Disclaimer: Me again, still going strong with another chapter to present amid steamy, sticky summer weather. I kind of prefer autumn.
Like always, I don't own the right to Transformers or the characters.
Chapter X
"Wake up, Galvatron. We have important things to discuss, you and I."
Galvatron felt something sharping jabbing into his side and sending a small but prominent charge through his chassis. He was blind; he optics didn't seem to be operating properly. His audio sensor weren't any batter but he at least could still hear minute humming around him. It was long that his optics started rebooting, starting with the almost obligatory static before clearly little by little. Galvatron began to see that he wasn't on the Moon anymore and his surroundings looked nothing like Earth or Cybertron for that matter. Then the face of the newcomer first encountered on the Moon came into view.
Galvatron reacted with fury and attempted to lunge forward, only to be held down by restraints. It occurred to Galvatron that he was shackled to the surface of an elevated operating table, but it didn't stop him from trying to break free. The silver, green and purple schemed newcomer simply stood there with a smirk as Galvatron struggled to get loose. But there clearly was no breaking loose; the restraints were far too tough to break, even for Galvatron.
"Easy there, Galvatron; you might break something else. You put up quite a fight when we brought on board." the newcomer implied.
"I'm on the Harbinger, aren't I?" Galvatron asked.
"Good guess, and I'm its captain; name's Thunderwing."
Galvatron tried to lunge forward again but it was no use. "I don't give a scrap who you claim to be. The Harbinger is a Decepticon warship, and you're going to tell me how you came to be in command of it."
"You make it seem like I owe you an explanation but honestly, I don't think I owe you anything," Thunderwing stated in a cool tone. "I am the Harbinger's captain and on this ship, we entertain my preferences… as our dear friend learned. I think you know him."
Thunderwing backed away and allowed Galvatron to glance over a second table, and his optics blared bright crimson. Lying on the opposite table was Sentinel Prime, looking in far worse shape than Galvatron. Questioned swelled in Galvatron's thought processes, not the least of which was how in the bleeding galaxy of possibility was Sentinel Prime still alive. The last time Galvatron had seen Sentinel Prime, he was being pulled into a black hole mere moments before an explosion killed the Fallen. Sentinel was expected and believed to be dead. But there he was lying on a table, not dead but not in the best shape.
"I wouldn't bother trying to speak to him, Galvatron. Despite the best efforts of Tarantulas over here, " Thunderwing referred to Tarantulas, who was standing a short distance away. "Sentinel doesn't have a lot of time left."
Galvatron was very quick in determining the meaning of Thunderwing's words. "What've you done to him?"
It was Tarantulas who stepped forward with an electrified pincer device and he took to waving it in front of Galvatron's face. "Not nearly as much as what might happen to you if you don't cooperate." he said.
"I don't scare easily, so do your worst." Galvatron replied in defiance.
Thunderwing grasped Tarantulas' arm and said, "I think it's too soon to go that far, Tarantulas. See to Sentinel; I'll handle this one."
Tarantulas did as he was told, leaving Thunderwing alone with Galvatron. "I make it a point to never cooperate with pirates."
"Pirate? I am no such thing, Galvatron. I'm more of a collector, specifically a collector of ancient relics left behind by the Original Primes," Thunderwing leaned forward so he was optic to optic with Galvatron. "I happen to be searching for a particular relic that I am certain is down there on that little blue marble of a planet."
Galvatron glared incredulously at Thunderwing, and then he chuckled as if he'd heard a joke. "Let me guess; you hunting for the Matrix of Leadership. Trust me; you're not the first to try claiming it. I tried to use it to control Unicron and Sentinel over there wanted it to summon the Fallen. What use is it to you?"
"I'm not interested in the Matrix of Leadership. I'm looking for the Star Saber, the weapon used by Prima to first defeat Unicron," Thunderwing clarified. "And, you are going to help me find it."
Galvatron remained defiant against Thunderwing. "You're wasting you time, Thunderwing. Unlike the Matrix, the Star Saber doesn't exist. It's… not… real."
Then without warning, Thunderwing lunged forward and slammed his fist into the wall beside Galvatron's head and causing loud clang to echo through infirmary, likely even the entire ship. "IT IS REAL. I KNOW IT'S REAL, I SENSE IT TO BE REAL. DON'T TELL ME IT ISN'T REAL."
Galvatron didn't flinch, didn't show an ounce of fear. But he saw something in Thunderwing's optics that spoke manic volumes of obsession… and more. "You're not Cybertronian, are you? And I told you that I don't scare easily."
"You will," Thunderwing said and brought a small but decorative device into view. "This little trinket is from my relics vault and proof of the Star Saber's existence. It's called the Spark Extractor and if you'd prefer not to see how it works, you will cooperate in the search for the Star Saber."
Galvatron still didn't flinch, instead saying to Thunderwing, "Go scrap yourself, you pathetic spawn of Unicron."
Thunderwing huffed and then he slammed the Spark Extractor onto Galvatron's chassis, and then came an instantaneous and excruciating sensation. The Spark Extractor glimmered a brilliant hue of blue that belied the agonizing pain streaking into Galvatron. He felt as if he was being torn apart from the inside out. Every circuit in every corner of his body was on fire, but most of the pain was centered on his spark. It was as if his Spark was being pulled from within by the relic that he'd believed moments earlier was a fabrication. Obviously, Thunderwing had just proven Galvatron wrong.
"Painful, isn't it? The Spark Extractor does as its name implies by extracting the sparks of Transformers, while also doubling as a convenient little torture device during the process of removal. Personally, I'd prefer not to have to resort to such lengths but I can't speak for Tarantulas." Thunderwing stated as he glared at Tarantulas, who only snickered.
Galvatron was struggling to recover from the ordeal as he looked passed his captors toward Sentinel Prime, and it occurred that Sentinel had been put through the same torture. "If you really think that torturing me like you tortured Sentinel will change anything, then you're more deluded than I expected."
"Who said anything about torture? I have something more interesting in mind," Thunderwing then turned to Tarantulas and asked him, "How long will you need to construct a new chassis?"
"With the materials currently in my possession, it shouldn't take more than a few decca cycles." Tarantulas stated while he touch the tip of his pincer device.
"Are you sure?" Thunderwing whispered and glanced at Galvatron, and easily Tarantulas understood.
"In that case, I'll only need one solar cycle provided I can remove certain… things." Tarantulas tellingly implied.
Thunderwing covertly handed the Spark Extractor to Tarantulas and said, "Make it hurt." Then Thunderwing left the infirmary without glancing at Galvatron.
Tarantulas sauntered over to the imprisoned Galvatron with the Spark Extractor. "Well Galvatron, it looks like you and I are going to become good friends." he chuckled with twisted malice in his words.
Galvatron leaned out as far as his bounds would allow and he said, "When I get free, you'll be the first one to die."
Tarantulas glared at Galvatron with amusement and quite possibly, a small hint of dread that told him that Galvatron was deadly serious. Galvatron wasn't going to flinch even as he glanced at Sentinel Prime on the opposite table. Seeing the Prime lying there in such pitiable shape reminded Galvatron of why he'd come to despise the war that killed so many Transformers. But one look at Tarantulas and to a greater extend, Thunderwing, told Galvatron that they simply didn't care. Then he felt that torturing sensation of the Spark Extractor against his chassis.
"Painful, Galvatron," Tarantulas asked as he pushed the Spark Extractor onto Galvatron's chassis. "Trust me; we're just getting started." Then he forced the Extractor back onto the chassis.
And… Galvatron could be heard screaming not in pain, but with rage.
Cyclonus flew across the Earth sky faster than he had in what seemed like ages, following a straight path toward his intended destination: Autobot City. As straight and narrow as his flight was, there was also a hint of anger behind it. Cyclonus wasn't normally so emotional, always the stoic follower of the Decepticon cause. But this was a different; Cyclonus was angry, full of rage even, and within the walls of Autobot City, he was going to let it all out.
It was no surprise then that the Autobots detected his approach. "We've got incoming." Cerebros declared.
Daniel and Verity were present when Cerebros made the announcement. "What's going on, Cerebros?" Daniel asked.
"Parameter sensors just picked up an energon signature approaching from the south western quadrant. It's not one of ours." Cerebros stated.
"A Decepticon; who is it?" Verity asked.
"Cyclonus." Cerebros stated just as Optimus Prime entered the room.
"What is the situation, Cerebros?" Optimus Prime asked.
"We've just picked up Cyclonus on our long range sensors, approaching recklessly fast. Something tells me that he's not in a good mood." Cerebros said.
"It's Cyclonus; he's never in a good mood." Verity quipped.
"Should I rally the other Autobots, Optimus?" Cerebros asked.
Optimus Prime thought for a brief moment before he said, "Allow Cyclonus to land at the front entrance. I will handle this."
"Are you sure that's a good idea, Optimus, especially after you just got back the 'Con's old base?" Daniel asked.
"Cyclous is here for a reason, Daniel. I want to know why." Optimus Prime declared.
At the same time, Cyclonus had just landed outside the front entrance of the city with his gun drawn. Despite Metroplex being permanently offline, the outer guns trained down on the Decepticon as he paced back and forth. It wasn't long after the guns were tracking his movement that the main doors opened. Four Autobots emerged and the leading one was none other than Ultra Magnus, whom Cyclonus easily recognized at a glance. Two of the other Autobots appeared to be Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, while the other one Cyclonus didn't recognize. The new Autobot stepped forward flanking Ultra Magnus with a type of sub-machine gun aimed right at Cyclonus; Sideswipe and Sunstreaker stayed back just behind Magnus.
Magnus placed at hand on the gun of the flanking Autobot. "Ease down, Crosshairs. We don't want a conflict."
"Speak for yourself." Crosshairs quietly snapped.
"I will only ask this once, Magnus; where is Optimus Prime?" Cyclonus demanded.
Ultra Magnus looked at Crosshairs and tiled his head back ever so slightly, which basically told Crosshairs to back away. "Look Cyclonus, let's not do something anyone is going to regret. We still have a truce between our factions…"
"To the Pit with your truce. I want Optimus and I want him now or I swear on Primus' spark, I'll tear this entire city down." Cyclonus angrily claimed.
"You'll have to go through all of us first, 'con." Sideswipe declared.
"We won't make it easy on you." Sunstreaker added.
"Nobody is going to cause a situation." Ultra Magnus stated.
"I will, if you don't bring me Optimus Prime." Cyclonus demanded again.
"Stand down, all of you." said the voice of Optimus Prime.
The leader of the Autobots emerged from within the walls of the city, unarmed but cautious in the event of an incident. The other Autobots back away almost out of instinct, but they all retained their weapons in case Cyclonus tried something. Optimus Prime walked by them and offered only a passing glance at Ultra Magnus. It was as if he was commending his resolution of the situation. Cyclonus appeared tense throughout it all, as if he was a hair trigger away from snapping if hadn't done so already. Optimus Prime approached Cyclonus with a calm and cool demeanor without taking his optics off of the Decepticon. It was at that moment that Optimus had taken note that Galvatron was not present, and that was strange since Cyclonus hardly went anywhere by himself.
"Where is Galvatron, Cyclonus?" Optimus Prime asked.
Cyclonus narrowed his optics at Optimus and declared, "I was here to ask the same of you, Optimus Prime."
Optimus and Magnus exchanged glances before Magnus asked, "What're you talking about?"
Cyclonus stepped closer while staying on guard amongst the Autobots. "After you came to our base, Galvatron elected to investigate your claims of the Harbinger's arrival. I can only assume that he'd located it because I've lost contact with him soon after."
"Aw, poor Cyclonus misplaced his daddy. Boohoo!" Sunstreaker mocked, earning himself a grin from Sideswipe and Crosshairs.
"I would strongly suggest that you watch your tone, Autobot," Cyclonus coldly implied. "Truce or not, I can still kill you and your brother right here, just as some of your friends were kill right here in this city. Who were they; Inferno? Red Alert? Mirage? Windcharger? They all died here, did they not?"
"Okay, I'm going to shoot you now." Sunstreaker snapped and pulled his gun out. Crosshairs and Sideswipe did the same.
"Autobots, stand down! We're not going to have an incident here." Ultra Magnus said, and he stepped in front of the group to emphasize his point.
""Magnus, we can't let Cyclonus run down the Autobots that died during the siege. Those were our friends we lost on that cycle." Sideswipe explained.
"I'm well aware of that, Sideswipe, but they gave their lives for this truce to eventually happen. Let's not dishonor that." Ultra Magnus stated.
Optimus Prime, inwardly thankful that Ultra Magnus defused the situation albeit temporarily, took a long moment to consider what to do with Cyclonus. If what Cyclonus stated was the truth, and Galvatron had indeed gone missing, than there was more to the Harbinger's sudden appearance than a simple assault. The loss of the human lives on the Moon was just the beginning of something bigger and as Optimus contemplated, he thought he saw Alpha Trion walking behind Cyclonus. No words of wisdom were spoken. It was as if Alpha Trion was taunting Optimus, a notice that was senseless in every aspect. Then Alpha Trion was gone, and Optimus was being addressed now by Ultra Magnus.
"Optimus, did you hear me?"
Optimus glanced at Magnus. "Magnus?"
"What should we do with Cyclonus?" Magnus asked.
Again, Optimus weighed his options and he eventually declared, "Cyclonus, I do not believe that the Harbinger's sudden appearance and Galvatron's subsequent disappearance are each the product of mere coincidence. It stands to reason that someone other than Autobots or Decepticons is at the epicenter of this issue."
"Get to the point, Prime. You talk too much." Cyclonus spat.
Optimus let the blatant disregard for his authority slide and stated, "I believe we may learn more about this continued mystery if we were to work together."
"You mean if I defect to the Autobots." Cyclonus said almost incredulously.
"I never stated as such. This would be a temporary arrangement until the mystery of Harbinger is solved and Galvatron is returned safely." Optimus Prime clarified.
Cyclonus glanced at the other Autobots while weighing his options, and they were limited at best. "I will accepts your terms, Optimus Prime, but understand that while I will work with you, I have no intentions of working for you. You'd be wise to remember the difference."
Optimus Prime understood clearly and he looked to his troops. "Sideswipe, Sunstreaker and Crosshairs, escort Cyclonus into the city and ensure that the other Autobots know that he is here under my orders."
The three Autobots were understandably reluctant to holster their guns, knowing what Cyclonus was capable of doing. But the did so regardless and one at a time. Sideswipe was the first to holster his weapon and he approached the Decepticon. Cyclonus displayed a wry sneer at Sideswipe. Sunstreaker followed suit and flanked Cyclonus opposite of Sideswipe. Crosshairs still had his gun out and showed his unwillingness to holster it. Instead, he took point and started back into the city.
At that point, Cyclonus was heard saying, "I can't wait to see what you've done with the place." That earned his menacing glared for all three Autobots as they moved on.
As they entered the city, Ultra Magnus and Optimus Prime remained and Magnus asked, "Optimus, are you sure having Cyclonus within the city walls is a good idea?"
"If I am to be honest, my old friend, I have not been sure of anything as of late." Optimus finally confided in Ultra Magnus.
"You think something's going to happen?" Ultra Magnus asked.
"I do, and I believe that the Harbinger and whomever may be at its helm, lay at the epicenter." Optimus Prime stated.
Josie Beller was tired of waiting for President Keller to act, so she decided it was time to take matters into her own hands. With her Technobots still inactive, Josie elected to catch a flight to Oregon. She'd arrived at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to catch said flight after having attained plane tickets the day before. Her intentions were clear as crystal; confront the Autobots and demand that they leave Earth. If they didn't, then Josie was going to bring down the full force of the Military on them. She didn't give a damn if Keller approved it or not; Earth was not the Autobot's planet it never would be.
Now at the waiting area for the boarding of the plane to Oregon, Josie paced back and forth impatiently when she received a call from her phone. When she examined it, she noted that the number was restricted. She initially intended to ignore the call but her curiosity got the better of her and she answered.
"Hello?"
"We know you're at the airport." a distorted voice spoke from the other end of the call.
Josie immediately knew who was on the other end. "How the hell did you get my number? How do you even know I'm here?"
"We have our ways," the distorted voice claimed, prompting Josie to look around the waiting area for anyone suspicious. "You should be working on getting the Technobots online."
"The Techno...," Josie stopped herself from spewing the details of her work in public. She didn't need that kind of attention. "I can't get them online. There's not enough power to spare."
"So what then? Are you going to Autobot City to steal power from there? That's very unbecoming of a Military officer."
"What would you know about the Military?" Josie asked almost out of anger.
"More than you. Take my advice, Lieutenant; get back to work. Confronting the Autobots is not a path you want to follow."
"With all due respect, go fuck yourself. The Autobots, the Decepticons… they all need to answer for the human lives lost because of their war." Josie then ended the call right then and there.
The announcement of the boarding chimed out and passengers began filing into the terminal leading to the plane. Josie gathered the only carry-on baggage she had and started to board the plane as well. As she went, she though for only a split second that someone was watching her. At the café opposite of the waiting area, Josie caught a glimpse of a man on his phone. Suspicious as she was, Josie entered the terminal and vanished. She just missed the man now making his way toward the waiting area and then soon after, entering the terminal.
Author's Note: Once again, took me a while to get the latest entry done.
So, we've gotten to the first meeting between Galvatron and Thunderwing, and Galvatron's a bit surprised to see Sentinel Prime as well. Sentinel doesn't seem to be doing well, and I may have hinted at something to happen later.
Meanwhile, Cyclonus confronts the Autobots and there is clearly some tension between them. Cyclonus even referenced the siege from TAAO.
And, Josie is taking matters into her own hands despite her benefactor suggesting otherwise, even using some colorful language. Gee, I wonder what going to happen!
Stay tuned for more and please leave a review.