CHAPTER ONE
--The Howling Town, Troja Major--
"I know you're still upset with me." Click click.
"Of course I'm still upset," Fulcrum replied, brushing past a Lanarqan as he and Krok pushed their way through the markets of Troja Major. "You just... you made us ditch Misfire just like that. Left him for the Hurcurons."
"He sold us out!" Krok retorted, punctuating his words with yet another click from his clenched fist. "He just couldn't give up on that stupid t-cog and what does he end up doing? Finds a creature that feeds on t-cogs... and Cybertronian parts in general."
"It's hardly the first time he's gotten us into a mess," Fulcrum muttered. "I don't see why now of all times you've decided to finally ditch him."
"He'd become too much of a hindrance. If we'd stuck any longer with him, we'd both be dead."
Fulcrum frowned at Krok, who kept on trudging forward. "What happened to us Decepticons needing to stick together? I thought you were all about not leaving anyone behind."
"That's ridiculous." Krok clicked again. "What ever gave you that idea?"
"Well, you insisted on going back for Crankcase when he was captured by Skuxxoids, you refused to leave Misfire and Spinister to the wrath of Pya'dorus the Pitiless'..."
Krok's silence spoke volumes to Fulcrum. The other Scavenger did not speak another word until the two of them had reached their destination; a rather sizable shop marked by the sign "Museum of Curios and Rumored Objects."
"Here we are," Krok said, stepping up to the front door. "No Rust Giants to chase us off this time."
"So, this Agonizer fellow," Fulcrum said, figuring the previous subject to be as good as abandoned. "You two are brothers or something?"
"I hesitate to use that word, but... in a sense." Krok stopped just before the door, his hand raised to push it open. "We were both built at the same time, but... I never really got the chance to know him before we were assigned to different squads. It wasn't until well after the Truce of 9701 that we reconnected somewhat."
"Somewhat?"
"Well, he's always been a major afthole...."
With that, Krok pushed open the door and the two stepped into the museum. Right away they were greeted by the sight of numerous artifacts decorating the wall, many protected by glass cases or ray shields.
Seated at a desk, buried in books and datapads, was a short mech in blue and green, with a pair of wings sticking up from his back. Upon noticing the two Scavengers, his yellow optics lit up and he rose from his seat with a grin plastered on his face.
"Krok! Long time no see!" Agonizer came from around the desk and trotted over to Krok, a hand outstretched. "How's life been treating you? Did you get the crew you were looking for?"
Krok stiffened as he shook Agonizer's hand. "Ah... no. Not exactly."
"Hmm. Well, plenty of cyberfish in the sea." Agonizer's optics then shifted over to Fulcrum. "Although it looks like you've already caught at least one...."
"Oh, yes, this is Fulcrum," Krok said, gesturing to his companion. "He, uh, we met several months ago."
Agonizer rubbed his chin as he looked Fulcrum up and down, studying his frame. "Correct me if I'm wrong, Fulcrum, but is that a K-Class body type you've got there?"
"Uh...." Fulcrum shifted uncomfortably. "I do get that a lot...."
"Yes, I'd recognize that frame anywhere," Agonizer said. "I knew a K-Con during the Vulcanus campaign. Didn't know him long enough to get his name, but I tell ya, he was a blast to be around!"
Krok and Fulcrum both stared in silence as Agonizer laughed at his own joke. Once he had stopped, the Curator waved a dismissive hand.
"Sorry, sorry. Been watching too many of Skullcruncher's routines."
"That explains a lot," Krok muttered under his breath.
Agonizer snapped his fingers. "Hey, wait, you used to serve with him, didn't you? On Heretech's Warworld?"
Krok's optics narrowed. "What of it?"
"Nothing! It's just...." Agonizer chuckled. "Is it true you named yourself after your pet--"
"So!" Fulcrum interjected, flashing a cheeky grin. "You're probably wondering why we're here!"
"Evidently, it's not to reminisce," Agonizer said, raising an optic at Krok. "Why are you here then? You have something to sell? You wish to peruse?"
"We're here to hopefully sell," Krok said, "provided you can authenticate our item in question."
Agonizer smirked. "It is what I excel at. What is the item in question?"
Sharing a brief glance with Fulcrum, Krok proceeded to open up a subspace pocket, from which he pulled out a massive black gun, decorated with red archaic markings.
Agonizer frowned. "Uh, I'm sorry, but I don't accept weapons--"
"You will accept this one," Krok said, holding the large gun in both of his arms. "Especially when I tell you that it is the one and only Requiem Blaster."
Agonizer stared at the gun for a long time, his mouth ajar. Slowly, a grin began to form on his face, glee sparkling in his optics. He then threw his head back... and laughed. Loudly and mockingly.
"Oh, this is pure gold!" Agonizer said in between guffaws. "This -- ha! -- this is unlike you, Krok. I'd expect this from some Genericon loser, but you? Mr. Uptight-And-Hates-Jokes? This is a far cry from your usual antics."
"I'm not joking, Agonizer!" Krok retorted. "Just look at it, will you? I want to make sure I'm not missing an opportunity for--"
Agonizer shook his head at him. "Krok, old friend, you don't need me to tell you that that's a fake. You could find any big gun and say it's the Requiem Blaster."
"Well, the Star Seekers sure thought it was legit," Fulcrum murmured. "Especially after Misfire used it to kill a Titan."
"Oh, yeah? Where did you find it?"
"It was being kept on a Decepticon ship called the Harbinger," Krok said.
Agonizer's face lit up at this. "The Harbinger? You mean the Ghost Ship?"
"Yes. We found it on Junkion, where it had crashed. From what we could gather of the Harbinger, the crew were told to hold onto the weapon at Megatron's behest for future examination."
At this, Agonizer looked back at the gun with a more appraising look. "Is that right? In that case...." He took the gun from Krok's hands. "Perhaps we can reach some sort of arrangement."
"Do you know anything about the Harbinger?" Fulcrum asked. "We, uh, couldn't garner much info from the ship itself."
Agonizer laughed, far less mockingly this time. "Of course I do! What do you think I do for a living? I know everything about the Harbinger, from ship schematics to complete roster. What others' consider myth, I consider common knowledge."
"So we have a deal?" Krok asked.
Agonizer smirked. "Come into my office and we'll discuss things further."
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