Since I didn't put this in last time, I don't own the Transformers. Transformers is owned by Hasbro.
Optimus entered the command center alone. Fortunately, there was relatively nobody there. Monitors glowed with no one manned. It would be the perfect place for the Prime to collect his thoughts, except there was one other Autobot present.
He was one of the tallest Autobots in the base, even towering over Optimus. He was a mixture of blue and red. His arms and shoulders were blue while his hands were white. Two large shoulder pauldrons gave him a distinct appearance. His chest was red at the base with blue armor covering it. His legs were white reinforced with the same blue armor. His face was grey with two blue optics and a mouth. His helmet was blue with a arch on top of it. It also had two grey slim cylinders rising upward. This was Ultra Magnus, Autobot Military Commander and Duly Appointed Enforcer of the Tyrest Accord. Although, that last title was antiquated after the war was confined to Cybertron.
Ultra Magnus noticed Optimus walk in and leaned down on a console.
"I can assume everything is not alright," Magnus said.
He was right. The Autobots had become more and more loose in their command structure. The deal with B-127 was evident of that. Optimus was losing control of his troops, and he didn't know how to fix it.
Optimus sighed, "I do not know what is causing this change in behavior. The Autobots are getting more paranoid, more willing to act without a second thought."
"The answer has been staring you in the face."
"Hm?"
Optimus turned to his friend, only to find a serious face welcoming him.
"The Autobots are on the losing end of this war," Ultra Magnus explained. "We are lacking in resources and troops to win this war. Those who are still with us are tired and running low on moral."
"There may be a way to change that," Optimus said. "Wheeljack has informed me of an active space bridge. If we can secure that, then we may turn the tide of this war."
"I don't think that will change enough. The colonies have been cut off from Cybertron for thousands of stellar cycles. They might look at Megatron's rule more favorably than us."
"Then, what do you suggest? We surrender and dishonest all the lives sacrificed in this war?" Optimus said with rising anger.
Ultra Magnus sighed and nodded. "There is no other choice we can make that won't end in extinction."
"If we surrender, then freedom for all will be lost to tyranny."
"We can compromise with Meagtron, Optimus. We can untie to save what's left. Only if you are willing to enter negotiations with him."
Optimus thought long and hard about that. An end to this terrible war would be a saving grace for the dwindling Cybertronian race. However, it came with too many costs. Optimus had personally seen Megatron change from a charismatic fighter for individual liberties to a tyrant masquerading as the right choice.
"I cannot do that, old friend," Optimus answered. "Megatron has gone too far in this war for simple negotiations. Have you forgotten Simanzi? The Combiner Conflicts? The destruction of Praxus? I'm sorry, but I can't allow him to succeed in his conquest."
Magnus scowled. "Then it seems to me that you are just as stubborn as he is." He then turned to leave.
"Where will you be going?" Optimus asked before Ultra Magnus got through the doorway.
"Out," Magnus said uncharacteristically vague.
Once Magnus left, Optimus looked down at the incoming data on the console, looking though it as his thoughts raced through his head again.
Across Cybertron, Megatron and his forces were regrouping at Kaon in Kolkular Palace. Meagtron strode into his command base with Jetfire and his Seekers following closely. The Decepticon leader met up with one of his most trusted subordinates.
This Decepticon was mostly blue with a lack of kibble to easily identify his alternate mode. One of his most recognizable features was the screen door in the center of his chest that wore the Decepticon insignia proud. Next to his head was a small missile pod. On his left shoulder was a mechanical bird creature with a red and black body and a yellow-visored face. The larger mech's face was similar to the Decepticon insignia, with a yellow visor covering up both of his optics. This was Soundwave with his Mini-Con partner Laserbeak.
"Lord Meagtron," Soundwave spoke in a synthesized, monotone voice. "Was the endeavor successful?"
"Yes and no, old friend,' Megatron answered. "We have discovered an operational space bridge. Unfortunately, the accused Autobots found it as well."
"What are your orders, Megatron?"
"Relay a message alerting every Decepticon in Kaon to congregate in the coliseum in twenty cycles. I planned a speech now that we have an advantage over the Autobots."
"Acknowledged. However, what of the rest of the Autobot resistance?"
"We will deal with them in due time, my friend," Megatron reassured before leaving to his quarters. "Now, if you all excuse me, I have a speech to rehearse."
After Megatron left, there was only Soundwave and the Seekers left.
"So, Soundwave, what do you think Megatron's plans are?" Jetfire asked.
"I do not question Megatron's decisions. I follow him to the best of my ability."
"At least expand your processor a bit," Starscream complained. "Bad enough we have to deal with Shockwave's endless tirades about 'logic', but we don't need to deal with your emotionless act as well."
"Complaint noticed and ignored," Soundwave rebutted.
"I'm going to work on my systems," Jetfire said, taking off his helmet revealing a white head with blue optics. "Just make sure all of you are operational by the time the speech starts."
With that, Jetfire left and most of the Seekers to the time to be dismissed. Starscream, Thundercraker, and Skywarp remained with Soundwave.
"I still don't see why Megatron delays victory with each passing cycle," Starcream complained mostly to himself. "We could have wiped the Autobots out and rule this planet stellar cycles ago if Megatron to the initiative."
"Insufficient reasoning," Soundwave countered. "Lord Megatron has led us to victory so far. Any significant advantages your leadership would have provide would be slim to numb."
"Hey, don't diss Screamer like that," Skywarp defended. "Besides, you know how many times Starscream led a victory against the Autobots? Like, a lot."
"Statistically improbable but acknowledged."
"Aw, Starscream's just upset he's not the leader." A new voice announced.
The remaining Cons turned to see the new Decepticon arrival. He had a dark blue in coloration with shades of purple and black as well. He was decked out with doors and kibble that identified his alt mode as a Cybertronian police cruiser. His chest was the grill of his alt mode. His head was designed like a motorbike helmet with yellow shades covering his optics. This was Barricade.
Starscream glared at Barricade as the former policeman walked up to the group.
"Don't get your circuits shorted, Starscream," Barricade poked. "If Megatron thought you were good enough to lead, he would have done it already."
"Don't you have some grunts to beat down with your little DJD members?" Starscream venomously retorted.
Barricade held up his hands in mock defense. "Hey, I ain't the one throwing a hissy fit over their commander."
"Jetfire is skilled, but he lacks ruthlessness. He cares too much about the "rules" rather winning."
"And what makes you better than him?"
"Enough," Thundercracker spoke up for the first time. "We should all get prepared for the speech later."
"Affirmative," Soundwave agreed.
"Whatever," Skywarp went along. Soon most of the Decepticons left, leaving only Barricade and Starscream left.
"See ya later, Screamer. Maybe Megatron would let you be leader of his victory fly show," Barricade ended with a laugh as he left.
Starscream scowled in the empty. "My time will come. They will all see."
Outside the city limits of Kaon, a vehicle was approaching the gates. It was a white armored truck with a blue car carrier attachment. It strode along past the gates and into the inner city. He thought there would be more resistance to him just rolling on in, but he overhead from Decepticon communications that most of them would be in the Kaon arena where his target of interest lied.
As he got closer, he slowed down where he saw the bright lights of the stadium. Transforming into robot mode, he put on the cloak that obscured his face and walked his way to the stadium. As he got closer, his optics scanned only two guards by the front entrance. Their conversation got clearer as he walked.
"Hey," The first guard said.
"Yeah?" The second one responded.
"You ever wonder why we're here?"
"That's one of life's greatest mysteries, isn't it? Are we really the creation of some benevolent god? Did Primus really split his spark to give us life? Or did we have more mundane options? Were we just factory and military drones that gained sentience? Or did we just naturally evolve from gears, levers and pulleys? I don't know, man. But it keeps me up at night."
"No, I mean why are we out here, on guard duty when we could be in there with the rest of them?" The first guard pointed to the entrance. "What was all that scrap about Primus and stuff?"
"Uh, nothing," The second guard stammered out. "Besides, it was either this or guarding Shockwave's lab."
The first guard shivered. "Yeah, better out here than in there."
The second guard then noticed the approaching stranger.
"Hey, you there! Stop right now!"
The stranger still approached them with no change in pace.
"Hey, buddy, if you want to go to a Surrender Station, it's two klicks east pal!" The first one yelled, but the stranger continued onward.
"Stop! Or we'll shoot!" Both guards raised the weapons, but lowered them as they saw how outmatched they were against the stranger. It didn't take long for both of them to be knocked out as the stranger continued forward.
While this was happening outside, inside was buzzing with excitement. Decepticons filled the arena floor from the lowest grunt to the most esteemed Seeker was packed in tight. Decepticon flags flapped in the night as Megatron observed his crowd. On his throne, Megatron was accompanied by some of his most inner circle. Jetfire, Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp stood at his right, while Soundwave, Barricade, Shockwave and Impactor stood at his left.
Jetfire approached his leader and commented, "Large crowd tonight."
"Of course, Jetfire," Megatron said. "We are on the eve of total victory. The troops would be excited."
"I still don't see the point of this speech when we can be crushing the Autobots right now," Starscream commented.
"Patience, Starscream. You must learn that it takes more than actions to lead. It takes a certain charisma and a way with words to truly inspire the people."
Starscream backed off, but Jetfire leaned in and said, "I can't see how you tolerate his disrespect, Lord Megatron. If he was any other troop, his vanity would have had him sent to the Allspark stellar cycles ago."
"And yet, it is Starscream's ambition that intrigues me so," Megatron explained. "Keeps everyone sharp. If nothing else, he is simply a tool. And tools can always be replaced."
Jetfire nodded, still slightly unnerved how his old friend was compared to nothing more than a device.
"Lord Megatron, it is time," Soundwave reported.
"Thank you, Soundwave," Megatron got up and approached to the end of the high rise. From here, overlords would observe and manipulate the gladiator fights for their and the population's amusement. Now, Megatron, the gladiator, was on top, leading his people to victory.
"My fellow Decepticons," Megatron began. "Today is a moment in Cybertron's history that will not be forgotten. Today marks a crucial changing point for the future of our people."
The crowd was silent as they listened to their leader's words.
"Not only a couple cycles ago have my Decepticons discovered an active space bridge on Cybertron. This could mark a whole new direction for us. A chance to expand and make our rightful claim in the galaxy. However, there is resistance. The dreaded Autobots, our most hated enemy, persists. For years, they have fought for their outdated government only to fall back every time we gain a victory! They now fight like cornered turbofoxes, crafty and dangerous. But will we let a few desperate Autobots take our space bridge as their prize?"
It was rhetorical, yet the crowed eagerly denied letting the Autobots take the space bridge. Megatron let this carry on for a few moments before silencing the crowd.
"No, we will not! Today is the eve of complete and utter victory against the Autobots! I implore you, no! I empower you, my fellow Decepticons, to rise up! To take your life, your limb, your weapon and crush the Autobot resistance! And I will be there at your side, extinguishing the last remnants of the Autobot forces! Once we have destroyed the last of the Primes, Cybertron will be reborn anew!"
The crowd was getting riled up in patriotic fervor, wildly cheering on their leader. See Starscream, Megatron thought to himself, this is what leadership is. Making even the lowest grunt think their supreme leader cares about them. Something you may not ever understand.
"Decepticons from every corner of Cybertron! I command you not as your leader, but as your peer to finish this fight! For the glory of Cybertron! And till all are-"
Megatron's speech was cut short by the resounding slam of the front entrance doors. The crowd quickly looked for the source of the disturbance and found it immediately.
"Who dares interrupt my proclaimation?!" Megatron demanded as his inner circle quickly formed a defensive perimeter around their leader.
The stranger walked inside; his sheer presence intimidating the Decepticons to move away and make a straight line to Megatron. As this intruder got closer, Megatron's enraged face moved to curiosity and then to amusement.
As the mystery intruder stopped underneath the podium, Megatron laughed. "I find it charming that you thought such a simple disguise would fool me…,"
The stranger lowered his hood as Megatron revealed his identity.
"Ultra Magnus."
The Autobot stood there, hands out to the side showing that he was unarmed. From all accounts, it looked like a peace offering, which Megatron would have questioned immediately, if not for one of his troops to fire a shot that narrowly missed Ultra Magnus.
Turning his furious gaze to the perpetrator, it turned out to be a Decepticon grunt Megatron did not know very well. If he were closer, Megatron would have knocked some sense into the soldier, literally.
"So, Ultra Magnus," Megatron said. "What is the foolhardy reason you decided to walk straight into my city? Out of all the Autobots, I least expect you to pull something like this."
Ultra Magnus closed his optics and sighed before opening them.
"I, Ultra Magnus, Military Commander of the Autobots and the Duly Appointed Enforcer of the Tyrest Accords, herebody fully and unconditionally surrender to you, Megatron."
The arena was dead silent. No one moved a servo, except for Megatron, who had the biggest smile one could have when they thought they were in absolute victory.
Dun, dun, dun! Cliffhanger! Thank you to those who have read this and favorited and followed this already! This is one of my more serious projects going on and I'm glad people are liking it.
That said, it wouldn't be me if I didn't beg for reviews at the end of every chapter. So please, leave your thoughts in a review if that would be so nice.
For now, I want to explain some design choices, incase it confuses any readers.
First, the space bridge is based of its Animated design. Mainly because that was the first space bridge for me and the design always stuck. Red Alert is a mixture of G1, Armada, and Animated, like in the show itself, but I changed Red Alert's gender to have a wider female cast. This won't be the only change like that.
For this chapter, Barricade is based off his evergreen design with the colors of his Siege appearance. The DJD, the Decepticon Justice Division, is more like the Decepticon police force in this story. However, Tarn and his group would act more like their IDW counterparts if they showed up. The conversation the two guards were having is a classic if anyone knew their company lore based on who was hired to make the show.
So, that's all I've got right now. Thank you, and see ya next time!