Transformers Regenerated: Pax Cybertronia II, Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

--Cybertron--

    Elita-One stared at the crowd of assorted bots gathered before her. Most of them had been crew member of the Lost Light -- that hadn't already vanished with the ship itself -- from both Rodimus and Star Saber's crews. Also present were Springer, Roadbuster, and Guzzle -- as their fellow Wrecker Kup had been among the disappeared -- as well as the Vehicon Rotorbolt, whom Elita and the others had encountered on Luna 1.

    "As I'm sure most of you are aware," Elita began, "a number of our friends have gone missing. We're not sure if they're gone on their own accord or if they've been lured away by some mysterious force. But in any case, we must go after them."

    "Eh, sounds like a typical Crusadercon adventure," said Swerve.

    Apelinq gave him a puzzled look. "I'm sorry, did you just say...?"

    "Crusadercons. That's what we call ourselves." Swerve gestured widely to himself, Skids, and the others.

    "And by 'we', he means 'just Swerve,'" Skids said. "It's not an unanimous vote."

    Star Saber cleared his vocal processor. "Anyway... fortunately for us, we know -- or at least, have an idea as to where the Lost Light is headed. Apelinq has his Transfer Interlink, er, interlinked with the ship's navigation computer."

    "It's on a course for Earth," Apelinq said. "Or somewhere in that system, at least."

    "Earth? Again?" Ratchet shook his head. "What is with that planet? Why does everything inevitably lead us back there?"

    "I guess we'll get our answers soon enough," Elita said. "In any case, Springer has agreed to let us use the Xantium for transportation."

    "The Xantium?!" Swerve jumped up and down excitedly. "Does that make us Wreckers?"

    "No," Springer said bluntly.

    Elita sighed as she pinched her nasal ridge. She had not missed any of this at all in the last two years. All the same, she supposed she had better get used to it again....

    "Right then. Unless there are any further questions, let us make haste."

*  *  *

    "Boss?" Venom knocked again on the door to Ratbat's quarters. It had to have been the fifth time in as many minutes. "Everything all right in there?"

    Silence, just as it had been for the past few hours or so. Venom turned to his fellow Insecticons, his wings twitching in concern.

    "You guys think he's okay?"

    "Who cares?" Ransack muttered. "Seriously, we don't need him. He hired us to do a job and we did that job. I don't see why we're even still here."

    "I mean, it did seem like he had something big planned for us," said Barrage. "What with him calling us all 'Ultracons' and everything."

    He let out a grunt as he was pushed aside by Chop Shop. The Insecticon thief knelt in front of the door and began picking the lock. The others exchanged glances as they watched him work. Venom was about to say something when the door finally opened.

    "...Boss?" Venom said tentatively, not recognizing the tall purple bot as the Ultracon leader. He almost didn't even notice the two silver bots of identical design standing behind Ratbat. All three of them lacked any facial features to speak of, merely a visor which covered their horned helmets.

    "Ah, Venom," Ratbat said, turning to face the Insecticons. "I was just about to call you in. Like the new look?"

    "Uh...." Barrage pointed to the two silver bots. "Who are these guys?"

    "Hmm? Oh, them." Ratbat chuckled. "They are our new allies. They will be aiding us in our endeavors."

    "I recognize them," Ransack said. "Weren't they workin' for Boltax on Luna 1?"

    "Indeed, and now they are working with us." Ratbat stepped over to Venom and placed a hand on the Insecticon's shoulder. "Now then, I have a new job for you, if you are willing."

    "Uh, yeah, sure," Venom muttered. "What do ya' need?"

    Ratbat inclined his head. "I understand that you four are particularly skilled at capturing Titans...?"

--The Lost Light--

    Rodimus Prime paced around the bridge of the Lost Light. It did not at all feel right for him to be on the ship while someone else sat in the command chair, especially when that someone was not acting anything like the person he knew them as.

    As it was, there wasn't much he could do. Something was keeping him from taking any action, like a persistent voice in his head, and Optimus himself was not acting open to conversation. He wouldn't even say where it was they were headed.

    Left with nothing to do, Rodimus stopped to look over at the stationery bots that had been assembled here. The choices to him seemed so random. There were former Lost Lighters like Chromedome and Nautica; Decepticons like Soundwave and Astrotrain; and some bots that should have been dead, like Topspin and Twin Twist of all people.

    This along with how Optimus was acting was all Rodimus needed to know that there was some greater scheme at play. And he was going to get to the bottom of it, even if it was the last thing he did.

    "Ah. Finally."

    Upon hearing Optimus speak, Rodimus turned around to face bow-ward. Through the ship's viewport, he could see a very familiar blue and green world.

    "Earth?" Rodimus said. "Why are we here?"

    Ignoring him, Optimus pressed a button on the command chair. "The transmat has been engaged. You are free to come aboard."

    Transmat? Before Rodimus could even begin to process the word, he was suddenly greeted with the materializing sight of two Decepticons: Krok and Misfire of the Scavengers.

    As if Rodimus couldn't take any more surprises, he looked outside to see the Alchemor flying alongside the Lost Light. Rodimus remembered the Scavengers had appropriated the ship for themselves a year ago. "What the hell is going on?"

    Optimus continued to ignore him as he rose from his seat. "Now all we need is the Emissary." He made a motion with his hand. "Bring in the Time Master."

    The door to the bridge opened and Rodimus turned to see an old white and maroon bot be dragged in by Quake and Triggerhappy.

    "Vector Prime?!" Rodimus exclaimed. He had not realized the ancient Prime had been brought on board, as he had not been among the others on the bridge when they had first arrived.

    Vector briefly met his gaze as he was dragged towards Optimus. The former Autobot leader turned to face him and let out a cold chuckle.

    "Time has not been kind to you, has it?"

    Vector glared at him. "What is the meaning of this, Apex? You and the Titan Masters have missing for eons. Why now have you chosen to return?"

    "If only I had the time to explain everything," said the robot whom Rodimus now knew was not actually Optimus. "As it is, we're already running behind schedule. Now then... where is your sword?"

    Vector's expression darkened. "Only I am worthy of Rhisling."

    "I know. That's why we haven't killed you yet." Reaching into Vector's back, Apex drew out the sparkling blue blade of Rhisling and forced it into the Prime's shackled hands. He then turned to Rodimus. "Now, the Matrix."

    Before Rodimus could object, his chestplate opened against his will, revealing the glowing Matrix of Leadership within. Apex then pulled Vector around so that the tip of Rhisling was pointed towards the core of the Matrix.

    "What in Primus' name are you doing?" Vector whispered as the energies of the two artifacts began to merge.

    "You of all people should know that time is an open circle," Apex said. "We're simply closing the gap."

    As the sword and the Matrix finally met, there was a huge burst of energy, which sent both Primes flying across the room. After colliding into a wall, Rodimus quickly got back up in time to see a large shape appear from out of the void of space.

    "Impossible," he whispered, falling to his knees.

    Apex chuckled. "Oh, very much so."

    He then beckoned with his hand, sending the Lost Light straight for the awaiting form of Fortress Maximus.