The group of eight transformers went into their vehicles modes and began heading toward the Decagon. As they closed in, they could see that the Decepticons had gotten into the building, and Sentinel Prime must be trapped somewhere inside. The group transformed.
"Okay, we're here. Now we need to get inside. Any thoughts?" asked Optimus to the party.
"The Decagon's security systems are wired to lock the communications center from the rest of the building in case of attack. If Sentinel Prime is anywhere, he'd be in there," said Kup.
"How do we get to the communications center?" asked Optimus.
"Well, the easy way is through the central corridor, but I figure that might be crawling with rebels. The other way is the security entrance, but if the Decepticons were smart they would watch it," said Kup.
"Do you have clearance for the security systems in the Decagon?" asked Optimus.
"Yeah, I can get in there, follow me," said Kup. He directed them around a couple buildings until he was facing a door. There was a squad of Decepticon lookalikes. "Looks like we have company."
"Drones? Must be Shockwave's work. That's not good, that means the Decepticons could have a much larger force than we thought," said Optimus, leaning against a building so as not to be seen. Kup was next to him doing about the same thing.
"Any ideas?" asked Ultra Magnus. Before he could finish he felt a brush of wind go by him. Then he heard lots of ammo being expended.
Roadbuster has unleashed his arsenal and taken down all the drones singlehandedly in a blaze of laser fire. He then stopped shooting and looked back at Kup and Optimus. "You coming?" he asked.
"There's a good chance they heard that," said Kup.
"Can't worry about that now, just get us into the building," said Optimus.
Kup entered his code prefix and the door opened to them. Even though the security was shielded, they could hear fighting going on in the rest of the building. The others followed Kup until he came to a door. He stopped and said, "This door brings us to the main passage. The entryway to the communications room is over there. I don't have clearance for that," said Kup.
"Wheeljack? You think you can us in another door?" asked Optimus.
"I don't know but I am going to try," said Wheeljack.
Kup opened the door and the eight Autobots stepped out. Almost immediately they came under rifle fire. There was little cover in the corridor, forcing them to retreat to the security door and hang around its edge. Roadbuster and Ultra Magnus fired out of the doorway to prevent pursuit.
"Barricade, direct the reinforcements over here. There are Autobots trying to get inside," came the wheezy voice of Shockwave. The Autobots could hear a number of footsteps.
"Well, we can't stop here. We have to get to that door," said Optimus.
"Let me handle it. Give me Roadbuster, Topspin, and Twintwist and we'll wreck things. At the very least we will hold them off. You just get to that door," said Elita One.
"Elita, I can't ask you to do this," said Optimus.
"You don't have to. I'd do anything for you," said Elita.
"Give us a call if it gets too hot," said Optimus.
"Wreckers don't call for backup, they call for clean up," snorted Roadbuster.
"Okay. Kup, Magnus, Wheeljack, let's move," ordered Optimus and the four of them made a dash for the door as a large amount of fire started landing around them.
Wheeljack started messing with the door controls, while Ultra Magnus used his new body to block anyone from firing at Wheeljack. Optimus and Kup tried to keep braced against the door with their guns out to be as small a target as possible.
"It's as I figured," grunted Ultra Magnus.
"What is that?" asked Optimus.
"Shockwave hasn't had these drones long. Their aim is not calibrated properly. They must have rushed these things through production. Wonder where they made them all?" asked Magnus.
Roadbuster laid down a one man barrage that swept a number of drones and forced others in hiding.
Shockwave stood his ground, "Your efforts in this matter are futile. No amount of firepower will stop us…"
Elita One and Topspin emerged and began firing on the Decepticons. Their added power changed the picture. Shockwave withdrew to a corner that he could peer from. He tried to orient his mind. The female's movements were much too fast, as if she was operating in a different plane. Yet that was not logical. He directed more drones into the hallway.
"Even now, you stand at the doorway of defeat. Don't think I won't keep throwing drones at you until you tire out. You cannot fight forever," said Shockwave. The floor shook under him and he looked to see the source.
Twintwist had used his drill gun to destabilize the floor, causing a rip that swallowed some drones.
Wheeljack had managed to reprogram the door and it opened. The four Autobots got inside and the door closed behind them. Once more out of a fire fight, they could not take time to rest.
"The room is this way," said Kup. He led them down a corridor that was eerily dark. Kup seemed to know his way instinctively. That was until he came to a break in the floor. Someone had caused a section to collapse, leaving a chasm. It would take a jump to cross, Kup thought.
"I don't think you're supposed to be here," said a voice, sounding brash for such a small voice.
"Which means you should leave," said another small voice with a big sound.
A black form leaped over the chasm and into Kup's chest, knocking him over. "What in the Matrix?" he called as he fell over.
"His name is Ravage, he works with Soundwave. They are with Megatron. I've seen them in action before," said Optimus.
Shots came from the air as Optimus noted Laserbeak and Ratbat, but not Buzzsaw. The Autobots fell away from each other. Then Rumble and Frenzy emerged from behind, where the Autobots had been not moments before.
"What's the plan?" asked Wheeljack, flinging Ravage away from Kup.
"I can handle this," said Ultra Magnus.
"Okay. You too, prepare to jump the gap," said Optimus.
Ultra Magnus let off a full flight of missiles to throw off the mini-deployers. Then he pulled down his rifle and laid down a field of fire that caused Rumble and Frenzy to leap away. "Okay, you, who still wants some?" he asked. The deployers mobbed toward him, but Optimus and the others turned away.
Kup jumped first with Wheeljack using some sort of wrist rocket to get over the gap. Finally, Optimus landed behind them. Kup motioned to the next door on the hall. Wheeljack approached the door and noticed the lights were in an unlock position.
"It's open, Optimus," said Wheeljack.
Optimus moved forward to lead the way. He pulled out his rifle in front of him. He blinked slowly and then rushed into the door. A scene of surprise greeted him inside. He could see that Sentinel Prime had sealed himself into the central chamber where the main communications were.
Megatron was encouraging Buzzsaw, who was working away at the walls with his lasers to break into the chamber holding Sentinel Prime. Soundwave had hooked a console to the Teletraan network and was attempting to hack his way in to the chamber. Soundwave and Megatron noticed the entrance of Optimus and Soudwave hit a key on his console which closed the door behind Optimus. Kup and Wheeljack were trapped outside.
Megatron said, "Keep at the chamber, Soundwave. I'll handle this." He approached Optimus. "You again. You were so persistent, but now you are all mine. I learned my craft in the pits. What do you know?"
"I know all your moves and your motives, Megatron," said Optimus, staring at Megatron.
"How can that be, we just met today," said Megatron, beginning to raise his riot cannon.
"How do you not know me? We worked side by side to reform Cybertron, not destroy it in the flames of war," said Optimus.
"The archivist? Orion Pax? You cannot be serious. If you are Orion, then this is our great moment. The enemy, the tyrant Sentinel Prime, is trapped in there. Help me capture him and we will end this caste slavery that you hate so much," said Megatron.
"You mean to replace it with your our tyranny, Megatron. You may not see it now, but your rule depends on your ties to the Decepticons. You must reward them, or else they will overthrow you too. You will create a new caste system, one where the Decepticons are favored and the Autobots are trod underfoot. Your only other choice is to get removed from leadership, and you have shown them how to do it," said Optimus.
"That sounds like my Orion. You underestimate my power, archivist. I will impose freedom for all who follow me to achieve the rightful destiny of all Cybertronians," answered Megatron. "Are you with me? There is much you could do in the new order."
"No, the Orion Pax that you knew is dead. You killed him. I am Optimus, and I will oppose your ways to the end, Megatron," said Optimus. He wondered how Megatron was going to dispense with him, since his new body had held up so well up to this point.
"So be it. Buzzsaw, help me eliminate our old friend," said Megatron. Megatron fired his riot cannon, causing Optimus to be forced back to the door. Buzzsaw ceased trying to laser his way into the central chamber and began opening fire on Optimus as well. Optimus's new body was taking the hits, but he could not respond with his own weapon.
"Now, you see your mistake. It is too late for you, of course," said Megatron.
Optimus focused his energy and generated the energy axe again.
Megatron held back for a moment. "What do you think you are going to do with that?" he asked.
"Just this," said Optimus and he swung the axe…right into the door behind him. The door split open and Kup rushed in, followed by Wheeljack. Kup opened fire on Megatron and Wheeljack fired on Buzzsaw. Once Optimus recovered himself, he withdrew his axe and returned to using his rifle. He nailed Buzzsaw, forcing the deployer to retreat to Soundwave. Then he and Kup concentrated their fire on Megatron's riot cannon. The cannon was rendered useless, and Megatron was almost trapped. A decision had to be made.
"Soundwave, give my command to withdraw to Kaon. We will try this again. As for you, Optimus, I will crush you with my bare hands!" yelled Megatron.
Soundwave fired a hole into the ceiling and the two escaped, leaving Optimus, Kup, and Wheeljack looking through the hole in the ceiling. They heard a door open and the three saw the newly liberated Sentinel Prime.
"Very good, soldier. I do not believe we have met. Which of my guardians are you?" he asked Optimus.
"None of them, I am the archivist Orion Pax. Or I was. Now I am Optimus. I have no caste to call my own," said Optimus.
"A conundrum, then. You who have saved me are an outcast by our traditions and laws. A criminal, even. Yet you have me at a disadvantage, since I am in your debt. What do you plan to do now?" asked Sentinel Prime.
"I will fight the Decepticons. They have amassed great force to overthrow you and install their own version of dictatorship. I will advocate for freedom. It is your choice whether you will have me or my friends with you," said Optimus.
"A dangerous statement, and one I do not think you would make lightly," said Sentinel Prime. "Still, this may be an extreme situation and those sometimes call for extreme solutions."
"So what are you going to do?" asked Optimus.
