THREE: ALL AROUND ME ARE FAMILIAR FACES
The Nemesis
Megatron slammed his fists down on the meeting room table, bringing enough force to make the entire conference room tremble ever so slightly.
“How?! How could you have let them beat you?! You told me Bruticus was the strongest of the combiners at our disposal!”
“The strategy needed further refinement,” Onslaught retorted, standing proud and tall at the other end of the table, acting as if he had not just suffered an embarrassing defeat. “We needed time to perfect the Bruticus combination in order to balance my cunning with the chaotic personalities of the others. Ultimately, it was Brawl’s rage that proved our undoing—”
“No,” Megatron sneered. “It was your arrogant bravado that proved your undoing. You think so highly of yourself when your tactics and strategies have failed to win us the war after over a thousand years!”
Onslaught stiffened at the barb, his shoulders straightening. “I beg your pardon, Lord Megatron, but it is because of my strategies that the Decepticon Empire is still standing as it is! If it were not for me, then your army would have fallen apart centuries ago! If not during your absence on Earth, then certainly after what befell us at Simanzi and other such battlefields!”
Megatron raised his right arm at the Combaticon leader, making a point to brandish his arm-mounted fusion cannon. “It is only because of your ability to form Bruticus that I do no obliterate you and your soldiers here and now. Return to your quarters and await further orders; perhaps you can put that over-programmed processor of yours to good use by helping us track down Medusa and Bruton after you let them escape.”
Onslaught could only nod stiffly as he saluted his leader before turning sharply on his heel and departing from the room. After he was gone, only Megatron and Starscream remained in the room. Back in the good old days, the likes of Shockwave, Soundwave, and Clench would have been present in the room with them. But they were all either dead or had deserted. Now, it was just them.
And Starscream wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Perhaps we need to reassess our strategy,” Starscream said quietly, stepping around the table until he was standing where Onslaught had been, directly facing Megatron. “The Destructons are clearly expecting us to strike at worlds where we suspect them to be. Medusa was already ready for us on Cresta Superior and knew how to deal with Bruticus and the Mini-Cons. Bruton was even waiting with her. They know what our next move is.”
Megatron clenched his fists over the table, his red optics glowering at his lieutenant. “What would you suggest we do, then?”
Starscream feigned an expression of ponderment. “We need to lull them into a false sense of security. Make them think they know what our next move is when in fact we are going to do the exact opposite. We can send some drones and Genericons to some of the worlds we already have planned targeted to make them think we’re going to strike there next, but it’s really just to distract them while we focus on other things.”
“What other things?” Megatron snarled, impatience clear on his face.
“For one thing, we still need to bolster our forces. Trypticon can only produce so many sparks to bring back some of the dead, so we should seek out any straggler cells that haven’t reunited with our main forces. For example, Clench from what I understand is still commanding a splinter faction within the vicinity of the Eshems Nebula. Years ago, during your… absence, the DJD had been dispatched to eliminate him but were forced to withdraw when they found an Autobot mole within their ranks. I don’t believe they ever finished the job.”
Megatron’s expression changed somewhat as he seemed to consider the thought. “Clench will definitely resist my authority, as he has from the beginning,” he murmured. “But I am so much powerful than from when we last met. He will not be a challenge.”
Starscream smirked. “Indeed. And regardless of whether he submits or dies, his charges will gladly pledge their loyalty to you.”
“I have no doubt about that.” After another moment of silent thought, Megatron relaxed his fists and leaned away from the table. “Very well. We shall change course to the Eshems Nebula. I will leave it to you to dispatch the recon teams to the necessary planets in order to keep the Destructons off our trail.”
Starscream’s smirk broadened into a wider grin. “It pleases me so much to know you hold me in your trust, Lord Megatron. I swear to you, my liege, that I will not fail you.”
With a theatrical bow, he turned and made his own departure from the room. As the doors closed behind him, he allowed himself a small chuckle under his breath. He is becoming like melted energon in my hands. Whatever that new body of his is doing to him is clearly driving him mad… which suits me all the more.
* * *
“Why do you trust him?”
Megatron jolted out of his reverie at the familiar voice. He swung to point his fusion cannon at the shadows, aiming at the singular optical sensor glowing from within the darkness.
“You are not real,” he muttered. “You’re dead.”
“Were you starting to convince yourself otherwise?” The specter of Shockwave emerged from the shadows, slowly pacing around Megatron. “Logic dictates that I am not real; I am merely a projection of your inner thoughts made manifest by your processor.”
“I have no use for ghosts,” Megatron growled. “You will not make a madman out of me!”
The illusion of Shockwave ignored his words as it continued to speak. “There is no reason for you to trust Starscream. He has taken multiple opportunities to cross you or usurp leadership from you in the past. Why now do you trust him with information that three years ago you would have withheld from him?”
“He knows his place now,” Megatron replied. “He knows what I am capable of in this new body and that I would annihilate him without a second thought should he ever try to double-cross me again.”
“You sound so certain.” Shockwave tilted his head. “And yet, you did not trust me enough to allow me full control over my functions. You kept me as a disembodied head at the side of your throne.”
“Your experiments with time and space made you a far more dangerous threat to my power than anything Starscream has done.”
“And yet, by allowing him to walk free and even give him full access to Soundwave’s databanks, you are giving him a weapon that is even more dangerous.”
Megatron sneered. “And that would be?”
“Information. Knowledge. He now knows things he never has before. Things that he can use against you.”
“He wouldn’t dare try. Besides, he knows I have knowledge I can use against him as well.”
The image of Shockwave shrugged. “Perhaps. Or perhaps the Starscream you see now is not the same one that was once cowed by you all those centuries ago.”
Megatron blinked and in an instant, the room around him had changed. He was no longer aboard the Nemesis but instead on the science station where he had first met Starscream. His silver armor plating was smooth and clean, not yet marred and pitted by centuries of war, and the fusion cannon adorning his arm felt slightly heavier back then than it did now.
He was storming through the hallways, striding past the confused and awed gazes of the various Seekers crewing the station. Hushed whispers broke out among them, and he felt his spark swell with pride. They respected him. They admired him.
They feared him.
Respect and admiration, he was used to. But fear? That was something different; something more raw than the other two… and more empowering.
He burst onto the main observation deck, shoving aside two guards who thought twice about stopping him when they saw the large cannon strapped to his arm. At the far end of the room, standing with his arms behind his back as he peered out the window and gazed at the silvery gleam of Cybertron below, was a Seeker in white, blue and red. Upon hearing the commotion, he slowly turned around, maintaining his controlled stance as his gaze fell upon the intruder.
“I’m sorry,” Starscream started to say, “but I don’t believe you have the proper—”
“I do not require proper authorization.” Megatron came to a stop within several feet from Starscream, maintaining just enough distance—not too close and not too far—to leave the Seeker feeling conflicted on whether he should be scared or assured. “I go as I please.”
Starscream scoffed as he began to pace. “And just who do you think you are, coming onto my scientific research platform without any sort of authorization?”
“My name is one you will learn soon enough. All that you must know now is that I come here on the behalf of Lord Trannis.” It took a remarkable amount of self-control for Megatron to not scowl as he spoke the name of his predecessor-to-be.
Starscream continued to regard Megatron warily, looking conflicted on whether or not to listen to him. After taking another furtive glance at the fusion cannon on his arm, the Seeker’s shoulders sagged slightly, as if accepting defeat.
“Trannis, you say,” Starscream said, trying to sound casual in order to mask his growing anxiety. “I had thought he and his followers had been exiled.”
“You must not pay much attention to the news then. The Decepticons have been making their reemergence public for quite some time now.”
“Yes, yes, I’ve heard all of the rumors and seen all of the reports. The attempt on Sentinel Prime’s life certainly wasn’t something you could just ignore.” Starscream frowned. “What is it that they want from us?”
Before Megatron answered him, his eyes flickered to the two guards that were watching warily from the sidelines.
“May we have the room?”
The guards exchanged uneasy looks before looking to Starscream. The Air Commander let out a sigh before motioning them to the door.
“Leave us. I’m sure our friend here means us no harm.”
With a small bit of reluctance—yet eager to get as far away from Megatron as possible—the two Seeker guards vacated the room, leaving Megatron alone with Starscream. The Seeker turned his back again to Megatron, staring out the window that oversaw the silvery world of Cybertron.
“Say your piece, then.”
Megatron smiled to himself. “The attempt on Sentinel Prime’s life was only the beginning of what is to come, Air Commander. For the past millennium we have been preparing our forces to take back what is rightfully ours. The Decepticons have learned much from the failures of the Great War, and unless the Autobots concede to what we demand, then all of Cybertron will be burnt asunder.”
Starscream did not turn from where he stood, keeping his hands clasped behind his back. “And how, exactly, does this involve me and my crew?”
“The Seekers are vital to the Autobots, just as they were to us during the war. If you were to return to the Decepticons, then Sentinel Prime would have lost a major asset.”
“And if there is a divide? Let’s say an equal number of us join either side. What then?”
“Well, I would hope that you have a tight enough control over them that such a schism would not happen. If necessary, then I’m sure we could find someone who would if you are not up to the task.”
The veiled threat in Megatron’s tone did not go unnoticed as Starscream turned to face him. Fear was evident on the Air Commander’s face, despite his best efforts.
“I see,” Starscream said evenly. “So, the choice is out of my hand. Either I consent to your terms… or be replaced.”
Megatron shrugged, feigning sympathy. “My apologies, Air Commander. I am merely acting on the behalf of Lord Trannis.”
Starscream’s optics narrowed. “Right. Which is why he sent the person with the incredibly large fusion cannon attached to his arm to guide towards the correct decision.”
Megatron chuckled. “Yes, well, to be honest, that was an upgrade given to me without my knowledge.” He flexed his right arm as he said this, making sure Starscream’s gaze was focused on the massive weapon attached to it. “So, then, what shall it be?”
Anger flickered briefly in Starscream’s optics as he glowered at Megatron before letting out a defeated sigh. “Very well. I shall grant the Decepticons full access to my Seekers and our operations. Does that satisfy your demands?”
Megatron nodded. “That it does. I shall relay your response to Lord Trannis.”
As he turned to leave, Starscream spoke up again. “One last thing,” the Air Commander said. “If you are Lord Trannis’ liaison, I expect we will be meeting again.”
Megatron looked over his shoulder and gave a barely perceptible nod.
“In that case,” Starscream went on, “may I ask for you name so we can get better acquainted?”
“I suppose you might as well. My name is—”
Megatron tore himself out of the memory before it could finish, finding himself back on the Nemesis. The apparition of Shockwave was nowhere to be found, leaving him well and truly alone in the room. After taking a moment to recompose himself, he headed for the door, hoping to forget all that had just happened by the time he got to the command bridge.
As he made his departure, he failed to notice the small dark shape slinking out of the shadows, watching his every move.
Milliseconds before the door slid shut after the Decepticon leader, Ravage made a dash for it and zipped down the corridor without anyone noticing him.
* * *
“This whole thing blows,” Brawl said.
Four of the Combaticons sat in what amounted to be the Nemesis’ recreational room. Unlike the Autobots, the Decepticons were discouraged from mingling or socializing or doing practically anything that distracted them from conquest. As such, the refueling station aboard the ship only contained the bare necessities and not much else in ways of entertainment or alternative fuel sources. Looking around, Blast Off saw only a handful of other Decepticons; a couple of the Stunticons sat at one refueling station, Krok sat all by his lonesome at another, and the twins Darkwing and Dreadwind occupied a third. Judging by the dour silence, it seemed as if pretty much everyone was felling as pessimistic and cynical as the Combaticons were feeling.
“I mean, seriously,” Brawl went on. “What’s the point of combining if we’re just gonna get our afts whooped by some metal snake lady?”
“We probably could have taken her—and that other guy—if you hadn’t lost focus,” muttered Vortex.
Brawl half-rose from his seat, pointing an angry servo at his comrade. “Don’t put this all on me! You screwed up just as much as I did!”
“Fellas, fellas!” Swindle waved his hands to calm them both down, not that it ever did any good. “There’s no need to point fingers at anyone! Let’s just regroup and reassess our situation. Besides, I’ve got the perfect weapon we can use against these Destructons.”
The other three looked at him. “You do?” Blast Off asked.
Swindle smiled sheepishly. “Okay, well, I don’t have it in hand yet because my, uh, benefactor hasn’t shipped it out to me. I still need to make the first few payments before he will. But if you guys could pitch in, I’m sure we can—”
Brawl thrust out his arms and shoved Swindle out of his seat, knocking him to the floor. “Frag off,” the green tank snarled.
“Why waste your energon fighting each other?” The remark came from the refueling station occupied by the two Stunticons, with the maroon and gold Dead End looking in the Combaticons’ direction. “At that point, you might as well just offline yourselves. Spare yourself the misery.”
“Yeah, well, maybe you should take your own advice, loser,” Vortex fired back. “I don’t hear you offering any bright ideas.”
“Why should I?” Dead End replied. “It’s not like anyone’s going to listen to me or take my advice. And even if they did, it probably wouldn’t work. And even if it did, we’ll probably just screw something else up and get scrapped for it.”
“Oh, for spark’s sake, just shut up already.” Drag Strip, the other Stunticon at the station, brought his head down and clutched it with his hands. “I can only take so much more.”
Blast Off inclined his head in the Stunticons’ direction, looking more so at Drag Strip as he knew Dead End probably would not answer him. “Do you guys know if you’re next up in the cards? Maybe Megatron will try to throw Menasor at someone?”
“Oh, did Wildrider’s name for us catch on already?” Drag Strip said sardonically as he lifted his head back up. “We haven’t even fully tested our combined form yet. Primus knows if it’ll even work.”
“It probably won’t,” Dead End lamented.
Vortex looked over at Darkwing and Dreadwind before pointing a thumb to them. “Say, didn’t those guys combine with Starscream a couple of years ago? During the whole Thunderwing fiasco?”
“I guess so.” Blast Off shrugged. “Why?”
“Nothing. I was just… I didn’t realize so many of us could combine.”
“I wouldn’t call eight bots ‘so many.’”
“Actually, it would be twelve since Onslaught and the other Stunticons aren’t here….”
Before Blast Off could respond to that, he caught movement at the entrance to the refueling stations and turned to see Starscream enter the room. He instinctively got up from his seat to stand to attention, as did some of the others, although Dead End remained seated, acting oblivious to everything around him.
Looking upon the assorted bots in the room, Starscream allowed a small smile to come to his face. “Ah, just the mechs I was looking for.”
Blast Off exchanged glances with the others, wondering if Starscream was referring to them. Instead, however, the Seeker walked past them and over to where Darkwing and Dreadwind were seated.
“Deathsaurus sent me to fetch you,” Blast Off heard Starscream say to them. “He says he requires your… expertise on something.”
Neither of the twins looked thrilled by that, but neither one of them complained as they got up and departed from the room. Starscream started to go after them only to stop and look at the Combaticons, as if noticing them for the first time.
“Where is Onslaught?”
“Haven’t seen him,” said Swindle. “I thought he was at a meeting with you and Lord Megatron.”
“Ah, yes. That meeting did not go… quite so well.” Starscream then smiled, an expression which made Blast Off feel uneasy. “But perhaps matters can be rectified.”
“I don’t like it when people use big words,” Brawl muttered. “What are you trying to say?”
Starscream’s smile broadened. “Why don’t you come with me so we can find Onslaught? I have a proposal for the lot of you… and I trust that you will find it most interesting.”
