CHAPTER SIX
--Archon--
Having passed through orbital security, the Steelhaven made its way towards the central spaceport city of Archon. The city very much reminded Optimus of Cybertron in its architecture, with spiraled buildings and towering skyscrapers. However, its more organic landscape-- with plants sprouting on the outskirts-- separated it from the completely metal Cybertron.
"It's like if Earth and Cybertron suddenly got smashed together," Bumblebee commented, observing the planet from the viewport.
Once the ship had touched down, Optimus rose from his command chair. "All right-- Kup, Arcee, Jetfire, Sideswipe, you'll accompany me to the city. Prowl, I'm leaving things to you until I return... or in case I don't."
Prowl nodded. "Understood, Prime."
In short time, the team of five were heading down to the main entry ramp, which lowered as soon as they reached it. Waiting for them outside were at least a dozen security bots, their weapons trained on them.
"Stop right there," ordered the lead officer, a teal and purple mech with gold accents. "Put your servos where I can see them."
The Autobots complied, thought none too happy about it. "We come in peace, officer," Optimus said.
"Oh, sure. I believe ya." The mech beckoned to two other officers. "Greenlight, Lancer, get the inhibitor claws and stasis cuffs ready."
"You're arresting us?" Sideswipe exclaimed. "We haven't even done anything!"
"Call it preemptive action," the teal bot said gruffly. "Metalhawk doesn't take visitors well, especially if they're Autobots or Decepticons. Please, just come quietly and peacefully and I'll allow you to speak with him."
"As you wish," Optimus said.
As the security bots affixed the Autobots with restraints, Kup threw a glance at Prime. "You know, this reminds me of the Mission to Centauri One. Me and my squad got arrested by the natives out of very strict security measures."
"How did it turn out?"
"Well, it turned out they ate metal there--"
"Say no more."
--Lost Light--
Tailgate screamed as the mutilated turbofox ruthlessly attacked him, clawing and tearing his armor plating without pause or mercy. Strongarm immediately came to his rescue, waving her axe at it. This only served to divert the creature's attention to her and it catapulted at her face.
"Get off me, you slaggin'--!" Discarding her axe, she replaced it with a gun and shot it repeatedly at the turbofox. This got the creature to dislodge from her, only to then set its sights on Crosscut.
Reaching behind his back, the former politician produced a shovel and held it in front of him in a defensive stance. The turbofox stared at the Autobot oddly for his strange choice in weaponry before pouncing at him. Crosscut swung his shovel at it, hitting the creature and sending it sprawling to the floor.
"My shovel, your face," the Autobot playwright proudly declared.
Suddenly, a spindly figure dropped down from the ceiling, landing right in front of Crosscut. Before any of the Autobots could react, the Decepticon lunged forward and forced a mask onto Crosscut's face.
"Wear... miiine," the mech hissed as it pressed a button on the mask, causing dozens of spikes to jut out from the inside and inject into Crosscut's face.
As the playwright let out a muffled scream, Nautica hurled her wrench at the Decepticon. The spindly bot dodged the attack and prepared to pounce at her. Brainstorm quickly whipped out a blaster and fired at the 'Con, though the shot did little more than knock him out cold.
As she removed the face-mask from Crosscut's face, shuddering at the gruesome damage it had done, Nautica said, "We should get him and Tailgate down to the medibay-- find First Aid or Ambulon."
"What about the other D.J.D. bots?" Strongarm asked. "What if they track us down?"
Nautica shrugged. "Then we all die. But these two won't if I can help it."
* * *
"Rewind!" He did not care if the Decepticons heard him. Only one person stood out in his mind as he ran down the corridor. "REWIND!"
Hearing the sound of blaster fire, Chromedome turned the corner and skidded to a halt. Facing him was the back of a massive blue and violet Decepticon, who was caught in a gunfight with Skids, Nightbeat, and Getaway. Catching a glimpse of the 'Cons exposed neck sparked an idea in the mnemosurgeon's head. Quietly stepping forward, he extended his needle-like fingers....
"Chromedome?"
The red and tan Autobot spun around to see Rewind and Glyph standing behind him. The instant elation he felt from seeing his partner alive and well made him forget about the task he had been about to perform.
"Rewind!" Chromedome rushed over to the archivist only for him to back away.
"Chromedome... your hand...."
Realizing that he still had his needle fingers extended, Chromedome stopped in his tracks to retract them before looking back down at Rewind. "Rewind... it's not what it looks like."
"What have I told you about injecting?" Rewind said angrily, pointing at the mnemosurgeon. "How many times have I told you to not do it?"
"Rewind, please--"
"It'll kill you, you know. You're only hurting yourself when you do it... as well as hurting me."
"This really isn't the time--"
"It really isn't."
All three Autobots turned to see a crimson mech slowly approaching them, blaster marks staining his armor plating. Electricity sparked in his palms as he regarded the three coldly with dead black optics.
"It's really time for you to die."
As Kaon unleashed his electric powers, Chromedome ran forward and splayed himself in front of Rewind and Glyph, receiving the brunt of the attack. Rewind cried out as Chromedome crumpled to the floor, his armor scorched and circuits sizzling. As the archivist rushed to his partner, Kaon continued to approach menacingly.
"Do not fret, little one. You will be joining him soon."
Then, the Decepticon abruptly stopped, lurching forward. He stood there for a moment before smirking as he turned around. Standing behind him, crossbow raised, was Atomizer, accompanied by Drift, Swerve, Star Saber, and other Autobots.
"Was that supposed to harm me?" Kaon asked.
"No," Atomizer replied. "That was just to get your attention."
On cue, Swerve raised his blaster and fired, felling the Decepticon with a wide beam of energy. Noticing this, Helex turned away from his fight with Skids and charged towards the Autobots. Swerve fired his blaster again, but his shots either missed or bounced right off the large Decepticon.
"Aw, you missed!" the My First Blaster said in a patronizing tone. "Keep practicing!"
As Helex swung his mighty arms to bash the small Autobot, Star Saber came forward and deflected the attack with his sword. This maneuver did little more than scratch Helex's armor plating and shatter Star Saber's blade.
"Oh. Slag," the warrior muttered as the Decepticon raised his arms again....
Suddenly, the Lost Light shuddered. Helex paused, turning his attention to the wall... then, in the blink of an eye, he was sent flying into the opposite one as an explosion burst from it.
Star Saber and the others shielded themselves from the attack before looking out the opening it had made. Outside was the very last thing they had been expecting to see, as well as the very last thing they wanted to see.
Floating side by side with the Lost Light, a docking tube extending from its side, was the dark jewel of the Decepticon fleet: the Nemesis.
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