I don't own Transformers Prime but this story is all mine!
Chapter 9
Shockwave stood hunched over his terminal working on another algorithm needed to be decrypted, this one had to be the toughest one he attempted yet. He was so close he could taste it, the section unlocked and Shockwave was greeted with a large file containing coordinates to an unknown location. But before he had a chance to read them the door to his station opened and his leader stepped inside.
"Shockwave! Have you found anything of value?" Megatron asked.
"I've managed to unlock a large number Starscream's memories since your last... outburst," Shockwave opened a separate file and gestured his leader towards it. "Most of them are more locations of energon deposits Starscream forgot to mention."
"That's it! I don't care about energon, if Starscream is truly on-line then you need to hurry and decode that messed up processor of his before it's too late!" Megatron yelled clearly irritated.
"But my lord it takes time and patience, Starscream isn't an idiot. Besides this was all I could find through my efforts, everything else is his distaste for you and the Autobots," Shockwave explained.
"I don't want your excuses, I'll be back later and you better have something of value," Megatron said heading for the exit.
Shockwave exasperated began reading the new file he decrypted, his single optic widened at his find.
"Lord Megatron come quick, you may want to see this," Shockwave called over his leader.
Megatron walked over and rudely shoved Shockwave out of the way, Megatron began reading very uninterested at first. As he kept reading his optics widened intensely, Megatron reread it multiple time to see if he was dreaming. When he realized he wasn't hallucinating he began to chuckle, the small chuckle increases until he was laughing sinisterly.
"Sir?"
Megatron, after the laughter died down, activated his comm-link "I want everyone aboard this vessel to prepare to depart and that means everyone, you will all be debriefed once we reach our destination."
"Whatever this is must be important if you're sending everyone, I'll just stay here and work on decrypting more data," Shockwave stated turning back to his terminal.
Before he could do that Megatron grabbed him and shoved him towards the door.
"When I said everyone I meant everyone, we have to make sure the Autobots don't stop us by any means necessary," Megatron stated shoving Shockwave out the door.
Later...
Ever since Starscream returned from recon yesterday he was strangely quiet, the whole night he locked himself in his quarters until morning. When he emerged he didn't say a measly 'good morning' to anyone, surprisingly the rest of the Autobots were missing Starscream's talkative personalty. They tried asking him what was wrong and stated he was 'fine' but they knew he was far from it, from the looks of it he wasn't sad but he wasn't happy either.
As the bots spent time with their human companions after just recently picking them up the main computer's sensors activated alerting all the crew.
"Optimus it looks like there has been a recent spike in Decepticon activity," Ratchet stated.
"Finally, I actually kind of missed the cons. There's been nothing to do since they've been gone," Bulkhead said excited.
"Ratchet activate the ground bridge. Autobots transform and roll out!" Optimus' booming voice commanded.
The Autobots did as their leader commanded and entered the ground bridge, before Optimus entered he noticed that Starscream was unresponsive.
"You ready Starscream?" Optimus asked.
Starscream was shocked to hear Optimus address him "Do you really mean it."
"Of course, you've been training very hard for this moment," Optimus assured.
Starscream's happiness risen knowing that Optimus had so much faith in him, transforming Starscream entered the ground bridge with the Prime following right behind him.
Meanwhile...
Megatron stood in a large canyon in front of a large entrance to a cave, all the Vehicons were ordered to dig through the cave until something of value would be surfaced. Knockout, Breakdown, Airachnid, and himself stood guarding the entrance for an unruly Autobots. Soundwave was back aboard the Nemesis ready to bridge them back once the deed is done.
"Lord Megatron if I may ask, why are we out here at all? We usually make the Vehicons do all the work, this just isn't your style at all," Knockout stated.
"As I said before, this mission needs to be a success! If we locate the item of interest this war is as good as ours, but if the Autobots get their servos on it kiss victory goodbye!" Megatron said angry at having to explain it again.
"Sheesh sorry I asked," Knockout said low enough for his leader not to hear.
Above the canyon the green swirl of the ground bridge appeared and released its passengers, they all transformed back into robot mode and peered down into the canyon.
"The Decepticons haven't been active for some time so you all know whatever they're planning can't be good, hopefully we will end this quickly with the element of surprise on our side," Optimus informed his crew.
As Megatron looked around keeping his guard up for the enemy he got a comm.
"What is it?" Megatron ordered.
"My liege, we have company," Shockwave's emotionless voice came in.
Megatron eyes widened for a second before he smirked "Prime! I know you're there, you know you can never hide from me!"
Surprised their cover was blown Optimus landed in the canyon with his crew following sweet a few feet away from Megatron.
"Megatron! I don't know what you are planning but it ends here!" Optimus yelled readying his weapons.
For once Megatron didn't bother listening to his nemesis' speech, his eyes wondered to a certain mech glaring daggers and aiming his missiles.
"So, the 'silver snake' returns. You know Starscream your inability to go off-line has become quite a bother," Megatron stated.
Starscream gasped but soon got back his composer and aimed his missiles with more emphasis which only got a chuckle from the war lord.
"Enough! Stand down Megatron, you are outnumbered and outmatched," Optimus demanded which only got another chuckle.
"Is that so? From what I can tell the odds look like they're in my favor," Megatron smiled.
Before a reply could be made the Autobots heard the sound of active thrusters heading this way, they looked into the sky to see a foreign purple aircraft. A small white gun appeared from below the craft and began firing upon the Autobots, none of the bolts of energy made its mark but that wasn't the manner of the aircraft's main priority. After he felt that he proved his point the craft began to transform and landed right next to the ex gladiator. After the dust from the blaster fire cleared up Optimus' eyes widened in horror when he realized who was standing next to Megatron. The being had the average height of a mech, he was sleek and purple with a single orange optic staring back at the Autobots.
"Remember me?" the mysterious mech asked.
"By the All-spark," Optimus said in shock.
"Optimus who is this guy?" Arcee asked.
Optimus was silent glaring at the unexpected assailant.
"His name is Shockwave an intelligent but cold and ruthless warrior, while being a cunning tactician and one of the first to align himself with the Decepticons," Optimus explained.
"Ahh so you do remember, I'm touched," Shockwave mocked.
Throughout the whole confrontation Megatron carried a bemused expression on his face plate "As fun as this little reunion is I have much more pressing matters to attend to. Decepticons destroy them!"
At the command Breakdown transformed and rammed into his rival, Bulkhead slowed the speeding con with his bare hand and picked him up throwing him into the cliff side.
Seeing this as her cue Arcee transformed as well and headed towards Airachnid, Airachnid prepared a strike with one of her many limbs but missed the quick cycle. Arcee transformed and without a second thought activated her wrist blades, Airachnid attempted to skewer the two-wheeler but Arcee managed to deflect all of the multiple limbs coming at her.
Seeing that the situation has gone from bad to worse Knockout decided to split and transformed entering the mouth of the cave. Bumblebee instantly made chase, none of this went unnoticed by Megatron.
Megatron activated his comm "Rear guards, Knockout and the Autobot scout is headed for your position. Be prepared to shoot on sight!"
"Megatron!"
As the con in mention turned around he was greeted with a fist to his jaw, a bit dazed Megatron was still fast enough to activate his blade to block Optimus'. A deadly sword fight ensued between the titans, powerful blow after powerful blow neither one letting up.
Starscream observed his comrades each one in heated combat, it seemed everyone had their own adversary. It almost seemed practiced, like this happened often. Then he realized there was still one who was unattended and that one was staring right back at the seeker.
"It's just you and me Shockwave!" Starscream said getting into a fighting stance.
"Correction, it's just me and me alone!" Shockwave's hand morphed into a gun and he fired upon the seeker.
Remembering his training Starscream nimbly dodged the blaster fire, the whole time he was slowly approaching Shockwave. When he was close enough Starscream slashed at Shockwave's gun hand rendering it useless, transforming it back into his hand Shockwave punched Starscream in the gut. Starscream retaliated and slashed upwards damaging Shockwave slightly, Shockwave began throwing flurries of punches most of them connecting. Starscream almost collapsed shocked at how skilled this particular Decepticon is, as Shockwave got closer Starscream threw an uppercut that unfortunately didn't do as much as he had hoped. As Starscream attempted another swipe Shockwave grabbed his arm and flipped right onto his back, before he knew it Starscream was staring down Shockwave's other arm gun.
"Say your prayers traitor!" that caused a questioning look from the seeker.
Shaking off the surprise Starscream thought quickly for a way out, Starscream did what he did best. He tripped Shockwave, transformed and flew into the caves opening for escape.
Shockwave attempted to pursue but was prevented.
Megatron threw Optimus out of his way and noticed Shockwave was about to enter the cave "Shockwave let him go! Starscream won't make it out alive!"
Optimus got back up and caused a wound across Megatron's Decepticon symbol with his blades, their battle continued.
Arcee and Airachnid's battle was still going, neither one appeared to be tired. Seeing that this was going nowhere Airachnid drilled into the ground to get more of an edge, Arcee as expected followed.
Meanwhile...
Starscream flew through the dark caverns not seeing any resistance for his entrance, the farther he went he could distinctly hear the sounds of gunfire. In the distance he could see Bumblebee outnumbered by several Vehicons, from what Starscream could tell Bumblebee managed to take down an impressive amount of cons. Starscream shot two missiles at the cons managing to increase the odds in Bumblebee's favor. Starscream then kept on flying deeper into the cave, he could hear a few beeps of thanks.
The cave began to get smaller and Starscream was forced to venture on in robot mode, the farther he walked he noticed the cave walls began to be replaced with metal. Starscream soon found himself in front of a large door, just when he was about to enter the door slid open without his own accord. Starscream was now face to face with a certain Decepticon medic. Knockout yelped and jumped back.
"Starscream! What are you doing here?" Knockout demanded extremely exasperated.
Starscream noticed Knockout was carrying what looked like a data pad in his hand.
"Whatever you found in there, I want! Now hand it over!" Starscream commanded.
"Sorry Starscream but finders keepers. Besides don't you want your memories back?" Knockout asked very smug.
"What, that was never part of our deal!" Starscream yelled angrily.
"Yes but if I don't get this into Megatron's servos he won't be happy and if he's not happy than I'm not happy. And when I'm not happy I assure you you won't be happy," Knockout smirked.
"Fine, but when this deal is over I won't be responsible for what will happen to you!" Starscream to add emphasis caused sparks by sliding his fingers across each other.
"I wouldn't want it any other way," Knockout stated.
Knockout walked towards the seeker and took out his energon prod.
"What are you-"
Knockout jammed the prod into Starscream's neck sending volts of electricity through his body, Starscream collapsed unconscious.
"Sorry Scream but it would look too suspicious if you got out of here unscathed, we wouldn't want that now would we?" Knockout chuckled exiting the cave.
Later...
Megatron managed to distance himself from Optimus, both were pretty wounded. Breakdown and Bulkhead the whole time they were trying to prove that they are stronger than the other, dents covered their whole bodies. Knockout drove through the cave entrance getting the remaining mechs attention.
"Lord Megatron I got what we came for!" Knockout informed.
"Soundwave activate the ground bridge!" a portal appeared behind Megatron and Knockout greeted his leader by giving him the data pad. "Knockout activate the charges!" Megatron ordered.
"But my lord Airachnid and the Vehicons are still inside!" Knockout said hoping for his leader to reconsider.
"Are you questioning my authority," Megatron said menacingly.
"Of course not."
"Then do as I command!" Megatron said before entering the portal.
Breakdown took leave and entered the portal as well.
"See you later Autobots," Knockout said activated a switch he took out of his subspace then exiting the scene.
Optimus could feel the ground shaking as the muffled sound of an explosion was heard, the entrance to the cave was closed by massive falling rock.
"NOOOOOOOOO!" Optimus yelled in anguish.