The Gathering Storm
Series: Children of Primus, part 2 of 3
by Phantom


Under the gun
Out on the run
Paying the price with his flesh and your blood
It's bringing you down
Living your life under the gun
-- Under the Gun –Danger Danger



Chapter One

The past few months had passed in a flurry of frantic activity. The possibility of the Chaos-Bringer, Unicron, returning had struck fear into the heart of the Autobot army. The planet itself had taken heavy damage from the last attack, and many a noble warrior had laid down his life to stop what had seemed to be the unstoppable. It was a climactic battle that had totally changed the course of the civil war, devastating the Decepticon forces and allowing the Autobots to regain the planet. But could they possibly win a second time?

Communications with Goloran had been ominously silent. Optimus had tried to reach Megatron on several occasions, but his hails went repeatedly unanswered. It just gave him one more thing to worry about. Megatron had quite clearly chosen to dismiss Primus' warning, and thus any chance either of their forces had to overcome this threat. The Autobots, on the other hand, were taking the prophecy very seriously. Since Unicron had targeted Cybertron in his last attack, and taking into account his malice toward Primus, it was far more likely that he would target the Transformer homeworld than Earth. Ultra Magnus was spearheading an effort to transport all essential material and personnel to Cybertron. It felt so eerie to be diverting so many of their forces away from Earth. He had been stationed on the blue and green planet for close to two centuries, and it was every bit as much his home as Cybertron ever was. As for Optimus Prime, though he loved the Earth every bit as much as Magnus did, he secretly welcomed the challenge of evacuating the planet. It helped distract him from recent events and memories much better left in the past.

Ultra Magnus threw himself into his role as drill instructor, training his soldiers harder than ever. Even the Primes were not spared from his very strict, taskmaster policies. Rodimus Prime had not been a part of the drill formation since his days as Hot Rod, and Optimus Prime was quite sure that he had not participated in drill since the very early days of the war. They both very quickly saw why Magnus was reviled as an unforgiving slave-driver. He worked his troops hard, and he harshly punished the slightest mistake. In light of the coming threat, it could mean the difference between life and death.

There was not a single soldier that escaped his wrath. Even Optimus Prime, who was widely viewed as the most skilled among them, had not moved fast enough for Magnus' liking and was sentenced to one hundred pushups and laps apiece. Rodimus had run afoul of the D.I. several times, and it seemed only through the grace of Primus that he had managed to remain on good terms this particular day. Both Primes had put aside their rank for these exercises, but it wasn't easy for them to swallow their pride, and it was clear that both dearly wished to put Magnus in the brig for insubordination. This was downright degrading! At least Magnus was an equal-opportunity sadist, delivering the exact same brand of punishment to the lowliest grunt and the highest commander alike.

The two Autobot commanders marched front row center, in full view of the other soldiers. They were supposed to set a good example for the others, and any mistake they made would be plainly seen. Each of them responded to an order with a crisp Yes, Ultra Magnus, sir! though a muscle cable jumped in Roddy's jaw every time he said it, and Prime's optics narrowed. The former city commander tried to provoke them into retaliation, but they were too disciplined to fall for it. But it didn't stop them from entertaining evil, vengeful thoughts in regard to the Major General's fate. Rodimus whispered to Optimus that Magnus was a Major General pain in the aft, and Prime had had a terrible time keeping his composure.

As the group marched down the training field, Ultra Magnus shouting orders, Optimus' pager went off, followed a split second later by Rodimus'. To give them credit, they did not miss a beat, merely throwing Magnus a sidelong glance. It was a top-priority communication, and they would have to respond, but they knew better than to move without permission. Ultra Magnus gave them a curt nod and jerked his thumb over his shoulder. The two commanders stepped neatly out of line, privately relieved to be summoned away from their torture erm, training. They consulted the incoming communiqué, staring at each other with wide optics. Then they took off for the base at a dead run.

We just got this a few minutes ago, Blaster informed them as they burst into the communications room. He punched a few controls on the massive console, and the giant viewscreen crackled to life. It seems to be an SOS of some sort.

Attention, Autobots! Both Primes gaped at the sight of a very battered and singed Megatron. Rounds of weapon fire sounded in the background, along with the occasional scream. We are under attack! Our position has been overrun! We need immediate assist— A bright fireball filled the screen, and then there was nothing but static.

Optimus pulled his Second into a corner to confer in relative privacy. What do you think? he whispered. Could it be a trap? He was grateful for the umpteenth time to have Rodimus to consult in situations like these.

Rodimus frowned, clearly giving it some thought. If it's a trap, then it's a very unreliable one. They'd have a much easier time luring us out with some captured hostages or an attack on a nearby planet. They're taking a big gamble in asking for our help, since there's no guarantee we'll respond.

Optimus looked grave. But Megatron knows me very well. I can't deny a plea for help, even if it does come from our enemies. He also knows that we are indebted to him for his help in eliminating the Voracian demon-creature. But subterfuge is hardly his style, and I think he would be too proud to ask for our help, even for a trap.

It was Rodimus' turn to look deeply concerned. Then you think it's genuine? You think they've run into something they can't handle?

he confirmed, rubbing the back of his neck. Primus did mention that Unicron had allies that he had twisted for his purposes. I would not be surprised at all if he sent them to try to eliminate us, and since the Decepticons are less well-defended on Goloran, they would probably start there.

Roddy thought to himself in morbid amusement, 'At least everyone gets out of drill!' Aloud, he said, Blaster, summon every available Autobot. We're going into battle.


end of Chapter One