"Warning! Decepticon activity in sector 6.80295," Telatraan-1's voice rang out over the bridge of the Ark.
Optimus Prime sighed. There had been peak Decepticon activity in the recent weeks, but the Autobots hadn't been able to catch them. He activated his comm link, "Prowl, Jazz, Wheeljack, Cliffjumper. Report to the bridge immediately."
There was a chorus of 'Yes sir's as his message was received. For once, the area was nearby, as well as underground, restricting the Decepticon's movement. They would be able to drive to the location, and intercept the Decepticons. As soon as the party assembled, they transformed, driving to the site in Colorado.
"I don't like the way this feels," Jazz commented as they were driving. He pulled up, aside Optimus.
"What do you mean?" Optimus replied.
"I mean, somethin' doesn't feel right. This whole disappearing raid thing."
"I'll keep that in mind," Optimus said, as they arrived at the site. A cave formation with coal deposits.
The group transformed to their bipedal forms, and entered the caves. They walked in a tight formation, weapons at the ready. They came to a cavern, and saw Decepticons milling about.
"What are they doing?" Cliffjumper asked.
"I don't know, nothing," Wheeljack replied.
"Oddly enough, yes," Prowl added.
"What, not knowing?" Jazz wondered.
"No, nothing," Prowl answered.
"It looks like Megatron, Soundwave, Starscream, Skywarp, and Thundercracker," Optimus said, squinting to see. The group entered the cavern, and Optimus called, "Megatron! What are you doing here?"
"I should ask you the same thing Prime," Megatron replied.
"Explain," Optimus said, crossing his arms.
"We came here to see what was going on in the cave. We thought it was Autobot activity," Megatron sneered.
"But," Jazz whispered to Optimus, "We thought they were here for the coal."
"There's energy here?" Megatron started looking around.
"Megatron! Look out!" Starscream shrieked.
Megatron turned, and only had time to throw up his arms before he was tackled to the ground. Optimus stared in disbelief at the Lupine creature attacking Megatron's face, tearing his arm guards to shreds. It wasn't organic, Optimus' sensors told him it was fully metallic, similar to Cybertronian. A blast shook the cavern, as Megatron had finally gotten to a position to fight. Everybot stared as the now headless body crashed to the ground, Megatron shoving it off as he stood up.
"Starscream, that was unexpected," Megatron began, shaking the dripping Energon off of his hands, but he just stopped as Starscream began attacking the metal beast.
Starscream punched through its armor, kicked the corpse around, and blasted it until it was a smoldering mass. All the while, muttering unintelligibly.
"Screamer! What has gotten into you!" Thundercracker yelled, running forward and restraining the Air Commander.
"I hate them! Primus send them all to the pit! The Unmaker curse them for all eternity! DIE!" Starscream shouted in reply. Thundercracker was at a loss as to how to deal with Starscream's madness, and picked his best option. He punched Starscream upside the helm, knocking him out.
"There's not much left," Wheeljack said, bending beside the creature. Their imposing battle had been forgotten. "But I think me and Percy could piece it together."
"No," Megatron replied flatly, "I refuse to let it fall into Autobot servos. You could turn it into a wepon against us."
"And how do we know you wouldn't do the same?" Optimus pointed out.
"Suggestion," Soundwave spoke up, "Reach a favorable medium."
"There's no need," Starscream said, sitting up from where Thundercracker had dropped him.
"And why would that be?" Megatron asked angrily, still thrown off by Starscream's behavior earlier.
"Because this is not my first encounter with their race," Starscream replied tartly, glaring at Megatron.
"What is it?" Wheeljack asked, his curiosity genuinely piqued.
Starscream looked at him, before beginning his story, "Long ago, before the Great War, I worked with a group of scientists. We were exploring a planet, far, many galaxies, away from Cybertron. My colleagues and I landed, and were taking note of the local organic wildlife, when the planet's dominate species appeared. They were already highly advanced in the field of robotics, and so were fascinated by our abilities, and appearance. The only thing that had stumped them was they couldn't give their robots remote controls, they hadn't even thought of sentience. So, when they asked us who controlled us, and we attempted to explain our sentience, in a furious rage, they turned on us, and their machines attacked. So many of my friends died that day, and what was left barely escaped with our lives. If you Autobots don't believe me, ask Skyfire. He was there. Tell him, the Aemanites have come here."
As Starscream fell silent, everybot in the room stayed that way as well.
"Well, slag," Jazz said, breaking the silence, "What do we do?"
"They are out to destroy the entire Cybertronian race. Our sentience flattened the world they knew, and they loathe us for it. Currently they are targeting the biggest group first. They want to save the planet for last," Starscream replied bluntly, then adding, "Although I never knew they had space travel, though they probably could've discovered in a few million years."
"We need a strategy for combating this threat," Prowl said.
"I say we blow them back to their planet," Cliffjumper suggested.
"That would work, in a few cases," Starscream told him.
"Megatron," Optimus raised his voice, and all others fell silent, "I propose we create a medium, then regroup. We need to combat this threat."
The Autobots and Decepticons alike gasped at the suggestion.
"I… agree. I need to check the validity of this first, however," Megatron said, glaring at Starscream, who only glared back. "Prime, that carcass had better still be here when we come back."
"It will, I give you my word."
"Request: Leave guards," Soundwave suggested.
"Have Rumble and Frenzy remain," Megatron ordered. Soundwave ejected the two cassettes.
"Cliffjumper, you remain as well," Optimus ordered.
"Great, leave the little guy with the littler guys," Cliffjumper mumbled. Optimus ignored him.
"Same time tomorrow Prime?"
"You bet."
"Skywarp! Get your lazy aft into gear!"
"Zrk. What?" Skywarp replied. He'd been sleeping, standing up, since the attack was over.
"Decepticons! Return to base!"
Optimus watched them leave, then transformed and drove for Portland. He mulled over what had happened. Maybe, this could be the event to end the war, if they ended up working together.