C-01
Chapter 1: Endless War, Part One
Iacon
The Great Dome
It was awful. What was once a beautiful and peaceful political city was now a war-torn battlefield with a war still happening just outside the borders of Iacon.
Near a launch pad in a large building with a massive orange shuttle stood a red and blue giant robot, which was looking out a window, looking at the destruction. He had what appeared to be a window and grill on his torso. His blue head had light-blue optics and was vacant of a mouth, having a silver mouthpiece instead. On both of his shoulders were red symbols, showing that he was allied with the Autobots.
But if one didn't know, this robot was more than allied with the Autobots. He was their leader: Optimus Prime.
Optimus Prime continued staring at the death and mayhem for a few cycles. But to him, it felt more like several groons.
He just felt sick. Why must things come to this unwanted death and destruction? And, what's worse is why he must abandon those who need him the most? Just what can he do? He's just one bot...
"Optimus?"
A calm, semi-deep voice interrupted Primes thoughts. Somewhat startled by this intrusion, he quickly turns to see an old friend of his just a few mechanometers away.
The 'bot was a black and white robot with doors on his back that looked like wings, both of which possessed an Autobot insignia. His optics was covered by a silver-colored visor.
This is Prowl, Optimus' second-in-command. The expression on his face was one of concern.
"Is something wrong, Optimus?" Prowl asked.
Optimus sighed, "I don't know, Prowl. I know that Megatron is giving us no choice at this point, but I hate the thought of just leaving Cybertron. Not only is a good fraction of Autobots staying, but the planet itself is dying. I can just feel it in the Matrix. We're leaving a lot of good soldiers behind for a potentially suicidal mission. But I know it's practically our only chance of saving our home. I just have a feeling of... uselessness for not being there for Cybertron and our comrades."
Prowl could only look at his old friend in sadness. He knew that Optimus loved Cybertron and that, while it may be their only chance of at least surviving the war, leaving the planet and those who stay isn't going to be easy.
"Orion, I know that it's painful deciding the lesser of two evils." Prowl started saying. Despite being the new Prime, he still used Optimus' old name as a nickname. While any other 'bot would consider this disrespectful, Optimus was truly okay with his old friend saying his former moniker
"Trust me when I say a lot of our soldiers hate the thought of abandoning our home, myself included. But ever since the war started and the Energon on Cybertron has been mined and stockpiled faster than it can be formed, times are getting extremely desperate. You know my former career in law enforcement and I have made plenty of hard decisions before. In any and all such citations, the only thing anyone can do is the one that seems better than the other."
Prowl place his servo on Optimus' shoulder in a comforting manner.
"It may not seem like it, but you're making the right choice. Whatever decision you make, I'll stand by it if you believe it's the right choice, and I'm not the only one that thinks that. A lot of us will be there with you until the war is won. Remember that, okay Orion?"
Optimus thought over Prowls words in his processor. After a few cycles, Optimus nodded.
"You're right, Prowl. I know that our last chance of survival is through the Ark's voyage. We will not let Cybertron or our brethren down. I swear it." Optimus said.
Prowl nodded with a small smile, "That's the spirit, Prime. That reminds me: speaking of the Ark, Wheeljack, Ratchet, and Perceptor have finished installing Teletraan I onto the Ark's main computer network. Once Perceptor and Wheeljack are off board, we'll leave whenever you're ready."
Once Optimus registered what Prowl has told him, he asks, "Have Elita One, Blaster, and Rollbar returned from their mission, yet?"
"Not yet, sir. Last I heard, Elita and the others have entered Kaon and have maintained radio silence. That was over a groon ago." Prowl replied.
This stiffened the Autobot leader, but he tried his hardest not to show it. He just couldn't leave the three alone on a suicide mission without the knowledge that it's potentially for naught. But if they don't leave soon, Megatron and his Decepticons might learn about what the Autobots are doing and attack before the Ark liftoffs.
After a few cycles of thinking, Optimus says, "Give them three more groons. If they do not return or report in that time, we leave without them."
Despite the certainty in Prime's voice, Prowl thought he heard a slight crack in it as well.
"Understood, Optimus." Prowl turned to leave his old friend to his thoughts.
Just after a couple steps, Prowl stops and says, "They'll make it, Optimus. You and I both know that."
With that said, Prowl leaves towards that Ark, leaving Optimus alone to continue staring at the carnage outside Iacon.
Optimus places a servo on the window, "Please hurry my love. I have lost many loved ones in this war. Please don't let me loose you too."
Kaon
Penal Facility H-3
Two black and blue robot guards with black visors and no mouths were outside a prison cell that held one prisoner, guarding the cell. With the only light sources in the cell being a dimly lit ceiling light and the prisoner's gray optics, it was hard to tell what exactly he looked like. His silhouette, however, indicated that he was a big robot.
Both the guards, dubbed Vehicons by their creator, were armed with small but affective guns called Challenge Blasters, ready to shoot any intruders or escapees. However, boredom seemed to be in the atmosphere as nothing has happened for several groons.
One of the Vehicons, bored out of his processor, turned to the other and said, "Pretty slow solar-cycle today, huh?"
The other Vehicons turns and says, "No kidding. I think I'd prefer to be with Megatron and whatever he's got planning. By the way, what have you heard about the bosses plans?"
"I hear that he's building a ship to find more Energon. Not sure how true it is, but I think I prefer to be on that pile of tin then be stuck doing guard duty until the prisoners rust."
"No way. From what I heard, he's planning to build a weapon that could finally crush every Autobot in Iacon."
"Knowing Mega-twit, he probably has a combination of both those ideas." Said a third voice.
"Yeah. Megatron has been known to-"
The Vehicon turns to the cell that held the prisoner.
"Shut up, Autobot! No one asked for your opinion!"
The Autobot prisoner says, "Really? I thought Megatron would love an opinion from a prisoner who is overhearing every potentially top-secret word you two are saying."
The other Vehicon says, "Whatever! There's no way you can get out. Once a prisoner is in the Rig, they never get out. So forget it! You're staying right there."
The Autobot, appearing to have a smirk on his face, replied, "Until now, that is."
Both the Vehicons were confused for a second before two weapons punctured their torso, extinguishing their sparks and causing the now offline Decepticons to fall. The weapons, which looked like Earth shurikens, landed on the door.
The assailant, who landed on its feet after falling from the ceiling, was a black and red robot with an Autobot symbol on the torso, just above the 'windshield' on the chest. The Autobots optics were light blue, lighter in shade than the Autobot leaders. The Autobot was also different in shape, having a much more curvy and feminine look.
In fact, this Autobot is a female, one of the few surviving femmes on Cybertron.
"How was your stay, Ironhide?" said the femme as she grabbed her Balo stars, placed them in her subspace compartment in her arms, and headed towards the panel that kept the cell locked.
"You're late, Elita." Replied the now-identified Ironhide.
Elita shrugged, "Ah well, you know the old saying: better late than never, right Sarge?"
Ironhide chuckled before the cell doors opened. Once he walked through, the lights in the halls revealed that he was a red and black Autobot with a window on his torso and an Autobot symbol below the window. He had a lot of scratches and dents all over him, indicating that he has been in plenty of fights during and before the war.
He turned to the female Autobot and said, "I assume there's more to this escape plan, because you know I ain't exactly Mr. Cyber-ninja and we don't have any long-range weapons on us, right?"
Elita snickered for a second after she pressed a button on her wrist, "You're right on that, Sarge. In fact, phase two of our plan begins in three…two…one!"
*BOOM*
The cell that Ironhide was in suddenly has a massive hole in the wall, which leads to the outside.
Once Ironhide recovered from the surprise, he asks, "And that wasn't phase one because…?"
Elita shrugged, "Didn't want to risk hurting you. Ratchet would have our helms if he had to rip out any shrapnel from the blast. Now come on! Optimus and the others are most likely waiting for us and I bet that explosion caught some unneeded attention."
As if on cue, several more Vehicons appeared and started blasting at Elita and Ironhide.
"C'mon, big-bots! We have to get lost before the slag really hits the fan!" a voice said outside the hole.
Elita and Ironhide reacted fast and jumped out of the whole in the wall, jumping less than an Earth story before landing less than a mechanometer away from two other Autobots.
"'Bout time you two showed up to the party." Said the red and yellow Autobot. This Autobot had green optics and a helm that made it look like he had headphones on, sporting an Autobot symbol on his fore-helm.
"Indeed. Just be glad we got Elita's signal, otherwise we'd have tried to storm the prison getting both your tails." Said the white and gray Autobot. This Autobot had dark purple optics and a red face and mouthpiece. On each of his forearms were symbols that showed he was an Autobot.
"Aw, c'mon. Were you two really that worried about us?" Ironhide joked before laser fire nearly hit him.
"We can't stay here! We'll continue this conversation another time! Right now we have to get to the Ark immediately!" the white Autobot, Rollbar, said.
"Rollbar's right. We have to get back to the Ark before we're wasted. Autobots, roll out!" Elita One said as she transformed into a Cybertronian equivalent of an Earth sports car.
Rollbar, Ironhide, and Blaster transformed into Cybertronian equivalents of a military jeep, a truck, and a compact car before putting pedal to the metal and sped as fast as their vehicle modes could allow them.
The Vehicons continued blasting at the runaway Autobots, but no matter how much fire power they used, the speeding Autobots were too fast and dodged the lasers. Several Vehicons, four in total, jumped down from the hole and transformed into their alternate modes, which looked similar to Earth sports cars. Once the four were transformed, they instantly bolted towards the runaway Autobots.
With the slick and streamlined design of the Vehicons, it didn't take long before they started gaining on the Autobot group. As they neared, Blaster took notice almost immediately.
"Uh, big-bots, we got company!" Blaster said with urgency.
The Vehicons immediately got two blasters out of their sides and started firing at the Autobots, all of whom swerved every which way to avoid laser fire.
"Those punks just made the last mistakes of their lives!" Ironhide proclaimed as he was about to slow down and introduce the drones to his fists.
"Ironhide, wait!" Elita ordered, "We can't deal with the 'Cons now. They'll slow us down and will never make it to Iacon when we're done with them. We need to loose them instead of face them."
"How?" Rollbar asked as he dodged a blast directed at him, "With all of Iacon's Energon geared towards the Ark, no one can ground bridge us back, and even on the off chance of there being some Energon for a bridge, we can't contact anyone while we're near the jamming towers all over Kaon."
Elita thought fast as she dodged an oncoming attack. She had to get everyone back to the Ark and fast. As they continued dodging the blasts from their enemies, Elita's scanner showed a bridge at their 3. If they could find a detour pass the bridge...
"Blaster, you have any bombs remaining?" Elita asked, confusing the young soldier.
"Well, yeah. I had five extras incase of any duds. Why?" Blaster asked before he squealed in shock when a laser blast just barely missed his back wheel.
"I'm gonna need you to drop them on my mark. Everyone, turn to your 3! We're taking a little detour!"
The Autobots immediately followed Elita's order and sped towards the bridge, the Vehicons following right behind them. In just a couple cycles, the runaway Autobots made it to the bridge with their pursuers gaining on them.
"Blaster, now!" Elita ordered. Blaster opened a compartment on his back that dropped all of the remaining bombs onto the bridge. As they passed the bridge, Elita remotely detonated the bombs, causing five explosions that shattered the entry point of the bridge. The four unlucky Vehicons tried skidding to a stop, but to no avail. In just a few moments, they fell to their demise at the bottom of the chasm. This, however, didn't completely meant the Autobots were home free because, now, the bridge was falling apart from one end to the other with them still on it!
"Maximum overdrive, Autobots!" Elita ordered as they sped towards the other side of the bridge. The bridge continued to fall apart right behind the Autobot party as they neared the end. Blaster, being the youngest and inexperienced of the group, hollered and yelled in fear as the bridge started to collapse right behind him. Just before the bridge could collapse completely, the small band of Autobots barely got to safety of solid ground, finally evading the Decepticons and on their way to Iacon.
"Heh-heh, Prime told me that there might be days like today..." Blaster sighed in relief, gaining Ironhide's attention.
"And you didn't believe the big guy?" Ironhide sarcastically remarked, getting a chuckle from Elita.
"Well, if I didn't then, I do now."
Unbeknownst to the Autobots, they were being followed by a small drone that looked like a blue and yellow bird. If one could see it eye-to-optic, a Decepticon symbol can be seen on its forehead.
One of its dull-green optics turned into a camera, focusing on the escaped Autobots.
Kaon
Kolkular
In a throne room, a blue robot with a screen on his chest showed what the drone was seeing. The blue robot had white arms and legs, as well as yellow visor and a mouthpiece on the face.
On the throne sat a silver titan with red optics focusing on the screen of the second robot. This silver robot had a massive black cannon on his right arm, as well as a helmet that looked an awful lot like the Decepticon symbol, just like the purple one on his chest.
This silver giant was Megatron, leader of the Decepticons, and he was far from happy.
"RRAAARGH!" Megatron roared.
"I cannot believe the incompetence of my soldiers! The fools allowed the Autobots to escape!"
"I bet the Autobots would've been captured and scrapped if I was in command." A voice said, interrupting Megatron's thoughts.
Megatron turned to see that his red and white air commander has walked into his throne room. The air commander had wings on his back, each bearing a Decepticon symbol, orange optics, and a cockpit on his chest.
"Starscream. I am in no such mood to listen to your foolish talk." Megatron growled.
"Forgive me, my Lord. I do humbly apologize for speaking out of turn." Starscream said with as much sarcasm as he could muster.
This only fueled Megatron's anger.
"Enough with the insolence, Starscream! You know very well I summoned you for a better reason than to listen to your slag, so you better shut up before I have Shockwave experiment on your sorry carcass! Understood?!" yelled Megatron as he got of his throne and stomped toward his commander.
This threat caused Starscream to back away in fear, "C-completely, my Lord. While we're on the topic of why I'm here, why am I here?"
"I want a status report on the Nemesis."
That statement alone confused Starscream.
"Why didn't you contact Shockwave on the matter? He is in charge of th-"
*POW*
A mighty blow from Megatron's punch knocked Starscream back to the other side of the room.
"I asked you a question, and I expected an answer, Starscream! Is the Nemesis complete or not?!" yelled Megatron.
As Starscream recovered from the hook, he says, "Kn-Kn-Knock Out says that a few minor calibrations are needed before the ship is ready. He said it could take at least a groon to finish them."
Megatron smirked at this, "Good. See to it that we are ready before the Autobots reach Iacon."
"Yes, my Liege. Once they've reached Iacon, Buzzsaw will be able to-"
"Soundwave, have Buzzsaw return here immediately."
"As you command, Megatron." The other 'Con in the room complied in a computerized voice.
This caught Starscream by surprise.
"What?! Bu-but my Liege, you're letting those Autobots esca-"
"Really, Starscream? One drone against four fully trained Autobots? And here I thought I already grasped how stupid you were." Megatron smirked.
Starscream growled in annoyance, "We'll see who gets the last laugh, Megatron. With you leaving Cybertron, I will bring a new age of-"
"You will not do anything, Starscream. Not only did I want a report on the Nemesis, but I also wanted to inform you about who will be accompanying me on this mission."
Starscream looked surprised before saying, "Wh-what do you mean, Lord Megatron?"
Soundwave specifies, "You will be accompanying Lord Megatron on board the Nemesis to serve as the military commander, as well as serve as Megatron's first-lieutenant."
"WHAT?!"
To say Starscream was surprised was an understatement.
"S-surely you are jesting, Soundwave. Those could not be the words Lord Megatron wanted to say."
"On the contrary, Starscream," Megatron said.
"Those are the words that perfectly describe what I wanted to tell you."
"B-but my Liege, who will lead Cybertron while you're away?" Starscream asked, close to begging for a reconsideration.
"Proclamation: I will command Cybertron while Lord Megatron is on this voyage."
Another voice, this one monotone, catches the attention of the 'Cons. Megatron smirked while Starscream glared at the 'Con who walked into the room.
This Decepticon was purple all over and had a massive cannon for his left hand with a Decepticon symbol behind the crosshairs. One major thing that made this Decepticon different was that his rectangular head did not have a regular face: only a single light purple optic on the center of his 'face'.
"Shockwave." Starscream sneered.
"Why do you seem so surprised, Starscream?" Megatron asked with a cocky smirk.
"You should know by now that I wouldn't even let you lead a parade. What in the AllSpark made you think I'd leave Cybertron in your incompetent servos?"
Starscream's response was an angered growl before he stomped out of the throne room, not even bothering to ask permission to leave.
Megatron, not caring about Starscream's leave, turns to Shockwave and says, "Shockwave, do you believe that you can continue your experiments as well as lead Cybertron?"
Shockwave saluted, "Declaration: you have nothing to fear, Megatron. My experimentations will continue as planned. As for Cybertron: it shall remain as it is until your return."
"Wrong, Shockwave. When we return, I expect Cybertron to be under Decepticon rule. Understand?"
"Acknowledgment: as you command, my Liege."
"Good. If anyone needs me, I will be making some personal preparations for when we next meet the Autobots."
Megatron turned to leave his first lieutenant and his communications officer in his throne room to make preparations of his own.
"Soon, my brother. Soon." Megatron chuckled before letting out an evil laugh that echoed throughout the halls.
Iacon
The Great Dome
Optimus was getting extremely anxious. When Prowl got the approximate time of the Ark's leave, he announced it to the other Autobots.
That was over two groons ago. Time is running out for Elita One and her team.
"Elita, where are you?"
"15 cycles till the Ark blasts off. I repeat: 15 cycles till the Ark blasts off. For those who still aren't ready, you better drop what you're doing and get aboard A.S.A.P." A voice said over the main speaker in what sounded to be an British accent from Earth.
Optimus, hearing Ratchet's news, tried not to panic. He looks out the window, hoping to see some sign that would show Elita and the other Autobots are nearly there.
As if Primus had heard his prayers, he sees four vehicular shapes heading towards the base.
Optimus immediately comm.-linked Prowl, saying, "Prowl, four vehicles are approaching the base. Have Ratchet identify them now."
Inside the Ark, Prowl responded, "Understood, Optimus."
Prowl then entered the Ark's cockpit, seeing a red and white Autobot doing what appeared to be maintenance on the main computer of the Ark.
"Ratchet, Optimus said that four Cybertronians are heading this way. He wants you to I.D. them." Prowl said.
Ratchet, distracted from Prowl's intrusion, turns to reveal a scarred face, as well as showing that his right optic, light brown in color, was the only one working, the left optic being covered with what appeared to be an eye-patch.
"I'm busy with the last-cycle check on the system. If just one wire is out of-" Ratchet started.
"Ratchet, that's an order. Finish the systems check after you've identified the Cybertronians." Prowl interrupted with authority in his voice.
Ratchet sighed, "Fine. But if Teletraan starts glitching on this voyage, don't come crying to me."
Ratchet typed something on the panel, switching the screen form a diagnostic scan to a radar scan, revealing four red blips heading towards the Ark.
He continued typing until the blips showed the identification of the red blips.
Ratchet comm.-linked Optimus, "Optimus, this is Ratchet. Do you read?"
"Loud and clear. Go ahead, Ratchet." Optimus replied.
"The vehicles are indeed Autobots. Elita One, Blaster, Ironhide, and Rollbar to be precise."
"Thank Primus they made it." Optimus sighed happily.
"Can you give me an E.T.A. on their arrival?"
Ratchet replied, "Alright, Prime. At the rate they're going, they should be arriving around seven to eight cycles."
"Good. Once they have arrived, I want you to give all of them a medical evaluation. Make sure that they aren't seriously injured."
"Understood, Optimus. Ratchet out."
With that said, Ratchet disconnected his comm. unit before turning to Prowl.
"And as for you, see to it that I'm not interrupted while I'm working on Teletraan I. In other words, get going!" Ratchet said, frustrated about his delays.
"As you wish." Prowl replied as he left the cockpit.
After several cycles, the four Autobots finally made it to the entrance of the Great Dome, where Optimus and Prowl were waiting for them.
"Welcome back, Autobots." Optimus said as the four transformed.
Elita One saluted, "Mission accomplished, Prime."
"Can't believe that you'd risk all these good 'bots just to save my scrapped tail, Optimus." Ironhide commented.
"You are too valuable to leave behind or lose, my friend." Optimus said as he placed his servo on Ironhides shoulder.
"With your military expertise and experience, you have potential to help us change the tide in this war."
Ironhide smirked, "Maybe, but I think if anyone has the most potential to win this war, it's you, Prime."
"Optimus, this is Ratchet. You and the other Autobots have seven cycles before we lift off. You'd better hurry and get to the Ark now." Ratchet comm.-linked Optimus Prime.
"Alright, Autobots, let's roll for Cybertron's salvation." Optimus said.
Kaon
Hexima State
Just a the Autobots reached Iacon, Buzzsaw made it to Kaon.
Buzzsaw continued flying to a launch pad, similar to the one at Iacon's Great Dome. The ship in it, however, was bigger and much more streamlined than the Ark. With four Shock Cannons at the ends of each wing, an Ion Displacer on the nose, and ten Riot Cannons on both sides of the ship's hull, it was obvious that this ship was built to destroy.
This ship is the Nemesis, and it's ready to take flight.
In the cockpit of the Nemesis, Megatron was sitting on a throne at the center of the room, Soundwave was sitting in front of a monitor screen left to the throne, and another Decepticon was sitting in front of a screen right to the throne.
This Decepticon was black and gold in color, had magenta optics, and appeared to be a female. However, what really separated her from the other Decepticons were the spider-like legs on her arms and a spider-like abdomen on her back, where her Decepticon symbol was located.
"Lord Megatron, Buzzsaw is approaching the Nemesis." Soundwave reported, his screen now showing a Decepticon symbol.
"Excellent, Soundwave." Megatron said before looking at the female Decepticon.
"Blackarachnia, open the sky hatch and let our little spy in. I want to know what he found."
"As you command." Blackarachnia replied before pressing a button that opened a hatch at the ceiling of the cockpit.
Once Buzzsaw entered the cockpit of the Nemesis, it immediately landed on Soundwave's right shoulder before it transformed into a small cannon and connected itself to his shoulder.
"Call me curious, but why exactly do we need a ship this powerful if Doubledealer's reports say that this 'Ark' is just a cargo ship? Seems like overkill to me." Blackarachnia asked, getting a glare from Megatron.
"Because I want every Autobot to suffer. They are putting all their hope into a mere cargo ship, and when I destroy that vessel, I want any and all surviving Autobots that it was the most powerful weapon in the Decepticon arsenal that destroyed their hopes with it. With the knowledge of their last hope destroyed, the Autobots will tremble in fear and defeat to the very weapons that vanquished their leader and their hope. Understand, bug?"
With silence as his answer, Megatron turned to Soundwave.
"Soundwave, prepare the ships communication modules. I have a message to give to my army." Megatron ordered.
Soundwave nodded before he turned to his communication console and activated the loud speakers on the ship.
Megatron said over the loud speakers, "Decepticons, this is Megatron. To any unprepared Decepticon, the Nemesis will lift off as soon as Doubledealer's signal is received, which is any cycle. If you're not on board by then, forget about boarding at all and focus on the Autobots on Cybertron. As for those of you coming along, all I can say is this: don't fail or else. Megatron out."
When Megatron finished his broadcast, Blackarachnia said, "I can understand you wanting to make Prime suffer, but why not just lift off now and go to Iacon blasters-a-blazing and get it over with?"
"Because I want Prime's mission to succeed." Megatron said, surprising and confusing Blackarachnia a bit.
"I plan to let Prime and his pathetic Autobots find a planet rich with energy. Once they find that planet, that's when we terminate them once and for all. Then we go to that planet and suck it dry of its resources."
"Now that's the tyrant we all know and hate." Blackarachnia grumbled to herself.
Iacon
The Great Dome
In the cockpit of the Ark, Optimus Prime, Prowl, Elita One, Ironhide, Ratchet, Blaster, and Rollbar were in a seat, getting ready for the last preparations to launch the Ark.
"All the Autobots that the Ark can carry are on board, Optimus." Prowl announced.
"Systems check out to be fully functional." Ratchet stated.
"Communications are a-okay. Ain't that right, my fellow Auto-buddies?" Blaster asked over the loud speaker, which earn an audible cheer from inside the Ark.
"Seems like we're ready to go, Prime." Ironhide said.
"Good. Rollbar, commence countdown." Optimus ordered.
"5…4…3…2…1… Ignition!" Rollbar yelled as he pushed a button.
The Ark's engines started up as the rockets fired up, slowly but surely rising the gigantic cargo ship and the many Autobots it carries.
Kaon
Hexima State
As the Ark was lifting off, the Decepticons onboard the Nemesis were preparing the ship for liftoff. Suddenly, a small red light on the main terminal was blinking, catching Megatron's attention.
"That's Doubledealer's signal. The Autobots are taking flight!" Megatron said before turning to Soundwave.
"Soundwave, are the final preparations for the Nemesis complete?"
"Indeed, Lord Megatron." Soundwave replied.
"Then launch the ship! We must not let Optimus stay ahead of us."
Soundwave nodded before he pushed a button that started the engines. After a while, the Nemesis was taking flight.
Before long, both the ships were out of Cybertron's atmosphere and started to drift into space.
Ark
Space outside of Cybertron's atmosphere
In the Ark, Optimus looked over to where Ratchet was sitting.
"What's the status of the ship and the passengers?" Optimus asked.
"Everything indicates that the Ark is still in one piece, and all the life signatures on the Ark are indicating that everyone's online." Ratchet reported.
"Letting Teletraan take control of the Ark…now." Elita announced before she pushed a button.
Once the button was pushed, the main controls started to control themselves. Once that happened, all of the main pilots got out of their seats.
"Aw, yeah! Now that we're off world, it's time to do my favorite pass time: slacking off! Later!" Blaster said before he left the cockpit.
"Blaster, wait! Just because Teletraan's in control, doesn't mean you can slack off!" Ironhide yelled, chasing the young Autobot.
"I'm heading to the main hanger to check if any Autobots were injured during launch." Ratchet said as he, too, left the cockpit.
"Optimus, I would like to go occupy myself for a little bit. Get myself more familiar with the ship. May I leave and walk around?" Rollbar asked.
Optimus nodded, "Very well, Rollbar. Go ahead."
With that said, Rollbar left the cockpit, leaving Optimus, Elita, and Prowl.
"Well, guess there's no turning back this time, huh?" Elita quipped.
"Indeed. All I can hope is that this mission works..." Optimus mused as he gazed out to the stars.
"Beautiful out there, isn't it?" Elita said as she and her two old friends stared out into the unknown.
"Yeah. To be honest, I wouldn't have mind a space voyage. I just wish it wasn't under these circumstances." Optimus said, focusing on the stars.
Elita, noting her spark mate's distant look, silently placed her servo around his. He turned to look at her face-to-face.
"It'll all be alright, Optimus. Once we find the energon we need, we will be able to save Cybertron. I know we will." Elita said with a small smile.
Optimus remained silent for a couple cycles before he clasped her servo.
"I do hope you're right, Elita. I really do..." Optimus finally replied as they stared out into space.
Prowl noticed the atmosphere change between his old friends and silently took his leave, going unnoticed by Prime and Elita.
Nemesis
Space outside of Cybertron's atmosphere
In the Nemesis, Megatron's sight was solely on the radar screen, which showed the Ark was several kliks ahead of the Nemesis.
"Keep the Nemesis at this distance, Soundwave. I don't want their scanners to pick us up. I plan to let that happen later." Megatron ordered.
"As you command, Lord Megatron." Soundwave stated from his seat.
Blackarachnia turned to Megatron and asked, "And when will 'later' happen, my Liege?"
"As soon as those fools find a planet ripe with energy." Megatron replied.
"And when will that be? We don't exactly have neighbors that are willing to give us free Energon."
"Given the distance of the stars in the nebula, as well as the probability if said stars inhabiting energy-rich planets and the probability of how much Energon the Autobot ship and the Nemesis possess, it may take several deca-cycles or more for the Autobots to find such a planet." Soundwave stated.
Blackarachnia sighed, "Sorry I asked."
Ark
Unknown area in space
Several deca-cycles have passed since both shuttles have left Cybertron. Every once in a while, the Autobots do find a planet that does possess energy. Unfortunately, the planets would have too little amount of energy for the Autobots to use to just power the ship, let alone save Cybertron. The morale aboard the Ark was slowly dwindling with many Autobots wanting to head back to Cybertron.
The Nemesis is experiencing similar problems. However, with the fear of being terminated by their leader, the Decepticons are less verbal and more secretive about their lack of morale.
Not only is morale low on both ships, but so are the Energon reserves. If the journey continues without much luck in gaining energy, the Autobots and the Decepticons may become trapped in space forever.
The journey led the Autobots and the Decepticons to an unknown solar system, one with one star, eight planets, and two dwarf planets.
The Ark was nearing a blue and green planet, which was also the third planet from the star.
Optimus Prime and his main team were in the cockpit with Ratchet keeping an optic on Teletraan's scanners and Elita One piloting the ship.
"Ratchet, has Teletraan I scanned that planet yet?" Optimus asked the medic.
Ratchet sighed, "Why bother, Optimus? This entire system is bound to be dead. We've scanned all the other planets here and the only one that has the most amount of energy are the gaseous planets, and we don't have the energy to even get near them, let alone harvest from any of them."
"I hate to say it, but I think we might have to head back to Cybertron and call this exodus a failure, Prime." Rollbar said gravely.
"No! I refuse to return to Cybertron with nothing but disappointed soldiers and lost morale. We have to keep searching." Optimus snapped.
Ratchet sighed again, "Alright. We'll scan this planet and see what it has."
Ratchet deployed multiple scanners to the planet. These scanners moved so fast that they reach the atmosphere in a matter of cycles.
"But I have high doubts that…that…"
Ratchet suddenly stopped what he said and noticed what Teletraan was showing from the scanners. What it showed completely surprised the medic.
"By the AllSpark…" Ratchet started as his good optic widened. After a couple nano-cycles, the medic started to laugh joyfully, instantly catching the attention of the Autobots.
"Ratchet?" Elita asked.
"Well, Doc-bot's got space madness. Who's gonna be the one to put him out of his misery?" Blaster stated.
"It's not that, you punk! We've finally found it! We've found a planet rich with energy!" Ratchet laughed triumphantly.
The other Autobots were stunned by the news. They couldn't believe their audio receptors: have they finally found the planet they needed to save Cybertron?
"We can finally return to Cybertron?" Rollbar asked, shocked and relieved about the news.
"According to the scans, there's enough energy on this planet to have four trips to Cybertron." Ratchet replied, further shocking the Autobots in the cockpit.
"Very well, then. Elita One and Ironhide, prepare to land the Ark. Prowl, you, Blaster, and Rollbar prepare the Autobot miners to have their tools ready. We begin mining as soon as we land, so have as many Autobots prepared as soon as possible." Optimus ordered.
"Yes, sir!"
With that said, the Autobots started to do what Optimus ordered as Elita and Ironhide geared the Ark towards the planet while Prowl, Blaster, and Rollbar left the cockpit to prepare the Autobot miners.
Optimus, anxious about the discovery, subconsciously placed his servo on his chest where the Matrix was. After many deca-cycles of war, he could finally save Cybertron.
"Soon, Cybertron. Soon." Optimus muttered to himself.
Nemesis
Unknown area of space
"Lord Megatron, Doubledealer reports that the Autobots have found a planet rich in energy." Soundwave reported.
"Did he identify which one?" Megatron asked.
"He says that it is the third planet from this solar system's star."
"Good. Then the Autobots have served their purpose." Megatron smirked.
"Soundwave, full speed ahead towards that shuttle. Blackarachnia, have all weapons ready to fire once we're in range. Leave no Autobot online!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Nemesis quickly gained speed to get the Ark within range. Once the Autobot ship was in range, the ship's blasters started firing at the unsuspecting shuttle, shaking up the Autobots inside.
In the Ark's cockpit, the Autobots in the cockpit began to panic as the onslaught began
"What was that?!" Ironhide yelled.
The doors to the cockpit open as Prowl, Rollbar, and Blaster ran in.
"What happened?!" Rollbar yelled.
"What's going on?!" Prowl asked
"Did Ironhide drink some Engex before getting behind the wheel?!" Blaster retorted, earning a glare from the sergeant.
"Ratchet, did we enter a meteor shower while we were entering the planet's orbit?" Optimus asked.
"I wish, Prime. It's much worse: the Decepticons are attacking!" Ratchet said as he showed the radar had a massive purple blip.
"Decepticons?! How the Pit did those gas-guzzlers find us?!" Blaster asked.
"I don't know, but they did and their not showing signs of being merciful!" Ratchet yelled as another blast shook the ship.
"Do they ever?" Blaster remarked.
"Can the Ark out-maneuver the Decepticon ship?" Optimus asked.
"While we're this close to a planet's gravitational pull?! The planet will take the ship down!" Ratchet argued.
"Then activate the Plasma Cannons and open fire! If we can't out-run the Decepticons, then we fight until that ship goes down!" Optimus Prime ordered.
The Ark's Plasma Cannons started up and opened firing at the Decepticon warship, barely able to hit the ship.
The shock of the blast, despite being small, was felt by the Decepticons in the cockpit, causing Megatron to smirk.
"So, you still want to fight, huh Prime? Very well, then. Continue the onslaught! Tear that ship to shreds!"
The Nemesis continued firing at the Ark. After a couple cycles, the two ships were side-by-side, resulting in the Nemesis started firing the ten Riot Cannons on its side, damaging the Ark's hull and one of the ship's rockets.
"Uhph! One of the rockets' been hit! The main hulls ruptured!" Rollbar announced, fear in his voice.
"We're goin' down." Blaster sighed.
After a few nano-cycles, Optimus ordered, "Attention all Autobots! This is Optimus Prime! The Ark is crashing! Get to the stasis pods now!"
After a few cycles, all the Autobots onboard the Ark were entering the stasis pods. All except the Autobots in the cockpit.
When he noticed the Autobots around him refused to budge, he yelled, "When I said 'all Autobots, get to the stasis pods', that means includes all of you, too! Go!"
"We're not leaving you behind, Prime! We're with you all the way!" Prowl retorted.
"Go to the pods, Autobots! That's an order!"
"No can do, Big-bot! We ain't leaving you to handle those creeps alone!" Blaster retorted.
"Besides, you won't be able to land the ship alone! If we can't help do a stable crash landing, then all the Autobots will go down!" Ratchet stated.
"As for me, I'm not going down until we bring Megatron and his goons down with us!" Ironhide yelled as he started to aim the Disruptor Cannon on the Ark's tail.
On the Nemesis, the Decepticons could practically taste victory as the Autobot's ship started plummeting towards the planet.
"Lord Megatron, the Autobots ship is heavily damaged and entering the planet's atmosphere! They're gonna burn like scraplets in a smelting pit! We've won!" Blackarachnia cheered.
"Keep quiet, bug! My victory will not be assured unless I have Optimus Prime's helm in my servo." Megatron argued.
"You mean my victory, Lord Megatron!"
Another voice interrupted the argument as Starscream entered the cockpit with his Null-Rays ready to fire.
"We would've had Prime's helm deca-cycles ago if I was in command! Starting now, you're obsolete!" Starscream yelled.
Upon Starscream's declaration, both Soundwave and Blackarachnia got out of their seats and raised their weapons…only for Megatron to raise his hand to indicate for them to stand down.
"This is a very bold move you are doing, Starscream: attempting to take over the Decepticons when you've believed that the end is near. I would applaud such a scheme if it weren't so predictable." Megatron smirked.
"Silence yourself, Megatron! This is the day that Starscream, the former air commander of the Decepticons, becomes the new Emperor of Destruction! Farewell, Megatron!"
Starscream fired his Null-Rays at Megatron…only for the Decepticon warlord to be surrounded by a force field, deflecting the gun fire.
"What?!"
"Like I said, Starscream…"
Three small orb-like drones came from the ceiling, each giving off a light that seemed to have surrounded Megatron in the force field. Megatron then raised his Fusion Cannon at the startled Starscream.
"…predictable."
Once the force field was disabled, Megatron fired his Fusion Cannon at Starscream, hitting the traitor square on the torso, causing the Decepticon to go flying into a wall.
Starscream, barely able to recover, tried to get up only for Megatron's foot to plant itself on his torso and the Fusion Cannon right in front of his face.
"W-w-wait! M-m-m-master please!" Starscream begged as he saw his life flash before his optics.
*BANG*
A massive explosion interrupted the tussle. A nano-cycle later, an alarm blared, indicating massive damage.
"Soundwave, what's going on?!" Megatron asked as he got off Starscream.
"One of the rockets has been hit. We are destabilizing." Soundwave responded.
"Can you stabilize the Nemesis?!"
"Negative. The damage is too severe."
"At this rate, we'll be stranded in space for eternity!" Starscream yelled as he got up only to fall down because of a smack from Megatron.
"Silence!" Megatron ordered before turning to Soundwave.
"Soundwave, are we able to land on the planet?"
"Negative. The planet is much too distant for the surviving rockets to transport us."
"Are there any other alternative landing point?"
After a couple cycles, Soundwave replies, "This planet has a moon within close proximity. We can attempt to crash land on it, but the damages from the crash will be too severe to repair, so another method of getting planet bound is required."
Upon hearing his communications officer's reply, just a cycle goes by before he says, "Land on that moon."
Outside Roswell, New Mexico
July, 1947
"Come on, girl! Pull up! PULL UP!" Blaster said as he and Ratchet held on to one of the main flight wheels while Ironhide and Elita One held on to the other.
"We've entered the planet's atmosphere. The Ark's hulls are starting to increase in temperature." Rollbar said glumly as he turned to Optimus.
"I hate to say it, Prime, but I think we're done for."
"NO!"
Optimus ran off his seat and immediately went over to the control console to help Elita and Ironhide.
"I refuse to let the lives on this ship be lost when we're so close to saving Cybertron! Do you hear me?! I REFUSE!"
The Ark continued to fall towards the planet, getting white from entering the atmosphere and leaving a massive fiery 'tail' in its wake. After several cycles of falling, the massive cargo ship crashed in a desert region, causing sand and dust to go flying.
The crew members aboard the ship flew all over the cockpit, causing the Autobots to fall unconscious. Several more cycles pass as the Ark skidded across the desert before coming to a complete stop.
After over 15 cycles of silence, the Autobots in the cockpit started to groan as they began to regain their consciousness.
"Uhgh, say something. Anybody." Optimus groaned.
After a small piece of the ceiling fell on him, Ironhide started getting up, groaning, "Remind me to kick Megatron's tail into this system's star."
If Optimus had a mouth, he'd be smirking from Ironhide's remark. He turned to Blaster's direction and noticed the young soldier on his servos and pedes.
"Blaster, give me a damage report."
Blaster, upon getting back on his feet, looked at the screen that showed signs of damage. Needless to say, he wasn't happy with what he saw.
"Believe me, Big-bot, you don't wanna know." Blaster stated.
Optimus sighed, "That's what I thought."
As the other Autobots slowly got up, Blaster says, "Looks like Teletraan survived the crash, thank Primus. The rest of the ship, though... I guess the answer is as obvious as saying Prowl's stuck up."
"Hey!"
Ratchet, after getting up, looked at the scanners, claiming, "The scanners are only working at 19 percent, but from what I can gather from them, it appears that the Decepticons have given up their chase."
"Well, I guess that's good news." Blaster remarked.
"Hold on."
Ratchet's suddenly statement gained the immediate attention of the Autobots.
"There appears to be a squadron of some form heading to this direction."
"Decepticons?" Elita said, worried that they are on the attack. Normally, she wouldn't worry too much, but given the situation the Autobots are in, she knew that they'd never last more than a couple groons.
"No. The scanners aren't picking up any Decepticon signatures. They're just picking up... something." Ratchet denied.
"Natives, maybe?" Rollbar guessed as he and the others looked at Optimus, hoping he has some form of plan.
After a moment of thinking, Optimus said, "If they are indeed natives of this strange land, than it'd be best to not appear threatening. We will meet them unarmed and attempt to communicate with them."
The other Autobots looked at one another with uncertainty. What were the natives like? Will they accept their presence? And will they prove to be friend or foe?
No matter the outcome, the Autobots were certain about one thing: a new chapter in the Great War has just started, and it could spell the end with the war, either in victory or defeat.
Next time on Transformers: Guardians…
"Come on, bro! This car's my dream car." A young adult woman said to her younger brother as they looked at a red and yellow compact car.
"You're kidding, right?" the brother asked.
"Tear that Autobot and those humans apart!" a voice ordered two black and blue cars that were chasing the red and yellow car while a mechanical bird was chasing the siblings.
"Hold on to your tails, you two!" a male voice yelled from the red car as the siblings entered it.
At a dried up creek in a forest outside of town, two giant robots raised their weapons at the scared siblings…only for the red car to turn into a robot.
The robot looked up and said, "Time to finish this, 'Cons."
With that said, the robot charged at the two robots that started open firing on him.
Well, his is my first chapter for my new Transformers Fanfic! I got inspired to make a Transformers Fanfic after reading Kris-dragon's Fanfic: Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye, so there may or may not be similarities. Besides that, hope you all enjoy it! BTW, here are some voice actors that I want to voice the characters in this chapter:
Gregg Berger: Ratchet
Don Brown: Starscream
Corey Burton: Rollbar
Garry Chalk: Optimus Prime
Grey DeLisle: Blackarachnia
D. C. Douglas: Shockwave
R. Lee Ermey: Ironhide
Will Friedle: Blaster
Tabitha St. Germain: Elita One
Scott McNeil: Vehicon #1
Darren Norris: Prowl
Frank Welker: Megatron, Soundwave, Vehicon #2
Also, to clear up any confusion on Cybertronian time, here's a chart to tell their Earth counterparts:
Nano-Cycle=Second
Cycle=Minute
Groon=Hour
Solar-Cycle=Day
Deca-Cycle=Year
Lastly, I don't own the Transformers or the characters. Hasbro and TakaraTony owns the series. The only thing I own are the human OCs that'll appear in the next chapter.