Author's Notes: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! There will probably only be a couple more chapters after this one. I know writing a story with only 4 or 5 chapters is a little odd, but that's really all this one needs. Anyway, please review, follow, and/or favorite! You guys are a great audience :)
Chapter 2
The medical team aboard the Ark had their servos full with the casualties. Ratchet, Hoist, and First Aid worked tirelessly on everyone. Optimus Prime came out alright, as did Wheeljack and Cliffjumper. The only one that was proving to be more difficult was Omega Supreme.
He was in a large hangar near the side of the Ark. He couldn't be in the medbay because he didn't fit. Many of his internal components were damaged, but the real problem was attempting to replace his temperature regulator. They needed a new one since the old one was scrapped, but the only place to get a new one was on Cybertron.
They needed to convince the Decepticons to let them use the space bridge, or else force their way through. Neither option looked possible. Megatron would never allow them to save the life of their last line of defense, and the space bridge was too heavily guarded. It was as if the Decepticons knew the Autobots would try something like this!
Optimus sighed as he looked at the still form of his old friend and colleague. Omega Supreme needed a miracle if he was going to survive.
He had to know! Scavenger couldn't take it anymore! He had to know what became of Omega Supreme! Did they kill him? Did he live? How would Scavenger find out? He couldn't just waltz up to the Ark and ask the Autobots!
Scavenger had a plan, but considering he was doing all this just for information it seemed crazy! He waited until his gestalt mates were asleep before he left. It took a considerable bribe to get Swindle to grant him access to the surface, but Scavenger wasn't about to back out now! He had to know what happened!
After leaving the Nemesis it took a while before Scavenger found what he was looking for, and when he did he wasn't sure how to proceed. He was at an aircraft hangar. The planes themselves were worthless to him. No, what he wanted was the guy who ran the control station!
Scavenger broke the glass to the radio tower's windows and grabbed the surprised dispatcher before he could scream or run! The human struggled in the Construction's grip, and Scavenger waited patiently for the flesh bag to tire himself out.
"P-please...What do you want?" The human finally stammered as he looked into the pitiless visor of his Decepticon captor.
"You got a frequency for the Autobots?" Scavenger asked; although he knew the answer already.
"Y-yes sir," the man reluctantly replied.
"Good," Scavenger smiled then, "I want you to call them, audio only, and then when they answer I want you to leave. Don't make a sound, and don't connect me to the wrong frequency! Do as your told, and I won't hurt you. Understand?"
The man nodded miserably.
"Good boy," Scavenger praised his prisoner, "Go on, now. Make the call."
Scavenger waited with stilled intakes as the human typed in the frequency and turned a few dials and knobs. He repeated his request for the Autobots twice before Optimus Prime answered with "This is the Autobots. What is the emergency?"
Scavenger then scooted out (nearly threw out) the human so that he was outside. This took a few seconds during which time Optimus asked the human to repeat his request for assistance.
"Optimus Prime," Scavenger said hesitantly.
"Yes, where are you and what is the problem?" Optimus asked.
"You don't know me, but I'm a friend of Omega Supreme," Scavenger lied; since he was neither a stranger nor a friend, "I heard he was hurt in a fight last cycle. I just wanted to know...I mean, is he...Is Omega still alive or not?"
Scavenger couldn't believe how much it was hurting him to ask that. He couldn't say the word dead. It was illogical, but if he said it then it might actually come true. Surely Omega Supreme could survive one little attack from Devastator?
"He is alive, but barely," Optimus replied somberly, "We do not know how much longer he can hang on. We need a temperature regulator if we are to repair him, but we do not know how we can get to Cybertron to retrieve one. Without it, I'm afraid Omega Supreme doesn't have much longer to live. His spark will overheat without it. I'm sorry. If you are able to come and say your goodbyes, I would suggest doing so immediately."
Goodbye? No! This was not goodbye! Scavenger wasn't going to give up just like that no matter what that blowhard Optimus Prime said! He was a Constructicon! Their shared existence revolved around making great things out of practically nothing! He could help Omega Supreme, and within an astro second he figured out just how he was going to do it!
"Optimus Prime," Scavenger addressed the Autobot leader with muted excitement, "Send a team to the space bridge. I guarantee it will be cleared out by the time you get there!"
"How can you do this? Who are you?" Optimus asked skeptically.
"I cannot tell you," Scavenger replied evasively, "Just know this: my priority is the same as yours. I want you to save Omega Supreme. I can get the guards away from the space bridge in time for you to send a small team through to get the part! Hurry! Omega Supreme doesn't have much time!"
With those cryptic words Scavenger cut off the transmission. He would do his part to save Omega Supreme. He just hoped that the Autobots played their roles as well, or else this entire plan would fall apart!
The Coneheads were stuck with guard duty that day. The sun was hot, and the air was dry. None of them knew why they had to pull an extra shift to protect the space bridge, but they were getting sick of the whole thing!
Around mid-noon they saw a green and purple form driving over the horizon. Another few minutes and they could see that it was a Constructicon. It was the shovel...Scavenger (that was his name, they remembered) was coming right for them!
He stopped just short of hitting Dirge, transformed quickly, and greeted them with a companionable smile.
"Megatron is relieving you of duty," Scavenger said fluidly, "You may return to your quarters and recharge."
"Oh yeah?" Thrust asked challengingly, though secretly he hoped it was true.
"Yes. I am here now and the other Constructicons will be here shortly," Scavenger hoped they didn't notice his deception.
"Great! Let's get out of here!" Ramjet said cheerfully as they transformed as flew away.
Scavenger waved happily until he couldn't see them anymore, and then muttered "Air heads" under his breath.
Scavenger stood there for about 10 minutes until he heard the telltale noise of truck engines and saw the dust being kicked up by the approach of the Autobots. He didn't want to be seen by the Autobots, so Scavenger ducked behind a nearby boulder and watched the proceedings.
Optimus, Ironhide, Mirage, and Hound were driving up to the space bridge, and then they stopped to transform into robot mode. They looked around suspiciously; sure that this was some kind of Decepticon trap.
"I don't know, it looks like there really is no one here," Hound said hopefully.
"Yeah, well I don't buy it," Ironhide growled softly as he looked around for Decepticon soldiers waiting to ambush them.
Scavenger didn't dare peak around the rock to see what they were doing. He knew he stuck out like a green and purple sore thumb against the barren dusty landscape. Still, he listened and waited for the other mechs to leave.
"I do not believe this was a trick," Optimus Prime deliberated, "The transmission was from someone who knew Omega Supreme. Why would Megatron use that ruse? He would likely use someone who knew a higher ranking officer. Then again, they knew Omega Supreme had been hurt. This could yet be a trap. Still, this is our only chance to save our comrade. We have to take that chance. Autobots, roll out!"
The four Autobots then went into the space bridge, and the circular platform engulfed them in a brilliant burst of light and sucked them away into the stars!
Scavenger finally left his hiding place and looked at where the Autobots had once been standing. Omega Supreme's best hope for survival just left for Cybertron, and all Scavenger could do was wait. He only hoped they weren't too late.