The Transformers

The Instrument of Revenge

Chapter Two - Conquest

Far from the Perses System lied the world known as Symcon and its inhabitants the human-like Symconians. The Symconians' skin was colored a slight gray, their stature was slightly less than that of an average human at approximately 4'5 feet tall and they had no hair on their heads. They had only recently traveled outside of their solar system where they had contacted several life forms. It was on several such encounters that they heard rumors of a race of giant metal warriors with the ability to change their forms into such things as vehicles, animals and weapons. That rumor, unfortunately for them, became fact three days ago.

Decepticon Scourge flew through the bright white Symcon clouds. Scourge was the leader of the terrifying group of Decepticons known as the Sweeps. He was also one of Galvatron's greatest warriors and answered only to him and the second in command of the Decepticons Cyclonus. In flight mode, Scourge was a sleek looking aircraft with a blue and gray rounded exterior that resembled a flying hovercraft. Mounted on the top of his hull was a powerful laser that could cut through almost any Transformer armor.

As the Symcon suns glared off of his shining exterior, below him the six Decepticons who make up the sub-group known as the Constructicons merged together to form the gigantic 120 foot tall robot known as Devastator. The green colored Decepticon giant picked up a piece of machinery three times his size and dropped it in a large crater-like hole in the ground. The small red colored Decepticon known as Frenzy approached the positioned object and activated it. A deafening humming sound echoed through the air as the machine began to drain the planet's rich energies.

Scourge continued on his course and now flew above the five Decepticons who made up the force known as the Predacons. Like the Constructicons, the Predacons merged together to form their greater half. It was Predaking who added another of the giant machines to the next location. Again the device was activated and the planet died that much more.

All across the landscape beneath Scourge, Decepticon warriors went about their tasks amongst the fire and growing destruction. Finally, his destination was in site. The immense headquarters of the Decepticons rested ahead. It was Scorponok, the large Decepticon base that stretched out over the surface for nearly a mile. Ramps extended out almost everywhere, antennas reached high into the air and weapons encompassed much of Scorponok's exterior. He was truly the ultimate battle station.

Scourge descended towards the massive base and transformed to robot form landing within a launch bay. The Decepticon's third in command was a terrifying looking Transformer who was without a doubt a spawn of Unicron. His face was long and covered in a metallic beard and moustache, his arms and legs rounded like huge cylinders and at the tips of his fingers were razor sharp claws.

He passed the five Stunticons who were complaining amongst themselves about their work which included the loading of the many acquired energon cubes the Decepticons had already drained from the resource rich world. He moved through a long corridor that stretched from one end of Scorponok to the other until arriving at Galvatron's throne room.

He peeked in the nearly completely dark room and could see his commander on its north side staring out of a large window watching the fires and smoke that resulted from their conquering of the planet. The Decepticon's second in command, an imposing Transformer known as Cyclonus was at his side. Cyclonus was a deep purple in color, had large glowing red eyes and massive metal arms that housed his superior strength.

Cyclonus was a warrior completely dedicated to the Decepticon cause, perhaps even more so than Galvatron himself. He was highly intelligent and a great tactician, but his ultimate role was to serve his master Galvatron and he filled that role very well. Although Scourge knew that their creator Unicron had etched this deep into their programming, Cyclonus' loyalty to their leader had to be admired and respected.

Scourge pondered whether to enter the room for he knew he would at the very least be tolerated by Galvatron or the worst become a victim of one of his numerous tantrums. It was known that Galvatron's mind had been severely damaged following the great battle with Unicron. Galvatron had been in combat with former Autobot Commander Rodimus Prime, tossed through the hull of Unicron, sent tumbling out of control through space and finally crashed on a lava flowing planet known as Thrull.

His mental circuits had been literally fried, but Scourge, amongst others, believed there was more to the story than that. Unlike him, Cyclonus and the Sweeps, Galvatron had retained the personality and traits of his former self, the being known as Megatron. Although the same, they were indeed different and within the mind of the Decepticon Commander a struggle was believed to be ensuing that was driving Galvatron more insane by the day. All of the Decepticons knew Galvatron was beyond unstable, but no one was about to challenge his authority regardless of the threat it posed to Decepticon stability.

Scourge stepped into the room and passed Galvatron's guards the Decepticons Ramjet and Dirge. Cyclonus noticed Scourge's approach and quickly turned to him shaking his head. "Not now Scourge…" Cyclonus' voice, as always, was very deep and low.

Scourge opened his mouth anyway. "Mighty Galvatron, the Terrorcons have completed the energon draining of the fifth continent…"

Galvatron turned around from the glass. Without question, Galvatron was an impressive looking Transformer. Purple and grey colors covered most of his body, his arms and legs were almost cylinder shaped and on his right arm was mounted a long orange colored cannon that produced a powerful blast of direct-current electricity. The mighty Decepticon Commander looked to Scourge and clenched his massive fits. "This planet has sixteen continents, does it not?" he asked.

Scourge looked to Cyclonus who would offer no help. "Yes, my lord, I believe it does…" Galvatron's eyes went bright red and Scourge knew what was coming. "Well then, why do you bother me with such non-sense? Tell Hunn-Gurr to continue on!" he screamed nearly to the full extent of his vocal circuits. Decepticons throughout the base could hear him, but this was nothing new.

Scourge turned away from Galvatron before he could lash out at him with something more than just insults and moved to the exit. Cyclonus was close behind. "It's a no win situation with him Cyclonus. If I didn't report the Terrorcons progress to him he'd still take a tantrum…"
"I know Scourge, but you need to bear with me. Victory is near at hand. As unstable as his mind is, it is with him that we will finally achieve dominance…" Cyclonus made sure to whisper so his commander could not hear.

"If you ask me Cyclonus, I think we could have done this on our own, and we wouldn't have to suffer this constant abuse." Scourge continued to walk down the corridor that led to the landing bay. Cyclonus said no more for he knew Scourge was probably right, but he was afraid to admit it. He could not fight against his own circuitry. Cyclonus' loyalty to his master was embedded deep within his mind and there was no removing it, no matter how crazy or insane Galvatron had become.

Cyclonus turned and walked back into the throne room. The Decepticons Communications Specialist, a Transformer known as Soundwave monitored the continuing activity of the war. He turned away from his monitoring station to face Galvatron. "I have a report from Onslaught on the progress of the war…"

Soundwave's synthesized voice had a digitized sound. Although near monotone in emotion, his unmistakable sound seemed to transmit several octaves all at once. The physical appearance of the Decepticon, like his unique voice, was anything but typical. Soundwave was a huge warrior and he could stand face to face with most other Transformers. His primary exterior color was dark blue, he had a large cannon mounted on his right shoulder and he had a compartment located on his chest where he could unleash his own army of cassette warriors.

These cassettes could transform into soldiers who not only served the Decepticon cause but were loyal to Soundwave above all else. Among these warriors were Laserbeak and Buzzaw, two cassettes who transformed into eagles, Frenzy and Rumble, two cassettes who transformed into small robots, and Slugfest and Overkill, two cassettes who transformed into small dinosaur creatures. Soundwave had at his disposal, an entire army for himself.

Galvatron turned away from Ramjet and Dirge to face Soundwave who had jumped into the air and transformed into his cassette player mode. "Soundwave, you're among my most loyal subjects, and more importantly, you only speak when you have something of importance to say…" A small tube extracted from Soundwave's side and connected with the large monitoring station. Galvatron looked to the screen and appearing across its surface was the Decepticon known as Onslaught, the commander of the tactical unit known as the Combaticons.

Behind Onslaught, Galvatron could see rising fires and smoke and it brought a smile to his face. "Report Onslaught." said the Decepticon Commander.

Onslaught was a large green camouflaged warrior. He was as tall as Galvatron and nearly as strong, but it was his military expertise that overshadowed all of his other abilities. The Commander of the Combaticons was the Decepticon to turn to lead such offenses as this. Galvatron knew that he could attend to other matters when Onslaught was on hand to lead the actual physical war.

"The war goes well my Lord. The Symconian army has been decimated and we are ridding ourselves of the final pockets of resistance now. Is there any purpose in capturing survivors for interrogation?" asked Onslaught in his very similar British-like accent. Many Autobots and Decepticons had acquired such human traits upon downloading Earth cultural information during their time on that planet. Onslaught had obtained his accent during one such occurrence and he liked it, although many of the other Decepticons found it particularly annoying.

Galvatron waved his hand in a swatting-like motion. "Kill them all, I have no need for prisoners. Our only reason for coming to this planet is for its rich resources."

Cyclonus who was listening from behind stepped forward to offer a suggestion. "Perhaps we could use them for manual labor my Lord…"

Galvatron's head swung around to look at Cyclonus. "They're weakling's Cyclonus. They're weaklings even when compared to the humans." He turned back to the screen. "Dispose of them, all of them!" The monitor went black and Galvatron returned to his window. "Leave me Cyclonus, I wish to be alone…" The Decepticon's second in command said no more and departed the throne room.