Chapter Two: The Consequences of Optimism
The five Autobots stood side by side and saluted their leader. "Alright, Autobots. We've got an important mission. Perceptor, I'll let you explain." Rodimus pointed his digit at a smiling red Autobot, who gladly stepped forward and joined his commander in briefing the his team.
"I've discovered a new substance that will indubitably assure future victories against our foes!" The scientist turned and pointed toward the monitor behind him, which displayed images of a strange white liquid. "Comrades... This is called 'Nucleon'. It has very enigmatic properties. It is suspected to trigger radical changes in the physiology of our species. Unfortunately, samples are notoriously difficult to acquire. That is why we are assembled here today!"
Perceptor held his servos behind his back and scanned the mechs assembled before him before calmly continuing. "Of course, the scientific value of such a fuel is astronomical! Most Autobots lack the knowledge to properly handle sensitive materials, so you four have been chosen to assist me on an expedition to attain samples of this chemical."
The scientist began gesturing toward his teammates as he addressed each one personally. "Skyfire. You and I will lead this mission. We shall acquire a batch of "Nucleon" and begin experimentation immediately." The tall white jet quietly nodded in agreement. "Blaster. You shall remain on our vessel to maintain communications with Cybertron." Blaster laughed. "Of course! What if we encounter resistance?" The microscope tilted his helm toward the floor for a moment and glanced at his pedes. "Should we encounter resistance, you will be needed to summon reinforcements."
Perceptor's jovial expression returned as he enthusiastically turned to the next Autobot in line. "Springer! Your exemplary flying skills will be needed as the pilot of our science vessel." The green triple-changer smirked as he confidently responded. "Alright. Don't worry, Percy. I'll tear down whatever freaks end up in our way. It's what I do best." The scientist frowned. "Hopefully such talk does not come to fruition... Then again, conflict seems inevitable these days..."
The Autobot genius gestured toward the final member of the research team. "Inferno. You will be required to help contain the Nucleon. We've not seen any physical samples, and at this moment we are unaware of the volatility of this substance. In case we reach any emergencies, your talents will be needed in preventing any damage to our equipment... Or us." Inferno chuckled. "Containing problems is my specialty, chief!".
The jolly scientist placed his servos behind his back once again and turned to the Autobot leader. "Alright, Rodimus. I believe that will be enough. Has the Prowl been prepared for launch?" Rodimus nodded, smiling. "Yes, it has. Would you like to leave now?" Perceptor turned and began walking toward the door leading to the shuttle bay. "Indeed! Science cannot wait!". The four Autobots under the microscope's command followed him to the shuttle bay while Rodimus trailed the group.
The Autobot research team arrived at the launch site and climbed into the Prowl. Rodimus Prime saluted the ship as he spoke into a handheld communicator. "Alright, gentlemechs. May your gears be greased and your optics shining. Good luck out there, and don't be afraid to call for help. Autobot forces will remain on standby." Perceptor strapped himself into his seat and muttered into his headset as the ship began firing up its engines. "Thank you, Rodimus. The future is in our servos...!"
As the leading science technician finished his words, the Prowl darted into Cybertron's atmosphere.
Springer sat in the pilot's seat and watched the monitors. "Huh. We're traveling a pretty far distance. All the way to Hydrus Four? Do we have enough fuel for a trip like this?" Perceptor placed his servo on Springer's shoulder plating and stared into the bright screen in front of him. "Of course, Springer. Everything has been taken care of! All variables have been thoroughly researched and compromised for." The ace pilot quietly laughed. "You seem pretty sure of yourself. What could possibly go wrong, right? Guess we'll worry about it when we get there."
Blaster swiveled in his chair and eyed the science leader. "Sir, I've detected something strange on the radar here. Some kind of unidentified spacecraft. Should we establish communications?" Perceptor dashed spryly across the bridge and examined the radar screen. "I suppose it couldn't hurt. We may be on an important mission, but we're still Autobots. Intergalactic security is one of our highest priorities." The communications expert turned to his console and initiated a link with the strange ship.
The strange ship accepted the communication attempt. With the crackling of static, the image of a menacing purple mech appeared on the monitor. "This is commander Shockwave of the Star Screamer! Surrender, Autobots. Your survival be will assured if you comply with our orders." The Decepticon ship began to approach the drifting Prowl. Springer turned his chair to the monitor and angrily revved his motor. "Listen here, you goon! We don't take orders from Decepticons!"
Perceptor gently glanced at the green mech for a moment before returning his focus to the offending mech that splashed across the screen before him. "Listen, Decepticon. You tread within Autobot airspace, and yet you speak these poorly formed threats? May I remind you that we are armed and prepared for combat?" Shockwave's optical sensor flickered for a moment. "Your cooperation would be the logical choice. I'll give you one more ch-" The cyclops' image melted into a mess of static as Blaster cut off communications.
Springer furiously banged his servos against his console. "How dare that freak threaten us? You want me to blast him?" The microscope shook his helm. "No. We are stationed in a mere science vessel. I fear that this ship was not designed for combat. Springer, engage evasive maneuvers and continue heading for HydrusFour. Blaster, I want you to contact Iacon and inform them of this transgression."
The pilot reluctantly engaged the Prowl's boosters and began tearing through outer space, at a speed that the bloated, inefficient StarScreamer could not match. As he did so, the red boombox began fiddling with the controls on his keyboard. "Perceptor, something's wrong! I can't seem to get any signals!" Perceptor cracked open the casing on the console and examined the contents. "Everything looks alright... It's possible that the Decepticons have found a way to jam our transmissions..."
Blaster recoiled in shock as Skyfire stood up from his seat. "Perceptor, what are we going to do? We can't combat those Decepticons, at least not in this condition. Perhaps we should turn back?" The microscope walked to the centre of the bridge and collapsed into his seat. "We cannot. Surely the Decepticons will be following us... But we don't have many options!" The white jet thought to himself for a moment and prepared his proposal. "Perhaps we should... accept the terms of the Decepticons? Perhaps they mean us no harm?"
Inferno shook his helm and glared at Skyfire. "Did you crack your processor off of the doorway when you stepped into this ship? We can't surrender to Decepticons! We oughta offline those rusted afts!" Springer laughed. "I agree. Decepticons aren't so tough. Did you see their ship? It looks like it was made by a crew of chimpanzees! Fighting is a far better option than surrendering is."
Perceptor rotated his chair to Blaster. "What about you, Blaster? What course of action would you choose?" Blaster stared off into space for a moment before directing his glazed optics to his leader's frame. "I think we should try and go around them, and head back to Iacon. We do have the faster ship, after all. If it fails... Then we can fight." The conflicted microscope turned to his reliable pilot and began to issue orders. "Springer, change direction. Set a course for Cybertron, while trying to stay at a safe distance from the StarScreamer.
The green mech punched the new coordinates into his keyboard. "Alright, Perceptor. But I'm not sure if we'll make it. Our boosters are running low on fuel. Besides that, we haven't managed to get very far away from the Decepticons. They've been hot on our trail, and there's not much of a radius for us to work with." Perceptor groaned. "Unfortunately, we have little else in the way of choices. Our fuel will run out eventually, no matter which course we take. We've only one chance!"
The Prowl deftly curved around a nearby asteroid and began heading towards Cybertron in an arc, in an attempt to evade the StarScreamer. As the Autobot ship sped through space, Springer noticed strange readings on the radar. "Hey, Percy. I think we've got a bigger problem then the Star Screamer." Perceptor sighed. "More problems? Of course. Explain." The triple-changer turned and locked optics with the scientist. "If we keep heading in this direction... We'll run straight into The Revenge." "The Revenge?" Springer grimaced. "Galvatron's warship. I'd recognize that energy signature anywhere."
Perceptor leaned back into his chair and rubbed his optics. "What are our options, Springer?" Springer chuckled. "We can choose between the Revenge, or the Star Screamer. If we go any further in this direction, The Revenge is going to turn us into mashed scraplets. We're almost out of fuel for our boosters... If we change course, the Star Screamer is gonna catch us."
The microscope leaned forward and stared into the polished steel flooring of the Prowl. "Blaster, try communicating with Iacon again. Springer... Head directly for Cybertron, using a route that heads as far away from The Revenge as possible. Prepare for combat!" The boombox fiddled with the controls for a moment, before shaking his helm and shrugging his shoulderplates. "Still nothing but static..." Springer followed his leader's orders and plotted a new course for Cybertron.
Moments later, an alarm at the pilot's side began blaring. "We're out of booster fuel, Perceptor! Does this piece of junk have any weapon systems?" Perceptor strapped himself into his seat. "No. Springer, prepare for an emergency collision. Our ship's only weapon is its reinforced hull. I recommend you gentlemechs strap yourselves in and brace for impact." The green mech altered the ship's course once more, using the small traces of fuel remaining to angle the ship toward the StarScreamer. "Alright, let's do this!"
The four other Autobots strapped themselves to their seats. The Prowl shot through space like a bullet, and smashed directly into the relatively fragile StarScreamer. The momentum from the impact left the Decepticon starship hurdling through the dark depths of space as the Star Screamer's thrusters managed to slow the speeding spacecraft. The impact fused the two ships together, creating a large clustered mass of twisted steel.
The five Autobots removed their seatbelts and prepared for battle. "You madman! You could have killed us all!" An enraged Skyfire forcefully shoved Perceptor to the floor, chipping some of the paint off of the microscope's back. Inferno helped lift Perceptor to his pedes. "What's wrong with you? We didn't have any choice! Are you alright, Perceptor?" The red scientist dusted himself off and drew his rifle. "I'll be fine, as soon as we manage to find a way out of this predicament." Springer stood facing the shattered windows and monitors that marked the former location of the Prowl's cockpit.
"Guys, we've got a bigger problem. Look..." The pilot pointed toward the wreckage. Flames from a pair of blowtorches began tearing up the sides of the wall. "Autobots, prepare for combat!" The research team lined up with their weapons pointed at the wall, ready to intercept the Decepticons that were in the process of breaching it. The Autobots focused all their attention on the blowtorches slowly tracing a doorway into the debris. So focused, that none of the Autobots noticed a similar breach being made in the ceiling behind them.
Simultaneously, both breaches tore open. A voice screamed out from beyond the dust "Decepticons, attack!". A flurry of laser fire from both sides of the former cockpit lit up the darkened bridge of the ship, while three shadowy figures dropped in from the ceiling. One by one, the unknown invaders knocked the Autobot forces into stasis.
Slowly, each Autobot awoke on the floor of the Star Screamer's cockpit, bound within chains of energon. The six Constructicons lined up against the wall behind them, while the Combaticons remained scattered around the room. Shockwave proudly stood at the front of the room alongside his communications officer Soundwave. The cyclops laughed madly as he surveyed his prey.
"So, you've finally come online, have you? Which one of you is responsible for crashing your pitiful hunk of steel into my cruiser?" Perceptor's joints ached with pain. His vocalizer crackled with static as he wheezed through his intakes. "It was I... Decepticon! It was the only logical decision to make! I'd rather risk going offline than give in to the likes of you!" Shockwave giggled as the light on his optical sensor blinked. "Logic, you say? I like that. You're the famed scientist 'Perceptor', are you not?" The microscope fidgeted within his bindings and tensed his optics with rage. "I answer not to you! Release us, or you shall suffer the consequences!" The Decepticon warlord shuffled his pedes across the floor and cracked the defiant scientist across the face with the barrel of his cannon.
"Decepticons! I like this one. You shall not harm him." Shockwave grabbed Perceptor's helm and dragged him across the floor, leaving him by his side at the front of the room. "Now, as for the rest of you sorry lot... Which of you are willing to work with us?" The purple mech intimidatingly swept his arm cannon across the room, before settling on a white Autobot. "You! You look... familiar. Skyfire, is that you? After all these vorns?"
Skyfire lifted his helm and stared into the cyclops. "Yes. I remember you, Shockwave. You're a monster! You don't care about peace or justice! That's why I join-" "Silence!" Shockwave incinerated the jet's arm with his cannon. Mixmaster turned and whispered into Hook's audio receptor. "I told ya the Nucleon would work!" The Constructicon duo giggled for a moment, until they noticed their leader's fierce glare.
"Listen, Skyfire. I believe in a peaceful Cybertron! One ruled by pure logic. The only suitable leader for a new world such as this would be a minister of raw logic such as myself. A traitor like you would never understand." Skyfire futilely struggled to move from his spot on the floor. "Peace? Is that what you want?" The white mech's helm crashed to the floor as he softly wept. "So be it. I'll assist you, if you so desire. Only in the name of peace!"
Shockwave laughed. "Of course you will, Skyfire." The purple mech strolled across the floor and lifted Skyfire's helm with his servo. Shockwave looked deep into Skyfire's optics for a moment. "Skyfire... You're a brilliant scientist. I admire your thirst for research. Having your assistance would be magnificent!" Skyfire's lip components shifted into a fragile smile, betrayed by the oil leaking from the corners of his optics.
"Unfortunately, Skyfire... You hold a history of betrayal. Placing my trust in one such as you would be... Illogical." Shockwave gripped the jet by the helm and lifted him into the air. "Shockwave, please..." "Which one of you lucky Decepticons would like to show me how we deal with traitors on this ship?" Vortex twitched madly and stepped forward. "Me, sir! Me! I'm... the best!" Shockwave laughed cruelly and tossed the Autobot to his subordinate. "Yes, Vortex! Indeed you are..."
The combaticon gripped the helm of his prey with one servo as he removed his codpiece with the other. "Vortex, is it? Please don't do this! I'll do anything you ask! Someone, please he-" Vortex rudely shoved his erect spike deep into the jet's mouth, shattering his vocalizer in the process. The helicopter roughly ground his hips against Skyfire's helm, while rhythmically thrusting his spike inside the jet's face. "You call that a blow job, you useless glitch! I'm gettin' nothing from this!"
Scrapper was the first to object. "Vortex, for the love of Primus! What the frag is wrong with you!" "Shut up, or you're next!" Skyfire writhed in pain as his predator withdrew his spike. "What a waste of my slagging time! Some pleasure bot you are!" Vortex pummeled the jet in the side of his helm, sending him crashing to the floor. "Shockwave, sir! Gimme one of those other ones! This one sucks!"
Shockwave shook his helm. "...I thought you wanted him to suck. Some mechs just can't be pleased... Vortex, you'll have to make do." The Combaticon sighed and lifted Skyfire's aft. Vortex tore off the Autobot's codpiece and eyed his glistening valve. It only took a moment for the Decepticon to force his way in. "Ahhh... This is a little... better." Vortex fiercely humped the jet's aft as he gently grabbed Skyfire's spike. "You want some too, rustmouth?"
Skyfire's face was flat against the floor, the leaking oil and energon from his optics and vocalizer creating a spreading pool of liquid. All of the mechs had turned away from the scene, with the exception of Shockwave and Soundwave. Vortex began gently rubbing Skyfire's spike, as he leaned forward and whispered into his audio receptors. "Do you like this, Skyfire? Do I make you feel gooooooood? ….Too bad!" With a sudden jerk, the helicopter snapped Skyfire's spike off of his body. "Anybody want a prize!"
Vortex tossed the spike across the room and watched it roll across the floor, leaking energon. The Decepticon giggled heavily. "Oooooh, yeah! Nothing gets me... off... like a little.. sadism!" Vortex leaned his helm back and let a twisted moan escape his intakes. Moments later, he dropped the corpse to the floor and began playing with the transfluid dripping from his spike. "Thanks, Shockwave. That was cool!"
Shockwave gently laughed for a moment. "No problem, Vortex." The cyclops turned to the silent Autobots on the floor behind him. "So, would you like to join your friend? Or join me?" The Autobot trio shuttered their optics and refused to answer. "Very well, then. Combaticons! Take these three to the brig. Leave Perceptor behind. I shall deal with him myself. Soundwave, I'd like you to prepare and repair our communications systems. Constructicons... Clean up this mess. If you could do something about the metallic tumor on the side of our ship, that would also be appreciated."
The Combaticons gathered the three hostages together and carried them out of the room. Shockwave carefully lifted his new pet from the floor and dragged him to his quarters. The six Constructicons gathered around Skyfire's remains.
"Aw, Primus. Why do we always hafta do this slag? No respect..."
