Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga VII, Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

   Crosshairs awoke to the sound of clinking. His optical sensors flickered on and he found himself in a dimly-lit chamber, clamped down onto a table. He craned his head and found his comrades- Kup, Seaspray, and the others- in a similar position, albeit still unconscious.

   When he heard the clinking noise again, he looked up to see a cage hanging overhead, containing six diminutive Cybertronians- Mini-Cons, he realized. The noise was being created by one of them as they hit the bars of the cell with a large gun attached to their arms.

   "Would you knock it off, Haywire?" one of the other Mini-Cons snapped. "You're giving me a headache."

   The one called Haywire merely rolled his eyes, but ceased his activity. However, as he cast his gaze down, he noticed that Crosshairs was back online and nudged the Mini-Con who had snapped at him.

   "Look, Recoil. One of them's awake."

   Recoil snorted. "So? Just means he's gonna witness the pain he's gonna endure."

   "Who are you guys?" Crosshairs asked. "I mean, I know you're Mini-Cons, right? But what are you doing here?"

   Recoil glared at him. "We're prisoners, just like you. Now quiet down unless you want to die sooner."

   "What are you talking about? I'm in the dark here... figuratively and literally."

   "Just tell him, Recoil," said a third, orange-colored Mini-Con. "What harm will it do?"

   Recoil scowled at him before sighing. Turning to Crosshairs, he said, "You're a prisoner of the 'Cons here on Styx. Unless they've suddenly changed the way they do things around here, you're most likely going to be experimented on."

   "Experimented on?" Crosshairs exclaimed. "What kind of experiments?"

   Recoil shrugged. "Got me there. You could get turned into a bug or get combined with a Vehicon. Either way, it ain't pretty and you're not gonna like it."

   Crosshairs grimaced. "There's an understatement right there. Any idea on how to escape?"

   Recoil shook his head. "We've been hanging here for days- nearly a full deca-cycle. If there was a way to escape, we would have figured it out by now."

   "Well," a black and gray Mini-Con said, "we could-"

   "Not this again, Firebolt," groaned a black and red one. "It's not gonna work and you know it."

   "It's all we've got, Spoilsport!" Firebolt said. "If it fails, we could at least say we tried!"

   "Not unless we're dead by then," muttered a winged red one.

   Crosshairs stared at the six Mini-Cons bemusedly. "What are you guys talking about?"

   "Nothing," Recoil grunted. "It's a stupid plan. It won't work."

   "I'm all ears, either way."

   Before the others could stop him, Firebolt said, "The Decepticons modified us so we could convert into weapons. My idea was for us to use our weapon forms to blast open our cage and then make our getaway."

   "But that wouldn't work because the 'Cons could easily find us and crush us with their heels," Spoilsport said. "Besides, we have no one to wield us and..."

   He paused as realization visibly dawned on him, as well as the others. Crosshairs smirked at them.

   "Don't worry. It takes a while for a wonderful plan to come together."

*  *  *

   Thunderwing stood in the command center, his back turned to the rest of the Mayhem Squad, as well as the science crew of Airachnid, Scalpel, and Rossum. They patiently waited for him to speak, knowing that disturbing the silence would incur his wrath.

   Finally, the general spoke. "Dominus Ambus once said that a Cybertronian can only do so much before doing too much, meaning that we need not push ourselves to the next stage of evolution just because we can. I say to him, 'why not?'

   "What's stopping us from reaching our peak? What's stopping us from becoming more than just machines and become the ultimate power in the universe? Who... who is there to direct our will?"

   There was a silence, which was easily broken when Lugnut said, "Lord Megatron."

   The other Decepticons tensed. Thunderwing's ire radiated from him like a newborn star's energies. He slowly turned, his gold face contorted with anger.

   "Megatron?" he spat. "That glorified Autobot traitor who named himself after one of the Thirteen? Don't make me laugh. How do we know he is not part of some elaborate Autobot ploy to destroy us from within?"

   Lugnut opened his mouth to retort but Treadshot cut him off. "Well, he did kill Sentinel Prime. And Zeta. And nearly destroyed Iacon."

   The general scoffed. "A convincing act, but an act nonetheless. He may have been Trannis' protege, but an Autobot who nearly became a Prime can never truly call himself a Decepticon."

   Lugnut bristled and was about ready to snap at Thunderwing when a Vehicon trooper suddenly stormed into the room.

   "Sir! There's been a security breach in Sector Z-27!"

   Thunderwing whirled to face him. "The lab? Dispatch all Vehicons to that sector!"

   The trooper saluted before running out. Thunderwing then turned to the six members of the Mayhem Squad.

   "Ensure that they succeed in detaining this breach."

   The six Decepticons nodded in unison and turned to leave. However, before they could do so, Thunderwing reached out and placed a hand on Bombshock's shoulder.

   "Nightracer, you're in charge of the squad," the general said. "I have a separate test for Bombshock here."

   Once the others had left, Bombshock gave Thunderwing a bewildered look. "What is this task, sir?"

   The general grinned, an expression the Combaticon had come to dread. "Perhaps Rossum here can explain...."

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga VII, Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX

   Bulkhead's armored truck form roared as he crossed the battlefield, evading the blaster fire of the Decepticons up ahead. Setting his sights on a brown and yellow 'Con- who had a body build similar to Scattorshot- he accelerated further before converting to his robot mode and charging towards the 'Con with his built-in wrecking ball.

   Just as he was about to swing the wrecking ball, Dropshot raised his arms and unleashed a volley of missiles which stopped Bulkhead dead in his tracks. It failed to bring him down however, and he charged again, swinging the wrecking ball again. It struck Dropshot square in the chest and knocked the large Decepticon down to the ground.

   Before Bulkhead could attack again, he was suddenly hit in the back by a blaster. Lurching forward from the sudden pain, he turned around to see a black, silver, and red Decepticon carrying a black and orange blaster.

   "Never turn your back on Treadshot," he said before pulling the trigger again, hitting Bulkhead in the chest, and sending him into stasis lock.

*  *  *

   "Bulkhead's down!"

   Kup turned at the sound of Flareup's voice as he wrestled with Bombshock. The Combaticon took advantage of the distraction by lowering the dual cannons on his back and shooting them at the veteran Autobot. The force of the blast and their close proximity sent both of them back, but Kup recovered quickly enough to charge towards Bombshock and knock the Combaticon to the ground.

   With at least one of their six Decepticon opponents down for the count, Kup's optics scanned the field and found Bulkhead's deactivated form. Flareup was crouched down beside it, protecting her fellow Wrecker from Treadshot and Dropshot.

   Readying his rifle, Kup rushed to assist his teammates, firing at the two Decepticons as he ran. Upon noticing him, Treadshot turned and transformed into his tank mode. Rotating his turret, he affixed his aim on the veteran Autobot before firing.

   Kup dodged the blast by jumping to the side. He then knelt down and fired his rifle, scoring a hit on the tank's side. While it did not inflict any damage, it did prompt Treadshot to fire a rocket attacked to the turret. Kup avoided that as well before charging towards the Decepticons.

   Treadshot quickly reverted back to his robot mode and was about to summon his cyber-cat Targetmaster partner until Kup threw his fist into his face. The punch was powerful enough to crack the Decepticon's red-tinted visor and throw him into a daze. Before Treadshot could regather his senses, Kup threw another strong punch into his midsection and then forcefully shoved him to the ground.

   Once he was sure Treadshot wouldn't be moving for a while, Kup set his sights on Dropshot, who was already raising his arm-mounted missile launchers.

   "Impressive show, gramps," the larger Decepticon muttered. "But I think it's by time they retired ya."

   Kup scowled. Kids and their witty one-liners these days.

   Just as he was prepared to face Dropshot's missiles, the launcher on the Combaticon's right arm suddenly unfurled and morphed into a cannon barrel. Before Kup could react in time, Dropshot fired the cannon, hitting the old Wrecker square in the chest.

   The veteran landed hard on his back. As he struggled to get back up, a glint in the hazed sky caught his optic. He narrowed his eyes to discern it before widening them.

   It was Lugnut, descending from an incredibly high jump to deliver his so-called "Punch of Kill Everything."

   The last thing to cross Kup's mind before everything went dark was Frag.

*  *  *

   "Lugnut, you idiot!" Nightracer shrieked once the dust resulting from Lugnut's attack had settled. "You could have killed us all!"

   "Well, it is called a 'Punch of Kill Everything,'" Oil Slick muttered as he helped her and Treadshot up. "Luckily, it did nothing more than injure our opponents and knock them out cold."

   Lugnut snarled as he straightened up and retracted his arm from its atomic punch configuration. "I still don't see why we need them all alive."

   Oil Slick raised an eyebrow at him. "You want to take it up with Thunderwing? Be my guest."

   The Decepticon brute growled but did not protest any further. As he and the rest of the Mayhem Squad began to round up the defeated Wreckers, Thunderwing himself emerged from the base, slowly clapping his hands.

   "Well done, my friends! Now then, why don't you bring our valuable foes into the base? Place them in the main lab while I figure out what to do with them."

   While Lugnut, Oil Slick, Treadshot, Nightracer, and Dropshot complied with his orders, Bombshock approached Thunderwing with a puzzled expression, though still wincing from his fight with Kup.

   "Permission to be blunt with you, sir?"

   Thunderwing smirked. "You're a Combaticon. I wouldn't expect anything less from you."

   "I'll take that as a yes," Bombshock murmured. "Anyway, let me just say that I honestly have no slagging clue on what your blasted plan is."

   The general laughed. "Of course you don't! I've never laid it out to you, have I?"

   Bombshock frowned. "No, but seeing that I am technically your lieutenant... care to clue me in?"

   Thunderwing grinned. "Think about it. Here on Styx, I am holding multiple labs for various experiments. In one, Airachnid works on her hive of Insecticons. In another, we have our gestalt project. And in yet another, we have a small group of captured Mini-Cons ready to be converted into weapons. What could it all possibly mean?"

   "I cannot even begin to imagine."

   "Evolution, Bombshock. I want to find out what is the endpoint of our race. At first, we were mere robots. Then, we developed the ability to transform. Then, for a brief time, we could combine. Where does it all end?"

   Figuring the last part was a rhetorical question, Bombshock said, "Does Lord Megatron know of your endeavors?"

   The general's face became unemotive. "No," he said quietly. "Not yet. In due time, of course."

   "Why must he be left in the dark?"

   A hint of ire flickered in Thunderwing's optic. "If you are so loyal to our lord and master, then how can I trust you to keep your mouth shut?"

   Bombshock did not answer, casting his gaze to the ground.

   "Know your place, Combaticon," the general hissed. "While Megatron may rule over the Decepticons as a whole, only I have any command here. You would do well to remember that."

   Bombshock said nothing, instead following his teammates back to the base.

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga VII, Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

   As the Enforcer moved through hyperspace, destined for Styx, Scattorshot sighed as he tapped his fingers on the table he and the other new Wreckers sat at.

   "Am I the only one here feeling nervous?" he asked.

   "Why are you nervous?" Flareup asked. "If it's about the dying part, then you should have seen that coming with any job."

   "I did, but now that we're seconds away from Styx- and no doubt from sheer death- it's kinda starting to grind my gears."

   "Just pretend you're in a normal battle," Bulkhead said. "Forget that you're a Wrecker and all that. Just pretend it's an average day."

   "I appreciate the advice, Bulkhead, but you're no Rung. Besides, it's a moot point. There's no backing out now."

   "Hey, relax," Brainstorm said, bringing out a large blaster. "Here, have the Shoomer. I just finished it last week. It'll-"

   "Hold it!" Crosshairs snapped, snatching the weapon from Brainstorm's hands. "You didn't tell me about this. Will it work properly? Is it safe?"

   "'Safe?'" Brainstorm scoffed. "Safe is not part of my resume."

   Crosshairs merely shook his head. "I will never be able to fathom how Xaaron hasn't kicked you off Kimia yet."

   "Because, believe it or not, I am that good."

   At that moment, the ship suddenly shuddered as the Enforcer came out of hyperspace. Not long after, Kup and Ultra Magnus entered the room.

   "All right, rookies!" the former barked. "This is it. If you have any last words or second thoughts, then too bad. Who's ready to wreck and rule?"

   The six recruits cheered loudly in response.

   Kup grinned. "Music to my audio receptors."

*  *  *

   "Autobot ship detected," reported a Vehicon trooper stationed in the command center. "Our scanners confirm that it is the Enforcer, commanded by Ultra Magnus."

   Standing in the center of the room, Thunderwing smirked. Just as expected.

   Opening a comlink channel to Bombshock, whom he had placed as commander of the Mayhem Attack Squad, the general said, "Bombshock, the Wreckers have arrived. Are you and the others ready?"

   "As ever, general."

   Thunderwing grinned. "Then proceed to obliterate them."

*  *  *

   Seaspray's audio receptors were filled with the sound of gunfire and screaming as he descended towards Styx's volcanic terrain. Glancing to his left, he saw that the screaming was actually cheering as Flareup excitedly shot at the Decepticons down below. Crosshairs was doing the same, albeit in a quieter manner.

   Seaspray couldn't help but roll his eyes. Sometimes he felt like the only one without a sense of bravado.

   As the ground came up quicker and quicker, he brought his legs up closer to his chest to brace the landing. Once he had finally landed, he rolled forward before straightening up and firing his arm-mounted harpoon launchers.

   "Decepticons at nine o'clock!" Scattorshot said as he roughly landed next to Seaspray, shooting down a few Vehicons with his rifle. "I can see that purple giant, Lugnut."

   "Well, slag," Seaspray muttered. "Don't suppose anyone has an atomic punch?"

   "Less talkin', more shootin'!" Kup barked as he shot past the two Autobots, charging towards the Decepticons while firing his rifle.

   Scattorshot and Seaspray watched him for a second before the former grinned at the latter. "Wreck and rule, eh?" he said before charging into battle.

*  *  *

   "For the glory of Megatron!"

   Treadshot flinched as a large missile shot past him and towards the approaching Wreckers. It made contact with the ground and created an explosion that sen two of them flying off their feet but failed to halt their charge.

   Lugnut let out a low growl. "Bah. Perhaps it would be easier to take them out in one go."

   As he reeled his right arm back, preparing to unleash his explosive punch, Nightracer cried out, "Lugnut, stop!"

   The purple giant paused in mid-punch. He craned his head and narrowed his central optic at the Decepticon sharpshooter. "You are not one to command me."

   Nightracer glared at him. "Remember what the general told us. We are to keep most of the Wreckers alive."

   Lugnut smirked slightly. "Most. Not all."

   Nonetheless, the Decepticon brute reverted from his "punching" position and instead brought out a large mace.

   "Enough talk. Let us wreck some Wreckers."

*  *  *

   The battle, such as it was, had begun. It wouldn't last long, Thunderwing knew, but that had been the plan from the start.

   Striding down a corridor, the general came to a stop at a door to his left. Without bothering to knock, he opened it and stepped right in. The room was in pitch-black darkness, save for the multiple sets of red optics that watched him as he slowly walked towards the center of the room. Upon coming to a stop, he called out, "Airachnid."

   There was the sound of skittering and the room finally lit up, albeit dimly, as a sleek, black-armored figure- suspended by long, spindly limbs- approached the general. Her violet optics bore into his red ones balefully.

   "General," she hissed. "Shouldn't you be out there on the front lines, aiding your own team?"

   Thunderwing scoffed. "I did not form the Mayhem Attack Squad just so I could lead them to their deaths. I command them, yes. But not lead them in the literal sense."

   Airachnid glared at him. "Then why are you here?"

   "I am cooking up a surprise for our Autobot visitors, and I require a few of your best Insecticons."

   Airachnid smirked. "My best? The Insecticons hold little variety. However, if you were looking for the most competent...."

   She beckoned to something in the darkness and at once, three Insecticons, all colored in black and purple, descended from the ceiling.

   "Then these three- Shrapnel, Kickback, and Bombshell- are the ones you want."

   Thunderwing grinned. "Perfect."

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga VII, Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

   "Okay, guys, you can quit it with the stares," Seaspray said as he and the other Wrecker recruits sat down at a small table in the Enforcer's lobby room. "It's not like I'm the Chief Justice or anything."

   "It's not that," Scattorshot said. "It's just, well... you're a hovercraft."

   "And?"

   "And there's not many water worlds out there, and if we were going to one, then I, Flareup, and the others wouldn't be here, and instead it would be... I don't know, Deep Dive and the Hydrobots."

   Seaspray sighed. "Look, I didn't ask to be here. Kup just came to me, asked if I wanted to join the Wreckers, and I said 'Sure, why not?' Nowhere did the alt mode discussion crop up."

   "Hey, it's way okay!" Scattorshot said, putting up his hands defensively. "I was just, y'know, curious."

   Stepping into the room with Ultra Magnus without warning, Kup cleared his vocal processor to get the others' attention. Once all six pairs of optics were on him, he smiled.

   "Welcome to the Wreckers," he said. "Now, before you get comfy, I would like to give you a heads up: we Wreckers have a low survival rate, so the chances of all of us returning home without a scratch are, well, pretty low."

   After he took a moment to let that sink in, he then said, "Anyway, our mission is pretty straight forward: we are to go to the volcanic moon of Styx, infiltrate the Decepitcon base there, and rescue one of our own."

   "Sounds simple," Flareup said. "Why not send a normal team of Autobots to do it?"

   Kup frowned. "Because the 'Con in charge  of the base is far from normal. You may know him as Thunderwing."

   All six Wreckers stared at him in disbelief.

   "Thunderwing?!" Flareup and Brainstorm exclaimed in unison.

   "Oh man, oh man," Scattorshot murmured.

   "This is not happening," Bulkhead and Seaspray whispered together.

   "We're scrapped," Crosshairs muttered.

   Kup nodded grimly. Thunderwing held a reputation of fear among Autobots and Decepticons alike. Carrying a mix of calm and manic that only the craziest of serial killers possessed, some feared the Decepticon Air General more than Megatron himself.

   "That is more than likely, Crosshairs," the veteran said. "But this is what we're made for. All six of you have proven yourselves on the battlefield and have what it takes to be Wreckers. I couldn't just pick any random bot."

   There was silence as the rookies dwell on this prospect. Then, Seaspray said, "Who is it we're freeing?"

   "An Autobot inventor named Mindset," Kup replied. "He went missing around the time the war started, but it turns out he's been in the 'Cons custody all this time. Now it's up to us to free him."

   "Sounds good, I guess," Crosshairs said, toying with a pair of blaster pistols he carried. "I will admit, I have been itching for some danger."

   Kup grinned. "Then this should be the time of your life."

*  *  *

   "Your fingers are twitching again, Treadshot."

   The large, black armored Decepticon looked down at his convulsing right hand and placed his left one over it, cursing to himself.

   "You know me, Nightracer," he muttered. "I can't stand being away from a gun for more than thirty seconds."

   The smaller, similarly colored Decepticon sitting next to him merely rolled her eyes and fell silent. Though she would not admit it, she was clearly irked by the fact that she had competition in the "Best Gunslinger" category.

   Well, I can't help it if I'm that darn good, Treadshot thought.

   Sitting on the other side of him, toting a large rifle, was a burly Decepticon in brown, tan, and green whom he did not recognize. Figuring that they would all be waiting in this secluded room for another half-hour (and that he needed to take his mind off his lack of weapon), Treadshot decided to strike up conversation.

   "Say, I can't say I recognize you. My name's Treadshot, the best- er, one of the best gunslingers you'll ever find. You?"

   The larger mech grunted. "Dropshot. Usually the muscle, 'cept when he's around." He nodded to the hunched-over Lugnut sitting across from him. "By the way, Treadshot, if ya don't call off your cyber-cat, I'm-a have ta crush him." 

   Treadshot glanced down and yelped as he saw his companion/weapon Catgut poised to lubricate on Dropshot's foot. He quickly scooped up the metal-feline and placed him on his lap.

   "Er, sorry about that. He tends to overenergize after he's recharged."

   "Is that one of those new Targetmasters?" asked a green-armored Decepticon sitting straight across from Treadshot. "I hear a lot of Mini-Cons are going through the conversion process."

   "Yeah, he's a Targetmaster," Treadshot replied. "He can also act as a chainsaw too. Say, do I know you?"

   The green Decepticon, who was shorter than him but almost as bulky as Dropshot, smirked. "I am Bombshock, commander of the 363rd Combaticon Division. Dropshot here is one of my teammates."

   "Combaticons, huh? Wish we had more at hand, especially since it's the Wreckers we're going up against."

   "I assure you, Treadshot," a sinister voice suddenly said, "that you and your new comrades will be more than enough to handle these specific Wreckers."

   The five Decepticons turned as General Thunderwing entered the room, followed by a tall, lanky mech with an olive green and black color scheme. Treadshot did not recognize the latter, but the fact that his head was in a jar filled with a strange green liquid had to be a distinguishable characteristic.

   "Welcome one and all to the Mayhem Attack Squad," the winged general said, a wicked grin plastered on his golden face. "Since you've all had plenty of time to introduce yourselves to each other, I shall cut to the chase.

   "In a few hours, we are going to be paid a visit by a team of Wreckers. I'll have you know that these Wreckers are... less experienced than the likes of Impactor or Springer... but I'm sure they'll be excellent target practice."

   "So that's it then?" Nightracer asked. "We just wait outside the base and shoot at newbies?"

   Thunderwing continued to grin, but his eyes portrayed a more mirthless attitude. "Would you have preferred to have your spark ripped out and crushed by a blade-wielding Triple Changer?"

   Nightracer blinked but said nothing. When none of the other Decepticons spoke, Thunderwing chuckled.

   "Then shall we get started?"

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga VII, Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

   "So, these are the rookies?"

   Kup stood beside Impactor on the bridge of the Xantium, looking over a datapad containing a list of the members of Omega Team.

   "Yes," he said. "Springer and I have been keeping tabs on them for about a month now. They've pretty much passed all of the 'tests.'"

   Impactor grunted. "That's not saying much, considering what they're gonna be put through. I mean, I can't really see Brainstorm lasting long in a battle."

   "That's why I recruited Crosshairs as well. Brainstorm is the brains, Crosshairs is the execution."

   "Hmm. And the one called Bulkhead, he's a clumsy one."

   "Only when he's in situations not accustomed for his size," Kup said. "I'm sure he'll do great on the battlefield."

   "You're awfully optimistic today, old timer," Impactor said with a smirk. "What's got your hopes all high up?"

   Kup returned the smirk. "I've pulled out a wild card. Keep looking at the list."

   Impactor's metal brows furrowed as he looked back at the datapad. "Let's see. There's Brainstorm, Crosshairs, Bulkhead... not Flareup, is it? Or Scattorshot- oh."

   He looked up at the veteran, his optics almost as wide as Kup's grin.

   "Nice one."

*  *  *

   "Watch it, ya' energon-guzzling oaf!"

   "Oops." Bulkhead winced as he attempted to stand up the metal pillar he had knocked over, only for it to fall again. "Sorry, my bad."

   Steam blasted from either side of Dipstick's head. "Sorry?! I'll show you sorry, ya' overblown drive shaft!"

   Before the small green Autobot could act upon his anger, he was stopped by Scattorshot, who grabbed him from behind.

   "Easy there, pal," the blue and silver Autobot said. "He didn't mean anything by it."

   "Bah!" Dipstick spat. "As if I care! When I get my hands on you, I'll-"

   "Chill." Brainstorm easily silenced the old mech by pressing a small device against his neck, knocking him out.

   "I'm afraid to ask what that is," Flareup muttered.

   "A miniature immobilizer," the turquoise scientist said. "Puts the victim in stasis lock for five seconds before they wake up in a daze."

   Sure enough, as Brainstorm finished speaking, Dipstick reactivated in a stupor. "Ugh... what happened?"

   "It's a long story," Brainstorm said. "Just lay down and get some rest."

   "Yeah... rest." The old green bot then collapsed to the ground and returned to stasis lock.

   "Five seconds," Crosshairs said. "Right."

   "Well, I am sill working on it."

   At that moment, the five Autobots heard the sound of engine thrusters and looked up to see a white and red ship heading towards their position, coming in for a slow landing.

   "Hey, isn't that Ultra Magnus' ship?" Scattorshot said. "I thought Kup was picking us up."

   "Maybe he is but needed a bigger ship," Crosshairs said. Throwing a quick glance at Bulkhead, he hastily added, "No offense."

   The larger Autobot smiled. "None taken."

   Once the Enforcer had landed, its boarding ramp lowered to reveal Kup, with Ultra Magnus standing behind him.

   "Hey, rookies," the veteran Autobot said. "Sorry I chose this fuel depot as a meeting place. I know Dipstick can be a pain in the afterburner."

   "Oh, don't worry," Flareup said cheerfully, trying to hide Dipstick's unconscious form with her body. "He's, uh, on break right now. So, can we come aboard?"

   "Not yet," Kup said. "I'm still waiting for a seventh of us."

   "A seventh?" Brainstorm asked. "But Ultra Magnus is right there."

   "I'm not a part of this mission," Ultra Magnus said. "I'm merely acting as the chauffeur."

   "Then who's the seventh guy?" Scattorshot asked.

   "That should be him walking up now."

   The five rookie Wreckers turned in time to see a white, blue, and yellow Autobot approaching them. They all stared with their mouths agape, but it was not exactly out of awe.

   "Judging by your expressions, I suppose introductions aren't really necessary," Kup said. "But either way, I'd like you to meet Seaspray."

   After a long moment of silence, it was Seaspray himself who broke it, responding to his new teammates' expressions.

   "What?"

*  *  *

   Thunderwing could hear the spewing of volcanoes outside the Decepticon base as he strode down the corridor leading to the command center. When he entered, it was emptied of all of its personnel, just as he had ordered. Securing the door behind him, he accessed one of the many monitors and contacted the mole he had planted within the Autobot ranks.

   "Report, Agent Triple-Seven."

   A blurred figure, masked by static, appeared on the monitor, his silver eyes being the only distinguishable feature.

   "I have acquired valuable information, General Thunderwing," the spy said. "Are you aware, sir, of the Wrecker division designated Omega Team?"

   "Indeed," Thunderwing said. "They are comprised of rookies, led by the veteran Kup."

   "Right. Anyway, if my sources are correct, they are just about to set off on a mission... destined for your base on Styx."

   The general's mouth twisted into a wicked grin. "Somehow, I am not surprised. I was actually hoping to lure them here with the bait I had thrown out."

   Agent 777 raised an eyebrow but saw it best not to question the general. Instead, he said, "Do you have the means to defend Styx against these Wreckers?"

   "Of course I do!" Thunderwing said. "I wouldn't be much of an effective commander if I didn't. But none of that should concern you. Anything else to report?"

   "Nothing at the moment, sir," the spy said. "Agent Triple-Seven, signing off."

   As the monitor went black, Thunderwing stepped back and grinned. Yes, the Wreckers would be coming, and he knew what it was that they were after. But they would find something completely different instead.

   And they would not like it one bit.

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga VII, Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

   The plan had been simple: stakeout at the Decepticon air base on Beta Centaris IV, discreetly sabotage their defense grid, and then signal the Skyfire to drop the payload.

   But of course, Flareup had to ruin it all by making a big show of it.

   Heatwave cursed under his breath as Seekers from all sides strafed him and his team as they drove across Beta Centaris' rocky terrain in vehicle mode.

   "I swear," he muttered to himself. "If Flareup makes it out of there alive, I'm going to make her wish she hadn't."

   "Cool it down, boss," said Smokescreen from beside him. "Worry about the punishments after we get out of this alive. You know, if we ever do."

   Heatwave hated to admit it, but the younger Autobot was right. Screeching to a halt, he transformed from his fire truck form into his burly robot form and aimed his arm cannons at the strafing Seekers. As he fired at them, he called out to Smokescreen.

   "Have Evac try to find her! If the Seekers are all out here chasing us, then maybe they haven't captured her yet."

   "Unless she's dead."

   "...I thought I was the pessimist here."

*  *  *

   Flareup grunted as she dug herself out of the rubble she had created. When Heatwave told her that the sabotage of the Decepticons' defense grid had to be discreet, she had willfully ignored that part and brought all of the explosives she could carry.

   Now she knew why Heatwave had told her to be discreet.

   Sirens blared throughout the Decepticon base. Hearing the march of troopers drawing closer to the room she was in, Flareup quickly darted towards a large computer connected to the destroyed defense grid and hid in its shadow. Not long after, the door was kicked open and a gold and black Seeker, flanked by five Vehicons, stormed in.

   "Well, well," Contrail muttered. "It appears that we've been sabotaged. The culprit shouldn't have gotten far."

   "Maybe they were killed in the blast," one of the Vehicons said. "Or crushed by the rubble."

   "Or maybe you're just stupid," the Seeker snarled. "If you simply used that visor of yours, you would see an opening in the rubble just big enough to fit a Cybertronian."

   "Meaning...?"

   "Meaning our saboteur is awfully nearby."

   Knowing that it would be inevitable either way, Flareup brought out her crossbow and moved into clear view of the Decepticons. The five Vehicons instantly raised their blasters while Contrail merely smirked.

   "Ah, an Autobot. I should have figured. You know the drill, boys."

   The Vehicons fired their weapons while Flareup ducked and rolled, swinging out her leg to trip one Vehicon and send him colliding into another. In the midst of their confusion, Flareup converted into her motorcycle form and drove out of the room, evading the firepower of Contrail's null-rays.

   "Flareup to Heatwave!" she called on her internal radio. "Can you read me? I'm in a sticky situation."

   "Let me guess: you're being chased by Decepticons throughout their own base."

   "Wow, you're good," she said dryly. "Can you send some backup?"

   "Evac should be heading towards your position. Just hand in there."

   As if I have much choice, Flareup though as she swerved around a corner.

*  *  *

   "He did say to wait until he gave the signal."

   Grimlock ignored Swoop as he stared out the Skyfire's viewport. It was now five minutes past the time Heatwave had given them to drop the payload on the Decepticons' base, but the commander had yet to give the signal.

   "Maybe they all got their tailpipes handed to them," said Snarl. "I think we should just go down their anyway. Get this thing over with."

   Before Grimlock could respond, an Autobot ship, smaller in size compared to the Skyfire, suddenly jumped out of hyperspace next to them. Grimlock narrowed his visor, recognizing the ship's design.

   "Company," Sludge said. "Who do you think it is?"

   Grimlock grunted. "Kup."

*  *  *

   "Flareup, do you copy?"

   Quickly transforming to her robot mode, Flareup scored a few shots at her pursuers before answering the call.

   "I copy, Evac. Where are you?"

   "Judging by the sounds of blaster fire I'm hearing right now, I should be right above you. Take cover while I blast an opening."

   "No," Flareup snapped. "Your launchers won't be able to work in time. I have enough ammo in my frag launcher, so stand back."

   "Frag launch-? You'll bring the ceiling down on yourself!"

   Flareup smirked. "Then hopefully I can bring some of these 'Cons down with me."

   Tuning out Evac's protests, she aimed her frag launcher at the ceiling and fired. Pieces of metal instantly began to fall on her, but Evac's tow-hook managed to come through it and Flareup grabbed onto it in time before the rubble could crush her. As Evac reeled her up, Flareup got a clear view of what was going on outside the base.

   Seekers and Vehicons were scurrying for cover as two Autobot ships- the Skyfire being one of them- bombarded the battlefield. When Grimlock and the Dynobots started to jump down from their vessel, the Decepticons became even more terrified and began to retreat. In time, the air base was taken and several 'Cons -- including Contrail -- were captured.

   "A job well done, Autobots," Heatwave said to the others. "Now, let's get these 'Cons onto the Skyfire and taken to Garrus-9."

   While Flareup was about to help them in rounding up the Seekers, she was suddenly stopped by a hand falling on her shoulder. She turned to see an old, greenish-blue Autobot standing before her.

   "Sergeant Kup," she said, hastily saluting the veteran. "What brings you here?"

   "You do," Kup replied. "I have an offer for you, one which I hope you'll accept since it would benefit the Autobot cause greatly."

   "Just name it," Flareup said eagerly.

   Kup smirked. "How would you like to join the Wreckers?"

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga VII, Prologue and Chapter One

PROLOGUE

   "For the one hundred and thirteenth time, Kick-Off, it's not an obsession! It's a-"

   "Hobby," the black and red Autobot muttered, moving through Ironfist's cluttered office. "So you say."

   Ironfist quietly groaned. This was the third time this month that Kick-Off, a member of Kimia Facility's security personnel, had commenced an investigation of his room. It was the officer's concern that many of Ironfist's "collectibles" could prove a future hazard to the station.

   "I can just see this photon disruptor cannon accidentally going off," Kick-Off said, nodding to the large weapon in the corner of the room.

   "But Roadbuster used that during the Wreckers' Lightning Strike!" Ironfist protested. "Just read datalog ninety-seven of Wreckers: Declassified!"

   Kick-Off scoffed. "If it really means that much to you, then just strip out its mechanisms to the point that not even Wheeljack could fix it."

   Ironfist's optics dilated. "Strip... out? Have you no respect for art?"

   "No, but I do respect this station's safety. So either do that or I'll have it dumped off on Junkion. You have two hours to make a decision."

   As Kick-Off left the room, Ironfist groaned in defeat. If he were to write a bio for himself like he had for all members of the Wreckers, his main weakness would be passion.

   Very few others on Kimia- save for Brainstorm and Atomizer- admired the weapons they created like Ironfist did. And even fewer, perhaps none, had such an enthusiasm in following the feats of famous Autobot warriors. It started with the Elite Guard shortly after he was built, then he moved on to the historical Primal Vanguard, and now it was the Wreckers. And he knew the reason for his enthusiasm quite well, though he would never admit it to anyone.

   It was his dream that, one day, the Wreckers themselves would notice his work and ask him to join their ranks. A Syk dream, his friend Skyfall would call it. But even he didn't know how deep his "obsession" ran.

   As he stared at the photon disruptor, mulling over what to do with it, he heard a knock at his door.

   "You said two hours, Kick-Off!" Ironfist called. "It's not even been a minute!"

   "It's me. Skyfall. Can I come in?"

   "Oh. Yeah, sure."

   Slightly embarrassed, Ironfist opened the door to let his winged friend in. As Skyfall walked in, Ironfist noticed something different about him.

   "You've changed your color scheme."

   Skyfall to look at him and then grinned sheepishly, glancing down at his red and black paint job. "Oh, yeah, that. I changed it because people were mistaking me for Atomizer... which is strange, since he has orange where I always had white-"

   "Come on, Skyfall," Ironfist said. "Come clean with me. We're friends."

   Skyfall sighed before smirking. "Okay, fine. So I've got a date with Nautica. Sort of."

   "Sort of?"

   "Well, I haven't asked her yet. And there's a very good chance that she'll say no. But hey, always be prepared, right?"

   Ironfist rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Just go to Kaput if you need a wrench removed from your head. Personally, I think you should get over her."

   Skyfall crossed his arms. "Maybe after you get over the Wreckers."

   "No," Ironfist murmured, shaking his head. "Not in this lifetime...."

WRECK AND RULE
A Wreckers Interlude

CHAPTER ONE

   "What am I looking at? Not more failures."

   Thunderwing smirked as he and his fellow Decepticon general Turmoil watched the archival footage of several battles that had ended in Autobot victory. Maderan, Sandokan, Moriturus... the list- and the video itself- dragged on.

   "Unfortunately, yes," Thunderwing replied. "And it's all thanks to a certain team of Autobots."

   Turmoil grunted. "The Wreckers. They have caused many a Decepticon grief."

   "Indeed," Thunderwing said as he turned off the video. "Which is part of the reason I called you here."

   The other general was silent, merely nodding for him to continue.

   "It has crossed my mind that, if the Wreckers are composed of the Autobots' most violent, powerful, and... unhinged, it would only make sense for us to make a team comprised of the same."

   "I take it the Warriors Elite aren't enough?"

   Thunderwing shook his head. "They are either overly psychotic, like Overlord, or are too dumb to tell a Vehicon from a post."

   "So how am I involved."

   "You command some of the strongest and skilled Decepticons. I can envision some of them being a part of my 'anti-Wreckers' team."

   "This is truly a daring task, Thunderwing," Turmoil said. "The Wreckers are numerous and have even divided into multiple units. How do you plan on tackling the 'big ones' like Impactor?"

   Thunderwing grinned. "I'm not. At least, not yet. Each of the Wreckers' teams go from most skilled to least. And the ones on the very bottom are going to be swell practice."

*  *  *

   "This certainly is an unexpected visit, sir," Security Chief Downshift said as he led the veteran Autobot Kup through Kimia Facility's entrance corridor. "Not that I'm complaining, mind you, but-"

   Kup silenced her with a curt wave of his hand. "Save the pleasantries, kid. I don't plan on staying here for long."

   "I see," Downshift murmured. "Are you here got weapons or supplies?"

   Kup shook his head. "I'm recruiting for the Wreckers."

   Downshift came to a halt and gave the veteran a puzzled look. "Recruiting? Wreckers? Doesn't Impactor have, like, a lot under his command?"

   "Yeah, but a lot of them tend to die. Rookies are gonna be needed to fill in the gaps."

   "But why Kimia?"

   "Do you know nothin' about the Wreckers?" Kup snapped. "We're almost all about heavy weapons and brute strength, especially for when the going gets tough. So Kimia is pretty much the ideal place to go."

   Downshift nodded. "I see. Well, you can speak with Emirate Xaaron about that. He pretty much runs this place anyway."

   "Take me to him then."

*  *  *

   "I'm still amazed by how you can always pass Kick-Off's evaluation tests," Chromedome said as he stepped into Brainstorm's office. "I mean, it's not like I don't want you to, but any security officer in their right mind wouldn't let something like a mass-displacement gun out and about."

   "Yeah, because no one except me is allowed to touch it," Brainstorm said as he snatched the gun before Chromedome could lay his hands on it. "Besides, passing the routine security check is one thing. The Ethics Committee is a whole 'nother issue."

   "Still tense from that last meeting?"

   "Rejection, you mean," Brainstorm said bitterly. "Sure, Tripwire's explosive trap thingy gets a pass, but my existential gun? Forget about it."

   At that moment, two old 'bots appeared in the doorway to Brainstorm's office. One was the tall, slightly bulky, greenish-blue veteran Kup, while the other was the shorter and gold Emirate Xaaron.

   "Brainstorm," Kup grunted. "Just the bot I was looking for."

   Brainstorm blinked. "Really? I mean, of course I am! You'd never find a better source for weapons and artillery than me."

   "Some of us would beg to differ," muttered Xaaron. "Honestly, sergeant, I think you'd be better off with Tripwire or-"

   "How can I help you, sir?" Brainstorm said, cutting off the Emirate. "Could I fancy you with some scatter blasters? Magma frag launchers? Laser lancers?"

   "Actually," Kup said, "I'm here for you."

   Brainstorm laughed. "Good one, sir, but I'm afraid that I have yet to convert myself into a weapon. Working on it though."

   "Er, no. I'm talking about recruiting you into the Wreckers."

   "What?" Brainstorm, Xaaron, and Chromedome exclaimed in unison.

   Kup smirked. "You heard me. Omega Team is in need of some brains, especially when it'll come to weapons. So, what do you say?"

   Ignoring Xaaron's stammering protests, Brainstorm eagerly nodded. "I say you've got yourself some brains, sir. And more so."

   "Glad to hear it," Kup said. "Meet me and the rest of the team on Babu Yar." 

   As he turned to leave, Xaaron grabbed him by the arm. "But, sergeant, wouldn't it be... wiser to take someone else? Like, say, Crosshairs! His very function is weapons supervisor."

   "Then I'll bring both of them along. I'm sure they'll make a great combo."

   The anguished look on the Emirate's face was the greatest thing Brainstorm had seen all day.