64- Minus One.
The Decepticons were still observing the cybertronian metal created by the previous explosion.
"Simply put, this combination of elements could allow us to cyberform entire worlds." Shockwave analyzed.
Starscream groaned. "Why do I feel a Shockwave's plan coming on?"
But Starscream made a huge mistake saying that, because at the moment, Shockwave grabbed him by the arm.
"Do not think for a moment, Starscream, that it has gone unnoticed that you left me at the mercy of the Autobots!" Shockwave exclaimed to him mad, face to face.
Starscream gashed surprised. "Master, are you going to allow one lieutenant to harm another?" But he received no answer. "Master?!"
"I'm thinking." Megatron simply said.
Shockwave approached Starscream against one of the cybertronian pieces, a spike.
"I am tempted to force you to share my perception of things." Shockwave menaced as he approached Starscream's face against the spike.
"No! I only did what I thought was best for the mission, but I do feel compelled to add that it was my very error in judgment that made this happy accident possible! If I recollect, you were seeking to purge your laboratory of sensitive materials before the Autobots arrived, were you not?" Starscream answered highly nervous.
"Your argument…is logical."
With that answer, Shockwave released Starscream, who pushed his arm aside a little annoyed.
"Exemplary teamwork. Now tell me, Shockwave, why does this cyber-matter resemble chaos?" Megatron asked.
"The basic elements are apparently unstable. I will turn my attention to correcting that."
"Ah, nevertheless, should we use this cyber-matter to restore Cybertron, or cyberform the galaxy's worlds, we would require a launch mechanism, would we not?" Megatron asked, earning a nodding of Shockwave. "Then we will focus all our resources upon the successful reconstruction of the Omega Lock."
Meanwhile, inside the Autobot base, everyone saw Ratchet's efforts in fixing Ultra Magnus's hand, even the children, who were worried.
"Ah, well, it's done. At first I thought I would be not able to do some achievement, but…" Ratchet said before stepping aside smiling, showing that Magnus's new hand looked a little to the one he had previously, but a little more human. "Of course, I cannot take all credit to myself: fortunately, this time I managed to learn the scientific techniques of links robotic replacements of the natives, and the hybridization between native and cybertronian technologies has resulted to be more promising as I suspected. Courtesy of master Skywalker."
"Dad knows what's to lose one part of his body." Luke said.
"And how to solve it." Leia added.
"Although Ultra Magnus' new appendage will work quite well, it remains uncertain is it will be fit for battle, though it should prove functional, after the requisite amount of therapy." Ratchet explained.
"That is all we can hope for, old friend. And be certain of one thing, you are not the only one who had contributed in helping Ultra Magnus." Optimus reassured, looking at the children.
"You doing okay?" Arcee asked to Wheeljack.
"I'm still two-fisted." The Wrecker answered.
"So's Magnus." Cliff added.
"Wait and see. The new hand's gonna become his signature. You know, like the way you own that voice box Ratchet slapped in your throat." Smokescreen said to Bumblebee, trying to cheer up everyone.
"(What? Do you think I like to sound like a computer?!)"
"I mean, you know, everyone understands you fine! Why would you even consider getting it fixed now, am I right?"
"(Cut it off! You better not pick where you should not. I don't want to forget how I spoke when I was complete.)" Bee said as he walked away irritated.
"It seems Bee's kind of still attached to the sound of his own voice." Sky said.
"His original one." Aris clarified.
"Hey, look at the bright shiny side, commander Magnus and Jackie singled-handedly put the kibosh on Project Predacon." Bulkhead reminded.
"Though at least one beast that we know of remains: the one who has demonstrated the ability to transform." Elita pointed.
Speaking of Predaking, he was in the Nemesis's bridge, by request of Megatron.
"Predaking, we will soon plot our strike against the Autobots, to punish them for the massacre of your kind." Megatron said.
"While I fully intend to exact my revenge, Project Predacon was merely a squadron, not an army."
"I see."
"My liege, if you truly aspire to restore our home world, then I have every faith that you will resurrect the entirety of the Predacon race from the remains which lie there, so that I may lead them against any and all of our shared enemies."
Megatron seemed a little upset with that revelation. Moments later, he was with Shockwave and general Kraken in his lab.
"We salvaged much of the wreckage of the Omega Lock, but the damage was quite severe." The super tactical droid reported showing a hologram of the structure.
"I would urge the selective use of native technology, retro-fitting its operating systems will be more efficient than rebuilding from scratch." Shockwave decided.
"Then do provide Starscream and the Seekers with your wish list." Megatron told him before he turned at Starscream. "Since Shockwave must turn his attention to the stabilization of our cyber-matter, you will be in charge of acquisitions."
Of course, Starscream was not pleased to be Shockwave's shop boy, again. Later, Starscream was reunited with his Seekers, explaining them their new task.
"And that's what we must do." Starscream finished explaining.
"Okay, but how are we gonna do that? No matter how advanced those natives' technologies could be, it will never be as effective as Decepticon technology." Skywarp complained.
"True, but it doesn't need to be it. Only functional enough for us to work. We could try revising the former separatist files from the Clone Wars. Maybe we may find some things there from the ones we need."
"There is a little detail you're forgetting, Thundercracker. That was a long time ago, all territories and former separatist locations might be now dismantled or back to Republic's possession, since they went back to the galactic government." Slipstream objected.
"True, but those files may provide us a clue about where to go searching."
"In that case, Thundercracker, proceed." Starscream authorized.
Thundercracker pressed a button of the nearest terminal. "General Kraken, I need all vital information about all former territories of the CIS, and any info referring to any vital or top-secret project. I don't care about it's origin or nature, but I need them now."
"And general, prepare the fleet and the army, in case." Starscream added.
Sometime later, in the Autobot base…
"Optimus! We have trouble brewing. We have received reports that droid ships have assaulted one of our research facilities in an asteroid belt in the Inner Ring last night. The survivors reported that the droids left with 20 tons of control rods." Anakin reported.
"What are the Decepticons looking to build?" Optimus asked as he and Elita looked each other concerned.
Meanwhile, inside the Decepticons' lab…
"Lord Megatron, I have determined that the synthetic energon formula provided by Knock Out is the source of the instability, simply because it is incomplete." Shockwave reported.
"Then make haste and complete it. We will not only require enough cyber-matter to rebuild one planet, but to remake more."
But before Megatron left the lab, Shockwave stopped him. "Master, excuse my imprudence, but what is the logic behind ruling an entire galaxy, and cyberformed?"
"It has taken me quite some time to fully comprehend that this galaxy and Cybertron have always been linked, like two halves of one whole, like Primus and Unicron, the dark side and the light side. And that to rule only one, would be to never truly rule either."
Back to the Autobot base…
"Optimus! It's Cons again. But in progress this time." Anakin contacted.
"Coordinates received, master Skywalker." Elita said before opening the ground bridge.
"Let's roll." Ultra Magnus said heading to the portal.
"Yip, yip! Your ability to roll remains predicated upon further exploration of your new hand." Ratchet stopped him, making him to look his hand.
"I'm afraid that Ratchet's authority supersedes my own in medical matters." Optimus told.
Magnus sighed. "Understood."
Before everyone departed, Wheeljack felt sorrow for Magnus.
Maramere
The Decepticon engineers were leaving an abandoned building, probably one that belonged to the Trade Federation, transporting materials as a full squadron of Ostracoda-class gunboats, Manta droid subfighters and lots of Aqua droids covered them from the shore. Then they saw the Autobots coming through the ground bridge in vehicle form. Unfortunately, Soundwave was above them and behind them, so he summoned his ground bridge next to the Decepticon engineers. The droids shot at the Autobots while they continued their approach, so Soundwave sent Laserbeak to intercept Optimus and Elita. But in the last moment, Optimus changed to robot form and took flight with his jetpack, making the Minicon to follow him and fire at him. And then, he turned back and punched Laserbeak hard, sending the Minicon back to the ground. Elita fired at the droids from above, destroying them as the team went after the Decepticons, but it was too late: they disappeared with their ground bridge. Soundwave started to turn around, but Elita saw him and went after him. Soundwave evaded all her laser shots, but he didn't notice that Optimus was seeing him too, and pulled out and fired his gatling gun at him, forcing him to try to evade all rapid fire. That allowed Elita to launched two proton torpedoes which followed him, and surprisingly, hit Soundwave hard, sending him to crash landed above two electric towers.
"Whoa." Smokescreen said when everyone returned to robot form.
Soundwave tried to get up, but a lot of electricity flowed through his body, knocking him out. But Laserbeak was still in the air, so he retreated while the Autobots gathered around the Decepticon.
"Ratchet, reopen the ground bridge. But ensure that the humans and droids are kept at a safe distance, for we will be returning with a Decepticon prisoner." Optimus instructed by com-link.
Back inside the base, Soundwave woke up chained on an operating table; he tried to set free, but with no exit.
"I admit that capturing someone that important as Megatron's communications chief is quite an accomplish." Obi Wan congratulated.
"But you said this is the Con who managed to haul you in their warship. It isn't a little dangerous having him here?" Anakin asked.
"Because we had the foresight to shield our new base, our captive will be unable to transmit his coordinates to the Decepticon warship." Ratchet reassured.
"Nor will they in turn, be able to pinpoint his location." Elita added.
"Guess we have all the time in the world to make Mr. Personality tell us everything he knows." Wheeljack said crushing his fists together.
"The Con's surveillance chief must know a lot, right?" Luke asked while his father and the droids joined them.
"But Soundwave doesn't speak. Does he?" Han asked.
"I'm not sure he even has a face." Leia added.
"No face? Creepy." D-O agreed.
"Indeed. Also, he looks like a very advanced Decepticon." Ahsoka expressed.
"Well, he doesn't seems so advanced for me. Just a little more than Kul Teska's equipment, but only that." Anakin said.
"Maybe he doesn't look like that outside, but that doesn't mean he is not inside." Obi Wan added in precaution.
Soundwave's capture was noticed in the Nemesis too.
"With Laserbeak unable to triangulate Soundwave's current location, are you not concerned about what our comrade might spill?" Skywarp asked.
"Of one thing I'm certain. Soundwave knows when to impart information, and when to withhold it." Megatron reassured.
"That's a relief, unless in one special situation."
"Oh, and which one might be, Starscream?"
"I don't want to be rude, master, but have you forgotten that almost all the humans the Autobots protect, that stay all their time with, are Force-wielders? Jedi?" Starscream asked, but Megatron didn't catch what he meant.
"Starscream's correct. The Jedi are known for their connection with the Force, which grant them special powers." Thundercracker recalled.
"Yes, we all know that." Megatron said.
"Then you should already know that they have the ability to read other minds. Even manipulate them in many ways. For example, handle them under their control, or make them tell them whatever they want against their will." Slipstream revealed.
"What?!"
"Exactly. Let just hope Soundwave's mind is strong enough to resist Jedi mind tricks, or we will be lucky to see him again. Completely whole in good mental sanity." Starscream hoped.
That left Megatron really worried: if a little Jedi kid was powerful enough to cause him considerable damage with a Force ability, could they make Soundwave talk like a hypnotized puppet? Back with Soundwave…
"Why is Megatron stealing native technology? What is he attempting to build?" Optimus asked, started to interrogate him.
Soundwave simply repeated some parts of Optimus's questions, a little modified with electronic sounds.
"Whoa, Optimus Prime: the remix." Han simply said.
"I think he is the type that is not going to cooperate so easily." Ahsoka realized.
Next, Soundwave showed a smiling face on his screen.
"Is that some kind of joke?" Anakin asked.
"Is he even mocking at us?" Obi Wan followed.
Cliffjumper groaned. "I hate when he does those annoying tricks."
Bulkhead pulled out his wrecking ball. "Oh yeah? Why don't I wipe that smile right off his face?"
"Soundwave, we have treated you fairly. For the sake of the natives of this galaxy, tell us what Megatron is attempting to build, before we are forced to rely upon less civil methods of interrogation." Optimus warned.
As response, Soundwave increased his own sound waves, causing hurt to everyone.
"Obi Wan, Ahsoka, together!" Anakin called.
Immediately, the three Jedi used their combined Force against Soundwave, pushing him hard against the operating table, putting an enormous pressure over him that forced him to stop. That left everyone relieved.
Cliffjumper sighed relieved. "Good trick, Jedi fellas."
"Scrap this. Soundwave is no ordinary cybertronian, inside or out, so I would strongly suggest opening him up so we can have a first-hand look at the information recorded on his drives." Ratchet suggested, despite some of the Autobots saw it very extreme.
"Hold right there, Ratchet. There is no need to go that far. Only a Decepticon, or a Sith, would do that. I recommend a more simple and effective way." Obi Wan suggested.
"Oh really? And what have you thought about, ask him nicely? Because that definitely is going to work."
"Of course not. We can use the Force to make him talk." Anakin clarified.
"Oh, you're gonna make Soundwave talk with that Jedi mind trick of yours? I wanna see that. Bulkhead said.
"Me too." Wheeljack added.
"Maybe that work on your species, but the same as some native species are strong-minded, or even immune against the ability, I really doubt Soundwave's gonna fall for that trick so easily." Ratchet reminded.
"That's not really true. Luke and I tried it with a Decepticon soldier, and it worked." Leia revealed.
"(That's true. I saw it.)"
"Well, maybe. But it's Soundwave who we are talking about." Ratchet reminded.
"That's why we're going to try it together. The more we apply the same ability on the same subject, the less he could resist." Ahsoka explained.
"Until he finally gives up." Anakin ended.
"That could work?" Elita asked.
"Perhaps, but there exits the risk that exposing a strong mind to such pressure, it could be damaged. Like once experienced Cad Bane." Optimus reminded.
"I think it's a calculated risk for Soundwave, and this is not time to be soft. Not with him." Ratchet supported.
At the end, Optimus sighed defeated. "All right. Proceed."
"Kids, pay attention if we need additional support." Anakin called as he, Obi Wan and Ahsoka approached Soundwave, who only looked at them. Anakin raised his hand at him and… "You will tell us everything you know."
Soundwave didn't say anything, but he started to feel a little restless.
"You will tell us everything you know." Obi Wan said, joining Anakin.
Still without answer. Soundwave was only a little more restless, even feeling a little dizzy.
"You will tell us everything you know." Ahsoka said, joining them.
Now Soundwave was starting to feel uncomfortable, feeling more pressure upon his mind. Even he started to realize how his own thoughts started to betray him.
"You need some help?" Aris asked.
"We would appreciate a little help here." Her father answered.
"You will tell us everything you know." The four little Jedi claimed at the same time.
For their surprise, Soundwave started to move agitated, and his visor looked like it started to glitch.
"Whoa, amazing. I think it's working." Smokescreen said surprised.
"I…I…" Some voice muttered, coming from Soundwave.
"Yes, that's it! Keep going, he's starting to give up." Ratchet encouraged.
"No! Stop! Get…out…of…my…head!"
"That's enough. Stop." Optimus ordered.
The Force wielders stopped their trick, giving Soundwave a rest. He looked exhausted, but they could sense something new coming from him: fear.
"Can you sense it too?" Sky asked, earning a nod from everyone.
"He's scared." Obi Wan revealed. "We almost managed to make him cooperate."
"Whoa." Most of the Autobots said.
"Fear? I didn't know Soundwave could be afraid." Wheeljack admitted.
"By all my experience, there is no Autobot who has managed to witness Soundwave feel such emotion. And less making him talk by force." Elita confessed.
"This may be the very first time, and not even from one of us." Ultra Magnus added.
"That means we're doing good." Arcee said.
"Do it again! This time stronger, make him tell us everything!" Bulkhead encouraged.
That idea seemed to scare Soundwave. Then, his screen showed a lot of words.
"Uh oh." Cliffjumper said.
"All right, he's downloading data." Bulkhead said.
"No. Soundwave is erasing data. It seems he doesn't want to go through the same again, so he's desperate to evade that option." Ratchet corrected.
It only took him a couple of seconds to erase all his data.
"Soundwave superior, Autobots and Jedi inferior." Soundwave surprisingly said, with his own voice, leaving everyone without words.
And his screen turned off and he looked like if he was dead.
"Is he…?" Bulkhead asked.
Ratchet scanned Soundwave. "His vital signs remain functional. It seems he has simply severed all communications by crashing his own drives."
Meanwhile, aboard the Nemesis…
"Lord Megatron, I have located the one item upon this galaxy which possesses enough raw tonnage to power the reconstructed Omega Lock: Project Hammertong." Shockwave reported.
"Exactly what is this project?"
"Someone of the most top-secret respecting the Clone Wars history, according to Starscream."
"Starscream?" Megatron said looking at him with curiosity.
"Indeed. Surprisingly, he's the one who told me about it. He's the one who knows more respecting to the Clone Wars' age. According to him, this project was a fundamental part of a top-secret project of the CIS, something they considered their ultimate weapon." Shockwave admitted.
"Oh, a superweapon?"
"That's what it seems. Someone that this "Sith Lord" was very interested. They even a had a hologram and plans of it." Shockwave said pressing a button, showing a hologram of the superweapon. "They called it…the Death Star. It is said it possess the firepower to destroy an entire planet with a single shot."
"And what was the fate of this supposed superweapon?"
"According with the records, when the Sith Lord was stopped, all references were confiscated. And it seems that Project Hammertong, the superweapon's power source and energy channeler, was stored on a secret Republic facility. One which preserves everything that was going to be destined to the construction of this "imperial weapon.", or that's what was supposed to be, for what we know about the intentions of this…candidate for emperor."
"Then we must make a favor to the Republic, acquiring everything related to this Death Star and giving it a new use. Excellent, Shockwave."
"However, the successful completion of the synthetic energon formula is proving to be far more difficult than anticipated."
Starscream smirked at hearing that Shockwave was having trouble with something.
"Knock Out first procured this…unfinished shamble from the Autobot medic, did he not?" Megatron asked.
"That is my understanding." Shockwave nodded.
"Then the most efficient means to an end may very well be to recruit that medic."
"Attempting to abduct the one Autobot who rarely leaves their base. A base we have yet to locate may prove to be a challenge." Starscream added.
"You forget that we currently have an agent within the Autobot base."
"Laserbeak could reconnect with Soundwave and upload his directive to him." Shockwave suggested.
"That is if the Jedi haven't forced him to talk, or destroyed his mind. Which would still require knowing the location of their base." Starscream repeated.
"It is my understanding that Soundwave kept surveillance records of more than just the human children."
Starscream chuckled. "Oh you mean the Jedi, don't you? Sorry to doubt your optimist, Shockwave, but there is not that simple to fool a Jedi. And if you had ridden the full Death Star file, you would know that the superweapon's fuel was going to be the biggest Kyber crystals. The Jedi's most valuable resource, something impossible to get from them."
"That would not be a problem. We don't require the original fuel for the superweapon, only the rest of it."
"Hum, well, you could have started from there. But what about locating their base?"
"For my understanding, not all the human children's parents are Jedi."
Shockwave was referring to others like senator Amidala, who was currently driving in a speeder with 3PO talking through com-link.
"Optimus, all this Decepticon attacks are starting to shake the senate's atmosphere. Chancellor Mothma needs me on Coruscant to help her handle things there."
"Understood, senator Amidala. And rest assured, should our prisoner return online, we will resume our interrogation." Optimus informed as he looked at Soundwave, still offline.
"I recommend you to wait until Anakin, Obi Wan or Ahsoka returns. They will be back as soon as possible."
"I don't know why, my lady, but I have the feeling that we're being watched."
"Oh please, 3PO, it may be a bird, nothing to worry about."
The problem is that this bird was no other one than Laserbeak, which was following them. Back in the Nemesis, Megatron was waiting for someone.
"You summoned me, Lord Megatron?" Predaking asked.
"I require your services. Since we anticipate an Autobot presence at our next event."
"I welcome any opportunity to face the Prime again, warrior to warrior." Predaking declared, making Megatron mad.
"You pride yourself on your evolution, yet you have learned nothing! I may have lost my surveillance chief today. The Autobots have expanded their forces, while ours continue to dwindle." He said loud, and very serious and irritated.
"But you still have a mighty fleet and army. That's not possible."
"It is only a matter of time before their allies of the Republic and the Jedi Order start searching for us, striking with sneak attacks in order to weak our fleet, until reducing us again with only our main warship! Do you understand?"
"Then I shall simply battle, twice as fiercely."
"As a beast."
Time later, senator Amidala was on a speeder on her way to the Autobot base.
"I'm on my way to the base, but I just got recent news from Obi Wan. The Decepticons busted into the Hammertong secret facility at Mygeeto." She reported.
"Autobots." Optimus started.
Ultra Magnus checked his hand, which now he managed to move it completely.
"Eh, yep, yep." Ratchet stopped him.
"Doc, the commander's ready." Wheeljack surprisingly said, supporting Magnus.
Ratchet didn't opine the same, but he simply mumbled as he moved Wheeljack aside. "Fine, fine."
Suddenly, R2 called everyone.
"What is it, R2?" Optimus asked.
R2 beeped something that they understood.
"You think you, BB-8 and D-O could hack into Soundwave' drives and try to search any data that we could use?" Elita repeated, earning a nod from the droid.
"Yes, yes." D-O nodded.
"Very well then. Perform the operation while we stop the Decepticons." Optimus authorized. "Bulkhead, Smokescreen, remain here with Ratchet to guard our prisoner and supervise the droids. Everyone else, transform and roll out."
Ratchet activated the ground bridge and part of Team Prime transformed and went through the portal.
"Can't we throw a tarp over him? He's creeping me out." Bulkhead suggested looking at Soundwave.
"Yeah. It's like he's watching, no matter where you go." Smokescreen supported before looking at the droids. "I'm not sure about this plan, guys. I think it could be a bit risky."
"Would both of you stop focusing on what Soundwave can or cannot see and help me figure out what he did not tell? Like why Megatron would be interested in what was supposed to be the ultimate superweapon, capable of destroying an entire planet." Ratchet said before looking at the droids. "Are you sure you can do this on your own?"
The droids nodded. Senator Amidala and 3PO already arrived to the base, but Laserbeak followed her all the way to the palace. Meanwhile, inside the base…
"Destroying planets? So Megatron's looking to obliterate the entire universe." Smokescreen suggested.
"And everything in it." Bulkhead added.
"No, no! He would merely want to harness the power of something capable of destroying worlds, in order to…create one. Oh my." Ratchet said, realizing what Megatron's intention was.
Mygeeto
The other Autobots already found the research facility, with a big hole, revealing that the Decepticons were already in there.
"Optimus, I know this hardly seems the time but it may aid you in your task." Ratchet told by com-link, so Optimus signaled everyone to stop and removed his battle mask.
"Go ahead." He authorized.
"I believe that Megatron may be attempting to rebuild the Omega Lock. Do we let him?"
"No. For you know as well as I that Megatron will use a reconstructed lock to cyberform both Cybertron and all the galaxy. And that is one abuse of power that we cannot allow."
Ratchet sighed in defeat. "Understood. Let's hope the droids could find something which can help."
The Autobots continued their way to the facility. But the light of the moon showed a flying figure coming at them: it was Predaking in dragon form. He roared, alerting the Autobots of his presence, before he charged and fired a huge fireball at them.
"Down!" Elita shouted.
All the Autobots jumped out of the way, except Optimus, who turned his hand into a cannon and fired at Predaking, but he managed to dodge all the shots and passed above them. Once the other Autobots got up they aimed their weapons at the Predacon, but Optimus signaled them to don't.
"The Decepticons must not be allowed to secure their target." He ordered while Predaking started to turn around back toward them. "I will engage the Predacon."
Despite his orders, Cliffjumper and Wheeljack looked each still not sure.
"You heard your leader. Forge ahead." Ultra Magnus ordered.
The Autobots ran toward the entrance, with Elita in last place since she was a little worried, but she joined at the end. Predaking flew towards Optimus, so he activated his battle mask, pulled out his gatling gun, and fired. Predaking evaded the shots with some acrobatics. Once he was close enough, he fired more fire into another fireball, but Optimus waited until the last moment, activated his jet-pack and took flight. That mode, alongside the continued shots made Predaking to crash landed, but he recovered fast and pursued Optimus in the air. Optimus continued firing at him while he continued his approach, and when he launched another fire ball Optimus circled in the air to evade the shot. In the moment he ended circling, Optimus tackled Predaking, pushing him back. Next, he threw him and fired repetitively his gatling gun and his other cannon, sending Predaking against an ice wall. He continued firing, causing more ice pieces to fall above Predaking, but he roared and charged against Optimus again, grabbing him. Besides pushing against the buildings, Predaking scratched his claws on Optimus's head before trying to bit him, but Optimus grabbed his jaws and hold it back. But when he saw that Predaking was charging to launch fire again, he swung the Predacon's head to another direction, making that the emerging fire disoriented him, allowing Optimus to set free and continue shooting his opponent suspended in the air with his jet-pack. But despite receiving a lot of shots, Predaking managed to hit Optimus with his tail, making him to crash land hard on the ice. Meanwhile, inside the facility, the Autobots walked inside the corridors. Then, at the end of the hall, there were a lot of Decepticon troops, waiting for them. One heavy soldier tried to shot at Ultra Magnus, but Wheeljack deflected the shot with his sword in time. Now the Autobots needed to make their way in by eliminating all the Decepticons.
"Somebody knew we were coming." Cliffjumper deduced.
"You think?" Arcee answered.
Deep inside the facility, the Decepticon engineers were working on the structure, alongside lots of droids which emerged from a Harbinger tank transport, supervised by Shockwave, when they heard the shots sound coming from inside the tunnel. Meanwhile, in the Autobot base…
"Ratchet, it may not be with the forge or the Omega Lock, but we're gonna find a way to get our planet repaired." Smokescreen said, trying to cheer him up.
Ratchet sighed. "So, any progress?"
BB-8 denied with his head while he and the others stood next to Soundwave in their hacking operation. Then they turned to see senator Amidala and 3PO entering the room. But then, Laserbeak entered from the window and started flying around the place.
"Oh no." Ratchet said.
"3PO, go and sound the alarm!" Padmé said pulling out her blaster.
Laserbeak fired at the Autobots, but only to distract them while it shot at Soundwave's chains, forcing the droids to take cover. Immediately, Smokescreen fired at the Minicon, hitting Laserbeak's wing, splicing at piece of it. But that didn't stop the Minicon, because next it tackled him and evaded Padmé's shots before joining with Soundwave's chest. That allowed the Decepticon to recover all the information he erased. Bulkhead readied his hammer to strike, but Soundwave pushed him back with his arm. Smokescreen was about to kick him, but Soundwave grabbed him by the chest with his tentacle and pushed him against another table before knocking him out with electricity. Next, Soundwave did the same with Bulkhead with the other one. Padmé continued firing at him, so Soundwave simply covered his visor with his hand before wrapping her up with one of his tentacles, squeezing her a lot and then stunning her too with electricity. Suddenly, Soundwave started to feel electricity from his back and saw R2 flying around firing his electric weapon, until the Decepticon pushed him back hard, sending him with the others. BB-8 tried to grab one of his arms with his cables like whips, but Soundwave simply grabbed him by the cables and swing him back around toward the others droids. Ratchet only could see Soundwave walking at him with his tentacles irradiating electricity.
