Nota Bene:
Time units: Astrosecond = 0.283 seconds; Breems = 8.3 minutes; Joor = 1 hour; Mega-cycle = 93 hours; Orn = 13 days; Meta-cycle = 13 months; Vorn = 83 years
Length units: Klik - 1 kilometer; Mechanometer = 1 meter
Italics: scene taking place in the past
'Text': thoughts of a character
(Text): discussion through comm.-links
Chapter 28: Rise of the Decepticons (3)
Forward Operational Headquarters 0022 of the Earth Resistance Force
Main launch pad. Vessel Atlantis
The crew of the Atlantis remained silent when the singular cortege entered the main bridge, announcing the imminent blast off of the ship. The newly reinstated Decepticons pretended indifference, comparing the perfection of their Decepticon insignia engraved on their frame and commenting at a low voice the entrance of the four mechs. The Autobots engrossed themselves in the last minute checking of the vessel, watching discreetly every move of the four Transformers. Among the onlookers, a white and red Seeker was trailing his gaze on two of the newcomers; his energy field radiated with both despair and anger, casting the shadows of a tragedy.
O
"I suppose you have prepared a confinement area in order to keep Thanatron in custody?" Megatron asked disdainfully, his admonishing voice echoing in the vast bridge. "Springer? We agreed that you would be responsible for his transfer, in order to avoid a diplomatic incident with Optimus Prime…" he added.
The so-addressed green triple changer replied to him with an equally scornful look, which made the Decepticon leader smirk; he didn't appreciate Autobots in general - 'hate your enemies without exception' wasn't one of his mottos for nothing. However, he sometimes betrayed it, when exceptional character traits of an opponent raised a glimpse of admiration. This one was obviously a hothead capable of some rudeness; he liked the style.
"Of course, we have a highly secured cell prepared. I suggest we take him right now." Springer replied with assurance. An almost imperceptible change in his energy field's frequency betrayed that he was slightly impressed by Megatron's aura.
The silver Transformer puffed up with pride, enjoying the respect he inspired to his audience. His pleasure would have been perfect if disturbing waves of anguish didn't reach him from Starscream. (I'm soon with you, Love.) he tried to inform through their private comm. channel. The only reply he got was static. 'He's still angry,' he concluded, suppressing a sigh.
"Not 'we', but 'you', Springer," he swiftly replied. "By 'you' I mean yourself and Galvatron." Megatron's smile faded a little as he stared at their prisoner. "Thanatron is dangerous; you will be escorted by my brother," he ordered.
"I can deal with the prisoner myself," the Autobot retorted, shooting an angry look at the Salonian general.
The chained prisoner glared back at the two Transformers with a fiery glimmer in his optics. Megatron couldn't help thinking that this unexpected son was a worthy descendant of his family; proud and defiant in any circumstances.
"This is enough of all this procrastination!" Galvatron cut in, waving in annoyance. He grabbed the chain that kept Thanatron's arms pinned against his upper body and pulled it back. The prisoner welcomed the move with a grunt, but didn't try to resist. "Where is the cell?"
"But–" Springer tried to protest.
"Enough! Tell me where the cell is, so that we can throw him in the cooler. We won't spend our time quibbling on this brig, slag it!" Galvatron groused, pulling again on the chains.
"This way!" Springer pointed reluctantly a gate few meters from them. "I walk in front!" he added as a warning, not intending to lose the lead on this mission.
"About time!" Galvatron retorted and threw a knowing look at his elder brother.
(Don't leave Thanatron unattended with Springer, and use your comm.-link when talking to him.) Megatron warned his brother through their personal channel.
(I know! I'm not stupid!)
(Who said you were? I suggest you spend the next cycles giving my dear son the basic knowledge of our family values and our historical background. I guess that it wasn't part of the syllabus concocted by Darkracer.)
Galvatron chuckled darkly. (Count on me to restore some respect toward us in his sorry CPU.) He assured, dragging Thanatron along.
O
Starscream had been struggling against himself since Cyclonus had hauled him into the brig, asking him peremptorily to wait for Megatron's arrival. The storm that agitated his thoughts raged when his future bond mate showed up, flanked by his hateful son. He could feel pressure building in his spark so dramatically that it became painful; his chest was burning, he felt dizzy and his optics were blurred. He tried to push back the haunting idea, but it grew in his mind, echoing like a sinister litany: 'Kill Thanatron. Kill Thanatron. Kill–'
"Please, don't!"
The icy voice of Cyclonus and the strong grip on his right arm drove him away from this deadly daydreaming. He stared at the purple starship former, his gaze betraying his confusion. He then realized he had just made a step forward, as if to walk to Megatron and his son, triggering Cyclonus' reaction.
"Why are you standing here, like a jailer?" he hissed, suddenly pissed at his own lack of self-control.
"Megatron asked me to watch over you when he's not by your side," Cyclonus icily replied. "I have the order to protect you from any kind of danger, including yourself."
"I don't need a body-guard or a baby-sitter!" the Seeker cried as shame was added to the combo of feelings that threatened to fry his emotional network.
"Then, you have to explain it to Megatron himself. I obey orders, nothing more." Cyclonus looked up, "He's coming. I'm leaving it to you to expose him this point," he concluded and walked away.
Starscream no longer dared looking up when the massive shape of Megatron cast his shadow over his frame.
"Love. What's going on? You didn't open you comm.-link when I requested it," the Decepticon leader asked with a comforting tone.
The Seeker looked away and made out an opened door on a small storage room, not far from them.
"Not here. Please, let's speak over there, where nobody can watch or listen to us," he murmured pleadingly.
"I see."
O
They had just entered the small room when Starscream turned around and leaned against the larger mech, resting his head on his chest and circling his waist with his arms.
"It hurts more and more, you can't image how hard it is," he whispered of a broken voice. "It's a struggle of every klick, a war against this voice that keeps telling me I should seek revenge, an inferno that devours my body," he added and then sobbed, ready to cry. "I don't know how long I will be able to keep in control. It's like if a hole was opening beneath me, swallowing me into a dark place where I would be free to murder your son. Oh Primus, I'm losing my mind!"
Comforting hands caressed his wings and back, pulling him further into the strong embrace.
"You know you can count on me to support you," Megatron assured.
"What can you do if my reason completely vanishes? Can you stop me from killing everybody who would stand on the way to revenge?" Starscream moaned, burying his face into Megatron's shoulder joint. "Since I heard Thanatron has been responsible for my demise – the loss of my family and the poison that runs into my pipes – the fire of hate has been burning in me again. Sometimes I can handle it, and the following astroseconds, I'm losing my mind!" The Seeker trembled, hanging onto the larger mech as if his life depended on it. "The more time flies, the crazier I become. I can't–"
"Oh, yes, you can!" Dark fingers caught delicately Starscream's chin, forcing him to look up. "You're strong, Starscream. You're a steadfast soul, who has always stood firm in the face of adversity – including me." Megatron squashed a pang of regret as he noticed the optics of his lover were glazed over. "I haven't fallen for you, and proposed you a bonding by chance. I have chosen you because you are the only one I am ready to recognize as my equal."
"Were you expecting your equal would surrender so… lamely?" the Seeker asked in a sob. "I'm nothing else than a failure!"
"You're not a failure!" Megatron sealed this strong affirmation by means of a long kiss and pulled away only when he felt Starscream relaxing in his embrace. He cupped the dark face in his hands, slightly reassured to see that some combativeness had come back in the red gaze. "This is the first time you are really fighting against this death wish that plagues you. You can't expect to win the first battle, but I know you will win the war. I will be there to help you."
Megatron let go of his face, allowing Starscream to lean back against his chest, and wrap his arms around his back. Outside the storage room, footsteps were dying away as most of the mechs were heading to the command room of the ship.
"You feel ready to go with them?" he asked.
"I… I'd like that we stay here a few more breems, if you don't mind," Starscream whispered. "Just the time to pull myself together."
"Take it easy. We are not in a hurry."
O
Skywarp fell heavily on the seat next to Thundercracker. The sensors of his wings still fed back electric disturbances from the burnt metal and circuits, eliciting unpleasant shivers through his neuronal network. He decided to put aside this inconvenience to turn his attention to his wing mate; the blue Seeker's biggest wounds had been repaired, and only superficial dents marred his paint job. Those scraps didn't worry Skywarp – auto repair would erase them within a few days – but the absolute silence of Thundercracker was a kind of scary. He hadn't uttered a sound since his arrival in the ship.
"So… Nurse Skyfire isn't with you?" Skywarp asked casually, peeping in the direction of the white shuttle, who had settled at a nearby a window.
"Don't talk to me about this!" Thundercracker replied with a sigh. "I tried to explain him that there could be no relationship between us, and if there were one, it would be so short-lived than it wouldn't be worth starting, and–"
"And–?" Skywarp stretched his neck, to better read the end of the sentences on the blue Seeker's lips.
"He said that he just wanted to know me."
"Oh, that's not that bad. He doesn't promise you anything, then!" Skywarp addressed him a smug look, "Why don't you give him a try, even for a night, hum? You always have to test equipment before adopting it!" he added.
"Warp'!" Thundercracker looked at him in shock. "How can you speak like this? He's not equipment, and I'm not in the search of a one-night stand!" he retorted vehemently.
"AAAAh! Ah!" The optics of the dark Seeker narrowed to a slit. "So you admit you are in search of a true relationship!" he stated triumphantly.
Thundercracker tried to object to Skywarp, but his confusion seemed so high that he only produced a mere gasp as he lowered his face.
"I don't want to talk about this," he announced unequivocally. He raised a hand and touched the Decepticon insignia engraved in Skywarp's left wing. "Rather, tell me how you got this and why all the other Decepticons are also marked," he whispered.
"Oh, this?" Skywarp couldn't suppress a quiver, flexing his appendages back and forth as he recollected the sensation of the brand melting his plating. "Megatron made a troop review this morning, and decided to boost our faith in the Decepticon cause by reinstating the insignia on our frames," he informed and then pretended to stretch out. "I didn't feel a thing!" he boasted.
"Liar! The wings are our most sensitive body area; such marking must have been a torture." Thundercracker gave out a tired sigh. "I guess I will go through this once arrived at the base 0025," he murmured in defeat.
"Perhaps… not sure. I think it was rather to show us - but also to Optimus Prime - that he was still the one in command in this war. A strong warning stating: hey, I'm the boss here!"
"I hope that it is nothing else than a way of bragging!" Thundercracker's expression darkened a little. "Decepticons are an insignificant force in comparison to the whole Empire of Salonia. Restarting the war with the Autobots and attacking the Empire alone would amount to suicide!" he spoke at low voice, checking that nobody else, other than his wing mate was listening.
"That's for sure, TC," Skywarp admitted, allowing Thundercracker's pessimism to briefly get to him.
The good mood of the purple Seeker quickly came back as he watched a new comer entering the command room. Blue optics met a red gaze; the puzzled expression of the Autobot instantaneously elicited a chuckle from Skywarp.
'Oh! You must be kidding!' he thought.
O
Thundercracker peeped at his chuckling wing mate and then at the femme who had caused this reaction. 'Warp', I'd like to be as carefree as you are sometimes,' he reflected. His gaze trailed in the other direction, meeting the azure optics of Skyfire, who immediately outlined a warm smile. The Seeker lowered his optics, feeling strange warmth seizing his spark; almost despite his will, he locked his gaze again with the shuttle a few seconds before looking away, definitely feeling awkward.
'What's wrong with me?' he wondered.
Forward Operational Headquarters 0025 of the Earth Resistance Force
Optimus Prime's office
The truck former sat at his desk, his optics making a sweep of the assistance in the room: Prowl, Jazz, Rodimus Prime, Blaster and Shockwave were waiting impassively, while the image of Ultra Magnus was flickering from time to time on a wall screen.
"Thanks for coming for this crisis meeting. I guess you all have already watched the message sent by the Insecticons, but I suggest we go through it once again."
Optimus Prime pushed a button, awaking a second monitor, hung on the opposite wall of Ultra Magnus' screen. The video opened on a general shot of an air duct, which slowly closed up on a form hanged to the ceiling. The form moved closer to the camera, allowing the watcher to work out it was a giant metal beetle, which finally jumped to land in front of the camera.
"Greeting, Optimus Prime… Prime. It has been a long time since you have heard about me… me. I will make it short… short: I'm here to offer you a bargain… bargain."
Shrapnel gestured to the camera, which spun around 180 degrees, showing his two sidekicks, Kickback and Bombshell, standing on either side of a kind of sarcophagus.
"I'm sure that you have already asked yourself why the Empire has never destroyed this base, haven't you… you? I have the answer… answer: they want this pod… pod. Just imagine what would happen if the Empire retrieved this precious box… box."
The camera rotated again to shoot a close-up of Shrapnel's face.
"Here is the bargain, Optimus Prime… Prime: you nominate us as the supreme leaders of this base… base, and we make sure this Sarcophagus never falls on the hands of the Empire… Empire. You have two Earth days to accept it, otherwise… otherwise." Shrapnel pressed his face to the camera. "We trade it to the Empire and…and bye-bye Base 0025… 0025."
The last sequence ended on Shrapnel falling in the pangs of general hilarity, and the screen went black.
"Scary, isn't it?" Optimus Prime commented and then looked at his tactician. "Prowl, could you identify the location in the base where this video had been filmed?"
"It's somewhere in the forbidden area, but the Insecticons have managed to scramble our radars. We could identify their frequency, and reply to them, but the source of transmission is unknown. The search mission organized by the Aerial bots and the Dinobots hasn't been fruitful." Prowl quickly reported.
"Are we certain they're telling the truth about this sarcophagus? Could it be the presence of this pod that prevented the destruction of this base by a massive nuclear attack?" the truck asked.
"We're not sure, Optimus." Shockwave cut in, beckoning Prowl to allow him to pursue the meeting, "We have no evidence, since we don't know what is inside the pod. It could be a trick fomented by the Insecticons to blackmail us, but it could be also the truth. As long as we are not sure, I recommend the highest carefulness."
The reply didn't really satisfy Optimus Prime; he actually suspected that Shockwave had no idea what to do and was just playing for time.
"In concrete terms, what do you suggest?" he asked.
"I suggest you play the sly snake, and pretend to agree with their requests. We can set a trap, catch them when they come to the negotiation table and get all the information that we need." The single-optic Transformer stopped, looking hesitant. "Besides, Megatron is on the way back. He's very familiar with such tactics from the Insecticons."
This last remark plunged Optimus Prime into silence, as he evaluated the pertinence of involving his arch nemesis in such a power game. He knew perfectly the long history of plots and betrayals, use and abuse between the Decepticon leader and the Insecticons. However, the recently displayed ambitions of Megatron made him a potential threat for the Cybertronian cohesion.
"I think we should involve Megatron as a last resort," he replied, avoiding going into more details. Only a part of the onlookers were aware of the earlier ceremony at base 0022. "I will conduct the negotiations myself, and if the situation gets out of control, we can involve Megatron," he decided.
He realized he had spoken the last words in an unusual peremptory tone, which allowed no rebuffs. The mechs in front of him nodded silently; only Ultra Magnus dared a "Good luck, brother" before switching off the video link.
"You can go back to your duties. I'm expecting from you a total discretion; nobody else must be aware of what has been said in this meeting." Optimus Prime concluded.
The mechs left the room without making comments on the situation; even Shockwave wasn't keen on pursuing the discussion.
"Prowl, a few words."
The tactician stopped when he heard his name and threw a questioning look at his high officer.
"Yes, Prime?"
"The Cassettes of Soundwave are working with Blaster, aren't they?" The question was purely rhetorical; the former leader of the Autobots himself had agreed to have them working with the Communication Officer.
"Yes. Is it a problem?"
"Potentially. Please make sure that they don't relay strategic information to Soundwave." Optimus stated.
Prowl swallowed hard. "I'm afraid it's going extremely difficult: Frenzy and Rumble have been involved in the search for the Insecticons. They are a precious support to Blaster. Besides, unless we jam their transmitters and comm.-link, we have no way to stop them from communicating with Soundwave," he explained worryingly.
"Then, jam their transmitters and comm.-link!"
Prowl stared at him in shock. "But–"
"There is no "but", Prowl. Do it! Like me, you have seen the little ceremony organized by Megatron, and heard his speech. We don't know what he is up to. Therefore, I take precautions in order to slow down his run for power. It starts by filtering his access to strategic information," Optimus Prime replied dismissively.
Prowl opened his mouth component to shut it down the following click, not daring uttering a word.
"You can go now, Prowl."
Optimus Prime waited until the tactician had left and his office was back to silence allowing him to relax a little in his chair. Despite the potentially dramatic situation, he outlined a smile beneath his facemask.
'Right, Megatron. I just need to have your threat in sight to find my combativeness back,' he reflected.
On the Vessel Atlantis
Skywarp waited for the ship to complete its taking off manoeuvres to jump out of his chair and walk to the pink femme, puffing his chest in a very Starscream manner. As he expected, Arcee openly turned her face in the opposite direction, and pretended to ignore him when Skywarp stood right in front of her.
"Isn't that my friend Arcee?" he purred.
"I'm not your friend. Leave me alone!" Arcee retorted.
Such an answer was not discouraging enough for Skywarp, especially when he had a nasty idea in mind. He swiftly took the seat by the side of Arcee, so that she found herself staring at his red optics.
"How dare you!" she barked, raising a hand in the obvious intention to slap him in the face.
She gave out an angry hiss when the dark Seeker caught her wrist and leaned forward to whisper in her audios.
"I'm sure you don't want to make a spectacle of us, do you? Usually, a femme slaps a mech in the face when she has something to blame him for their relationship, hum?"
Shock immediately replaced anger on the face of Arcee. "How dare you hint that you… and me–!" she exclaimed in a paroxysm of disgust.
"Why not? You didn't seem that reluctant back on the battlefield…" Skywarp added, enjoying the development of the situation; Arcee might be angry and shocked, but he was still holding her wrist.
"I was petrified with fear, and you just took advantage!" she retorted.
"Of course, I took advantage! I am a Decepticon!" he scoffed.
"How can you pretend that I liked your disgusting little game?!"
"Because I'm still holding your wrist, and you've done nothing to repel me except whine. Don't tell me you lack strength… I would rather say you lack will," he gloated, leaning closer.
The dull noise of a slap echoed his arrogant comment. Arcee escaped his grasp and stood up, glaring angrily at the dark Seeker.
"Who do you think you are? Put this in your sorry mind: I am not interested in a jerk like you! First, because you are the most bastard Decepticon that I have ever met," she shrieked, oblivious that all the Transformers present in the command room were now looking at them. "Secondly; I don't find you handsome or even interesting!" she added, outlining a grimace of disgust.
Stating the last point, she hastily walked to the door and exited without looking back.
"Wow! Fly Boy has bitten off more than he can chew!" Astrotrain sniggered, applauding loudly.
"Yep, and he got a nice slap in the face as a reward," Blitzwing chuckled.
"Guys, the difference between you and me is that I'm not afraid to try my luck," Skywarp retorted, patting his cheek as he outlined a crazy smile. "Wow! What a smack!"
"Forget her, Warp', this femme is not for you," Octane warned. "And it is common knowledge that she's fond of Rodimus Prime."
"She's attracted to Rodimus?" Skywarp's smile became totally wicked. "So Arcee likes idiots? I still have all my chances then," he added triumphantly.
From the far corner, Thundercracker threw him a disapproving look, to which Skywarp replied by a wink and a shrug of his shoulders. 'Hey, TC. You have Skyfire at your knees; Starscream has Megatron in his spark… I have the right to try having somebody in my berth at least for a night!'
Vessel Makahara
For once, she had decided to leave the costume of Nyxeris aside, and had left rein to her true self. Darkracer covered with an angry look the upside-down command room and took a last mouthful, emptying the cube she held in her hand. She threw it to the floor, where it crashed along the five other cubes she had boozed during the past cycles.
"Idiot! Why did you have to be taken prisoner? I thought you would be strong enough to fight against Megatron in person. You really disappointed me, my son!" she muttered, glaring into space as if Thanatron was standing in front of her. She sighed heavily and then called her servant. "Elita!"
The so-addressed femme emerged from the shadows of a corridor.
"You shouldn't blame him. He fought bravely, against two powerful opponents. Your son was an honour to you." The pink femme stated.
"How dare you say that!? Are you trying to insinuate that I am not an honour to Thanatron?" Darkracer hissed, standing from her seat. Her energon intoxication made her stagger and grab the desk in front of her. "I raised him as a proud warrior, and what does he do to thank me? He becomes the prisoner of my worst enemy!" she shrieked, almost falling forward while gesturing wildly.
"Do you even love him?" Elita asked bitterly.
Darkracer chuckled when she read true indignation in the blue optics of Elita One.
"Who do you think you are for questioning my feelings towards the son I have been fighting for since his design? He's been raised as a warrior to seek revenge from his hateful father, and…" Darkracer pretended to sob, wiping away an imaginary tear. "And this is how he rewards me: he falls in the hands of Megatron!"
"Thanatron loves you; you shouldn't doubt him!"
"Silence!" Darkracer raised a shaking hand as a small gun emerged from a subspace. She fired at the pink femme, who ran back to her hallway for cover. "You're not in a position to lecture me! Be useful and bring me other energon cubes!" she groaned, miraculously keeping her balance as her fist pounded the metal of her desk.
"I think you should stop drinking!" The voice of Elita One was trembling. "This won't make things any better!"
"Maybe not, but it will at least ease my anger and my pain! Now, go and bring me those slagging energon cubes!" she barked, ready to fire again.
Elita One didn't try to argue further and left the place, heading to the personal energon reserve of Darkracer, leaving the black femme to her drunkenness. To her relief, the quantity of high-grade that she had absorbed was starting to make its effect, leaving her apathetic and insensitive. It was exactly what Darkracer wanted; to feel nothing and ignore the dark clouds that were tarnishing her future. She had prepared her plan for so long, scheming in the shadows for Megatron's demise, raising her son as the deadly weapon who would kill the tyrant at the most appropriate occasion. For what result?! To see the beast rising from his own ashes, threatening to destroy everything she had built as easy as demolishing a house of cards.
She had to kill Megatron, whatever it would cost.
"Counselor Nyxeris, may I have your attention a few seconds?" The insect-like face of Griboo's successor appeared on the main screen of her desk.
"What do you want?" she replied ill-humorously, not happy to be seen in such a state of weakness by a Salonian subordinate.
"We caught an internal transmission in base 0025. I think it might be in your interest," the Salonian officer replied. His image disappeared to be replaced by the first scene of a film, obviously taken from an air duct. Darkracer couldn't help but gape at the scene when the familiar shape of a sarcophagus appeared. A devious smile graced her lips as she realized the three Transformers of the movie were blackmailing the commander of the base, threatening to sell the pod to the Empire.
"So sweet words reaching my audios," she purred with a languid air. "At last, the emergency pod of High Commander Telorus, the son of the Emperor of Salonia, has been found." She chuckled darkly; "If I can get my hands on it, there will be no more reason to hesitate and burn this base to ashes. Including you, Megatron!"
She allowed herself a few clicks of insane laughing, until the image of the officer reappeared on the screen.
"Counselor Nyxeris, what do you order?"
"Take all measures to localize those three insect Transformers. I'm ready to make an offer to them, whatever they want, to get this treasure back!" she ordered.
"At your command!"
The screen crackled with static and then went black, leaving the command room in a relative silence. Somehow sobered up by this strategic information, Darkracer activated a private comm.-link she hadn't used since the beginning of the occupation of Earth.
"Kraken! Acknowledge!" she barked.
Static echoed in her audios before a deep and rich voice answered her call.
(Darkracer… I mean Nyxeris, what a surprise! You're being too kind remembering that I still exist… Why are you calling?)
"Spare me your sarcasm. I'm not in the mood," she replied, annoyed by the mocking tone of Kraken. "Megatron is still alive."
Her interlocutor chuckled annoyingly, as if to say: "I've told you!"
(It looks as if your son hasn't fulfilled the task he was in charge of…)
"Thanatron is currently prisoner to Megatron," she informed dryly.
New annoying chuckle. Darkracer could perfectly imagine the scold that was certainly lightening Kraken's faceplate at the moment. It made her want to shoot him.
(I'm afraid that you'll have to give up all hope regarding your son… Megatron is a talented manipulator. He will try to set Thanatron against you. I guess he will be successful, as your heir already betrayed you, a quarter of vorns ago.)
"I'm sure he had a reason for that!" Darkracer retorted vehemently, not willing to acknowledge the facts. Yes, Thanatron had betrayed her.
(Like… he refused to kill his father and his followers, because he believed more in Megatron than in you, hum?)
That straw broke the camel's back. Darkracer saw red.
"Shut up, you idiot!" she shouted. "I'm not calling you to be the victim of your slander, but to give you orders. You and Dark Nebula will come to Earth, and help me in definitely getting rid of Megatron and take back the pod of Telorus to the Emperor." She groaned.
(But the Emperor has assigned us to the conquest of other planets than Earth. We can't leave our positions like this!) Kraken protested.
"I'll take care of negotiating your new assignment, directly with the Emperor," she retorted. "You have two megacycles."
She cut the comm. channel in order to avoid further questioning and rebuff from Kraken. He had been one of her accomplices for million years, plotting with her to usurp the leadership of the Decepticons from Megatron and Galvatron, and she knew him well. She admired the warrior but hated the braggart that constantly challenged her patience. She would have to show him who was in command at his arrival. Darkracer outlined a predatory smile at the thought, and covered with a dreamy look the destroyed command room. She then realized that Elita-One was back, holding up three energon cubes.
"How long have you been waiting here?" she asked, suspecting the pink femme had listened to her conversation.
"I have just come back."
Darkracer's optics narrowed to a slit as she carefully studied the energy field of her servant. No sudden power surge or changes of frequency betrayed that she was lying.
"Put them on the desk and leave!" she ordered.
The femme complied at the order and took her leave, bowing respectfully as she retreated in the hallway. Once the door was closed, and her privacy finally assured, Darkracer picked up a cube and sipped it, savouring in anticipation her triumph.
"With or without your help, Thanatron, I'm going to take down your father!"
To be continued
Text originally beta read and edited by Krystalmaze. Reedited in September 2015.
