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 29: Rise of the Decepticons (4)

Forward Operational Headquarters 0025 of the Earth Resistance Force

The forbidden area

Optimus Prime entered the hangar, beckoning Rodimus Prime to stay outside. The place was dark and deserted, completely silent. Remains of Salonian Stalkers were scattered on the floor, last traces of the battle that had brought down the vessel twenty-five years ago.

"I am here, as you requested!" Optimus stated, scanning his surroundings in search of the Insecticons.

A slight hum echoed him, followed by confused rustling. The Autobot leader switched on his infrared, making a sweep of his surrounding. The same noise came from three different directions, leading him to believe that the three bug formers were following different pathways.

'They're certainly up to something. A trap, perhaps?' Optimus Prime wondered. That was fair enough; he was also trying to trick the Insecticons, after all.

"Do you hear me, Insecticons?! I came alone, as per your request, and I don't have my blaster. Come out so that we can negotiate!" he called again.

"Don't be so impatient, Prime… Prime. We all have our time… time!"

The droning voice of Shrapnel echoed in his audios like a threatening whisper. Looking twice, Optimus Prime saw that a form was hanging onto the ceiling, three hundred meters from him, at the entrance of a second hangar. The leader of the Insecticons wasn't the only bug to show his face in the desolated hangar; two other Insecticons blocked the entrance of the hallways connecting the repair bay to another hangar and the nearest launch pad. That left only the door behind him as a way out.

'I'm not completely surrounded… Besides, Rodimus Prime is here in reinforcement," Optimus Prime told himself, trying to relax. "We don't have as much time as you believe, Shrapnel," he retorted. "I consider your little blackmail as extremely damageable and I intend to knock back some common sense in your CPU!"

"Oh, don't even think about it, Autobot… Autobot! We know what we want, and all your nice speeches about the great Fraternity of all Cybertronians will change nothing… nothing!"

Optimus Prime bit his lip component under his facemask; the Insecticons were determined to go to the end of their blackmail, and he would have to be extremely tactful to get the sarcophagus.

"Calm down, Shrapnel. As I mentioned, I came to negotiate." Optimus replied, lowering his voice to avoid derailing the conversation. "If first you told me what this Sarcophagus is, hum? We could find a compromise!" he added, trying to be friendly.

"I tell you once again, Prime, the only negotiation we're ready to agree with is the surrender of the base 0025 to us… us!" the mechanical stag beetle hissed. "As it seems that you don't understand that you're not in a situation for negotiating… negotiating, but for obeying… obeying, let me dot the i's... i's." The maniacal bug gave out an amused laugh. "The sarcophagus is a stasis pod, containing the body of a Salonian Prince… Prince. This explains why the base has never been blasted to oblivion by the nuclear weapons of the mother ship… ship, stationed above our heads... heads."

"How do you know this?" Optimus Prime was a little surprised that the Insecticons had reached such a level of knowledge about this curious pod.

"Because, we've already contacted the mother ship… mother ship. Believe me; if you don't want to pay the price for the sarcophagus, we'll sell it to Nyxeris, in exchange for a rank in the Salonian army… army. And you, and your base, you'll be pulverized as soon as she gets her hands on it… it."

Optimus Prime's optics narrowed to a slit as the seriousness of the situation clearly appeared to him. "Nyxeris?" he repeated.


Vessel Atlantis

"I don't want to fall asleep." Starscream moaned, clutching Megatron's shoulders, begging his lover to not let him fall into recharge.

The warlord ignored his pleas and kept caressing his cheeks, murmuring comforting words in his audios. He knew there was no other way out of this nervous breakdown but recharge. Starscream had managed to keep his anger under control, but the result was the same as if he had thrown a tantrum: his energy was drained, and he was exhausted.

"No… I can't fall asleep." Starscream nodded gently and finally rested his forehead on Megatron's neck. "No I can't… I won't remember, again."

"Shh… You need to sleep a little."

Megatron kept cradling him in his arms until he was sure the Seeker was offline. He then activated his comm.-link, in search of a particular frequency.

"Soundwave! Acknowledge."

(I receive you sound and clear, Megatron.)

"Can you find if there are some personal quarters on this ship? Starscream is not feeling good."

(At your command, my leader.)

Megatron shifted Starscream on his lap so that he was more comfortably seated and waited until Soundwave recalled him. The communication Officer quickly came back to him, giving the coordinates of a private room nearby the command room.

"Perfect, meet me there."

O

Soundwave was already in the room when Megatron arrived, Starscream comfortably cradled in his arms like a sleeping sparkling.

"What happened?" he asked.

"He's been a little overworked since the battle. He just needs… some recharge," Megatron replied, not willing to embark on long explanations about Starscream's faintness.

Soundwave didn't utter a word and even stepped back, watching Megatron as he lay his Seeker on the berth. Engrossed in his task of setting Starscream comfortably, the warlord didn't realize that his lieutenant was unclasping his facemask.

"Is it because of the disk he held in his chest?" Soundwave finally asked in a neutral voice.

"What?" Megatron looked up and threw him an interrogative look, which soon turned to a glare as he recognized the mech. "You? You are a High-Guard!" the tyrant roared. He paused, his optics narrowing to a slit while he extracted a name from the depth of his memory bank. "You… Mindtwister!"

"I had to tell you the truth… at last." Soundwave replied, and lowered his optics.

"At last?!" Megatron walked around the berth and nearly leaped at Soundwave. He grabbed his Communication Officer by the neck and slammed his back into the wall with all the strength he could muster. The blue mech winced in pain but didn't dare look up. "At last, you traitor. Are you kidding me?!" Megatron grabbed his chin and forced his face up. "Look at me in the optics when I'm talking to you."

"I wanted to be a Decepticon, but you would have never let me join your army. I thus decided to pretend to be Soundwave, and made all my best efforts to get your trust." Soundwave hiccupped when the grip on his throat tightened. "I have never ceased to be loyal to you, Megatron. I swear!" he pleaded. "I will never cease to believe in you."

"Silence!" The Decepticon leader emphasized his order by a strong punch in Soundwave's stomach. The blue jet hissed in pain and clawed at Megatron's wrist in a very Starscream way. "I should kill you right now for this treachery!" Megatron roared, squeezing even more strongly.

Soundwave was experiencing something he had never been confronted with: the fear of dying. He now understood what Starscream felt every time the tyrant was looming over him, burning him with his angry glare and crushing his vocal processor. It was a taste of the melting pit, a terrible experience from which it wasn't possible to emerge unscathed.

"However, I won't kill you!" the tyrant stated, loosening a little his grasp. He set his face closer, his burning optics illuminating the faceplate of the frightened Communication Officer. "You're lucky to be useful to the Decepticon army, Soundwave. That doesn't mean everything is forgotten and certainly not forgiven; you can kiss goodbye to your rank of third-in-command." Megatron spat angrily and then smirked. "I will keep an optic on you; put one foot wrong and you're dead. Understood?"

The Decepticon leader smashed him violently on the wall and glared so intensely at him that Soundwave could feel the heat coming from Megatron's optics, radiating on his faceplate.

"Ye– Yes, my leader. I will be loyal to you!" he stuttered.

"You'd better be!" Megatron released his prey and stepped back, allowing a smirk to grace his features when he saw Soundwave was trembling like a leaf. "Now, go away and tell Cyclonus to come here A.S.A.P." he ordered.

"At– At your command!"

Soundwave didn't need any other persuasion to escape the presence of the terrible leader. He managed to walk away from him without staggering and reached the door with relief. He threw a last look at Starscream as he left and sighed. No, there was no way that he confessed his knowledge about Starscream's true motivations to hate the Decepticon leader, and the fact that he had decided to keep silent on this. Megatron would simply kill him if he knew. He had already pushed his luck too far.


Forward Operational Headquarters 0025 of the Earth Resistance Force

The forbidden area

"Yes, Nyxeris: the High-Counsellor of the Salonian Emperor." Optimus recognized the squeaky voice of Bombshell. "She contacted us right after we sent you our message. She's a wise negotiator, who proposed a deal to us."

"A very good deal, to be more precise; that means that we will raise the stake with you… Mwaah!" Kickback burst out laughing, soon imitated by his two sidekicks.

Despite his brave and courageous nature, Optimus Prime had the premonition that the Insecticons would carry things to extremes, which worried him a lot.

"Therefore, Optimus Prime… Prime, the first thing you will have to do to convince us… us, will be to bow to us and pledge allegiance to the Insecticons… Insecticons." Shrapnel had crept close enough to the truck Transformer so that Optimus Prime could see the devilish grin of the stag beetle. "On your knees, Prime… Prime!"

The Autobot leader clenched his fist with anger, as a conflict broke out in his CPU. He was keen on buying some time for his lieutenants to find a way to trap the Insecticons. But in another way, million of years of war against Megatron had forged his temperament of warrior, and he refused to be humiliated for nothing. He had always refused submitting to humiliation or orders coming from enemies. This time wouldn't be an exception.

(Rodimus… Be ready to intervene!) he informed his second-in-command through the comm.-link. (This has gone on long enough!)

(I agree, Prime. I have Shrapnel in my line of fire. Just dive down when I open fire.)

(On my mark, we stop this nonsense.) A panel on the right foot of Optimus Prime shifted open, unveiling a middle-seized riffle that the Autobot leader had wisely hidden there before coming to this parody of negotiation. (Now!)

Optimus Prime fell to his knees, while a laser shot almost grazed at the metal of his head, ending up in the face of Shrapnel. Quick as the light, he grabbed his weapon and aimed at Kickback, who fell from the ceiling. Having excellent reflexes, he left no chances at Bombshell, who met up with his friends on the ground.

"Hold your fire!" Optimus shouted at Rodimus, and then hurried to the three bodies, which were unmoving.

"You think we have deactivated them?" Rodimus asked, standing by his side.

"That's strange. Except for Shrapnel, we haven't shot to kill them, but they look pretty much dead," Optimus murmured, turning over the body of Kickback. He immediately understood his mistakes as he saw the features of the Insecticon. "Fall back, Rodimus! These are merely clones of the real Insecticons. We've fallen in a trap!" he screamed, grabbing the younger bot by the elbow as he ran to the exit.

They didn't go that far when laser shots hit them in the back.

…..

Main Command Room

The optics of Prowl narrowed in horror as he saw Optimus and Rodimus falling to the ground, back smoking as more laser shots hit them, sinisterly lightening up the scene.

"Red alert!" he screamed through the general comm.-link. "Optimus and Rodimus are in danger. All action teams go to sector XW-GHY325 in the Forbidden Area. This is an urgent rescue mission!"


Vessel Atlantis

Cyclonus stood silently beside the berth, covering the two Transformers with an icy look. He wasn't surprised to see Starscream lying unconscious in the arms of the older flier. The state of confusion of the Seeker had been a warning sign of his upcoming faintness.

"You asked me to come, my Lord?" he asked, hiding the fact he perfectly knew the reason for his notification.

"Yes. As I mentioned previously, I want you to watch over Starscream while I am not here," Megatron replied, laying the unconscious flier back on the berth. "I need to catch up with Galvatron about the prisoner. Stay with Starscream until I come back."

"If I may give you my opinion, sir, there's a word or two I'd like to tell you about this role." Cyclonus said without hesitation.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I am not the best person to watch over Starscream," the Air Commander stated. "Starscream needs to be watched over by somebody who can comfort him. He needs to be protected psychologically, and this is something I can't do."

"I asked you to be his bodyguard because Starscream can be extremely violent when he loses control." Megatron retorted, flashing his optics in annoyance. "I need somebody who can physically restrain him. That's why I asked you to watch over him. I know your quality of warrior very well; don't forget I was there when Galvatron chose you as disciple."

...

Megatron chuckled as he watched his brother getting rid of his opponent with an outrageous easiness. If his internal clock wasn't mistaken, they had gotten rid of five gladiators in less than half an hour, showing once again that they were the kings of the arena. He glared at the last gladiator still standing, who was doing his best to refrain the shaking of his body as Galvatron walked in his direction with a threatening look in the optics. The young gladiator might be tall and strongly built, but he was obviously too young and inexperienced to stand a chance against his brother.

"Get rid of him so that we can have our energon cubes. I'm starting to be thirsty!" Megatron grumbled, wiping away some energon droplets on his axe.

"Don't worry; he stands no chance against me. I'll crush him in less than a breem!" Galvatron retorted and laughed at his frightened opponent, "I don't see how a mech with such a ridiculous helmet can be a threat for me!" he mocked.

"Shut up!" the young mech retorted, throwing himself into the fight.

Galvatron waited until the last time to draw aside, cutting the plating in the mech's mid-section with his axe. The young gladiator fell to his knees, holding up his wounded area with a cry of pain.

"Nice try. But you're not quick enough to be a real threat for me," Galvatron sneered, placing the sharp angle of his axe against the mech's neck. "When you charge, keep silent if you don't want to be too predictable!"

He was to cut the head off the young gladiator when his captive sent him a strong punch in the chest, forcing him to stand back. Galvatron grunted in annoyance and grabbed the impudent mech by the throat, holding him up to optic range.

"I have to admit that you're a tough one. You managed to hit me, congratulation!" the purple gladiator groaned sinisterly. "What's your name, lad?"

He squeezed strongly the neck of his young captive when the later refused to reply. "Cy- Cyclonus is my name." the inexperienced gladiator breathed, clawing at the hand that threatened to break his neck.

"Well, Cyclonus, I like your style!" A strong punch in the so named robot's face was enough to put him out of commission. The young gladiator lay unconscious in the grip of Galvatron, who smirked at his brother and then grabbed Cyclonus' body to hurl him on his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" Megatron growled. "Don't tell me you're going to burden yourself with this little upstart!"

"I like his style," Galvatron retorted and walked past him. "He has guts. Facing death from my axe, most of the mechs only whine or beg for their life. He counter-attacked because he knew he had nothing to lose. He was beyond fear. I can do something of him."

Megatron looked at his brother with a kind of disbelief. "Since when have you been interested by somebody else than you?" he scoffed.

"Since I've seen this lad," Galvatron retorted laconically.

...

"I have to say you impressed me that day. It is why I have decided to put Starscream in your hand. I trust you to protect Starscream from himself when I'm not here." Megatron explained.

"I think it would be better for your lieutenant to be watched over by his wing mates. As I mentioned previously, he needs comfort: they can help him." Megatron frowned as he pondered the advice. "I can watch over them, of course," Cyclonus quickly added, as he understood the reluctance of the warlord. "But I think the contact of his wing mates can be beneficial to Starscream."

Megatron lowered his gaze to the Seeker as a slight moan escaped the dark lips; Starscream was in pain.

"Fair enough. Call Thundercracker and Skywarp," he finally ordered. "But stay around them."

O

A few minutes later

Skywarp and Thundercracker knocked at the door with wariness, deeply moved by the fear they had seen in Soundwave's visor. The Communication Officer had come back to the Command Room, trembling like a leaf. He had carefully avoided giving explanation about his current agitation. The two Seekers had concluded that Megatron had discovered Soundwave was a High Guard, and had been infuriated by the news. They didn't see any good coming of all this.

Then Cyclonus had stood in front of them, colder than ever, and had enjoined them to go to a certain private quarters where Megatron was waiting for them. He had just mentioned that it was a sensitive point for Megatron, and that he would be their back up. That was the most frightening part of the situation.

"Come in."

The icy voice of Megatron pierced the door and froze them with fear. Surely, Megatron was upset. The two jets responded nervously with a quiver of their wings. "Yes sir," Skywarp eventually replied, forcing his hand to not shake as he pressed the button to open the door.

The two Seekers stepped inside the small quarters with even more caution, realizing they were witnessing a private scene, a moment of intimacy shared by the warlord and his future mate. Sat at the edge of the berth, was Megatron caressing lazily his Seeker and cherishing his wing. The expression of their wing mate surprised them: Starscream looked serene and relaxed, deprived of his usual nervousness that pushed him to grimace uncontrollably.

"Is there something wrong with Starscream, my lord?" Thundercracker ventured.

"He just needs some rest and observation. I can't stay here the whole flight, as I must catch up with Galvatron and check the prisoner," Megatron quickly explained, getting up with reluctance. "As Starscream's wing mates, you are in a good position to sit up with him."

Skywarp was to argue that the relationship with Starscream had never been the same since the Seeker had tried to destroy Earth, with his fellow Decepticons still stationed on the mud ball, but he finally bit his glossa and kept silent. It wasn't exactly the good time to provoke the Decepticon leader.

"Yes, at your command, my lord," the purple Seeker replied, elbowing Thundercracker so that the blue Jet spoke the same way. His wing mate nodded silently in acceptance, certainly feeling the growing tension on Megatron's energy field.

The Decepticon leader walked passed them and stopped in front of Thundercracker, eying him with an unreadable expression.

"Yes… Yes my Lord?" the blue Jet asked, nervousness reaching a peak as his spark beat wildly in his chest.

"I see that you don't have a Decepticon insignia on your body," Megatron voiced sternly. "This is a situation you will have to remedy as soon as we're back to Base 0025. Engraving or painting… I leave you the choice. Engraving would be better, however."

Thundercracker stared blankly at the warlord and nodded again silently, words missing to express his worries about this brutal ceremony.


Forward Operational Headquarters 0025 of the Earth Resistance Force

Repair bay #22

"Easy, Optimus. Easy. Don't get excited; you're going to worsen your wounds."

The voice of Ratchet came to his audios with a slight static, forcing him to power on his optics. Optimus Prime realized he was lying on a repair berth, face down, and was unable to move even a servo.

"What happened?" he breathed tiredly.

"The Insecticons trapped you and shot you in the back. They sent clones to this parody of a negotiation," the CMO informed as he resumed his work on the truck former's back. "Prowl has ordered the tracking of the original Insecticons in the forbidden area, but I'm afraid Shrapnel and his friends will be very difficult to hunt out."

"Tell… Tell him to order the black out of all outbound communications. The Insecticons are negotiating with the enemy to give them the sarcophagus," Optimus Prime explained with difficulty. "We must stop this, otherwise, we're dead."

"Don't worry, Prime. Prowl has already taken the measure, as he had listened to your brief conversation with the bugs. Now, rest and let me repair you!" Ratchet said, forcing his voice to be more authoritative than ever.

Exhausted, Optimus rested his head on the cool metal, and said nothing, trying to gather his thoughts. Pain and the horrible feeling of being useless clouded his mind, and suddenly, he thought the unthinkable. There was still a solution, and he knew the only person who was able to put it into practice.

"Tell Prowl to contact Megatron and inform him about the situation." Optimus said with no reluctance in the voice. "Megatron must be ready to intervene in this crisis as soon as the Atlantis is back to base." The Autobot leader felt his level of energy suddenly fall while his motor system signalled an immediate stasis to prevent further damages. "Tell Prowl that I give Megatron the authority to stop the Insecticons!"

The blue optics went black as Optimus Prime entered stasis mode, leaving the CMO in a dark mood.

"You heard him, Prowl, didn't you?" he asked, well aware that not one scrap of the conversation had passed the tactician. He had to admit he had voluntarily let the communicator open with Prowl's office.

(I've heard. I am not sure that on the long-term, it is wise to give all powers to this tyrant. But he's the only one able to stop this mess.) the tactician admitted. (I'm going to contact Megatron immediately.)


Vessel Atlantis

Private quarters

"Hum…. Where am I?" Starscream moaned as he put his optics on.

"Shh. Easy, Screamer, Megatron told us that you needed some rest."

The Seeker startled a little as he recognized the voice of Thundercracker and looked up, recognizing the blue Jet, flanked by his purple wing mate. "What are you doing here, you two?" he asked. "This is not like you to be watching over me."

"You are an unrewarding little brat, Screamer." Skywarp retorted. "Although you've been a bad little bitch with us, we have always tried to avoid you the biggest problems with Megatron. But for your record-" Skywarp bent forward, throwing him a knowing look. "Your future bond mate ordered us to take over for him by your bedside. He had something important to do with the prisoner if I'm correct."

The mood of the tricolor Seeker seemed to darken a little. "Thanatron… Of course, I should have guessed Megatron would be with him, and not with me," he moaned with a broken voice.

"What are you whining about? Hey, Screamer! You're really starting to scare me!" Skywarp protested, seizing the hand of the Seeker. "Frankly, you have managed to transform the worst megalomaniac of the Universe into a devoted lover, gentle as a lamb." The purple Jet looked over his shoulder, checking that the so-called 'gentle megalomaniac' wasn't listening to his speech. "Knowing your little obsession for him, you should be happy, Screamer!"

"You should try and tell us what's wrong with you for once, Starscream," Thundercracker added, mirroring the position of Skywarp at the other side of the berth. "You are not forced to face your problems alone, you know."

Once again, Starscream's spark burnt as if it was breaking in two in his chest; fluids ran down his cheek as a horrible feeling that he didn't deserve any attention sent him deeper in a dark despair. He didn't deserve Megatron's love after all his nasty betrayals; that's why the warlord was abandoning him for his son. He didn't deserve the kindness of the two Seekers; he had just been rude with them, considering them as tools that could be sacrificed blindly for his crazy ambitions.

"Hey! Hey! Screamer, for Primus sake, stop this!" Skywarp exclaimed in panic, wiping away the streaks of energon with his thumb. "If Megatron comes back and see you crying like a stupid human, he's going to tear us apart!" he added, shaking his head in disgust as he replayed a past scene starring Starscream being beaten to a pulp by their mighty leader, and then replaced the shiny colors of the body sprawled in a pool of energon by his paint job.

"He's right, Starscream. I don't know why you're reacting this way. Megatron loves you passionately. You should be happy!" Thundercracker completed, caressing a white wing, brushing with shaking hands the engraved purple insignia. "You finally got what you had longed for thousands of vorns: Megatron's love. What's wrong with that?"

Starscream sobbed as his tears doubled. "Thanatron is Megatron's son," he chocked. "He poisoned me and now he's taking Megatron away from me."

O

The two Seekers listened to Starscream with utter bewilderment, not stopping their caressing of his wings or holding his hands. The Jet could merely speak, a deep emotion and his tears strangling his voice. It however made sense, as this story of disk explained the incoherent and hieratic behaviour of Starscream.

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry for trying to kill you," the poor Jet concluded, suffocating with tears.

"That's all right, Screamer. And you know, I prefer when you insult me rather than when you cry!" Skywarp softly retorted, caressing Starscream's cheek. "You're not fun at all, now, and I don't feel like making a prank on you," he added, looking sad. "Now, you will be a good Decepticon and take a nap, and shout insults at us once you awake, hum?"

Thundercracker caressed affectionately a dark cheek. "Warp' is right, Screamer. You need rest. It's best to sleep on it, as humans say. I'm sure you will see your life differently after a good nap." he assured with a genuine smile.

Exhausted by all his emotions, Starscream moaned some additional incoherent words until his optics went dark and he fell back into recharge, leaving his wing mates more moved than at their arrival.

"Primus… I would have never imagined that! Now, that changes my opinion about the little slagger!" Skywarp whispered, caressing the distressed face of the sleeping flier. "What can we do for him?"

"Showing him that he counts is the best way to help him, Warp'. I have the feeling that, sometimes, he is unable to process correctly," the blue Jet responded, caressing a blue arm. "We'd better be by his side and prevent him from doing something silly." He looked up, staring at Skywarp's optics. "I guess it's why Megatron asked us to come. He can't be there all the time and he needs somebody to watch over Starscream."

"Yes, right." Skywarp nodded, looking unusually serious. He then grimaced; "Some good advice. Don't mention to Screamer that Skyfire hangs around you. He doesn't need to blow another fuse," he spoke sternly. "His CPU is already bugged enough."

All that Thundercracker could do was to agree silently.

….

High-security wing of the Atlantis

Megatron tapped nervously the code at the entrance of the detention chamber, as his CPU was again beset by worries about Starscream. Shared between his love for the destabilized Seeker and his duty of Decepticon leader, he was an easy prey for guilt. Whatever he would do, either his love or his army would suffer from his decisions. Such considerations had never affected his decisions in the past; he had ruled like a tyrant, without caring if his orders had negative impacts on his men or on his treacherous second-in-command. But now that he knew that his feelings for Starscream were shared and returned, that his Decepticons still trusted him deeply for leading them, it hurt.

'I should have stayed with Starscream. He certainly believes that I abandoned him for Thanatron. I hope that his wing mates will find the right words to comfort him,' he reflected with sadness. He waited for a few seconds to recompose himself before stating his identity. "It's Megatron, I came for the changing of guard."

"Go back to your bird! I'm handling everything here!" came the answer of Galvatron.

"Galvy, open this door immediately!"

"The door finally slid open on the purple Con', who blocked completely the entry. "I haven't finished my duty here, brother. Come back later!" Galvatron spat.

"I need you in the command room. I'll take your shift," Megatron retorted.

Galvatron smirked and opened his comm.-link.

(I haven't finished telling him about our family, our origins, and our customs…)

(I can tell him!)

(The problem is that he's listening to me and seems interested in what I'm telling him. On the other hand, he's still angry against you. If you want to coax him into cooperating, leave it to me.)

Megatron groaned in annoyance but decided to heed to his brother's advice. Maybe it was too early to discuss with his son.

O

"Who was it? Megatron?" Springer inquired.

"If you know who it was, why do you ask?" Galvatron scoffed.

Springer glared at him, annoyed to be mocked in front of the prisoner. "I prefer when you say nothing!" the green Triple Changer replied angrily.

"You will be happy: I don't intend to discuss with you!"

"Perfect!"

With a last flaming glare, Springer returned to his data pad. Galvatron chuckled lightly at the thought that the triple changer was totally oblivious of the discussion he had with Thanatron through a private communication channel. The idiot!

(So, where were we?) Galvatron asked the prisoner.

(What did Megatron want?) Thanatron inquired angrily.

(To speak with you…)

The hands of the Salonian general tightened on the armrests as sign of irritation.

(To tell me lies about his reasons to try and kill my mother? To find a good excuse for pushing her into a melting pit? All of this for the good of the Decepticons!)

(Precisely.)

The dark hands balled into a fist. (What happened in this melting pit?) Thanatron asked through gritted teeth.

(At last, you want to know our side of the story!) Galvatron outlined a warm smile, very different from his usual scowls, frowns or smirks. (I observed you during the past cycle. Your optics were shining with interest each time I mentioned the name of your father. You discovered other sides of Megatron, not as dark as your mother told you. He can be admired and be someone reliable. He's not the bloodthirsty beast that your mother made you hate. This realisation planted the seed of doubts in your mind. Am I right?) Galvatron saw the hands of Thanatron were now set flat on the armrests. (I can tell you what really happened if you feel ready to listen to it!)

Thanatron lowered the optics, and was deep in his thoughts during long minutes. He finally stared back at Galvatron. (Tell me!) he urged.

Command Room

As soon as the door opened, Megatron made a sweep of the place with blazing optics, checking the status of his troops. The exercise was purely rhetorical, aiming at cooling down his boiling energon. The idea that his son complied to cooperate with Galvatron – and not with his father – pissed him off the most. For a reason that he couldn't explain, which angered him further.

Pushing aside the urge to punch the frame of the door to vent his anger, he walked in, minding the position of each member of his team. Blitzwing, Astrotrain and Octane were playing an Earthling game – Poker? ; Soundwave sat on a corner, and carefully avoided his glare; Dirge was quietly talking with Skyfire. In the middle of the room, Scourge studied the figures of the flight, finding whatever interest in them.

Everything was clear.

Megatron outlined a grimace of annoyance and decided that indeed, he should spend the rest of the flight at the bedside of Starscream. He was to leave when his comm.-link biped panicky.

(What?!) he groaned.

(Megatron? It's Prowl. I need to talk to you immediately!)

(Aren't you talking with me at this point?) he retorted with annoyance.

The tactician ignored the mockery and briefed him about the Insecticon's blackmail and its recent developments. The words "You have carte blanche to solve the crisis and stop the Insecticons" echoed in his audios like a sweet symphony. His Machiavellian mind drew several plans within a few seconds.

(Is it possible for this ship to come back to the base discreetly?) he asked.

(You mean?)

(Underwater.)

(The Atlantis can operate as a submarine, and we have a ramp underwater to welcome it.) Prowl informed.

Megatron outlined a devious smirk, while his spark started to beat hard in his chest.

(Then, we'll arrive underwater. It must be a secret; if the Insecticons come to know I'm back to base, they will never come to the next negotiation round.)

(Which negotiation round?) the tactician asked warily.

(The one you will lead. Call the Insecticons and ask for a second chance, in twelve joors. It will be enough for me to arrive and set a trap for them.)

(You know how to trap them?)

The gaze of Megatron fell on Soundwave.

(Just say I have the right tool to do it. Now, cut all communication links. Nothing must transpire. If you have something to tell me, do it through Soundwave's comm.-link. Megatron out.)

Cutting the link with Prowl, he immediately called his Decepticons through a common channel.

(Listen to me, all. I have just been warned than the perfect opportunity to take the lead of base 0025 is at hand. In less than twelve Earth hours, we'll have to lead a commando operation that we must not fail.) He covered his audience with a flaming stare. (Thundercracker, record my explanations for Starscream, in case he wants to join us once he has recovered. Here is the situation…)


Vessel Makahara

Definitely sobered by the situation, Darkracer had once again assumed the role she had forged for many years; Nyxeris was back, and had to make every effort not to explode with rage at the arrogance and obtuse mind of the speaker.

"No… No. I don't want to negotiate with you right now… now. The tactician of Optimus Prime recalled us… us. He wants to negotiate… negotiate. Besides, you don't offer enough advantages… advantages." the so-called Shrapnel spat.

Nyxeris made her best efforts to not throw her energon cube against the screen where the face of the slag beetle mocked her. How dared this microbe blackmail her?!

"I understand your position. I'll inform you about my new offer as soon as possible. Please let me know the evolution of the transactions with the Autobots," she retorted.

The Insecticon didn't even mind replying as he cut the communication link, leaving her at the paroxysm of irritation. She sipped angrily at her cube and then smirked as the vision of the base 0025, burning to ashes, flashed in front of her optics.

"Count on me to derail these negotiations! You will bring me this damn sarcophagus and then… Boom! I'll destroy the base, with you inside!" she chuckled.

To be continued


Text originally beta read and edited by Krystalmaze. Reedited in September 2015.