Chapter 7-Of Sand and Keys
"I don't believe this! How in the name of Primus was Jack able to use the Star Saber?!" demanded Ratchet, as he knew a great deal about the various relics forged by the Primes long past, and how some were exclusive only to that of a Prime.
"What I want to know is how you didn't realize Miko had run through the Ground Bridge with Wheeljack and Smokescreen?" demanded Arcee angrily since Miko nearly getting killed was his fault overall considering he was watching the Ground Bridge.
"Hey! If it wasn't for me being there, Ratchet wouldn't have found out your relic hunt was a sham, and Megatron would be in possession of the sword," protested Miko with Arcee now glaring at her.
"And now instead of Megatron, the one in possession of the sword is Jack!" exclaimed Arcee with Miko glaring back at her.
"Bickering aside, it doesn't answer the question of Jack wielding a weapon meant for a Prime," said Ratchet with Optimus now deep in thought.
"Regardless of his recent actions, Jackson has always had the qualities of a Prime deep inside of him, and my acknowledgment in giving him the Key to Vector Sigma was further proof of that fact. The Star Saber was forged by a Prime to be wielded only by a Prime or someone worthy of being called Prime," explained Optimus with the others thinking about his words and what they meant while Five Face letting out a small scoff at him.
"There is more to this then you know Optimus Prime," remarked Five Face, as everyone turned to face him, and were curious by what he meant.
"And just what does that mean?" asked Wheeljack in annoyance.
"Since I learned of the Jack's potential, I have watched him, studied him, and analyzed his human body at all angles before I changed it into what it is now. The boy wasn't just worthy of being called a Prime in the distant future simply because of his personality. During my time studying Jack, I discovered he was actually absorbing the energy from the Matrix of Leadership within Optimus Prime himself," replied Five Face with the others looking shocked by this.
"Are you saying Optimus has been unknowingly leaking the energy of the Primes from the Matrix of Leadership? And into everybody here?" accused Ratchet with Five Faces shaking his head before it changed.
"Yes and no. Yes, in regards to the energy from the Matrix of Leadership was leaking out of Optimus Prime, but no in terms of the leak being what you assume. The energy would only leak out of your leader when near Jack and it was minimal to the point where no one would be able to detect it. As for everyone else, the energy itself did not go anywhere near them, and for good reason," answered Five Face with those around him becoming alarmed.
"What do you mean for good reason?" asked Arcee with Five Faces sighing.
"I thought it was obvious. The energy from the Matrix of Leadership is lethal to humans when exposed to it given they are Unicron's progeny. Whether the Chaos Bringer would acknowledge it or not is irrelevant. That's why it didn't leak out toward the other humans around the Prime, as the Matrix knew that its energy was poisonous to them, and Jack was the only exception. That's one of the reasons why Jack intrigued me. Rather then the boy being destroyed overtime by the energy from the Matrix of Leader, he was absorbing the it, and growing stronger from it," explained Five Face with everyone looking shocked and horrified by this news.
"Wait! Wait! Wait! Optimus gave Jack the Key to Vector Sigma, which had energy from the Matrix in it right? So what would happen if Jack's body couldn't handle all that kind of energy coming from it or from Vector Sigma itself?" asked Miko with Five Face not saying anything and was staring right at the Prime.
"Jack would have died a slow and horrifying death," answered Optimus with his voice almost empty when he spoke while realizing how fortunate that Jack was indeed the exception to the human race.
"Correct. I calculated that Jack would have died from the overall exposure of such energy before leaving Cybertron for Earth. The primitive space suit he wore provided little to no protection from such powerful energies," replied Five Faces with the horror on their faces growing from such news.
"You mean Jack could have died and no one would have noticed until it was too late had his body not become advanced enough to handle it?" asked Arcee with Five Faces giving a small nod.
"Correct. When I changed him, the Matrix energy his body absorbed did not leave Jack at all. It stayed there, enhanced the qualities your Prime saw when interacting with the boy, and now it is evolving with him as time progresses," answered Five Faces with Optimus looking blown away by this news.
"So what does that mean exactly?" questioned Wheeljack with Five Faces sighing.
"In short, my greatest achievement to date has become a walking living entity of balance between order, and chaos that is Jack Darby. He has become...the Unicron equivalent of a Prime!" stated Five Faces with no one around him liking that.
"Unicron's version of...a Prime?" whispered Ratchet while trying to fathom the idea of the Chaos Bringer having such an entity regardless if it was done willingly.
"That's wrong on so many levels," commented Smokescreen in horror.
"And it gets worse," added Arcee with the others looking at her now.
"How could it get any worse? Its already bad enough with Jack becoming a Disciple of Unicron if what Five Faces just told us is true," replied Bulkhead with Arcee frowning and looking away.
"Remember what Five Faces said about Jack and Airachnid? How they are compatible with each other to breed? To reproduce?" asked Arcee with everyone's eyes widening in horror at the realization.
"A new generation of Cybertronians. A combination of order and chaos in each one of them. All of them will rightfully be the long lined descendants of Unicron and wield the power of chaos if allowed to be unleashed," whispered Optimus with his own processor imagining Unicron's face surrounded by the energy that represented dark energon and was laughing at him knowing the legacy of chaos would live on through Jack.
And Jack's future progeny.
"Then I guess we have no choice. We have to kill Jack," replied Wheeljack before being pinned to the wall by Arcee, who was glaring at him, and did not look happy with his choice of words.
"No! I won't allow it! Do you hear me Wheeljack?! You will not kill Jack!" exclaimed Arcee with Wheeljack himself looking surprised by this.
"As much as I dislike Wheeljack's choice of words, I must confess that option is the only one before us, and one we must take to ensure Airachnid does not give birth to any future Unicron descended offspring," added Ratchet with Arcee glaring at him now.
"Then why not just kill Airachnid? Why go after Jack?" demanded Arcee with the others being silent for a moment.
"If the opportunity arises to remove Airachnid from play, we will take it Arcee, but the fact remains Jack will not let us get within arms reach of her, and will fight anyone that does," answered Optimus with Arcee not liking this at all.
"So because Jack is on the front lines more, he's the bigger target, and we should use that to our advantage," deduced Arcee with Optimus nodding.
"Unfortunately, that is the plan we must follow," replied Optimus in a grave tone with Arcee looking like her whole world was falling apart and walked silently out of the area of the base.
(The Harbinger-With Jack and Airachnid-Hours Later)
Jack and Airachnid were currently in their personal quarters, the victorious battle over both the Autobots, and the Decepticons while acquiring the Star Saber had put them in a very...aroused state of desire. They were already kissing and grabbing the other when they got to the door to their room before things really started to heat up with their love making echoing throughout the entire base. The Insecticons ignored the mating between the two, as it wasn't their business, and knew that interrupting them short of their base being under imminent attack was equal to that of ripping out one's Spark.
While the two leaders of the hive ravaged the other into sexual bliss, the Insecticons were either taking this moment to drink energon, monitor the activities of their enemies, or show off the stains of energon spilled onto them when slaughtering their foes. The hive itself was at an all time high in terms of morale, as they had proven themselves to be the greatest of warriors to ever live, and their Masters praised them upon their return to base.
"We have proven our might to our Masters and smiting our enemies in battle. All glory to the Insecticons!" bellowed Hardshell with the Insecticons letting out a war cry.
"We have delivered a mighty blow against Megatron. His forces have been dwindled and his ship is now damaged. Our victory over him and the wretched Autobots is at hand!" said Kickback with another war cry from the hive echoing throughout the cave.
"Praise be to our King and Queen!" exclaimed Sharpshot with the Insecticons echoing his words throughout the base.
"Do you hear that my Jack? Its music to my hearing system," stated Airachnid, as she was resting on her lover's upper body, and hearing the praise of the Insecticons outside the room.
"That I do my Airachnid. Though hearing you screaming out in pleasure is my kind of music," replied Jack before kissing her passionately and the two holding the other close.
"I always wondered why organics did this. I've even seen them through my travels from one planet to the next. Most did it for reproductive reasons and out of necessity to keep the bloodline in existence. But humans? Humans do it mostly for the pleasure as well as the necessity it brings to reproduction. Though you're no longer human, I can tell you still have the desire to do it for the pleasure it brings, and what it will one day entail for the two of us," said Airachnid, as she had a new found respect for organic, and their need to be intimate in such a manner that allowed reproduction.
"As long as you get equal pleasure from the act. It would be selfish of me to be the only one of us that enjoys this," replied Jack while Airachnid snuggled closer to him.
"We should probably begin planning our next attack on Megatron or Optimus Prime," commented Airachnid while Jack let out a small hum.
"Yes we probably should, but I'd much rather stay here with you like this," replied Jack in a whispered tone and held her tighter.
"Hold me then. For as long as you can," commanded Airachnid in a loving tone.
"You don't ever have to ask my Queen. I will do that for you always," replied Jack, as he held her close, and let the technorganic femme enjoy their time together.
(The Nemesis-The Bridge)
Megatron watched with keen optics as the main screen of the ship was again showing the replay of the transformation that Jack had gone through before the Decepticon Warlord ordered the retreat. The creature he had become was incredible, a beast that personified power in almost every aspect, and brought fear to the hearts of all that faced it. How this happened, Megatron did not know, but he was fascinated by this nonetheless, and wished to have this process that turned the frail human flesh creature into this beast duplicated. If he could, the entire planet's inhabitants could become his army, and then the Universe itself would fall under his might.
But how? How could he possibly best this warrior that Jack had become? And how could he combat the Star Saber. A weapon forged by a Prime. Wielded only by a Prime.
"Did you find any new leads for me to follow Dreadwing?" asked Megatron with his SIC shaking his head no.
"I have seeking out every possible way fight this new opponent and his weapon Lord Megatron. Sadly, I have failed to come up with a solution to this problem. The only way to stand a chance against the Star Saber...is if you had a sword of equal power to wield as your own," replied Dreadwing with Megatron snarling.
"The only way to make another Star Saber would be the use the Forge of Solus Prime, but the only way to wield the power of the Forge itself is to be a Prime, and sadly that ability is not within...my...hands," replied Megatron with a look of an epiphany of sorts now appearing on his face.
"Lord Megatron?" asked Dreadwing having seen his Master's face before the Warlord let out a laugh that echoed throughout the bridge.
"Dreadwing, follow me. Soundwave, prepare to open up our Space Bridge on my mark," commanded Megatron with Dreadwing following the now smiling Decepticon Warlord to their intended destination..
(Cybertron-Tomb of the Primes)
"Lord Megatron, I do not wish to question your judgment, but is it wise to desecrate the burial chambers of the Primes?" asked Dreadwing, as he felt this was wrong on a certain level, and wished to be elsewhere.
"I am merely here for the means from which I can wield the Forge of Solus Prime. It is said the Forge's power can only be wielded in the hands of a Prime. So that is what I intend to collect from this particular coffin holding an old...adversary of mine from the starting point of the war. Sentinel Zeta Prime," answered Megatron, as he ripped open the coffin and saw the arm of his former enemy that had made the Caste system in the first place, and stirred the unrest among Cybertron's populous.
"Still...it does not seem right to rob the graves of others. Even if it belongs to an enemy and a Prime at that," replied Dreadwing with Megatron drawing his arm's sword.
"Perhaps it does to you Dreadwing. Given how your twin brother is also dead and buried. The sooner we can leave here, the sooner your doubts on this mission will be put to rest, and we can get your revenge on the ones responsible for his demise," said Megatron, as he brought his blade down and sliced the dead Prime's arm off at the elbow, and took his prize with ease before he along with Dreadwing left the burial chambers for the Warship.
(The Nemesis-Sometime Later)
Megatron flexed his new arm, which once belonged to a Prime, and smiled cruelly at the feeling of some of the residual Prime's energy from the limb running through his body. Walking over to the Forge of Solus Prime, he picked the massive hammer up, and saw it come to life with its mystical energy like properties that it lacked when first used when first held with his original right arm.
"The power of the Primes is at long last...MINE!" exclaimed Megatron, as he stood over a piece of a cube of dark energon left in storage, and began to repeatedly hammer it into what his Spark desired.
The Dark Star Saber.
(The Harbinger-With Jack and Airachnid)
"Well this is surprising," remarked Airachnid, as she saw Autobot signals currently in the Egyptian desert, and wondered if they had found another relic so soon.
"They found another relic? So soon?" questioned Jack with watching what she was on the monitor.
"So it would appear. The sensors show their signals are heading slightly underground for this one," replied Airachnid with Jack frowning.
"They are in Egypt. The land of the Pharaohs. Perhaps the relic is within a secret tomb of sorts of one such ancient ruler, who found it, and had the thing buried with him," stated Jack, as he saw Airachnid raise an eyebrow, and it was clear she only understood half of that reasoning.
"Such a strange culture to follow such a belief," remarked Airachnid with Jack shrugging.
"Perhaps, but that happened in ancient times long before anyone understood anything of the world, or what lay beyond it," replied Jack with Airachnid looking from him to the monitor and saw two Decepticon signals pop up.
One was Dreadwing and the other...was Megatron.
"Another interesting event," added Airachnid while the sensors on the ship detected a heavy cloak of dark energon surrounding Megatron's signal.
"Interesting and unusual. Why is signal covered with residual dark energon?" asked Jack with narrowed optics.
"Apparently he has a sliver of it in his chest to keep him alive," answered Airachnid with Jack's suspicions not leaving him.
"No. Its not that. Look at the way the sensors are reacting. The dark energon isn't coming from his body like we first thought, but something close to his body, and whatever thing it is...its almost completely covered in the dark stuff," replied Jack with Airachnid now frowning and enhanced the sensors to focus on Megatron to see that her lover was in fact correct.
"You're right my Jack. There IS something covered heavily in dark energon. But what?" said Airachnid with the femme wondering what that something was and how big a threat this item could possibly be for them.
"We must investigate this. And what better way to test out my new sword," commented Jack before walking over to the Star Saber and picked up the amazing weapon glowing blue in his hands.
"A small squad of Insecticons for an escort should suffice as well," added Airachnid with Jack agreeing while a few of them being chosen to join them on this mission.
When they exited the Ground Bridge, they were surprised to see the Autobots, and the Decepticons staring at each other with the relic being in the hands of the former. On the side of the Autobots, they saw Arcee, and Smokescreen with both looking cautiously at their enemies. Megatron and Dreadwing were on the other with the former of the two Decepticons wielding what could only be described as a sword not unlike the Star Saber.
The only difference between Jack's and Megatron's was the blade of the latter being made entirely out of dark energon.
"Ah! I was wondering when you would show up Jack. You're right on time," replied Megatron with his optics focusing on Jack and his Star Saber.
"So it would seem. Nice sword by the way. Also, there is something different about you, and I can't seem to put my servo on it. Is it a new helmet? Because if it is I like the new one better then the old. The style was soooo last century," remarked Jack sarcastically with Megatron snarling at him for the insult.
"As you can see, my weapon is not unlike your own, and with the arm of a Prime to wield it...I will be unstoppable!" exclaimed Megatron with Jack readying his own weapon.
"Let's see what happens then when the unstoppable force meets the immoveable object because I'm standing in your way...and I'm not moving," stated Jack with Megatron now grinning viciously.
"Dreadwing! Take the relic from the Autobots. Jack is mine," commanded Megatron with Dreadwing nodding before bringing out his weapons.
"You know what to do Airachnid," said Jack with Airachnid simply nodding and grinning in anticipation at having another go at Arcee.
"Optimus! We need you here. Hurry! There are now two Star Sabers and they are about to clash!" said Arcee before ducking under a stone pillar and Smokescreen was doing the same while Dreadwing began his attack.
"Understood!" replied Optimus.
"We need to find out what this relic back to base to have Ratchet find out what it is," said Smokescreen, as he was firing on several of the Insecticons, and Arcee doing the same while Airachnid was currently engaging Dreadwing.
"Easier said then done. Even with Optimus here, this battle could go either way for all three sides," replied Arcee, as she tried to get a lock onto Airachnid to take her enemy out, but an Insecticon got in the way by tossing a stone pillar, and she had to duck out of the way.
Sure enough, the Ground Bridge opened up, and Optimus leaped through before he began to engage the Insecticons in front of him in battle. The several of the Insecticons broke off from their group to engage the Prime while the others moved to combat Smokescreen and Arcee from their pinned down position. As this was going on, Jack was crossing swords with Megatron, the energy between the two blades hitting the other violently, and unleashing energy with each strike.
"Your skills are impressive for one so young. You would have made a great gladiator in the pits of Kaon had you been born on Cybertron," stated Megatron while his blade was clashing with Jack's and his opponent smirked at him.
"Shame I wasn't. It would have saved Cybertron untold destruction for when I ripped out your Spark before the audience watching us do battle!" exclaimed Jack, as he matched his enemy's strength with his own, and he concluded that the one with the better footing in this area of sand they were surrounded by was the key to victory.
Megatron seemed to be thinking the same thing, as he was now shifting his footing for a better stance, and balance to press an advantage over Jack. Jack was doing the same, as he was trying to push Megatron back, and was having a hard time doing it due to the sand making things difficult.
"You wretched insect. I will do Lord Megatron a service in ripping out your Spark before presenting it to him in front of your partner," said Dreadwing, as he fought the agile, and lethal rogue Decepticon currently moving faster then he could shoot.
"As if you have the ability to hurt me Dreadwing. You couldn't handle me before all of my changes occurred. What makes you think things will be any different now?" taunted Airachnid, as she moved on her spidery legs through the sand, finding her lighter frame gave her a far greater edge in this terrain, and saw Dreadwing sticking close to the tomb entrance where the Autobots came out with the relic.
Where there was solid ground to support his weight.
"Your arrogance in the belief you can best me knows no limits Airachnid and is matched only by your disgusting appearance," replied Dreadwing, as he used his cannon to fire at Airachnid from a distance, and hitting only sand in the process.
"I could say the same thing to you about your loyalty to Megatron. You don't even know what he's done since being on this planet. But I do Dreadwing. If you knew, I doubt your loyalty would be so strong," countered Airachnid while shooting at him with the blasters in her hands.
"You cannot poison me with your filthy lies Airachnid. Lord Megatron has done nothing to warrant the questioning of my loyalty," Dreadwing shot back while Airachnid laughed.
"As far as you know Dreadwing," taunted Airachnid, as she leaped into the air, and shot webbing from her palms that wrapped around the Decepticon SIC before she spun him around with the throw that followed aimed him at the Autobots.
"Incoming!" exclaimed Smokescreen, as he hit the ground with Arcee, and missed being hit by the bound Decepticon.
"Optimus! We still have the relic. We need to get out of her-AAAH!" said Arcee, but was tackled by Airachnid while Smokescreen was pierced in the shoulder by one the Spider Bot's multiple spidery limbs, and pinned to the stone ground near the tomb's entrance.
"Arcee!" exclaimed Optimus, but he was blocked on all sides by Insecticons, who had been given the command by Airachnid to keep him blocked off, and were doing a good job of it.
"This is a nice little relic you've got here Arcee. I wonder what it does? If I didn't know any better, I would say it was a key of some kind," said Airachnid while keeping Arcee pinned and took the key from her nemesis's servos.
"Your days are numbered Airachnid," spat Arcee with Airachnid smirking at her.
"Like I haven't heard that little threat before from you or anyone else that's crossed me," remarked Airachnid, as she threw Smokescreen away when seeing him trying to angle his blaster at her, and held Arcee's face with her free hand.
"You might as well kill me now Airachnid because as long as I live, there will always be a chance of your Spark being snuffed out, and I will make that happen one day," stated Arcee with Airachnid hissing at her.
"So brave Arcee. So filled with your self-righteous anger at wanting to take the life of the one responsible for killing so many of your Autobot comrades. Not to mention your oh so precious partner Tailgate. It makes me want to output my energon reserves all over you. The only thing you did somewhat right was partner up with my Jack, who you did not even want from the start, and only because I have him do you regret not having my dear wonderful stud for a partner around. Face it Arcee, when it comes to losing partners, they aren't to blame in all of this, its just you, and only you because you are the one that lives while they are the ones that die. Or in this special case with Jack...they come over to be with me!" taunted Airachnid while Arcee looked ready to blow a fuse.
"Fragging glitch!" exclaimed Arcee with Airachnid punching her in the face.
"You're the fragging glitch Arcee. And that punch I just gave you? That's for treating my Jack like a burden during his time with you when he's clearly more then you could ever imagine," replied Airachnid and threw the two wheeler right into Optimus.
While this was happening, Megatron was able to push Jack toward the fighting behind them, saw his SIC was nearly free of Airachnid's spider webbing. As for Jack snarled at Megatron while clashing blades with the Decepticon Warlord and yet he was still having fun fighting this former Kaon gladiator. It was weird, but it seemed every time Jack was in an intense fight with either the Prime, or Megatron...it was like he was growing inside. He found himself getting new information and getting news ideas in his mind on how to plan accordingly when facing his enemies.
It was incredible!
"Is this all you can do Megatron? I expected better. I'm surprised Optimus hasn't snuffed out your Spark yet. Guess he felt you were just too pitiful to kill each time you were at his mercy!" taunted Jack with Megatron looking shocked before his red optics glowed with rage.
"You dare mock me? I have gone toe to toe with Optimus on numerous occasions and held him at my mercy. What would an abomination like yourself know about going for that right moment where the killing strike is appropriate?" demanded Megatron with Jack smirking at him.
"If you must know, THIS is the right moment," replied Jack, as he bent his right knee the moment the limb touched solid stone, and hit Megatron in the gut with it before throwing the Decepticon Warlord near Optimus with the Insecticon backing away from the two.
The Dark Star Saber being thrown from his grasp in the process.
"It would seem we are at an unfortunate impasse Megatron," commented Optimus, as he saw Airachnid throw Arcee into Smokescreen, and then leap away when Dreadwing got free of the webbing before opening fire on her.
"So it would seem Optimus. Perhaps...an alliance in combating our shared foe?" offered Megatron while Optimus looked at his new arm and narrowed his optics before glancing at the Dark Star Saber with the pieces falling into place.
"You have disturbed the tomb of a Prime. Have you no shame Megatron?!" demanded Optimus while ignoring the offer and seeing Megatron glaring at him.
"I needed an edge against you and Jack in battle Optimus. After all...not everyone in this Universe is worthy of being a Prime like you, or Jack for that matter. I mere acquired the means necessary to put me on an even playing field when fighting the two of you at the same time," remarked Megatron before seeing Dreadwing draw his sword and move to engage Jack in battle.
Only for Jack to use his sword arm and kick the Decepticon SIC back near the others.
"It would appear that a tactical retreat is in order Lord Megatron," said Dreadwing with Megatron snarling at the idea of retreating again and with the possible loss of his new sword.
His pride wouldn't allow it a second time with this boy.
"Hold him off Dreadwing. I need to get my weapon of choice," answered Megatron while Dreadwing nodded and charged Jack with his sword in hand Warlord himself rushing to the Dark Star Saber not that far off.
"Optimus, what do we do? Side with Megatron? Or leave and wait to see who comes out of this the winner?" asked Arcee with Smokescreen huddled near them while holding his injured shoulder.
"I say we go for Airachnid. She has the relic," said Smokescreen with Optimus thinking it over in his mind.
"We can't! The Insecticons won't let us near her and she's much stronger then either of us combined," said Arcee with Optimus sighing knowing they needed the relic and were in a situation where they couldn't fight the opposition.
Unless...
"Dreadwing! Aid us against Airachnid and the Insecticons!" Optimus called out to the SIC of the Decepticon army.
"And why would I wish to aid you Prime?" demanded Dreadwing, as he was pushed back by Jack, and saw his Master charging the former human with the Dark Star Saber.
"Because its the only way to prevent Jack and Airachnid from walking away with this relic," answered Optimus with Dreadwing narrowing his eyes and saw Airachnid now hissing at him.
"Optimus has a point Dreadwing. Go aid the Autobots in fighting Airachnid. At the very least, you can kill the traitorous bug, and her Insecticons like the vermin they are," added Megatron with Jack snarling angrily at him for insulting his Queen and began to go on the offensive with his weapon.
"Kill them all my minions! Stain this sand pit with their energon!" exclaimed Airachnid with the Insecticons with her giving off a war cry before they charged their foes.
"I am going to enjoy watching Knock Out examine your corpses. You and Airachnid will make fine research specimens for him," remarked Megatron while Jack snarled angrily.
"There is just one slight problem with that idea of yours Megatron. You have to kill the both of us first," replied Jack with his Star Saber clashing violently with the Dark Star Saber.
"That's not going to be that big a problem for me Jack," countered Megatron before he hit Jack in the stomach with his knee and used the momentum get the Star Saber out of his hands.
Before thrusting the blade of the Dark Star Saber into Jack's torso with a evil grin now on Megatron's face.
"Jack!" cried Airachnid in horror at seeing her love being injured so badly and her words drew everyone to the sight of seeing Jack being stabbed by Megatron's sword.
"No!" exclaimed Optimus, as he didn't want this to happen to Jack in any manner before, or after being changed from a human into a technorganic Cybertronian.
"Jack!" called out Arcee before she surprisingly in her anger, focused on Dreadwing, and cut into his larger form with her wrist blades.
"Its time for you to die Jack. You were indeed a worthy opponent. Almost as worthy as Optimus," commented Megatron with his grin not leaving him, yet it slowly left when Jack let out a small chuckle, and had energon was leaving his mouth.
And Jack grabbed Megatron's new arm at the wrist to hold it in place.
"You think you've killed me Megatron? All you've done is merely sacrifice sure footing for the killing stroke," replied Jack before his sword blade shot out of his right hand and with all his strength he sliced through both of the Warlord's arm at the elbow while the blade also cut through Megatron's torso before using the last of his strength to kick his enemy backwards.
"AHHHHH!" screamed Megatron, as he found himself now literally disarmed, and badly leaking energon from where the blade cut into his body.
"Lord Megatron!" exclaimed Dreadwing, as he dodged a hit from Arcee, and ran to his Master's side.
"Get my Dark Star Saber. Rip it right out of his body!" commanded Megatron, as he saw Dreadwing move to retrieve his weapon, and make Jack bleed out at the same time.
Before he could however, Airachnid had leaped into the air, letting out a primal war cry that echoed throughout the night sky, and was upon the Decepticon SIC. She was now slashing, clawing, stabbing, and even spitting acid from her mouth down at Dreadwing without letting up. The large Decepticon Seeker tried to keep his now extremely violent enemy at bay, but the ferocity of his opponent was something he had not encountered before in a long time since the Great War on Cybertron at the peak of the escalation, and even then it seemed to pale in comparison to Airachnid's wrath.
"Lord Megatron, we need to retreat!" called out Dreadwing while doing his best to fend off the enraged technorganic femme and feeling his own body being ripped apart to the point where it would be fatal if he along with his Master did not flee.
Megatron snarled in anger, finding himself in full agreement with his SIC, despite hating the idea of retreating, but his injuries, and now Dreadwing's now demanded it. Glaring at Jack, he glanced over at Optimus Prime, seeing his old rival now had the Star Saber, and his forces were pressing themselves against the Insecticons.
"Soundwave! Lock onto my coordinates and open up an emergency Ground Bridge for us right now! Inform Knock Out that we require his medical expertise and expect him to be ready to treat us," commanded Megatron while feeling the energon from his body now leaking from his mouth and noticed that Jack had not taking his optics off of the Warlord the entire time.
"Looks like I lost one sword...and gained another," commented Jack with a chuckle, as he saw Airachnid standing protectively beside him, and the Insecticons soon doing the same.
"Make no mistake boy, you will fall, and the day happens it will be done by my own two hands!" exclaimed an angry Megatron while Jack laughed despite the pain.
"That's going to be a bit difficult for you since you're currently lacking said hands at the moment," remarked Jack with Dreadwing retrieving his one original arm knowing his Master would need it for when Knock Out repaired them both.
Megatron snarled further in rage at that, as a Ground Bridge opened up behind him, and he entered it with Dreadwing following after shooting a glare at Jack for injuring his Master.
With that finished, Jack turned to see the Insecticons forming a defensive line to protect him, and Airachnid from the injured yet still fully functioning Autobots that remained. It was clear the three were still willing to fight, if only to capture Jack, Airachnid, or just make an attempted grab for the relic within the Spider Bot's grip.
"Jack, you need medical assistance. Come with us," offered Optimus with the Insecticons hissing at him in a warning manner.
"And what if I do Optimus? We both know what will happen. You're going to restrain me on some lab table. To have Ratchet study me. To poke and prod me like I'm some kind of lab rat. And for what? Maybe try to alter my mind perhaps? Or rather trying to convince me to fight for your side? Or 'cure me' like I've been infected with a disease? No. I can no more trust you then I would Megatron with my life on his Warship," replied Jack, as he slowly, and painfully removed the Dark Star Saber from his gut before throwing the arm of the fallen Prime that Megatron had robbed off the weapon toward Optimus.
"Do not strain yourself my love. Your injury is severe," whispered Airachnid while Jack nodded while clutching his wound.
"Open up a Ground Bridge and get us out of here Airachnid," whispered Jack with his Queen nodding and doing that before helping him walk toward the portal while his team of Insecticons kept their optics on their enemy while slowly backing up toward it.
"Wait! Jack don't do this! Please!" pleaded Arcee, but was held back by Optimus, as they all saw Jack struggling to make it to the portal.
"You're too late Arcee. The Jack you knew is dead. Whatever bond or partnership we had in the past...it died with him. Accept it and move on," replied Jack, as he walked into the portal with Airachnid, and the Insecticons soon following while not looking back to see the hurt look on Arcee's face.
"Well...at least we got the Star Saber," commented Smokescreen with Optimus narrowing his optics slightly at the weapon before letting out a sigh.
"Yeah, but we lost the strange relic we uncovered in that ancient tomb. Jack is our enemy now more then ever and the only other good news is Megatron being injured. Its a hollow victory at best," remarked Arcee sadly with Optimus nodding.
"Indeed. Our side has lost much in this conflict, but I sense that we have gained a much needed edge with the Star Saber, and a temporary reprieve from our enemies long enough to recover our strength for the darkness that is sure to come," added Optimus before he contacted Ratchet for a Ground Bridge while having to ignore the hurt look on Arcee's face.
(The Harbinger-Jack and Airachnid)
"Rest my Jack. Let your body's own natural repairing ability to heal do all the work from here on out," soothed Airachnid, as she set him down in the large cave area that had been used for repairing Hardshell, and had the Insecticons put him on a berth she made entirely from her webbing.
"Need...energon," whispered Jack while still clutching his wound.
"Get Jack all the energon he needs. NOW!" commanded Airachnid, as she saw several of the Insecticons scramble to get all the energon cubes they could carry, and hurry back as if Unicron himself was on their aft.
"Do not be so harsh on them my Queen. It is not their fault I am like this. The blame falls squarely my me. I underestimate Megatron's skill with the Dark Star Saber and paid the price for it," stated Jack, as he caresses her face, and she kissed his palm.
"And I was careless in focusing on taunting Arcee," added Airachnid with Jack smiling at her.
"See? We both screwed up. Let's call it even," replied Jack with Airachnid nodding and leaned down to kiss him.
"I love you my Jack," whispered Airachnid with Jack returning the kiss.
"And I love you my Airachnid," whispered Jack before the sound of several Insecticons now approaching were heard and presenting cube after cube of energon to them.
Taking one of the energon cubes, Airachnid gently poured it into Jack's mouth, the power of the energon entering his systems began to automatically direct it according to where the liquid energy could be used properly. Sure enough, Jack felt his systems go through a repairing sequence that was slow at first, but gradually increased in speed, and began to heal the damage done to his body. After he was done one cube, Jack drank another, and another with several more to follow before stopping Airachnid so she could have some of her own.
"Just give the word your Majesties and we will storm Megatron's Warship to bring him before you to face justice," said Hardshell, as he entered the room, having heard what had happened to his King, and kneeled before them both.
"No. That is not how we will do things. The Nemesis will shoot half of you down before any of you can land on it and there is still the matter of some of the Decepticons on it being highly skilled in combat. Soundwave would be chief among them since we would be fighting him on his turf. Megatron is badly injured, his SIC is too if only to a lesser extent, and will need time to be repaired. The same with the Autobots despite them now being in possession of the original Star Saber while we have its darker counterpart thanks to an unwilling Megatron. This time must be spent healing and learning what this relic is before finding out where this key goes," replied Jack, as he saw Airachnid look at the relic in her hand, and it was indeed an ancient Cybertronian style key.
"If this is indeed a key of sorts my Jack, it must fit in a lock to something, and whatever that something is must be of incredible power," added Airachnid, as she held the key up for closer inspection, and Jack nodding in agreement.
"Agreed. Keys go to locks and locks normally keep things from being opened because whatever is behind the locks is something of great value. We need to know what lock goes with this key and what is being locked away," stated Jack with Airachnid caressing his face.
"Leave that to me my Jack. Rest now while I take over from here until you're healed," said Airachnid with Jack nodding and found himself powering down to sleep.
"Try not to get into too much trouble my Airachnid. Losing you would...would...it would unleashing something...truly horrible in me," whispered Jack before falling asleep.
After a moment passed, Airachnid smile slowly left her, and it quickly turned into a small frown over what had happened with the frown turning into a scowl. Her Jack, her ever loving partner had been injured. Almost fatally thanks to Megatron. The very idea of her Jack dying by Megatron's hands infuriated the femme and her feelings on the matter were not lost to the Insecticons. Their Queen's pain could be felt by the hive on the matter, her anger was now their anger, and their benevolent King who had done so much for them in such a short time was badly injured.
In short...the hive of Insecticons felt their anger quickly rising up to that of being pissed off.
"What are your orders my Queen?" asked Hardshell humbly, as he along with the other Insecticons kneeled in her presence, and awaited her orders.
"Prepare yourself my minions. Prepare yourselves for battle. All Insecticons with the exception of small force shall come with me to the Nemesis where we will attack the Decepticons and destroy every single one of them," commanded Airachnid with the Insecticons clearly pleased, yet concerned since their King had told them not to attack, and wait until later when the moment was right.
"Not to question your decision my Queen, but King Jack told all of us to stay our hand until later," replied Hardshell with Airachnid looking at him with her eyes glowing with rage and venom slightly overflowing from her mouth in the process.
"I know full well what my Jack said Hardshell. However, I believe the best solution for this conflict to side in our favor further is to attack the Nemesis, and destroy Megatron in his weakened condition. The fool dared to harm your King. My lover and only equal in this Universe. This cannot go unpunished!" stated Airachnid with Hardshell nodding in agreement before glancing at their King resting on the webbing made berth.
"We shall bring the ship crashing down my Queen," replied Hardshell with conviction in his voice.
"No! We will not destroy it. Merely damage and commandeer it for our own use. Let the Autobots have this world, if only for now. Once we take the Nemesis, will transport my Jack to this Warship, and leave this planet for one where we can setup a more stable location for us. Then, when the time is right, we will come back to this world, and take our revenge on the Autobots!" declared Airachnid with all the Insecticons getting into a frenzy through their hive mentality.
Their King was injured, the need for revenge against his attacker was high, and Airachnid was promising them a chance to get it. How could they refuse?
They couldn't. They wouldn't.
(Autobot Base)
"Jack was severely wounded? And you let him walk away with Airachnid?" demanded an irate June with tears starting to form around her eyes now filled with an intense anger and one of a scorned Mother that none of the Autobots wanted to face.
"We couldn't get to him! The Insecticons were blocking us, Airachnid was already by his side, and our bodies were so badly injured that fighting them all to get to Jack would have been suicide!" protested Smokescreen, as he had to admit this woman, despite her lack of height, and size to be physically intimidating had this presence about her that made you not want to argue.
"What about Megatron? From what you just told us about what Jack did, then old bucket head has been literally disarmed, and has a nasty cut through his body," said Bulkhead, as he was glad that Megatron was badly injured, but saddened to hear Jack had to pay the price with a dark energon based sword to the gut, and was severely injured.
"I have never seen Megatron that badly injured in all the years that I have fought him in combat. Aside from the incident with his Space Bridge exploding, this was possibly the worst time he has ever been injured, and by someone so young as Jack," replied Optimus with the others nodding, including Arcee, and Bumblebee since they had seen what the Decepticon Warlord looked like on his Warship when they went looking for a cure to the Cybonic Plague.
"Shouldn't we use this time to find the Decepticons and land a decisive blow? If my boys at the Pentagon can find the ship, you can Ground Bridge there, and take out the rest of them with Megatron on the ropes," said Agent Fowler, as he wanted an update on the situation the moment he came into the base, and saw the shiny new weapon in the Prime's hands.
"No. There are other...events...to consider," answered Optimus, as he now found himself compelled to look at the Star Saber much to the confusion of the others, and his vision went white.
(The Nemesis-The Med Lab)
"Curse that wretched creature! Not only have I lost the arm of a Prime, but the Dark Star Saber as well! The only comfort I've gained is that his injuries are near lethal and will die without medical attention," declared Megatron with anger while Knock Out went to work on repairing one arm and attaching the other along with the wound to his torso left by Jack during their fight.
"Still, one cannot deny that this former human's skills in battle were very impressive Lord Megatron," commented Dreadwing with Megatron snarling at him.
"Even if they are impressive, it doesn't excuse the act of disarming me of my limbs, and taking what is mine by right! Now because of Jack, I can't use the Forge of Solus Prime to make a new Dark Star Saber, and to make things even worse...Optimus is in possession of the original Star Saber now," countered Megatron with Dreadwing silently nodding.
"That former fleshy human is becoming a pain in our aft. If only we could find his base and attack it. Surely there is a way to find it?" offered Knock Out with Megatron snarling at him for a moment.
"Unfortunately, it seems the base of operations this Jack, and Airachnid are using seems to be well shielded from picking up their energon signatures," replied Dreadwing with the anger on his Master's face increase.
"I could have told you that. There base seems to be underground though based on the cave I was in with Ratchet when repairing that disgusting Hardshell," commented Knock Out with Megatron scowling further.
"The Insecticons are known for their digging skills just as they are their brute strength in battle. No doubt they have tunneled deep underground and used the terrain to specifically shield themselves and their Masters," remarked Dreadwing with Megatron looking ready to throttle someone.
"We cannot concern ourselves with the location of one enemy base. We must continue to focus on decoding the Iakon relics before the Autobots do," commanded Megatron since he had no interest wasting time with such an idea and knew the Iakon relics were more important.
"Yes my Lord," replied Dreadwing while watching his Master get his arm reattached and awaited his own turn to be healed.
(The Harbinger-With Airachnid-Days Later)
"My loyal minions! Today is the day we attack the Nemesis and the Decepticons. Their foolish leader Megatron, has done to unforgiveable in trying to kill your King, and my Sparkmate Jack. He has done the unforgiveable in trying to kill the one, who reawakened the fire within your Sparks to fight as you were always meant to fight, and reach your true potential. Something Megatron would never have allowed out of fear that one of you would one day try to overthrow him. We have made that fear a reality, as you serve your true Masters now with one of them, your Queen calling upon you to fight in my name, and the one Megatron tried to kill!" called out Airachnid with the army of Insecticons were really getting into a frenzy after hearing her words and waiting for this day.
Airachnid had tried to keep her anger in check since Jack was recovering with his own self repairing systems working on fixing the damage done, but was clearly having some problems healing. No doubt due to the dark energon based blade of the Dark Star Saber and he needed to ingest more energon to flush it out. Fortunately, that wasn't a problem though, and the Insecticons had gathered an enormous amount of energon during their stay at this location. The ships sensors had detected various veins near the crashed vessel, and had provided more then enough to feed the large army of Insecticons along with Jack getting all the energon needed to be used to power his repair systems.
Even now, her Jack was constantly in, and out of conscious with just enough awareness to drink energon while speaking to Airachnid for a moment before going back to sleep. Airachnid had been vague with her answers to any questions he had while waiting for him to fall back into his slumber, she didn't want to be vague, or even lie to Jack about the plan to attack the Decepticon Warship. It felt like she was betraying him and while betraying others was a skill that she had in spades, the idea of betraying her Jack left a foul taste in her mouth. Like she drank some of her own spidery venom that was mixed in with some energon and was making the internal systems within her having complications to the point of systems failure.
But this had to be done. The time was now! Jack had wanted to wait until later to attack Megatron and (if possible) take control of the Warship to use as their new mobile base. Unfortunately, Airachnid felt they couldn't wait, and deep down she wanted to take out Megatron now for what he did to her Jack. The idea of Jack's Spark being snuffed out by that two bit fragging pile of scrap that was the ill tempered Decepticon Warlord made Airachnid's Spark burn with rage! It was her turn to lead the Insecticons to victory and finishing what her Jack had started by crushing Megatron's forces before ripping out the Warlord's Spark. She would mount his head on their wall above the berth while having hot passionate life creating sex with her Jack.
She was a technorganic femme scorned multiple times over and by Primus she was going let Megatron know what happens when you scorn a technorganic femme with the skills forged from years of experience to cause untold amounts of pain.