Sorry for not updating in a while, been hectic at home. R&R please. I do not own Transformers.
The Decepticon base was dark as Thundercracker and Skywarp came in from their long distance patrol.
"Wow. This is really weird TC." Skywarp said, staring at the darkened entrance. Thundercracker was in agreement, but something felt even more out of place for him. Usually some kind of light would be on to indicate the base wasn't abandoned, but they couldn't detect any kind of power source inside at all. Something cold slithered up the blue seekers spinal struts. He carefully followed Skywarp inside, keeping on optic out for anything out of the ordinary. They made it half way inside without meeting a single living thing.
"This is starting to seriously creep me out TC. Did they abandon the base or something?" Skywarp asked, stepping close to Thundercracker and grabbing hold of his arm. Thundercracker gently took hold of Skywarp's servos and started guiding him to the security room.
"Maybe somebody got something on the security monitors." He suggested, keeping his voice low and calm to sooth the purple seeker. Skywarp nodded and followed quietly, the thick atmosphere seeming to press onto him. Thundercracker opened his side of the bond to comfort his younger mate. Very few mechs knew that the two were bonded, and they kept it that way, just in case someone decided to use it against them. Thundercracker usually kept his side of the bond blocked during dangerous situations or patrols just in case something happened, but right now the purple seeker needed his comfort now more than ever.
Suddenly, a flash of metal out of the corner of his optic was the only warning the blue seeker had. He pushed his mate out of the way and wiped his gun out.
"What is THAT!" Skywarp screamed, having fallen on the ground behind the blue seeker. Thundercracker didn't answer as he grappled with the dead looking mech with red optics. He quickly dispatched it with a few well aimed blows with his hidden weapon, an energy dagger. Putting his weapons away, he leaned down next to the dead body and examined it. He couldn't believe what he saw.
"I don't believe it." He whispered.
"W-what is it TC." Skywarp stuttered, getting up and carefully making his way to his mate. Thundercracker turned the body over for his mate to see.
"It's Blazewing." Thundercracker answered. Blazewing was a new recruit that they both had seen running around the base. He hadn't even had a chance to see a real battle yet. Getting up, Thundercracker grabbed Skywarp's wrist and ran down the hallway.
"TC?" Skywarp asked, fear evident in his voice. Thundercracker didn't say anything. They reached the security room without incident, Thundercracker locking and barricading the doors. Skywarp was scared and confused, not easy feelings to cause a Decepticon. A sound in the back of the room caused the purple seeker to jump and the blue seeker to whirl around with his gun and dagger drawn. A large silver mech stepped out with his hands drawn up.
"Soundwave?" Skywarp asked, recognizing the mech. Soundwave nodded and lowered his arms.
"What happened?" Thundercracker demanded.
"Base compromised." Soundwave answered, stepping toward the two seekers.
"We slagging well know that!" Skywarp snapped. "What happened?" The silver mech looked at Skywarp for a few clicks.
"Tell us." Thundercracker ordered him. Soundwave nodded and turned to one of the security monitors. It lit up and showed two mechs with red optics.
"This was taken from the exploration ship." The silver mech told them.
"Thissssss issssss perfect my sssssservent." One of them hissed.
"Thank you, my master." The other said. The seekers were surprised to recognize it was Megatron.
"Are all the mechsssssss here turned?" The hissing mech asked. Megatron shook his helm.
"No, some are still on the ship. But there are many more back on Cybertron." The hissing mech smiled evilly.
"Perfect. Let'ssssss get going then." The screen blinked out, the two seekers staring horridly at the silver mech with them.
"What was that about?" Skywarp asked, but he was ignored by both mechs.
"How could this happen?" Thundercracker asked Soundwave. "I thought they all were destroyed." Soundwave nodded.
"Statement: Soundwave believed as well. Observations incorrect."
"Oh stop that! Speak normally." Thundercracker snapped. The silver mech looked at Thundercracker for a few kliks, Skywarp thought he would attack his mate, than he nodded. His visor and mask clicked open and he showed his naturally red optics and sharp faceplates.
"Better?" The silver mech asked, Skywarp nearly crashed his logic circuits from the low, cool sound of the mech's voice.
"Better." Thundercracker said. "Now what are we going to do?" Soundwave looked thoughtful for a moment.
"The most obvious decision is to leave the base."
"But how and where? And where are Megatron and the-" Thundercracker cast a glance at Skywarp, who seemed to be unable to process what was happening and seemed in shock. "The monster?"
"They are at another of our bases." Soundwave answered. "They left here shortly after contaminating most of the soldiers." Thundercracker nodded, still looking uneasy.
"So how do we get out of here?" He asked.
"I have a suggestion." Soundwave looked at Skywarp. "Your wing mate's special ability could allow us an easy escape."
"But where can we go? Especially with those things free on Cybertron?" Soundwave gave Thundercracker a hard stare.
"There is only one place we can go that is safe." Thundercracker glared at the silver mech.
"No." He refused to go crawling to them for help.
"Swallow your pride!" Soundwave snapped, surprising the seekers. "We can not allow our petty differences to cloud our judgment and endanger our lives!" Thundercracker blinked his optic shutters, surprised at the amount of emotion that Soundwave was showing. Even without his mask and visor, he wasn't the most emotional bot. Then a clicking sound came from the corner Soundwave had hidden in, and two small bodies slinked out. It was Soundwave's cassettes, Ravage and Rumble. And suddenly Thundercracker understood why Soundwave was willing to go to them for help.
"Alright. But Skywarp can't take us all, it would put too much strain on his systems, especially since we haven't refueled and he's already stressed out enough. He can take your cassettes, but we'd have to stay." Thundercracker explained. Soundwave nodded in agreement, but their companions didn't like that idea.
"But TC!" Skywarp cried, taking a hold of Thundercracker's arm. "I can't just leave you behind." Thundercracker looked at his mate's stricken face and put on a calm smile.
"It'll be alright Warp. I promise that it will be alright. Soundwave and I'll be alright and we'll get out just fine. If you're out of danger, it'll be easier for me to get out without worrying about you and besides," He nuzzled Skywarp's faceplates. "I'll have something to convince me to get out sooner." Skywarp wanted to protest he didn't need anyone to protect him. But even he knew he would be useless against those things. He nodded miserably and clutched at his mate, who stroked his wings in comfort.
The same thing was happening with Soundwave. Ravage and Rumble didn't want to leave him, he was their creator.
"You must leave with Skywarp." Soundwave told them softly.
"B-b-but Soundwave…w-w-w-we want-t-t-t to stay wi-i-ith you." Rumble whined, his stutter being worse since his separation from his twin, Frenzy, though Soundwave was glad that he allowed Barricade to take the cassette for a long away mission.
::Soundwave, we need to stay together. We promised Frenzy.:: Ravage begged, using his telepathy to speak with his creator, but Soundwave shook his head.
"No. You have to go with Skywarp. If you stay, you will be in danger." His cassettes were about to protest, but he interrupted. "No. Go with Skywarp now." The cassettes stopped their protests and lowered their helms. Soundwave didn't want his cassettes to think he was being uncaring about them. He reached out and lifted them both into his arms, the cassettes burrowing into his embrace. When he released them, they slowly made their way to the purple seeker, who carefully lifted them up in his arms. They all gave one last look at their loved ones, and then Skywarp initiated his special ability and warped out to a hidden location away from the base that Thundercracker would be able to find.
The two remaining mechs stayed were they were for a few more clicks before moving. Thundercracker removed his energy daggers and Soundwave brought out his own weapon, an energy scythe. They both looked at each other before going over to the doors. Quickly moving the barricade away, they braced themselves and opened the doors and ran down the hallway, ready to take out any Death Walkers that got in their way.
At the Autobot base…
The base was in total chaos. Mechs and femmes were running around like glitch mice and Ultra Magnus and Elita-1 were not helping matters. In fact, they had brought in more soldiers from their bases. Prowl's nerves were so frayed that even Jazz could hardly get him to calm down.
"This is madness." Prowl grumbled as he made his way to his office, Jazz right behind him, passing a large group of mechs.
"Yeah Prowler. I know." Jazz sighed, trying to comfort his mate through their bond. The reason for all the disarray? Hot Rod's disappearance. And Optimus Prime's seeming resurrection. Oh, and the inexplicable disappearance of the base's top scientist and one of their top fighters. Prowl tried to stave of the crash he felt creeping up in his processor as he sat heavily behind his desk. Jazz took his usual seat on the other side and propped his pedes up. Prowl didn't even bother to tell him to get down, he just hid his faceplates in his hands and sighed.
"Come on Prowler. It ain't tha' bad, is it?" Jazz tried again to distract the tactician. Prowl gave the silver mech a half sparked glare through his fingers.
"Not that bad? Jazz, Ratchet is still trying to convince everyone that Optimus is back from the Well of Allsparks, half the base thinks he has finally lost his processor. Hot Rod has disappeared, and since he is not a part of our unit, his disappearance can not be explained, and it does not help that both System and Perceptor have vanished as well. System, we could have explained easily, you would have sent her on a mission only she could accomplish since you have been 'training her as Special Ops'." Jazz grinned at Prowl's dry tone.
"Yeah, like I could train System in anything." The silver mech chuckled, knowing his best friend very well.
"Indeed, but that is the cover story we all agreed to." The black and white mech pointed out and Jazz nodded.
"But Perceptor's disappearance is not so easily explained. As a top scientist, he is not need anywhere outside the base and does not take part in any type of combat situation." Jazz nodded in agreement. "And their disappearance coinciding with Hot Rod's does not help matters. Ultra Magnus and Elita-1 are now both worried that the Decepticons have captured all of them, since they have been laying low for Orns. And now that they have both called in more mechs and femmes, the base can barely support everyone in it! And now the schedules are all out of control with the extra bodies running about and both Magnus and Elita will not listen to me and are giving orders left and right that-"
"Easy Prowler." Jazz soothed, coming over to Prowl's side and rubbing his back at the junction where his door wings met his back. "You're gonna overheat if ya keep goin' like this. Try an calm down." Prowl took a deep intake of air, trying to calm himself and concentrating on Jazz's hand on his back. "Sys' will come back soon, she always does, and I'm sure Percy and Roddy are both with her. And when they come back, I'm positive that impressive CPU of yours will think up a doozy of an explanation for Mags and Lita. So don't worry." Prowl had to smile at his mate's confidence, but he still worried about all the 'if's'. If System did not return soon, if she did not have Perceptor or Hot Rod with her, and if the Decepticons attacked before that. No matter how many times he ran the numbers, Prowl kept coming back with the same answer. Big trouble.
So when Bluestreak burst into his office looking like he ran all the way from Kaon, Prowl was ready for the worst.
"What's that matter Bluestreak?" He asked, standing up. But Bluestreak gave both his adoptive creators a big smile while huffing.
"I-it's…huff….Sys…"
"Easy Blue." Jazz went up to the young mech. "Take a big intake and tell us slowly." Bluestreak nodded and took big gulps of air.
"System! She's coming back. Percy is in the lab with that the big arch thing that he and Jack have been making and I'm not sure what it does but he told me that it's gonna get System back here some how and wow I didn't think he and Jack could make something like that but yeah she's on her way and Perceptor has that missing mech, Hot shot or something like that, he's with Percy right now and you gotta come right now!" With that, Bluestreak turned on his heal, almost smacking Jazz with his door wings, and ran out of the office. Prowl and Jazz exchanged a brief look before following the young mech all the way to the room where Wheeljack's and Perceptor's little project was held. Inside, they found the missing mech's standing in front of the large archway that held some kind of vortex. Prowl had to concentrate on the scientist, afraid that he would crash from the sheer relief that he felt.
The sound of running pedes and Jazz's soft "Uh-oh." made him look behind them. The sight of Elita-1 and Ultra Magnus with a few of their soldiers was not what he needed right now.
"What's wrong?" Ultra Magnus demanded. "We saw you three running down the hallway, we assumed we were under attack." Before Prowl could say anything, the vortex flashed, bringing everyone's attention to inside the room and the two bodies falling out, the vortex winking out of existence. They fell to the ground, both groaning. Prowl silently sighed in relief at the sight of System's familiar armor, but he balked when he recognized the red and blue mech next to her.
"Optimus?" The soft voice of Eltia-1 was heard though the silence that had fallen, even Bluestreak was uncharacteristically quiet. Before anyone could say anything, System propped her helm on her hands, coughed and said, "Well it sure the Pit ain't Primus." Prowl jerked and started issuing out orders.
"Perceptor, inform Ratchet of incoming patients. Bluestreak, Jazz, help Optimus and System to med. bay." A chorus of 'Yes sir's followed and the room returned to activity. Prowl had to get Ultra Magnus and Elita out of the way so that the bots could get to medical.
"Don't worry Blue, I'm fine." System brushed off the young mech's concern and helped Jazz lift Optimus off the floor. He looked worse than before they went into the vortex and System hid a wince of sympathy for the poor mech.
"What happened?" Jazz mouthed to her. She shook her head and mouthed "Later." and took all of Optimus' weight on her shoulders. He was still dazed from his trip, but was quickly recovering.
"Help Prowl with crowd control. We don't want the rest of the base to go to Pit if they see Prime walking about."
"Too late." Jazz muttered and left to help his mate with keeping the commanders distracted.
"Alright boss bot, let's get you to Ratchet. Bet he'll love to see you." System muttered sarcastically and started hauling Optimus out of the lab, Prowl and Jazz having successfully herded the crowd of bots away for the time being. It was silent all the way to the med. bay, until Optimus broke it.
"Thank you." System gave him a curious look.
"For what?" Optimus looked at her for a moment than turned his gaze forward.
"To be honest, I'm not really sure. I just feel I had to give you my gratitude." System cocked an optic brow before giving a one shoulder shrug, but on the inside she was nervous. How would Optimus feel when he regained his memories about what happened to him, what happened on the planet, and with her? Would he feel grateful when he learned the truth? She was broken out of her musings when the finally reached the med. bay and entered. System helped Optimus onto a berth and looked around for Ratchet.
"Alright it's either really good or really bad that he's not here." She looked into his office and saw no one. The sound of the doors opening caused them both to look up, but instead of the cranky medic, it was Wheeljack. At first he was surprised to see both Optimus and System in the med. bay that his mask snapped open in surprise. System giggled at the gob smacked look on his face before he reengaged his mask and swept to Optimus' side.
"What happened?" He asked as he pulled out various scanners and other medical equipment as Optimus lay down.
"Oh you know the usual." System said airily. Wheeljack nodded while Optimus gave them both a confused look.
"Alright, sir. I'm going to have to put you offline for now. Your processors are over heating badly and I'm not sure what else could be wrong, so it would be best if you're in stasis until Ratchet can get here." Optimus nodded and opened his mouth to ask where Ratchet was, but Wheeljack located his switch and forced him offline before he could say anything. When he made sure Prime was out, he turned and gave System an uncharacteristically serious look.
"Ok. What really happened?" System gave him a bored look.
"Oh come on. I already told you the usual." She said irritably, not really in the mood for the third degree. Wheeljack snorted.
"Oh the usual? What about the source? Did you get rid of that? And how are we going to take care of Ratchet, or have you forgotten that? And I'm guessing that little red mech Hot Rod saw it all as well?" The engineer bit out.
"Yeah, you're right. Well I did promise the young one that I would see if I could get permission to explain things to him, and I guess the same would be for Ratchet and Prime when he regains his memories." System sighed and placed her hand over her optics. Wheeljack wilted at seeing her so upset.
"I'm sorry. I forgot how you are about Optimus." He apologized. System gave him a look from between her fingers. "Hey it's not hard to figure out when you've been mooning after him for the last I don't know how long. But you really haven't been making an effort to hide it. Practically half the base knows." System gave him a horrified look. "Oh don't worry. Prime may be a great leader, but the lug nut can't recognize a crush when it's staring him right in the optics, so to speak." He teased her lightly. System just growled and grumbled about nosy engineers. Wheeljack laughed at her.
"Oh and you might want to get a replacement visor, or you might scare someone with those optics of yours." System went over to the large mirror and had a good look at herself. She was banged, scuffed, and scratched, nothing out of the ordinary for her, she was a front liner after all. But the sight of her broken visor and her optics was a very unusual sight. She fingered the broken edges of the visor and looked at her optics, they had been red in her fight with Optimus, but now they were green.
"I guess you're right. It would be unsettling for the rest of the base to see me like this. She gave Wheeljack a quick grin and sped out of the med. bay at her full speed. Wheeljack just shook his head and went back to work, not really worried someone would see System; they never did if she didn't want them too. He also knew he had to fix Prime as soon as possible, in case Ratchet came into the med. bay. Wheeljack could only imagine how the CMO would react to seeing Optimus again so soon after their run in, in the hall.
Perceptor was in the lab that held the spacebridge. He was glad when Prowl and Jazz were able to shoo the commanders and their mechs away. He had also allowed Hot Rod to return to his friends, but not before giving him a warning. Before System and Optimus had come through the spacebridge, he had told Hot Rod in no uncertain terms to 'Keep his trap shut', Primus, System was rubbing off on him. But still, it got the point across and the young mech promised to not tell what had happened on the planet and with Optimus and System. He was now wiping the spacebridge's hard drive to make sure no one found out about the planet and went there to investigate.
"Hey there." A voice suddenly spoke in the quiet lab, causing the scientist to jump in surprise. Turning, he saw System leaning on the doorframe, smirk on her faceplates and a new visor on.
"You must desist in doing that. My spark rate is already elevated as is." System just smirked and walked slowly inside. "I take it you came to reclaim your weapon?" Perceptor asked dryly. System nodded. Perceptor sighed and walked behind one of the larger consoles and dragged something out. It was System's sword. "I must say, it was quite difficult to relocate this. The materials in its composition are entirely too solid for someone as I, to easily reposition."
When System came through the spacebridge, she was lucky enough to have it dislodge so she easily hid it under her body so nobody saw it, though they were all too busy looking at Optimus to notice a humongous sword lying around. And when everyone left, Perceptor quickly hid it for her. System stifled a giggle and grabbed her sword with one hand and hefted it onto her back. Perceptor sighed.
"You must be more careful next time." System looked at him seriously.
"If there is a next time." She muttered. Perceptor shook his helm.
"Someone did that to Prime. And since we did not come across it, we have to assume the worst." System looked away from the scientist. Even though she didn't want to believe him, she nodded and quickly left the lab to return her sword to its hiding place.
Prowl sank into his chair with a heavy sigh. He and Jazz were back in the SIC's office after a long argument with Ultra Magnus and Elita-1. They had been adamant and demanding about Optimus. They had wanted to see him, but Prowl told them it was better that Ratchet see to him before the Prime got any visitors. He had to practically beat the logic into their heads, which was very tempting when he thought about it. Jazz sat perched on Prowl's desk, sending him sympathy glances. Before the saboteur could say anything to comfort Prowl, the door opened and System walked in. Prowl sat up and Jazz hopped off the desk.
"Is Prime alright?" Prowl asked. System nodded.
"Blowout is looking after him." Prowl's door wings stiffened and Jazz's visor brightened in their surprise. System using that codename could only mean one thing.
"I take it we have some business to take care of?" Prowl asked. System nodded her face unnaturally solemn. But as she opened her mouth to speak, the base alarms went off. All three tore off to the command center. When they got there, Ultra Magnus and Elita-1 were trying to understand what the trouble was.
"What's going on?" Prowl demanded.
"We're trying to figure that out now!" Elita answered, talking on her com-link to one of her soldiers. Then Red Alert came tearing into the room like Megatron himself was chasing him.
"Sir! We have a situation!" Red yelled to Prowl.
"I'm aware of it." Prowl snapped, not in the mood to deal with the panicky security director.
"No you don't! We're being attacked, but not by Decepticons!" Prowl's optics widened as everyone in the room became aware the Red Alert knew what was going on.
"What is it Red?" Jazz asked. Red Alert looked completely terrified.
"It's Death Walkers!" The room became completely silent. Many of them knew of Death Walkers from stories told to frighten sparklings, and many instantly thought the SD had completely lost it, but the looks on Prowl, Jazz, and System's faceplates told them otherwise.
"You're certain?" Prowl demanded, hoping he was wrong.
"Yes. I saw them on my monitors. They're coming this way." Red answered. Prowl cursed, surprising many in the room and was about to issue orders when Red Alert interrupted. "But that's not the worst part." Prowl nearly blanched, there was more? "Megatron is leading them! He's one of them!" System gasped loudly and held her hands over her mouth plates. Jazz looked like someone pulled the planet out form under him, and Prowl looked like he was suffering from multiple crashes all at once.
"That can't be." Prowl whispered.
"It's true sir." Red confirmed. "What are we going to do?"
"What is all this?" Ultra Magnus demanded, breaking the stunned silence the little group was caught in. Prowl shook his head and turned a determined look to System and Jazz.
"Get to the weapons vault. And contact everyone, inform them of the crisis." They both nodded and ran off. Prowl turned to Red Alert. "Issue a lockdown. No unauthorized personnel are allowed to leave." Red nodded and ran off. Prowl was left all alone with a room full of confused mechs and two very upset commanders. This was not his solar cycle.
Red emergency lights lit up the entire base as the blast doors closed and locked at every entrance. System and Jazz had reached the weapons vault that was hidden in Wheeljack's lab. The engineer was inside and gave them both a concerned look.
"Is it true?" He asked, his helm lights flashing a dark blue. Jazz merely nodded as System accessed the hidden area where all the weapons were kept. The sound of footsteps caused them all to look at the door to see Bluestreak burst through, a scared look on his face. The sight of his guardians calmed him down a bit, and when he noticed the weapons, a determined look entered his optics.
"I'm going with you." He said.
"No!" Jazz snapped. He was not going to risk his youngling in this fight. System placed her hand on his shoulder and gave him a sad look.
"We're gonna need everyone in this fight." Jazz looked like he wanted to argue, but he couldn't disagree with the femme on this. They were going to need all the help they could get. Once all four had retrieved a weapon, they quickly made it to the closest exit. They met others on their way, some confused at what they were doing, others joining them with looks of determination. Once at the door, Jazz comm'd. Red Alert to open the door. Outside, the Autobots could see a large group of mechs heading their way, and in the front, a large silver mech led the way. Wheeljack's energon ran cold and Bluestreak gripped his riffle hard. System and Jazz both stood in the front, tall and proud.
"Alright mechs, this is what we've trained for." System spoke to the gathered bots.
"Lets show these tin turkeys what it's like to mess wit' us!" Jazz called receiving a cheer from all the bots. They both turned and led the charge towards the horde of monsters.
Inside the command center, Ultra Magnus and Elita-1 watched in amazement and shock at the group of bots running to meet the oncoming enemy. They were both shocked at seeing many bots that they knew fighting. System, Jazz, Wheeljack, and many others. Prowl stood beside many monitors, observing the bots and thinking of battle plans to use. When the forces finally met, it was like an explosion, worse than any battle the commanders had been in. And when they got a good look at the enemy, fear ran through their neural nets. It looked like the Autobots were fighting with corpses. Dead grey bodies with faded paint and blank optics moving en masse at the (in proportion) small group.
But when the Autobots went up against the seemingly impossible odds, the two commanders were in shock. Each Autobot was able to take down at least five attackers at once and on their own. Even Bluestreak was picking off opponents one after the other. But Jazz and System were literally tearing into their opponents. It was a sea of flying body parts everywhere.
"Shouldn't we be out there helping?" Elita demanded, seeing mechs she had gotten to know the last few solar cycles.
"No." Prowl shook his head. "You would only get in the way." He turned to one of the communications mechs. "Send an alert throughout the base. No one is allowed to leave the base as long as the lockdown is in action. No exceptions." He turned a pointed look at the commanders. The mech nodded and turned to his console. Prowl then activated his own comm-link, issuing orders and directions to the battling mechs.
On the battle field, System and Jazz were almost enjoying themselves.
"Feels like ol' times don't it?" Jazz commented as he ripped apart an opponent with his weapons, extension claws that fit onto his hands that lengthened his digits and ended in razor sharp points.
"Yeah." System agreed, beheading another enemy. "But then again," She sliced another in half with her sword. "Old times sucked." Jazz snorted but grinned in agreement before jumping into a pile of the animated dead with a happy cheer. System shook her head at her best friend's excitement, but after all, this was what they did, and joined him with a battle cry.
Bluestreak was staying at the edge of the battle, taking up a sniping position, though it was harder for him than the other combatants, since his opponents didn't stay down for long, but he made sure none got past him, he refused to let these scum into the base and hurt his friends. Wheeljack was having as good a time as Jazz was, throwing various inventions at the mass of bodies and watching the explosions. It was like fireworks, only closer to the ground and with more destruction. Than suddenly a sound like a great beast roared across the battle field, causing all combatants to freeze and fear to creep into the Autobots' fuel lines. Looking up, they all saw the hulking form of the Decepticon leader, Megatron.
Stepping out of the sea of bodies, System and Jazz both made their way towards the deranged mech. He smiled when he spotted who was coming toward him.
"So, it seems my brother sends his little pets to do his job for him." He purred. System and Jazz both smirked, not affected by the con's posturing.
"Oh he didn't send us." System spoke, hefting her sword on her shoulder with one hand to show Megatron she meant business.
"But we came anyway. He's just so busy runnin' an army that he don't have time for the likes of ya." Jazz spoke up, tapping his claws on his thighs, making sure that they caught the light. Megatron wasn't happy with these two, they seemed to know more than they were letting on, and they were obviously stronger than they showed.
"Why do you fight for the Autobots? You both are clearly better than they are. Why don't you both come and join me, I'm sure I can make it worth your while?" Megatron attempted to coerce them, but they both just ignored him.
"What and join someone so irresponsible with his power that you would destroy your own faction?" System asked, gesturing to the bodies that were moving about, most of them were looking hungrily at the bots sill on the battlefield. It was obvious now just who these bots were, they were Decepticons; their faction symbol had faded away when they were changed into these mindless monsters.
"An' not ta mention that ya started dis war in the first place." Jazz supplied, flexing his claws in anticipation. Megatron scowled.
"You both are obviously more than you seem. Very well, think my offer over very carefully. I look forward to hearing your answer. Decepticons, retreat!" And with that, every con lifted off the ground or transformed and tore off, leaving behind the small group of bots to watch them go.
"Hm, you get the feeling that he wasn't listenin' to us when we said no?" System asked. Jazz made a show of thinking really carefully about that.
"Yeah, I think he did."
"Mechs. They never listen." System sighed and shook her helm.
"Yeah." Jazz agreed than thought about what she said. "Hey!" System giggled.
"I rest my case." The light teasing helped calm them down as they made their way back to the group. Bluestreak came running up and launched himself at Jazz, hugging him and babbling more than normal.
"It's alright, lil' spark." Jazz softly called Bluestreak the nickname he called him when he was younger. "We're all alright." Bluestreak just buried his face in Jazz's chest.
"It was his first time, Jazzy." System spoke softly to the silver mech. "Naturally he would be upset." Jazz nodded and continued to comfort the young mech. Everyone slowly made their way back to the base. When they got back, the lockdown was disengaged; Prowl, Elita-1, and Ultra Magnus with many more mechs were at the base entrance.
"What was that about?" Ultra Magnus demanded. System sighed and looked at Prowl.
"It is complicated." Prowl turned to the larger mech. The commander didn't like that answer.
"What do you mean it's complicated? Just what were those things, and why was Megatron with them?" Prowl sighed and shook his head.
"Calm down Magnus, it will take sometime to sort through. For now you will just have to be patient." With that, Prowl turned and entered the base, followed by everyone who had fought in the battle, leaving a large crowed and two commanders very confused.
Optimus Prime woke up inside the med. bay alone. His self diagnostics told him that he was fully repaired and functional. Sitting up, he expected to hear Ratchet yell at him for getting injured or moving so soon after repairs, or at least get a wrench lodged into his helm. He carefully got up and stretched his sore limbs. He looked around, feeling slightly unnerved by the silence. He remembered Wheeljack forcing him offline after System helped him to the med. bay after retrieving him from the strange planet, but before that, he still was having trouble, he hoped that System was right and that he would recover his memories soon. He didn't feel right about all the time he lost.
The doors opening distracted him from his thoughts. Turning he saw the one mech he had hoped to see when he awoke. Ratchet stepped into the room, absorbed in a data pad.
"Ratchet." Optimus spoke. Ratchet stopped and jerked his helm up, staring at Optimus in complete shock. "Is there something wrong?" Optimus asked, when Ratchet didn't say anything. The scream the CMO let loose confirmed that something was indeed wrong.
Later…
The base was buzzing with activity. Everyone had heard about Optimus Prime's return from deactivation and the attack had everyone on edge.
"Seriously Sunny," Sideswipe spoke to his brother. "Prime is in the med. bay right now! I swear I heard Ratchet scream from all the way across the base."
"Don't call me Sunny." The yellow mech grumbled. The two were walking down a hallway towards the rec. room for some energon.
"What are you both talking about?" A voice asked from behind them. Turning, they both saw Bumblebee coming towards them.
"About Prime coming back from deactivation." Sideswipe smiled at the scout. "I mean I heard all the rumors about Prime being spawned from Primus himself and all, but I never really believed them until now." Bee shook his head at the red mechs sense of humor. They were distracted from their conversation when they spotted Prowl, Jazz, and System entering the rec. room together. Quickly hurrying to meet up with them, the three were surprised when the doors shut in their faceplates.
"Wow, rude much?" Sideswipe grumbled as Sunstreaker opened the door, but was blocked by System.
"Sorry mechs. Invitation only for this party." She said and closed the doors, the distinct sound of locks being engaged sounded as the three young mechs stared in surprise.
"What's up with them?" Sunstreaker asked.
"Don't know. Maybe they're having a meeting?" Bumblebee offered. Sideswipe shook his helm.
"No, they'd be in the conference room or at least the command room. And why would System be with them, she ain't an officer."
"And how are we supposed to get our energon now?" Sunstreaker grumbled. They all thought about what was going on until they heard someone coming toward them. They turned and saw Blaster, the communications officer.
"Hey mechs. What's happenin'?" He asked. Sideswipe grinned and shrugged his shoulders.
"Have no idea Blaster. Prowl, Jazz, and System have holed themselves inside." He jerked a thumb towards the rec. room.
"Yeah, heard." Blaster grinned. He stepped up and opened the doors. System stuck her head out and smiled.
"'Bout time you got here." She stepped back and let Blaster inside. The doors closed and locked behind him.
"See, it was a meeting. System is just there because she's Jazz's best friend." Sunstreaker grumbled. Sideswipe was stalled from answering at the sound of someone else running down the hall. Bluestreak and Beachcomber came up to the doors and knocked. The doors opened and they went in without a word. Now Sideswipe and Sunstreaker were curious. They made a few more attempts to open the doors, but kept being kicked out by System. A small crowed had gathered around the rec. room doors, waiting to see what was happening.
"What is happening here?" A deep voice startled many. Everyone looked up in surprise at the sight of their leader, Optimus Prime, flanked by Ultra Magnus, Elita-1, and Ratchet. All the mechs were overjoyed at seeing their Prime again, but the looks Ultra Magnus and Ratchet were giving everyone told them to not bother their leader. A quick summery from the twins had all the commanders frowning.
"This is not like them. I know Prowl shuts himself in his office when he needs to figure things out and that Jazz sometimes joins him, but everyone else? Blaster, System, or even Bluestreak?" Just before anyone could begin speculating, the doors were flung open, System standing in the doorway.
"It has been decided." She said slowly and seriously. Everyone was profoundly confused.
"What has been decided?" Elita asked. System gave everyone a measured look.
"That you will all be told." She turned and motioned for everyone to follow.
"We'll be told what?" Optimus asked, as everyone entered the rec. room. The tables, couches, and chairs had all been moved. The entire room was clear except for the far wall where the tables had all been lined up and all the bots that had been in the room were seated behind them. Prowl sat in the middle with Jazz on his left.
"Everything." Prowl answered.