Hasbro owns all characters. I'm just playing with them in my own toybox.

This is my first attempt at this sort of thing, any and all reviews, feedback and criticism will be very welcome as I aim to improve.

Based on the G1 cartoon which we all know, love and remember fondly. There may well be the odd reference to the Marvel UK comic thrown in but only as little bits of world-building and nothing key to the plot.

Originally due to just be a three-parter exploring the characters mentioned, I found myself revisiting this in order to expand upon the world a little bit.

It's a minority opinion, but I always felt Season 3 was the best of the Transformers seasons for the original cartoon, with a smaller more focused cast, and a real intergalactic vibe.

Hope all who read this find something to enjoy!

Broken Soldiers

"Well, that felt like it was never gonna end," the affable green robot, Springer, remarked drily to his larger companion. With decades of practice he made a few course adjustments on the dashboard of his ship and leaned back in his chair, interlacing his fingers behind his head.

"Attending Galactic Council meetings might not be the most entertaining way to spend a few days, but it's a step we have to take if we want to show the rest of the galaxy that we can play a full part, especially now that our civil war is over," replied Ultra Magnus, "and since Rodimus always had an excuse not to attend while he was in command, and Optimus is now busy on Cybertron, it falls on me, with you as my pilot, to go and make nice with the politicians."

"Civil war, huh?" mused Springer. "It never felt overly civil to me when laser fire was whizzing past my optics."

If Magnus was amused, he showed no sign of it. But then he never did. A loyal and formidable soldier, he was having a tough time adjusting to the peace that had broken out since the final defeat of Galvatron's forces nearly two Earth-years ago. Rodimus, now back living life as Hot Rod, was heavily involved in the efforts to rebuild Cybertron, and Magnus had, despite protestations to the contrary, begun a new life as a diplomat. As for Springer, he had become a civilian and quickly settled into an easy life of performing odd-jobs in and around Iacon, and serving as a shuttle pilot to Magnus was always a good way to spend some time off Cybertron. Springer did get bored easily.

Magnus broke the silence as he peered through the viewing screens in his cramped shuttle. "Springer. This isn't Cybertron."

Springer's grin was a mile wide. "Nope, welcome to Monacus, Magnus. Time for a little R&R methinks!"

"Is there any way I can talk you out of this?"

"There's more chance of Kup not beginning a sentence with 'back in my day' than there is of you talking me out of this. The conference finished early, we're not due back for another couple of cycles, and I'm thirsty. Let's move."

"Springer, Transformers don't even get thirsty. Why not just hook up to your recharge slab when we get back?"

"Because Magnus, my dear friend, my recharge slab isn't slab bang in the middle of Monacus, surrounded by some of the weird and wonderful chancers of the galaxy! Where's your sense of adventure?

"I had enough adventures to last two lifetimes during the Great War."

"Given what happened on to you on Junk with the late Galvatron after the Battle of Autobot City, I'd say you're in that second lifetime just now, pal. Let's liven it up a bit."

Springer docked his ship the Deal With That Now on the mechanoids section of the asteroid, and tipped one of the droid attendants a few shanix. The pair walked past a number of mechanoid organisms who regarded them with suspicion as they made their way through the hub. Cybertronians were not well thought of by other races in the galaxy, and not without good reason. Many a planet had fallen prey to Decepticon raiding parties over the previous few millennia, and news that the war was over and the Decepticon army all but destroyed had not done much to alter the hostility towards Cybertronians.

"Nice to be popular, huh Mags?" Springer smirked towards his companion as they strode across the concourse, still with several sets of optics set upon them in open hostility. Some unpleasant murmurings and threats of violence were clearly audible.

"It's Ultra Magnus, Springer, and yeah, I can definitely sense that we are unwelcome here. Cant they tell the difference between Autobot and Decepticon?"

"Those names are obsolete now, Mags. We're all just peaceful little Cybertronians now. Anyway, I know a great little hive of scum and villainy we can go to. We wont get any hassle based on race reasons there. They normally don't need a reason at this place."

The pair made their way past some of the more prominent and brightly lit establishments until they reached a slightly more dingy area of the precinct. Springer had clearly been here several times before, Magnus thought grimly to himself. Well, local knowledge is always handy. Eventually they came up to the door of the Elapsus Cantina. Two huge bouncers, clearly originating from the planet Mil-Wal, barred the way. They were level in height with Ultra Magnus, who was considered huge by most Transformer standards, and had Energo-Axes holstered at their waists.

The burlier of the two leaned into Springer's face. "Tell you what we told other Transformer! No cause any trouble, or we smash you!"

"No problem guys," Springer answered his hands out in a peaceful gesture. "Just here for a drink or two, right?"

"Drink! No trouble, or smash, understand?"

"Me Grimlock understand." Springer said, as Ultra Magnus tried not to smile. Occasionally Springer could find the humour in the most bizarre of situations, and the bouncers certainly resembled the cantankerous Dinobot leader and his refined approach to life.

The bouncers stepped aside and Springer and Magnus entered the dimly lit bar. Magnus, as was his force of habit, quickly scanned the busy areas of the room, looking for possible threats. Old habits died hard after all.

Several mechanoids were gathered round a table playing poker. The Earth game had caught on huge in Monacus, once the humans had started to integrate with the Galactic Council, and almost all Earthern gambling games were now an institution galaxy-wide. Gambling was only supposed to happen in licensed casinos on Monacus, so no doubt this game was illegal. Magnus assumed the authorities must have been paid off. Anyone coming round to close the game down was gonna have a tough time getting past the two brutes on the door anyway.

At a table beside the card game, two larger mechs were negotiating prices for the smuggling of small arms to outposts on the Ryhbhus Fringe. A smaller mech stood beside the table with a briefcase attached to his wrist by energy-manacles.

Elsewhere a couple of FFF (Female Form Fandango) Pleasure Mechs from Hedonia Seven were dancing for an extremely loud group of Lurgian patrons at the far tables. Make that on the tables, Springer thought, as the pair vaulted seamlessly atop the tables while the mechs watching cheered their approval. One of the Lurgians appeared to be celebrating his upcoming life-bonding to a mech who plainly wasn't in attendance. This kind of activity reminded Springer of a human ritual Bumblebee had attended with Spike prior to his marriage to Carly. A bachelor party, the confused yellow mini-bot had told Springer.

They made their way to the bar. One Tetragonian explorer sat face down on the bar, a small puddle of unrefined weapons-grade energon collecting by his unconscious mouth. The barkeep, an organic (Cefurian, by Springer's guess) eyed them suspiciously.

"What'll it be, 'bots? You looking for something high-grade, or ya sticking to Engex like ya friend over there?"

"Friend?" Ultra Magnus queried aloud as the pair turned in the direction the barkeeper had indicated.

Sat in a corner, alone, his purple optics trained on the pair, was Cyclonus.