CHAPTER SEVEN
--The Lost Light--
"You want me to do what?"
Nautica's initial expression of shock remained on her faceplate as she headed down into the ship's engine rooms, still not believing what she had just heard.
"With all due respect, Magnus, I don't see how that would work. In order to make a hyperspace jump, however short a distance it's going to travel, the Lost Light will need a large enough area of space in front of it. With the Terrorcons swarming in on us, we don't even have a marginal amount of space."
"So it's impossible then?" Ultra Magnus asked.
"Well... I wouldn't know for a fact," Nautica said as she entered the engine rooms, reflexively flinching at the sight of the two Duobots fused into the hyper-drive. "It's just never been done before."
"There's always a first time for everything."
Nautica smirked. "Are you feeling all right, Magnus? Or is someone else under that armor?"
"Very funny. Let's just say I'm a bit more driven today. So, what do you think?"
"To be honest? I think it's the most life-risking, death-daring plan I've ever heard." She flipped a series of switches and pressed a few buttons on the hyper-drive. "But after everything we've been through... I really shouldn't be surprised anymore."
After pulling one last switch, she stepped away from the hyper-drive and rushed out of the engine rooms.
"All right, captain: let 'er rip."
--Dead Universe--
Nightbeat tentatively stepped into the mysterious temple-- if it could even be called that. If anything, its interior looked more like that of a ransacked warehouse. The only thing of interest he could see from his first scan of the room was a headless statue of Primus.
Yeah, if that's supposed to make me less creeped out than I already am, it's not working.
As he continued to search the temple, he called over to Hardhead. "Let me know if you find anything."
"I already have."
Nightbeat turned to look at him. "What is it?"
"An opportunity."
The green Autobot suddenly lunged at him and the detective instantly found himself being pinned to the ground. He stared in shock at his friend, which only grew as Hardhead's appearance began to shift and morph, eventually reforming into the figure of Nova Prime.
"I'm surprised you didn't see this coming," the ancient Prime said. "I thought you were a detective."
"Nobody's perfect," Nightbeat grunted, struggling to free himself. "What have you done to Hardhead?"
"Nothing. As far as I know, he's still enjoying his nap." Nova Prime raised a hand, black energy glowing in his palm. "Now hold still; this might hurt extremely."
"What are you doing?" Nightbeat demanded as the Prime brought his hand to his chest.
"Fulfilling your purpose."
--The Lost Light--
"Get back, you slag-lickin' freak!" Strongarm exclaimed as she shoved the hilt of her axe into a Terrorcon's face. The rest of the team had already scrambled back onto the ship as it prepared to make the jump to lightspeed, but the Terrorcons were intent on following them on board through the airlock.
"I said get back!" Strongarm jammed the hilt as far as she could into the Terrorcon but it continued to attack. She then reached for her blaster and fired several rounds at the zombie.
"Come on, Strongarm!" Skids called after her. "The ship will be jumping at any minute!"
"I can't let these fraggin' zombies get in!" She called back. "Give me a hand here!"
Skids and Windblade came rushing towards her, but it was already too late. The Terrorcon seized Strongarm by the arms and hoisted her up in the air before pulling.
Her dying screams were drowned out by Windblade's anguished cries. The red Autobot warrior started to run towards the Terrorcon but Skids quickly pulled her back.
"It's too late," he said. "The ship's making the jump now."
Windblade knew it was useless to protest so she followed Skids as they ran back down the corridor. Just as the Terrorcons were about to take pursuit, the Lost Light jumped into hyperspace.
--Space--
The battle came to a halt as everyone turned to witness the spectacle.
Where the Lost Light had once been was now a blinding streak of light. It appeared to push against the swarm of Terrorcons attacking it and the undead bots screamed as they were slowly consumed by the light. It all culminated in a burst of energy, which spread across the field and wiped out nearly the entire Terrorcon horde. Once everything had settled, all that was left were a few dozen Terrorcons scattered about and a damaged but intact Lost Light.
Watching the whole thing from the Revenge's bridge, Strika could not help but find herself feeling impressed. Who would have known that Autobots could make an entertaining show.
Speaking into the ship's intercom, Strika said, "Attention, all Decepticons: the Terrorcons have been defeated. All forces, head for Cybertron."
"What about Unicron?" she heard Obsidian ask.
"Lord Megatron informed me earlier that he and Optimus Prime would handle the Chaos Bringer. In the meantime, we shall defend Cybertron from whatever else the Heralds throw at us."
"And if our leaders fail in destroying Unicron?"
"Then we won't have anything to worry about," Strika said bitterly. "Because by that point, we'll most likely all be too dead to worry about anything."
* * *
"I can't say I was expecting that."
Galvatron stood on one of Unicron's outer rings, along with Scourge, Jhiaxus, Grindcore, and Straxus. They had just witnessed the eradication of the Terrorcons, and they had just lost contact with Cyclonus and Sideways. Things were not going quite as planned.
"Scourge, take your Sweeps and the others down to Cybertron," Galvatron growled through gritted teeth. "Stall them as long as you can until Unicron is ready to begin the Reunification."
Scourge gave him a surprised look. "But, my liege, surely they will overcome--"
Galvatron whirled towards him and seized him by the neck, lifting off his feat. "You shall obey the will of Unicron without question! Now go!"
Nodding fearfully, Scourge quickly transformed to his jet form and took off for Cybertron, with Straxus and the others close behind.
Once they were gone, Galvatron turned towards Unicron. The Chaos Bringer lacked any eyes to stare into; only a closed maw that could consume him at any moment.
"The moment is soon at hand, Supreme One," Galvatron said. "Soon, Order and Chaos shall be reunited as one entity, as they were at the dawn of time."
Indeed, Unicron spoke into his mind. You have served me well to this point. In fact, I have but one final task for you.
Galvatron bowed. "I am yours to command."
The Prime approaches. He seeks to destroy me from within, with the Matrix of Leadership. See to it that he does not get the chance.
Galvatron grinned savagely. "By your will, my master."
* * *
"Well, we survived that," Megatron said dryly as the stealth ship finally reached Unicron, docking next to one of his rings. "Now what?"
"Now we find a way inside," Optimus said, already exiting the ship. "I'm sure there is a port of some sort."
"And if there isn't?" Megatron said snappishly as he followed the Prime. "What do we do, try to blast our way in?"
"Keep your voice down," Optimus hissed as he and Megatron stepped onto Unicron's rings. "We may be speaking on personal comm channels, but for all we know, Unicron or his Heralds could pick up the frequency--"
"And you would find that you are right."
Optimus was suddenly sent sprawling as a blast of energy contacted into his chest. Both leaders turned to see Galvatron flying towards them, arm cannon charged and sword unsheathed.
"Now then... which of you to kill first?"
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