CHAPTER ONE
--127 years ago (Cycle 9689)--
The sight of mouths agape and optics wide with awe was a common one for Thunderclash, but it nonetheless humbled him in this case. Especially when the owners of those expressions were equal to or above him in rank.
"Is that... what I think it is?" asked Optimus Prime, staring at the spherical object placed in front of him.
"The one and only," Thunderclash proudly answered, his gold face beaming.
"Wasn't there already an attempt to retrieve the Magnificence a few years ago?" asked Ultra Magnus, glancing at the Autobot leader.
Optimus slowly nodded. "Yes, a team of cadets traveled to Ki-Aleta in search of the Magnificence. All but their leader were killed."
"How did your crew manage to get past the Omega Guardians?" inquired Prowl, fixing a calculating look on Thunderclash.
"We didn't," Thunderclash replied. "They never disturbed us, so we walked right on in to the Omega Bunker."
Optimus exchanged glances with his two lieutenants before returning his attention to the Magnificence. "In any case, it is fortunate that you were able to recover this artifact before it could fall into Decepticon hands."
Prowl looked skeptical as he regarded the sphere, which was no bigger than his head. "Are the rumors true, though? Can it answer any question you ask it?"
Thunderclash hesitated for a brief moment. "Yes... but only on a certain condition."
Ultra Magnus raised an optic. "A condition?"
"Proxima believes the Magnificence has developed a moral code of its own," Thunderclash explained. "It'll only answer to those whose ethics align with its own."
"And you know this because...?" Prowl prompted.
"Because out of everyone in my crew, it would only answer to me."
"Interesting." Prowl rested his chin in his hand. "And what did you ask it?"
"If it truly knew everything." Thunderclash smiled. "It said 'yes.'"
"If that is the case, then it is only prudent that we hide it somewhere even the Decepticons won't be able to break into," Optimus said. "Magnus?"
"Don't worry." Ultra Magnus picked up the Magnificence from its resting spot. "I think I know a place."
--8 years ago (Cycle 9808)--
"Anything?"
"Nope." Stalker sounded bitter as he threw down his torture prod. "Dead. Again."
Snare's optics roamed over to the bot on the table. Their limbs had been all but removed and their torso had been stripped to its endoskeleton. Dozens of needles poked out from the Autobot's cranium while a pair of drill protruded from their optics. Dried oil and energon caked around their gaping mouth as it howled silently in agony.
Sad to say, it wasn't even the second most macabre thing he had seen today.
"Don't just stand there!" Stalker snapped at him. "Get me another one!"
At that moment, another Decepticon walked in with a screaming Autobot in tow. Snare took the opportunity to slink out of the room before making his way down the hall. After a few quick strides, he had reached the Maximum Threat level of the prison block. Once he had made sure no one else was present, Snare entered his access code into the control panel and pulled one of the cell doors open.
"My turn already?" The voice had come from a solitary figure seated at the back of the cell. Snare maintained his composure as he walked over to the Autobot prisoner.
"It's time," he said.
"Time for what? Play time?"
"They're upgrading the reactor core, so the force field is down." Snare began fiddling with the mode lock, removing it from the purple bot's back. "Overlord's hosting another game outside, so it's just me and Stalker. We're not going to get another shot at this."
Baleful eyes glared at him. "Why are you doing this, Snare? Why me?"
"Because you're pretty much the only one who has a fighting chance at shutting down this party."
"But why do you want it shut down?"
Snare sighed as he tossed the mode lock aside. "I've figured out what it is Overlord's after. It's not just to get Megatron's attention, but to get what's here."
"Aequitas?"
"No. What's beneath it."
"I don't know anything about that." The prisoner got up to his feet and shoved Snare aside as he made his way to the door.
"Surely Autobot High Command does," Snare called after him. "If you tell Ultra Magnus or someone else high-ranking, they'll know and send help--"
"You're not getting any help from me, Decepticon. You risked your life for nothing."
"But..." Snare watching in despair as the former Wrecker stepped out of the cell. "Your friends--"
"They're not my friends, Snare," Impactor snarled over his shoulder. "Not anymore."
With those final words, the former leader of the Wreckers turned his back on Garrus-9 and all of the carnage within.
--A few months ago (Cycle 9816)--
"Impressed?"
"Very." Flame admired the large vat in front of him, eyeing the solitary figure floating within the green liquid. "The Grand Architect will be most pleased with this development, Mengel."
The hunched orange robot smiled toothily as she clasped her hands. "I understand that success has been eluding you for some time."
"Indeed," Flame replied. "We were forced to abort the stock on Tebris Seven a few months ago, and we're still reeling from the losses at Corritan and Scarvix. It is fortunate that you were able to make progress; otherwise...."
The scientist trailed off as he shifted his gaze away from the vat and focused on its Catharsian proprietor. "How did you manage it?"
Mengel's smile faltered for a perceptible second. "Why, with my gifted talents, of course!"
"Uh-huh. And what about this 'Resus Cradle' business I hear you've been operating?"
"Oh, ah, I take it you've seen the sign outside?"
Flame shifted until he was fully facing Mengel. "I trust that it has given you a boost in profits."
The Catharsian cleared her throat. "Well, that may have more to do with Agonizer no longer being around these days...."
She flinched as Flame stepped closer to her. "May I see this cradle of yours?" he asked.
Her eyes flickered between him and the vat. "Er... wouldn't you be more interested in--"
"The Infinites? Oh, no doubt. But do you honestly expect me to believe that you brought this many of them to fruition single-handedly, whereas other have failed for so long?" Flame sneered as he leaned into the old alien. "Show me the Resus Cradle, Mengel, before I have my bots tear you and your business to pieces."
Eyes wide with fear, Mengel hastily nodded. "Yes, yes, of course. If you would follow me."
--Now--
"I am not easily impressed...."
"You surprise me," Scorponok remarked as multiple appendages welded his left arm into place.
"...but I was not expecting you to be this resourceful." Lord Imperious Delirious gestured to the rogue Decepticon's rebuilt body. "No wonder the Grand Architect recruited you into his endeavors."
Scorponok smirked. "You are too kind, Lord Imperious. I will confess that I am indeed grateful that the Grand Architect has brought me into the fold... for it has provided me with the final key I need in my own plans."
Lord Imperious inclined his head. "The Magnificence?"
"Yes." Scorponok grinned widely at the Destructon leader. "I do hope you stick around, my lord. The fun is just getting started."
CONVERGENCE
Part 2: Come Undone
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