Forward: I wrote this story a few years ago. It was my first then, and so it is my first one I'm posting here. It serves as the foundation for a small AU I've been adding to since. I'm considering posting more of them here actually. But in the meantime:
The Civil War on Cybertron raged for a century, until finally the beleaguered planet fell dark beneath the weight of the conflict. Since that day 190 Stellar Cycles ago the Autobots and Decepticons have dispersed amongst the stars, searching for a place they could call home, for resources they might live off of. With a team of his highest ranking officers, Optimus Prime sets out aboard the Ark, looking for sources of Energon that may restore Cybertron's life. But their quest is not without challenge. Megatron too seeks a means to refuel their dead world, and he brings an elite force of Decepticons with him to make sure he gets it first. For the last 2 Stellar Cycles the desert planet of Verus Centralus has been their battle ground. But now they race towards new target…
Transformers: Earthfall
Chapter 1:
Optimus Prime was in deep thought. He stood gazing out the front window of the bridge at the large dark shape in front of them.
The Nemesis.
It was nearly twice as long as the Ark, not quite able to reach her speeds but more than a match for her firepower. Soon they would be in radar distance, and the fighting would begin anew.
Optimus hated this part. Ship-to-ship battles bothered him. He was confident enough in the Ark's construction, but one errant shot could send the whole crew to the Allspark. Then there was the tear in space they were headed for. The Autobots and Decepticons had been devising increasingly dubious ways to build space bridges quickly and quietly, so as not to telegraph it to the enemy. Going off of Prowl and Smokescreen's intel it looked like Megatron's newest bridge was triangulated between a few probes launched ahead of the Nemesis. Prime had consulted Ratchet on the matter shortly before launch.
"I'm a doctor, not a space bridge technician," he had begun, "but there was an engineer I knew before the war, he used to talk about this stuff. It's not unheard of. Back in the Golden Age most shuttles had a quick-bridge system they could engage for planetary jumps. But Optimus... those ships were six-seaters at the most. A ship of this size, and at interplanetary distance?" His face was grave. "I hope Soundwave's ambitions haven't outgrown his intellect."
"40 clicks to hailing distance Bossman," Jazz called, breaking the silence. Aside from Prime and Jetfire, at the helm, the communications officer was the only one on the bridge. "Prowl wants to discuss our plan with you. He seems distressed. Well, more than usual. Should I tell him to swing up here?"
Optimus turned away from the window. "I'll go to him. I could use the change of scenery."
"I don't like it Prime."
If Bumblebee had a Shanix for every time Prowl lead a conversation with that sentence, he could have retired by now. But sitting by the shore on Sensensica sipping oil through a curly straw would have to wait. Right now he was in the briefing room about to listen to Optimus begin the Sisyphetronian task of selling Prowl on a plan he didn't make himself. Smokescreen and Bluestreak were sitting nearby, bemusement on their faces.
"Unless we can convince Megatron to engage us before the Nemesis enters the bridge we won't catch up to it. The bridge will close behind it and we won't know where they went," Optimus started.
"Do we care where they go? We can find another planet with Energon on it, and it will be far easier to mine if there isn't an army trying to kill us there!"
"If we don't follow, Megatron will grow bolder. He may try to attack a populated world. I won't - I can't - allow that to happen. Not again."
Prowl paced up and down the room, looking very much like he wanted to be somewhere else. He had prepared schematics, a star chart, anything to get Prime off this fool's chase with Megatron. It didn't look like it was going to be worth the effort. Bluestreak silently slipped 4 rations to Smokescreen under the table. They had bet on how long it would take Prime to play the "innocent lives at stake" card.
"Okay fine. You're the Commander after all. But just promise me; this isn't about Ironhide, right? He's not on that ship Optimus."
Bluestreak grinned smugly at Smokescreen, who handed over seven rations with a pout. Optimus turned towards the doorway, his large frame cast in shadow by the light from the corridor outside.
"No Prowl. He isn't."
He walked out, leaving the four in silence.
"Well that was productive," Bluestreak said as he counted up his winnings. Smokescreen was still reeling. "Bringing Ironhide into this?" He gave a goofy grin. "You really are a gearstick boss."
"That's enough of that," Prowl retorted, "Get to your stations."
"Where do you think the 'Cons are heading Prowl?" Bumblebee spoke up as they left. "Megatron was especially cloak and dagger with this launch. He must think it's pretty big right?"
"Pfft. It's not worth wondering what their kind think," Prowl spat as he gathered his charts to leave the briefing room. "I thought you would have learned since Tyger Pax. They don't think like you or me. Whatever goes on in there, it's evil. Plain and simple." And we was gone, the sound of his footfalls clanking angrily down the hall.