Hey guys! I'm back from the dead! XD As you know or don't know or SHOULD know, I am the author of an unfinished Transformers: The Clone Chronicles that I shelved for almost a YEAR, probably forever =( But this is a new project I'm working on, and I believe it will strike up some serious deja vu and inspiration =) Don't forget to read with a smile and to review after reading what I've got! I was not able to get much feedback because of the way my chapters were structured in Clone Chronicles, so I'm posting each episode in ACTS at a time so it's easier to review =P Again, feedback and criticism is an author's bread and butter and I strongly encourage you to review!
-In case you didn't read the description, in this version of TF:Prime, there are no Predacons involved...yet. It's just a direction I'm not interested in. So let's all pretend that the first four episodes of Beast Hunters went along swimmingly, only there are no Predacons and Shockwave hasn't been mentioned YET ;) This scene takes place after Optimus' epic resurrection and the destruction of Darkmount.
-Thank you for all your patience and dedication! May this story live up to my expectations! Last but not least, I dedicate this story to all Cybertronians alike and especially to the human race, wherever you are out there. 'Til all are one! -everyday hero
Episode 1: It's Our War (Part One)
Never had he felt so helpless, so powerless. So harmless. The brutal Decepticon leader stared off into space, demons of his failures haunting him. He had a good run with the Dark Energon and especially with the Iacon relic race, but it all ended to a screeching halt with the destruction of Darkmount. He was afraid of Optimus Prime more than ever, more than even when his arch-enemy weld the Star Saber that gruesome night…
"Excuse me, Lord Megatron?" an all-too-familiar scratchy voice peeped behind him. "Perhaps there are other relics left to decode, that will turn the tables in favor of the mighty Decepticons?"
Megatron couldn't help but pout.
"Even if there are Starscream, what good would that do?" he asked, his back against the scrawny bot.
"Pardon, my master?" the stiletto-heeled creep asked back, partially hoping Megatron would fall apart and finally give up his position.
Suddenly, Megatron shifted his whole body towards Starscream, with aggressive sharpness. He leaned closer, his ominous red optics searing into Starscream's spark.
"There's our problem: we spend more time searching for a weapon to harm mankind than actually inflicting any. It is embarrassing."
He roared in a fit of frustration and powerfully swiped a monitor hologram off a table. Starscream winced at the sound sensor-splitting shatter, and took baby steps forward towards his master, as if he was an animal in a cage.
Unfortunately, Megatron's bark was as strong as his bite.
"Leave me," he uttered loudly, his chest heaving. "Or be terminated."
Surprisingly, without another complaint, Starscream shot out of the bridge, leaking jet fuel along the way. Finally at peace, Megatron transformed into his attack ship mode and retreated to the landing deck outside.
Below the floating fortress, a miracle occurred on the humble earth. In a top secret government base situated away from any witnesses, an uninteresting nuclear energy plant was situated at the farthest side. The building was unnaturally tall, almost five stories high, and a halfhearted E for "energy" marked the center. Highly trained government agents surrounded the building, hiding in plain sight. Ironically, a bigger spectacle was held inside the inconspicuous building, also hiding in plain sight….
Within the new Autobot base, a dull black heavily armored truck was parked inside, in front of the newly fitted Optimus Prime.
"Prime –what we have here is an experimental all-terrain expeditionary fighting vehicle, designed by the finest engineers in our MASK division," Agent Fowler presented aside.
"Thank you Agent Fowler," the Autobot leader replied. "This will most certainly do."
His optics carefully scanned the vehicle mode, and Optimus swiftly transformed into his new truck form. Turning towards a grinning Agent Fowler, he honked his horn twice and flickered on the headlights energetically.
"I'm glad you like it," Fowler said. "You'll be putting it to good use soon, I know."
All of a sudden, a figure stepped out of the black truck. On instinct, Agent Fowler pulled a pistol from his suit and at the intruder.
"Hands up and show yourself!"
"It's me, Bill," a gruff voice said, closing the door and emerging from the shadows.
"Oh –ah, sorry General Bryce," Fowler said, putting his gun back. "What are ya doin' here? I mean, what's the problem?"
General Bryce stepped into the light, and Optimus recognized me immediately. Although he had only seen him a couple seconds through the government window, it was all he needed to see. Bryce wore the same suit and displayed even more badges.
"The president requests an alliance with the Autobots," he spoke, nodding to Optimus. "Again."
The Autobot leader crouched down into a squat, and leveled his optics with Bryce's gray eyes.
"General, I've already informed your president and I shall do so again," he said strictly. "The war is a conflict only between Cybertronians. I shall not risk any human casualties."
"Yes, you've made that point many times," Bryce replied briskly. "But the war is bigger than you think. It's our war now."
"We Autobots constantly strive to prevent humanity's involvement, and now you say that we failed?"
Agent Fowler flinched at Optimus' irregular temper, and held his breath for Bryce's answer.
"We all did our part, Optimus, both the government and the Autobots. But that last stunt Megatron did with Darkmount? We couldn't keep the secret hidden forever."
"Humanity knows of our existence?" Optimus questioned, and for the first time Fowler detected a hint of fear or frustration in his voice.
In response, Bryce pulled up a photo on his smart phone, and Optimus recognized it was the Darkmount Tower. Another one showed him with his jetpack, getting shot at by Megatron.
"It's all over America, and I'm sure it will spread around the world quickly," Bryce stated. He put the phone in his pocket. "So, are you reconsidering?"
Optimus let out a heavy sigh, and stared intently at Agent Fowler.
"No," he finally answered, to Bryce's frustration. "Although humanity knows of us, it is safe from harm."
"Suit yourself," Bryce grimaced, and he walked past Agent Fowler and into the truck.
"Where is your team by the way?" Bryce asked at the window. "Are they too shy?"
"Bumblebee, Arcee, and Bulkhead are picking up the kids from school," Optimus replied. "Smokescreen is on patrol and Ratchet is examining Wheeljack for any impaired circuits after Ultra Magnus' report."
"Well, what if the Decepticons attacked right now and the Autobots could not stop them? One lesson you should learn Prime: When you bring a war to another planet, there will always be collateral damage."
On a dramatic note, he pulled out of the Autobot base and drove away, leaving Optimus and Fowler more puzzled than ever.
That's all I have right now but I'll be updating SOON! Megs will finally hatch another brilliant plan and the tables will be turned once again!