Author's note: I advise you read the first volume of this story, as naturally that leads into this one. Feedback appreciated!
It has been over a year since the Decepticons lead by Dezaras were granted the Rite of Beasthood by Magmatron. In that time, word of a Decepticon War World over Eukaryis has reached the Autobots lead by Wing Saber and Wing Dagger. Change is coming to Eukaryis, but what form will it take?
The Transformers in: Seeking the Maximal
Chapter 1: Found
The Fetid Fen
Each morning in the haze of the Swamp, the Cyber Flies rise from the shallows to feed. They're tiny creatures, but their swarms are a pestilence to the Abomi. They nip and suckle for any hint of energon they can find - be it in the fruit on the trees or in the bots harvesting them.
Shudderfly was out for his morning stroll through the pools. Fuzors lived on the outskirts of most civilizations, but among the Abomi he had high standing. He had long ago forgotten which of these reeking pools he had emerged from with his bizarre beast form. But he wouldn't go back for anything. He liked his monstrous appearance.
He reached out to the cloud of insects. The hungry bugs landed in his palm. The Cyber Flies outnumbered the Swamp People a million to one. There was no stopping their scourge.
The flies drank their fill, and flew off bloated and satisfied. Shudderfly grinned as they suddenly spun out of the air and fell dead to the ground.
He only had one Scourge he needed to deal with, and soon he would be gone, and the world would be his oyster.
Eukarian Space
In the shadow of Eukaryis' Moon Primordion, a lone ship crept across the darkness.
The craft was built for sub-light speed, but it was moving now at a snail's pace to minimize its heat signature. Inside the crew waited in statuesque anticipation. To be detected now would be the end of the whole mission, and probably their lives.
As soon as the tip of the ship reached the light of Eukaryis' sun, the ship surged forward as fast as reentry would allow. That was when Wing Dagger saw the Fenlong for the first time.
Autobot Starship Victory Star
He was tall and red, vents across his chest and shoulders displaying the speed he was built for. He was Wing Dagger of the Cybertron Star Legion, a decorated phalanx of Autobot exploratory vessels.
And he was nervous.
He had seen a War World before, of course. The CSL had been on the op that took down Leozack. But it wasn't something one ever got used to. They came in all different shapes, and their captains had varying degrees of cruelty. But the one thing they shared was their immense size and destructive capacity. The utter limit of Megatron's military might. The Star could easily be wiped out if they were discovered. So as they began atmospheric entry protocol, it was all the more strange that they were still alive.
"They haven't opened fire. No hails or anything. What's going on?"
Dagger grinned as he heard the bridge crew snap to attention at the arrival of Co-Captain Wing Saber.
His brother stood proud in white and chrome, all jutting wings and mounted artillery. Where Dagger was cautious and methodical, Saber was generally bold and daring. They had been told that if they could form one being, with Wing Dagger's colors and stature and Wing Saber's demeanor and courage, they would make a flying Optimus Prime. New recruits were often taken aback by how the two could be related.
The first mate Overhaul brought up some readouts for the two to look over. "Our cloakers are holding sirs, but at this angle of light anyone looking out the window should have a visual on us."
"A ship of that size should have a reserve crew regardless of how big a landing party they have," Saber stated flatly.
"Then we may have to go in assuming there's an ambush waiting for us once we make land fall," the mate frowned.
"Put us down somewhere they won't be able to get to us easily," Wing Dagger said pointing to a rocky area towards the center line of the planet. We can use the trees and formations to hide until we can appraise the situation."
"Aye aye sir."
The vast green expanse of Eukaryis now stretched to the north of them. Wing Dagger wondered what kind of bots lived here. Someone had gotten word off the planet that the Decepticons were here, so there must be people sympathetic to the Autobot cause out there. Away to the South West a mountain grumbled out a plume of black soot. The galactic history books Injector kept in his library taught that they were called Volcanoes, and they were vents leading down to the planet's core. They were aiming to touch down on the edge of the wetland that bordered this region .
The Savage City
"Again!"
Deathsaurus was overseeing a group of Reflectors practicing their drills. Blue Bacchus, the one once known as Crossblades, took a break from his own training to watch. He was somewhat bothered by how quickly he had taken to his new name. His time going by Crossblades was already a like a dream, and it had scarcely been a year and a half since that day.
If it was a dream, that voice was what woke him up. A scream that erupted in his mind, redefining his being.
"Excellent! Now, transform and take your posts!"
With a low hum, the squad of Reflectors whirred their dragonfly wings and darted into the air, scattering to the winds across the jungle.
Deathsaurus turned to Blue Bacchus. "I have to get to a meeting with the Emperor. Keep out of trouble Bacchus."
"I will try, sir."
He transformed and took to the skies with a shriek.
As he watched his leader fly off, a nagging question returned to Bacchus' head. If they had been destined to come to this planet, to receive the Rite of Beasthood, to fight this war - then which was the real him? Crossblades, or Blue Bacchus?
The Skies above the Blackrock Mountains
Birds wheeled in the air watching the Victory Star descend.
"What do you see? Confirm, confirm!"
"My lady, they are headed for the swamp."
"Find the symbol. Is it red or purple?"
"Stand by."
The hawk glided through the air in anticipation. After what seemed an eternity her scout reported in.
"Sector One, can confirm it is a red symbol."
Slag, she said under her breath.
"Patrol, form up on me. We have to get to the Autobots before they get killed."