CHAPTER THREE
--Emergency transmission, first attempt--
Hello? This is <static> calling from <static>-16. We've been taken over by Decepti<static> and <static> Hang on, let me just adjust... there.
Let's try this again. This <static> agh, signal's still breaking up. Look, I haven't got much <static> so just... bear with me.
I'm calling from Garrus-16. We've been taken over by <static>cons and the prisoners have been broken free. Some of them have esca<static> while the rest decided to get their payback on us.
<static> You might think this is a call for help... it's not. <static> a warning: stay away from Garrus-16. Don't send for help or <static> of any kind. You will find nothing but desolation and <static>.
One more-- one last thing before I <static> Please, do not-- I repeat, do not-- open the <static>.
--End transmission--
--Hedonia--
"So... you're transforming robots, too?"
"Indeed," the hulking dark green and black robot replied. "We're called Stentarians. I am 16444/9, field commander of the Ammonite army. You?"
"Skids. Autobot theoretician."
"Skids. What an interesting name."
"You're one to talk."
"Only the Supreme Exalted Emperor is allowed a designation such as yours. We Ammonites are all cogs of a greater machine, hence our identifiers."
"Groovy." Taking a sip from his can of fuel, Skids looked around the bar for Whirl, who had been with him no less than ten minutes ago. Odds were that the ex-Wrecker had gone to pester the others at the gift shops.
Turning back to 16444/9, Skids said, "So, what are you doing here on Hedonia?"
"Laying low. We're on the run from our accursed foes, the Terradores. My men are currently seeking out a new ship to throw them off our trail."
"So you guys are at war?"
"Yes. It's been a long and chaotic war and our factions are currently at a stalemate. But as I've constantly assured my men, victory will soon be ours."
"I hear ya'. My race has been at war, too. It only just ended six months ago, after a millennia of conflict."
"Only a millennia?" 16444/9 smirked. "My, that's quite a record."
"Oh, yeah? How long have you guys been at war?"
"As of today? Oh, about sixteen million years."
Skids spat out his drink... only to realize he hadn't taken one yet. After quickly rectifying that, he looked at the Ammonite incredulously.
"Sixteen million years?! Six-teen?! A one and a six followed by six zeroes?!"
"Jealous, much?"
"Jealous? Why would I be...?" Skids turned away and rubbed his helmet crest. "Sixteen million years."
"I thought we'd made it clear at this point."
"I bet it wasn't as disastrous as our war, though. We've been blacklisted by the Galactic Council."
"Impressive. Our war was what caused the Galactic Council to be formed in the first place. I understand it's difficult to top that, so kudos."
Skids scowled to himself but decided not to press the conversation any further. It was already clear that these Stentarians were more proud than they should have been for what they had caused. Dropping a handful of coins down on the counter, he got up from his seat.
"Well, I've gotta run. It's been nice talking to you. I hope the war goes in your--"
Suddenly, the door swung open and a spindly blue mech stepped into the bar. Skids looked at Whirl and squinted his optics, noticing something different about his crewmate.
"Do I want to know why you're wearing a cape?"
"Doesn't it look cool?" Whirl asked. "I bet you a hundred Shanix that you're jealous as Pit."
"I'm not... where did you get it?"
"Some loser was wearing it. We got into a little... argument and I had to... handle the situation as I saw fit. Took his cape and staff before his buddies had time to react. It's a bit short on me, I'll admit, but--"
"Wait," 16444/9 said, suddenly taking interest in Whirl's new choice of garment. "Show me the staff."
The former Wrecker held up a gold, ornate staff in clear view. "Isn't it great? All I need is a crown and I could pass off as the King of Taros IV."
"That's... that's the staff of Imperius Drax!" the Ammonite exclaimed. "The Eternal Sovereign of the Terradores! What did you do to him?"
"Bumped him off. He was an arrogant little fink who acted all high and mighty. It was pathetic to see, since he only came up to about my knee. I'm sure I did the universe a favor by getting rid of him."
"You killed him?!" 16444/9 cried in astonishment. "You killed the Terradorian leader?! We've been at war for sixteen million years and you killed our feared enemy in the matter of minutes?!"
"No need to thank me," Whirl said. "It's what I do."
"Really, it is," Skids muttered, not believing a single word he was hearing now.
"This... this is huge," 16444/9 murmured. "I must radio my superiors. This could change everything."
While the Ammonite soldier left the bar, still speaking hushed words of awe, Skids gave Whirl a look. "Is it possible to take you anywhere without attracting trouble?"
Before Whirl could reply, the door opened again and Rewind rushed into the bar.
"There you two are," the archivist said. "We're all set to go, but Chromedome and I've found something that we need to bring aboard."
"What is it?" Skids asked.
"A coffin."
Skids' mouth fell open in incredulity but then quickly closed once he glanced at the cape-wearing Whirl. "Yeah, after what I've just been through, that doesn't really come close to competing."
--The Lost Light--
"The hyper-drive is nearly through recharging. We'll be all set to go once the trial is finished."
Rodimus simply grunted as he carved drawings into his desk.
Perceptor frowned as he raised an inquisitive optic ridge at Rodimus. "Something troubling you?"
"Nautica just got back to me."
"And?"
"She says Brainstorm's a Decepticon."
"Oh." Perceptor blinked as he processed this sudden bombshell. "That's... unexpected. How did she find that out? Did he just tell her?"
"She knocked his mouthplate off and saw the symbol painted on the inside." Rodimus huffed as he set down the knife he was using to carve. "Honestly, as if this venture wasn't processor-ache inducing enough...."
"Do we know for certain the insignia is an indicator of his allegiance? For all we know it could be he keeps it as a reminder for something-- a reminder of what the Decepticons had done to affect him, perhaps."
Rodimus said nothing, simply staring at his handiwork.
After a moment, Perceptor said, "Of course, I'm just speaking as his colleague. We may not have been friends or anything, but I knew him well enough that I have my doubts about this. But then again, no one saw Optronix's change of allegiance coming."
"Right," Rodimus muttered as he got up from his desk. "Well, looks like it's just about time. Let's get this over with."
Perceptor eyed the captain skeptically as he walked for the door before following him.
--Emergency transmission, second and final attempt--
Okay, I think the signal's a bit stronger from here. Let's try this again, in case the first time didn't go through.
I won't bother with names and other details; they're frivolous at this point. To anyone who hears this-- and, for your sake, I hope you do-- here's a list of dos and don'ts. Actually, scratch that; it's just a list of don'ts.
Don't go to Garrus-16. Don't open the coffin. Don't check the attic. Don't wake the monster. And, for Primus' sake, don't let them take <static>
--End transmission--
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