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
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