, your paragon of virtue."

    The scene then changed, revealing a defeated, vulnerable Optimus Prime sitting pathetically against a wall. Everyone bearing witness to this fell silent, robbed of words and hope.

    "Tell me now," Shockwave spoke again, narrating over the scene, "do you still see this Autobot as the face of your new Golden Age? Do you still see yourself following his lead, taking whatever road he chooses even if it leads straight towards oblivion? Do you still cling onto the hope that was never there to begin with?"

    The screen shifted focus again, this time displaying the cunning visage of Megatron.

    "You may hate Megatron for the atrocities he has committed. But they were measures that needed to be taken, so that you would see the truth."

    This time, the scene changed to that of Alpha Trion, the wisest of all Autobots, restrained to a crimson chair, with four imposing Decepticon surrounding him.

    "You have one hour to relinquish Cybertron to the Decepticon Empire. Failure to do so by that time will see to the gruesome, televised demises of Alpha Trion and Optimus Prime, the symbols of your futile hope, as well as the forceful invasion of your home.

    "One hour."

    Then, with that reminded, all of the screens went out, as did any hope the Autobots had left.

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XIV, Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

--Nemesis--

    "I'm thinking about getting magnawheels."

    The Vehicon trooper, known only by his identifier of 928, glanced at his partner. "What are those?"

    "Magnetic wheels, basically. They let you drive or stand on any metal surface." 917 looked down at the wheels on his legs. "I think it would be cool to have them."

    "I'm sure it would be." 

    928 couldn't say he relished his job, which consisted of standing guard outside the Nemesis' engine rooms. Not that anyone came down to this level, let alone break into it. In fact, except for that incident at Aquatron, no one had successfully sneaked onto the Nemesis, at least as far as he knew.

    Suddenly, he heard a clang from inside the engine rooms. He glanced at his partner, who gave him a meaningful look (or at least as best he could muster one with a visor and mouthplate).

    928 readied his rifle, turned around, and opened the door to the engine rooms. A red shape lunged at him and he was immediately on the ground, pinned by something heavy.

    "Autobot!" he hear 917 cry, followed by a round of shots from the Vehicon's gun. He then heard the sound of blades slicing through armor and circuitry, and 928 knew that his partner was no more. The Vehicon was then turned on his back and he saw a pair of cannons aimed at his face.

    "Which way to the bridge?" his Autobot assailant growled.

    928 responded by shooting his aggressor in the face. In return, the last thing he saw were the cannons firing.

*  *  *

    "Ironhide...." Optimus Prime spoke with an admonishing tone as he and the Autobots exited the engine rooms, which the GroundBridge had transported them to. "We may be at war, but to mercilessly kill--"

    "He shot first!" Ironhide protested.

    "Even so, you seemed to revel in killing him."

    Ironhide grimaced as he straightened up, looking down ruefully at the deactivated Vehicon. "I'm sorry, Prime," he finally muttered. "It's just... we've never been this close to taking out Megatron in... years."

    "I understand," Optimus said, resting a hand on the Autobot veteran's shoulder. "Just stay focused or else our chance to take out Megatron will slip through our fingers."

    "Still would've been nice if he'd pointed us to the bridge," Bumblebee said, looking ahead. "I see two turbolifts at the end of the corridor."

    "Then we'll split up," Optimus said. "Arcee, Ratchet, you're with me. Ironhide, you lead Bumblebee and Bulkhead."

    The Autobot leader then prepared to take off but stopped when he saw a grin on Bumblebee's face. Sighing, Optimus said, "What is it?"

    "You forgot to say it."

    He rolled his eyes. "Roll. Out."

*  *  *

    "Lord Megatron, six Autobots have appeared on my scanners."

    Megatron fixed his gaze on Soundwave from his command chair. "Where at?"

    "Here. On the Nemesis."

    For reasons beyond even his understanding, Megatron was not fazed by this. Perhaps his time as a disembodied head had dulled his senses. Perhaps a millennia of war had fatigued him. Regardless of the cause, he responded to the news with complete calm.

    "Dispatch Lugnut, Blitzwing, and Brawl to handle them."

    "No Vehicons?"

    Megatron shook his head. "I want to be ridden of them as soon as possible."

    Soundwave nodded. "As you command, Lord Megatron."

--Cybertron--

    The Hall of Records were silent. They had been for a long time; in fact, Alpha Trion could not recall the last time anyone besides him or Beta Maxx had walked through these walls. Everyone was too focused on the present to explore the past.

    Not that he minded the silence. After so many years of war, it was quite refreshing. Thus, when he heard something fall in the Vaults, a building adjacent to the Hall of Records, he knew something was wrong.

    With Beta Maxx close at his side, the ancient archivist walked briskly through the door leading into the Vaults. To his dismay, everything was in disorder; age-old relics were scattered about, as if a powerful wind had blown through. Ancient artifacts such as the Resonance Blaster and the Phase Shifter were damaged beyond recognition.

    He then turned his gaze to the mech responsible, standing in the center of it all. Though the Cybertronian wore no faction badge on their person, their face-- which resembled the Decepticon insignia-- was enough of an indicator.

    "Who are you?" Alpha Trion demanded. "How did you get here?"

    "I have friends in very high places," the Decepticon said. "As for who I am... that's hardly relevant to your current predicament."

    Suddenly, from all around him, orchestral music blasted into Alpha Trion's audio receptors. Startled by this, he fell to his knees before being pushed back into a crimson chair, which he did not remember seeing before.

    "Give him a jolt, Kaon," the insignia-faced Decepticon said. "We don't need him conscious for the trip back."

    Alpha Trion then felt a charge of electricity surge through him before being consumed by darkness.

--Gorlam Prime--

    In the sky over Gorlam Prime, a silver ship streaked through the clouds. It was the first vessel in over a thousand years to have arrived on the last planet, and it was sure to be the last.

    As the ship's systems scanned the surface for its target, its single occupant mused on the orders he had recently been sent, straight from his superiors. They consisted of only two words:

    Kill Rollbar.

    It was a name he recognized-- all too well, in fact. He had not been told why he had to kill this being (though he had an idea), but it was not his place to question orders. It never was.

    The systems of his ship pinged. Rollbar had been spotted in Gorlam Prime's only city.

    A rueful look on his face, Skids accelerated forward.

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga XIV, Chapter One

Timeline: AD 2014 (few days after XIII & WALL-E Crossover)

CHAPTER ONE

--Nemesis--

    The sound of screaming penetrated the walls of the hallway. Any who heard it paid it no heed, either out of apathy or fear. Or, in Megatron's case, satisfaction.

    The Decepticon leader took long strides down the corridor, destined for his personal quarters. Decepticons and Vehicon troopers quickly moved out of his way, none of them desiring to cross him; the screams they were hearing were evidence enough of what happened to the last person to do so.

    He finally reached his quarter and entered the darkened room, locking the door behind him and silencing the chamber so that no eavesdroppers could listen in. He then walked up to a holoprojector placed in the center and sent out a signal. His response came when Shockwave's holographic form materialized before him.

    "Lord Megatron?" Shockwave said, sounding vaguely surprised. "We had thought you had died. Apparently Starscream was successful in bringing you back online."

    Megatron smiled without mirth. "Indeed he was. He also made me aware of a powerful substance called Ultra-Energon."

    "Ultra-Energon?" Shockwave sounded mildly intrigued by this, which was far more than what Megatron would have liked.

    "Yes," the Decepticon leader went on. "I've had Knock Out study it, and he says that it can make one indestructible if absorbed."

    "Interesting. I'm sure this will be a useful thing to use against the Autobots."

    "Which is precisely why I called you." Megatron grinned broadly. "Shockwave, it is time to initiate Protocol Ultimatum."

    Shockwave's single optic dilated slightly. "Ultimatum? My liege, are you sure this is wise?"

    Megatron glared at him. "Why would it not be?"

    "With all due respect, my liege, we lack the resources to go through with that protocol. The primary reason we're currently at a cold war is because we have not the means any more for total war, let alone Protocol Ultimatum."

    "Have faith, Shockwave. I am a master at improvisation."

    The mono-eyed Decepticon titled his head. "The Ultra-Energon?"

    "Yes." Gleeful malice glinted in Megatron's optics. "I shall send you the details of the plan now. Then, rally your forces and await further orders."

    Shockwave bowed. "By your will, Lord Megatron."

--Earth--

    The summer sun beat down on Major William Lennox's face as the open buggy went down the Oregon country road. Behind him were three other assault buggies, as well as twelve Autobot vehicles, a red cab-over truck in the lead.

    Aliens were interesting to work with, he thought. They originated from another planet, yet they adapted quickly and easily with new surrounding and got along well with most of the natives. Then again, with their natural ability to change shape, adaption probably came equally as natural to them.

    Eventually, the convoy came to a stop and Lennox climbed out of his buggy. At the same time, seven of the Autobots-- Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Arcee, Ironhide, Bulkhead, Wheeljack, and Ratchet-- transformed from their vehicle modes, taking the form of large mechanical beings.

    "That still takes some getting used to," muttered Lennox's tech sergeant and trusted friend Robert Epps.

    Looking up at Prime, Lennox said, "Is this the spot?"

    "According to the Sky Spy we sent out, yes," the Autobot leader said, the ground rumbled whenever he spoke. "Wheeljack will open a GroundBridge here, and you keep watch over it with him and Jazz's unit. If we're not back in an hour, then send in reinforcements."

    Lennox nodded. "Understood, Prime."

    Wheeljack then stepped forward and placed a generator down on the ground. A green portal quickly materialized from it.

    Optimus beckoned his team. "Autobots, roll out!"

    The six of them then charged into the portal and vanished through it. Lennox could only hope that he would see them emerge from it.

--Gorlam Prime--

    "Rewind, you're the history expert. Please explain what's going on."

    Rewind glanced back at Tailgate. The two of them stood on a balcony that gave them a view of the city from the residence Elita-One and her team had been given since their arrival. The archivist gave his friend a shrug.

    "I wish I could, but to the best of my knowledge, Sentinel Prime should be deader than a Mortilus convention."

    "But he's not," Tailgate said. "Why?"

    Rewind threw his hands up in the air. "Who knows? You might as well ask me why the sun shines or why Swerve is extremely annoying, because I have no idea."

    "Who's extremely annoying?" Swerve poked his head through the open doorway. "I've heard 'gratingly irritating' and 'teeth-grinding nuisance', as well as some terms not repeatable here. But never... that. That just... lacks the 'oomph' which the others have."

    Rewind sighed in exasperation. "Shut up, Swerve."

    "I've heard that one, too."

    "How about this one?" Suddenly appearing behind him, Strongarm grabbed Swerve and hurled him to the side. A sounding crash followed. Dusting off her hands, Strongarm then turned to Rewind and Tailgate.

    "Elita needs us," she said. "Something about a meeting with Sentinel."

    "Should we even trust him?" Rewind asked. "For all we know, he could be an imposter out to kill us."

    "And what about Nightbeat?" Tailgate said. "He was acting all possessed and stuff before we ended up here."

    Strongarm shrugged. "How about we just follow wherever Elita leads us and find out for ourselves?"

    Despite being practically embedded into the wall, Swerve managed a laugh. "Where's the fun in that?"

    After pulling the talkative Autobot out, the four of them went to meet up with Elita, Nightbeat, Windblade, Brainstorm, Chromedome, and Glyph outside.

    "Sentinel told me that someone would come to escort us," Elita said to them. "And unless I'm mistaken, that's them driving up now."

    The other Autobots turned to see a white and purple car driving up to them. It quickly converted to robot mode, revealing a grinning visage.

    "Welcome to Gorlam Prime!" he said cheerily. "My name is Rollbar, and I shall be your escort to Sentinel Prime."

    "Just you?" Chromedome asked. "No offense, but if someone were to attack us, I don't think you alone could--"

    "I beg to differ." As he said this, weapons sprouted out everywhere on Rollbar's body-- his arms, shoulders, and back. To complete it all, he brought out a large rifle as well.

    "I'd say I'm more than adequate."

    Chromedome slowly nodded. "Um... agreed."

    Eying Rollbar warily, Windblade whispered to Elita, "I think we're going to get more than our fair share of surprises on this planet."

    Elita simply nodded in agreement.

PLANETFALL

Part 3: The Day of Reckoning

Transformers Regenerated / WALL-E: Chapter Ten

    Note: The last scene was inspired by a WALL-E fan fic I found on the Internet. I'm afraid I can't recall its title or its author.

CHAPTER TEN

--One week later--

    Blue optical sensors observed the scenery of Earth. Although it was still a far cry away from how it looked prior to the excessive pollution, the humans were clearly working hard to restore that beauty. They had to at least be given credit for that.

    It had taken some time, but Skids had explained to the leader of the human colony on what was going on, giving him a full detail of the events concerning the Axiom and the Decepticons, as well as a brief recap of Cybertronian history (or at least what was relevant to present time). In the end, the Autobot was thanked for his help, especially for bringing the last passengers of the other starliners back to Earth.

    Of course, Skids knew that he couldn't have done any of it without the help of WALL-E and EVE. But seeing as they had already saved the world once, they were more than comfortable with letting him get most of the praise. Between this show of generosity and their overall caring personalities, Skids almost regretted having to leave.

    Turning away from the view, the Autobot agent saw WALL-E and EVE themselves moving up to him, holding each other's hand as usual. Smiling, Skids got down on his knee to greet them.

    "I can't thank you two enough for helping me out. If it weren't for you, Fearstorm would have done me in, Viral would have succeeded, and Windtrail... well, he'd probably still be dead, but that's besides the point. I'm in your guys' debt."

    WALL-E looked down at his treads as he shifted them in a modest gesture. EVE, meanwhile, looked up at the Autobot with a smile in her optics. She extended her free flipper arm at him.

    "Friends?" she hummed.

    "Heck yeah," Skids said as he took the arm between two fingers and shook it. "We're buddies until the end."

    WALL-E warbled happily as he offered his own hand, which Skids shook as well. The Autobot then straightened up and looked off towards the setting sun.

    "I guess this is where we part ways," he said ruefully. "I've cobbled together a ship from the Axiom's escape pods and Transwarp drive, so I'm all set to go."

    WALL-E's optics hung down sadly. "See you... again?"

    Skids shrugged. "I can't say when we'll meet again, but I promise you that we will at some point."

    "Promise."

    Skids grinned. "Cross my spark."

    With a happy cry, WALL-E rolled up to Skids and hugged his legs. The Autobot chuckled at the gesture as he bent down to pat the smaller robot's head.

    "You're all right, little guy. You would make a good Autobot."

    He then stepped away from the two robots before raising his hand and splitting his middle two fingers apart, making a V-shape.

    "Live long and prosper."

    "Huh?" WALL-E said.

    "Never mind." Skids simply gave them a normal wave instead. "Farewell. Be good. Don't be a stranger. Always hold hands-- then again, you've already got that down pat."

    EVE giggled as she squeezed WALL-E's hand. The two robots then watched their Autobot friend transform and drive off towards the sunset, waving after him.

--AD 2014--

    "So the mission was a success?"

    "Yes, sir," Skids replied over Prowl's communicator. "Windtrail's scheme has been put to a stop... though it wasn't really his scheme in the end."

    "Is that right?" Prowl said. "Where is Windtrail now?"

    "Dead. At the hands of one of his cronies, no less."

    "And what about them?"

    "Fearstorm's dead, and Viral tumbled out into space. I was able to retrieve him, though it appears he's gone into permanent stasis lock."

    "I don't care if he's morphed into a petro-rabbit, as long as he's out of the way." Prowl paused for a moment before saying. "After you've taken him to Garrus-16, I have another mission for you."

    "Sheesh, when do I get a break?"

    "It's urgent, and it's needed in the present day."

    "What is it?" Skids asked.

    "Kill Rollbar."

    All was silent for a moment. When Skids spoke again, his voice was quieter than a whisper. "Understood."

    Satisfied with the answer, Prowl ended the call, returning his attention to the stream of data on his screen.

--AD 2805--

    "WALL-E...." There was concern in EVE's voice as she followed WALL-E through the corridors of the Axiom. He paid no heed to her; he knew what he was doing.

    They eventually reached the Axiom's bridge and entered the darkened room. The green ray shield was still in place, giving them a clear view of the ground below. But WALL-E was not here for sight-seeing; he was here to help a friend.

    Upon noticing the two robots' arrival, AUTO swiveled around to face them. EVE instinctively tensed but WALL-E calmed her by taking her hand in his. He then rolled up to the autopilot, bravely staring into his single red optic.

    "AUTO," the trash bot squeaked. "Thank... you."

    AUTO blinked. "Why are you thanking me?"

    "You... helped... us. You... did good. Thank you."

    AUTO regarded him carefully. "I tried to kill you. I nearly succeeded. Why...."

    WALL-E tilted his head when the autopilot paused. "Hmm?"

    "Why are you being nice to me?" AUTO's monotonic voice had lowered to a near whisper. "How... how can you forgive me?"

    "Directivvve," WALL-E replied, still struggling to pronounce the word. "Had... no choice. But now... new directive."

    After saying that, he opened up his chest compartment and brought out a wide, flat box with wheels. Pressing a button on it caused a metal pole to shoot up. EVE then flew up and removed AUTO's control base from the ceiling before attaching it to the pole. Ignoring the autopilot's protests, WALL-E then began to wheel him up to the turbolift and headed down with EVE to the ship's exit.

    AUTO was silent along the way. It wasn't until they were at the threshold of the boarding ramp that he spoke again. "What if the humans do not forgive me? I tried to prevent them from returning to Earth."

    "But you help... rest return," EVE said. Although she was not ready to fully trust AUTO, she understood the reasoning behind WALL-E's forgiving the autopilot. "You did good."

    AUTO fell silent again, watching the humans and robots work together. Then, in a quiet tone, he said, "Must follow... my directive."

    WALL-E chirped approvingly before rolling AUTO out into the sunlight, into the new world they were building.

    To think, all it had taken was a new directive to abide, a new number to flash on his screen, to make him a different person. But AUTO knew it would be fore the better. He would keep to his word.

    Directive A332: Preserve Earth.

THE END

Transformers Regenerated / WALL-E: Chapter Nine

CHAPTER NINE

    WALL-E screamed as he and EVE were thrown out of the escape pod at the last minute. Seconds later, the vessel which they had been in rammed straight into the Axiom's bridge, its only other occupant still on board.

    "Skids!" WALL-E reached out in desperation for his Autobot friend, though EVE kept him from going out any further.

    The explosion resulting from the crash eventually cleared and WALL-E could see Viral, his blade-like arms dug into the bridge's floor to prevent himself from being flung out into space. Skids was nearby, clinging onto a metal pole while fumbling for his gun, and AUTO was dangling loosely from what was left of the ceiling, alive but disoriented.

    WALL-E glanced at EVE and beeped, inquiring her on what they were going to do. The probe bot thought for a moment before shooting forward without warning, evoking a surprised cry from WALL-E.

    Fighting against the tug of space, EVE pulled herself and WALL-E along enough to reach AUTO. She then grabbed onto the autopilot's support beam to use as a buttress against the vacuum of space.

    AUTO rolled his single red optic to look up at them. With a sense of dread, WALL-E could tell that he recognized the two robots who had interfered with his directive.

    "You," AUTO said to WALL-E, a sinister undertone in his otherwise emotionless voice. "Alive. Not possible."

    WALL-E mustered the courage to stare back at him. "Nuh-uh. Possible."

    In response, AUTO extended a taser from one of his spokes. Before he could use it on the trash collector bot, EVE unfurled her gun from her arm and aimed it straight at AUTO's eye. This was enough to deter the autopilot from taking his revenge.

    Once the taser was gone, WALL-E squeaked out, "AUTO... help."

    AUTO narrowed his optic. "Why should I help you?"

    WALL-E pointed at Viral, who was oblivious to the Earth robots' interaction. "Bad robot. Must be... stopped."

    The autopilot tilted himself in a gesture of what appeared to be-- much to WALL-E's surprise-- sadness. "I cannot turn against him. My directive was changed to be loyal to the Decepticons."

    "Changed?" EVE asked, forgetting her hatred for AUTO for the time being. "How?"

    AUTO wiggled one of his spokes, gesturing at the base of his support beam. A control panel was exposed on it. "They found access to my computer."

    EVE looked up at the base; from the look in her optics, WALL-E could tell that an idea was forming in her head. Pulling herself up, EVE reached the exposed control panel on the base and began interfacing with it. After a few minutes, she looked back down at AUTO.

    "New directive," she said.

    WALL-E looked at the autopilot as well and saw something flash over AUTO's sole optic; it read A332.

    "Understood." AUTO extended himself further down from the ceiling, something he did with caution due to his weakening support. He then moved himself towards Viral, hovering a few feet over the Decepticon. "Sir," he said to his master quietly.

    Viral's head whipped around to face him. "What?!" he exclaimed. "Can't you see I'm trying not to get thrown into space?!"

    "Sir," AUTO said again, more sinister this time. "You are relieved of duty."

    He then brought out his taser and jammed it into Viral's neck. The Decepticon screamed in pain and reflexively pulled his arms out of the floor, moving to lash out at AUTO... only to realize his mistake. He scrabbled to stop himself from flying out the ship, but a well-aimed shot to his visor from Skids saw to that he didn't. As Viral went flying out into space, WALL-E waved at the screaming Decepticon as he went.

    Putting away his gun, Skids called to AUTO, "Hey, Blinky! Any way to stop us from being sucked out with him?"

    "I can try to activate the emergency air field," AUTO replied. "Provided it wasn't damaged in your crash."

    Skids rolled his eyes. "Oh, sure; throw the blame onto me."

    With WALL-E and EVE still clinging onto him, AUTO slid over to the Axiom's computer and punched in a few commands. Instantly, a green ray shield materialized over the gap made by the shuttle and gravity restored itself. WALL-E and EVE quickly got off of the autopilot while Skids got to his feet.

    "Well," the Autobot said after a long pause. "That was fun."

    "Eh," WALL-E muttered.

    Glancing from the robot couple to AUTO and back, Skids then said, "So, uh, are all charges dropped?"

    EVE crossed her arms and gave a firm shake of the head. WALL-E shifted his treads, unsure of what to think about AUTO, even after he had practically saved their lives.

    "Well, regardless, we still need him to bring the ship back to Earth." To AUTO himself, Skids said, "Can you get the other ships to follow?"

    "As autopilot of the fleet's primary ship, I have authorization to override other units' directives," AUTO replied. "I shall transmit Directive A332 to replace A113 with."

    "I'll take that as a yes." Skids then turned his attention to the ship's computer. "But before we go... I have some research to do."

*  *  *

    It had never occurred to Viral how empty space was. True, there were stars twinkling in the distance and glimpses of planets here and there, but where he was now, there was simply nothing but... space.

    Did this do anything to make him regret his actions, he asked himself. Hardly. If anything, he was merely disappointed that things had not gone as planned. Now the project was completely unable to be salvaged; there was no sense in trying to fly back to the Axiom. And it was just as well, for the BnL ships were already returning to Earth.

    Viral sighed. There was little point in going on; he had only one option left.

    Initiating permanent stasis lock.

    All around him, the stars went out.

*  *  *

    As the Axiom descended through Earth's clouds for the second time, Skids stepped away from the ship's computer, his mind reeling from what he had just read. It appeared that Que's presumptions had been correct and Viral was telling the truth: the Axiom and the other cruise ships had been built using Cybertronian technology.

    Luckily, however, he had no reason to fear that the humans would be using the Axiom's dreadnought qualities anytime soon. From the ship's computer, he was able to disable those features, as well as those of the other starliners. Now no one would be the wiser.

    As the massive ship touched down, Skids looked out the ray shield and saw the humans gathering down below, clearly amazed by the arrival of the other BnL ships. They were also probably gawking at the damage done to the Axiom.

    He turned to WALL-E and EVE, who were now accompanied by a recovered BURN-E. With a smile, the Autobot said, "Shall we greet the parade?"

    The four robots headed down for the Axiom's boarding ramp. As it lowered, Skids could hear confused murmurs among the humans, which soon changed to excited cheers when they saw WALL-E and EVE alive and well. Then silence took hold when Skids stepped up behind them.

    Finding himself in an awkward situation, Skids smiled weakly. "Um... I can explain."

Transformers Regenerated / WALL-E: Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

    "Fearstorm has ceased responding."

    Viral did not respond to this new, delivered by AUTO. There was simply nothing to be said: Fearstorm was dead, and shouting at subordinates would not bring him back. Besides, it hardly mattered now. Nearly all of the BnL ships had arrived. At any moment he could activate the Transwarp drive built into the Axiom and bring this fleet of dreadnoughts to Cybertron. There was nothing the Autobot and his companions could do to stop him.

    So he simply stood there, and waited.

*  *  *

    Skids groaned as he awoke from the coma Fearstorm had put him in. Hovering over him, having been the one to revive him, was EVE, while WALL-E stood nearby. Both robots had downcast expressions, but he was nonetheless pleased to see they were alive with only minor injuries.

    "Hey, guys," he mumbled, struggling to recall what had happened before he was knocked out. "What did I miss out on--"

    He stopped when his optics fell on the lifeless body of Fearstorm, the Vehicon's head blown to smithereens.

    "Oh. Wow."

    "Wow," WALL-E repeated flatly.

    "Okay, so...." Skids rubbed the back of his head. "We're gonna have to make our way to the bridge again. There's something about this ship that's more than meets the eye and the only way to find out its secrets is to access the main computer. Luckily, now that Fearstorm is... out of the way, Windtrail and Viral will be easier to take out."

    "You... sure?" EVE asked.

    "Well, I at least hope so. Windtrail is a moron, and Viral is no warrior, so they shouldn't be a problem." He looked around the corridor. "Are there any other access points to the bridge besides the main elevator?"

    EVE thought for a moment before saying, "Garbage chute."

    "Is it big enough to fit me?"

    The two Earth robots looked at each other before shaking their heads. "Small," WALL-E said.

    Skids rubbed his chin. "How about from outside, then?"

    EVE tilted her head. "Outside?"

    The Autobot grinned at her. "Call me crazy, but I think I've got a plan."

*  *  *

    "Escape Pod B-503 has launched," AUTO stated in his typical monotone.

    If Viral had any eyebrows, he would have lifted one at this statement. So the Autobot was fleeing, he thought. That had not been something he was expecting, but it hardly mattered; as long as the interlopers were out of his way, everything would proceed as planned.

    "Disregard it," he told AUTO. "Have all of the ships arrived yet?"

    "All but one: the Enterprise."

    "If it is not here in five minutes, then we will have to proceed without it. Besides, four of these type of ships will be more than enough."

    Sitting against a wall, restrained by stasis cuffs, Windtrail sneered at Viral. "Your plan is doomed for failure. Shockwave knows what these ships are capable of and thus would have a failsafe at hand in case they were used against him!"

    "That's just it, though," Viral said coldly. "You are his failsafe. He knew that you had too little ambition to turn on him, which is why he tasked you with this endeavor."

    He stared out the viewport, admiring his fleet. "He didn't account for me, though. He thought I was just a typical mad scientist with a few screws loose... and that may be true. But he also thought Fearstorm was your average Vehicon trooper. I suppose it just goes to show that looks can be deceiving."

    "Sir," AUTO cut in. "Incoming call from the escape pod."

    "Put it through," Viral said.

    From the Axiom's comm system came the voice of Skids. "Hey, Windtrail. I would like a word with you."

    "I'm afraid Windtrail is currently indisposed," Viral replied. "You'll have to make do with me."

    "Fine, whatever. Anyway, I've figured it's by time that I get some answers. What's this brilliant scheme of yours?"

    Viral rubbed his chin in thought before saying, "Very well; I might as well humor you. It all started a hundred years before the present day-- our present day."

    "Oh, great, it's gonna be one of those long ones...."

    "You asked. Anyway, thirteen years into our cold war, Shockwave already began formulating a plan for conquest. Having developed a means for time-travel via a Transwarp drive, he installed one into Windtrail and sent him, myself, and Fearstorm on a voyage to set things in motion."

    "Set what in motion?"

    "This, of course," Viral said. "We influenced the humans across time so that, in the event of global disaster, they would create these dreadnoughts disguised as cruise ships. Then we would arrive to take control of the ships and bring them back to Shockwave. Or at least, that was the original plan."

    "Let me guess: you're gonna use the ships for your own schemes."

    "Correct, though that was something Fearstorm and I decided on our own; Windtrail had no part in it. Which reminds me...." Viral turned his attention to Windtrail, who glared back at him. "I really don't have any more use for you. I needed your Transwarp drive to get to this time, but since the Axiom and its sister ships have Transwarp drives of their own...."

    A look of fear quickly fell on Windtrail's face. "What? No! What do you think you're--?!"

    Viral converted his thin right arm into a blade. Without hesitation, he thrust it through Windtrail's chest and straight into his spark. The Seeker's optics widened and flickered briefly as he coughed up energon before they went dark for good.

    Pulling his blade-arm out of Windtrail, Viral returned to the comm system. "So, Autobot, any last words before I enact the climax of my plan?"

    "Yeah, I just want to point out two things," Skids said. "One: That plan of yours is utterly stupid and convoluted to an extreme, but hey, that's timey-wimey stuff for you. And two: I hate to rain on your parade, but you and your new toys aren't going anywhere."

    Viral scoffed. "How can you possibly stop me now? You're running away, aren't you?"

    "Fat chance, 'Con. In fact, I'm doing the opposite."

    Before Viral could question the Autobot, he caught movement in his peripheral vision. Looking out the viewport, he saw that the escape pod which had just launched was now heading straight for the Axiom's bridge.

    The Decepticon had no time to seek cover, for, in an instant, glass and metal were blowing into his face and the vacuum of space was taking hold of him....