Ryu wolf: It won't break his trust in the bots, but it will leave him damaged. And he won't be leaving the bots either.
The Projects of Command Part 2
Jack tilted his head ever so slightly, from his perch upon Wheeljack's shoulder, he had a better view on what Ratchet was searching for. As the seconds turned to minutes, Ratchet finally turned, his lips twisting into a smile. "From our historical texts." He spoke, the monitors showcasing several different creatures.
Jack blinked at the sight. "But those are metal versions of creatures from our Greek mythology and medieval literature." He noted, slowly putting the pieces together.
"Not dinosaurs." Raf added, turning his gaze towards the Prime.
Optimus frowned as he glanced down at his men. "It would stand to reason that Predacons did indeed walk upon this Earth in ancient times, as they seem have been the basis for much of humankind's folklore." He noted, turning slightly. "Illustrating once again that the pasts of Earth and Cybertron are inextricably linked."
Raf frowned as he went over the list. "So, there is one creature from our mythology and literature that isn't seen." He began, highlighting a new image, an ancient drawing of a winged man with horns, a man that seemed to be wielding snakes for swords. "Typhon doesn't have a representation."
Ultra Magnus frowned at the image, blinking once, then twice. "That is no Predacon, that is a Decepticon warrior, one that vanished during the war for Cybertron." His optics going wider as he slowly recognised the figure for who he was. "Cyclonus."
Ratchet turned, his gaze focused upon the image Raf had shown. "By the Allspark, Optimus, that skull…" He trailed off as all focused their gaze upon the Predacon skull. "Is from a clone."
Since the reveal several hours ago, the Hanger had been silent, the revelation that the Decepticons had cloned a bunch of Predacons before, no doubt during the war for Cybertron, hadn't rested well with the others. Optimus advanced slowly, his gaze falling upon Ratchet and his screens. Moving closer, he got sight of Ratchet's research. "Synthetic Energon?"
"Indeed." Ratchet answered, glancing away form his work. "I am concerned that without access to any Energon reserves since our base was destroyed, our ability to deal with impending crises will be serverly hampered."
Optimus hummed in acknowledgement. "A wise decision, old friend." Moving to step away, he paused, glancing back at the medic. "Just, please… managed your expectations." He advised.
Ratchet nodded, glancing back at his tools. "I am working with even more rudimentary hardware then before."
"Prime!" Fowler's voice echoed across the hanger, the liaison marched fast, his gaze focused upon the Autobot leader. "Satellite surveillance has picked up two signs of Decepticon activity." He announced, coming to a stop. "One near an oil field outside of El Paso, the other near the Hebrides bluffs in Scotland, so don't forget to pack your kilts."
Optimus narrowed his gaze. "We must divide our resources." He announced, turning to the Wrecker commander. "Ultra Magnus, lead the Wreckers to the bluffs."
The Autobot commander nodded. "Yes, Optimus." He paused. "uh…" He trailed on, leaning closer to the Prime. "What's a kilt?"
Soundwave observed the excavation from his place, watching silently as the Vehicons mined away. Knockout stood nearby, yarning as he leaned against a rock. "What's taking them so long?" He questioned, glancing towards the pit.
The Decepticon communications officer glanced towards the medic, only to turn his attention towards the road behind them. Several images start to flash across his visor before coming to halt. Detaching form his chest, Laserbeak took flight, soaring into the skies.
The sound of engines soon reached the audio receptors of those nearby, causing several Vehicons to draw their weapons. In the distance, Smokescreen, Chromia and Bumblebee raced forward. Soundwave stepped forward, his visor shifting quickly before an image of Chromia appeared.
"So, the information broker chose a side, it'll be a shame to put her down." Knockout noted, preparing himself for a fight.
"All right, according to our intel, the Decepticons should be excavating for Predacon bones directly beneath us." Ultra Magnus announced, stepping from his ship, turning to face the others.
Wheeljack charged froward. "On it, chief." He cried, charging towards the cliff edge.
Ultra Magnus glanced at Bulkhead briefly. "Does Wheeljack not comprehend the chain of command?" He questioned, turning his gaze to focus on the running Wheeljack. "I didn't authorize him to advance without proper cover."
Bulkhead rubbed the back of his helm awkwardly. "I'm sure Jackie's just trying to prove himself now that you and he are serving together again, sir."
The distant cry of Wheeljack's leap over the edge reached their audio receptors, both bots moving to catch up. Bulkhead moved, turning to clime down after his friend. "Jackie, wait up. Ultra Magnus wants us to…"
"Blah, blah, blah. "Wheeljack cut Bulkhead off, proceeding to advance further down the cliffside.
It several minutes, but Bulkhead eventually caught up with his buddy. As he prepared to speak, Wheeljack held a finger up. "Wrecker fact number 17?" He questioned, glancing at Bulkhead.
"Guards never look up." They said at the same time.
Wheeljack leapt off the edge, slamming into the first guard before he proceeded to scrap the other. He glanced up from his handywork, only to hear a bunch of pedes coming from the cave entrance. "Scrap." He muttered, eyeing the new group of Vehicons.
Taking the chance, Ultra Magnus and Bulkhead jumped from their perch, making quick work of the Decepticon troops. The Autobot commander soon turned, glancing at Wheeljack. "That's why we wait for cover." He scolded.
A knocked echoed from Wheeljack's chest, causing the Wrecker to open up. "Forgot you were in there." He apologised, watching as Jack climbed into his servos.
"At least I didn't heave on your floormats like Miko did to Bulkhead." The honorary Prime muttered, looking into the disappointing gaze of Ultra Magnus and the rather shocked expression of Bulkhead.
Soundwave leapt back as Chromia lashed out, he had met her many times during the war, brokering for information on the Autobots. He had his suspicions on which side she would support, though he had always believed she'd join the Decepticons, another hand to aid in securing information would've been welcome.
Sadly, it seemed she'd followed her twin and join the Autobots, it upset him greatly that she'd gone ahead and joined the enemy. Lifting an arm, he blocked one of her strikes before stepping to the side as she fired her blaster.
"You were always the conversationalist during our deals Soundwave, so what happened? Decided to delate your voice and emotions for more storage?" Chromia taunted, reaching out toward the communications officer once more.
Soundwave remained silent, extending one of his tentacle like arms, using it to knock Arcee's twin away. Standing tall, he watched as several Vehicons moved to support him, forcing Chromia to fall back.
Turning his attention away, Soundwave stepped towards the excavation sight, glancing down into the hole, he caught sight of the bone. Extending his tentacle once more, he grasped the bone, pulling it back to reach.
As he grasped the bone in his servos, a squawk echoed over the area, causing the communications officer to glance up. A stream of fire rained down upon a small group of Vehicons, reducing them to piles of melted circuits and plates.
Form the sky, a bright red bird soared, wings of bright blue glimmered in the light as golden highlight shinned alongside them. Piercing bright blue optics focused upon the bone in Soundwave's grasp. The bird turned, soaring towards the communications officer.
As the bird came closer and closer, it shifted forms, revealing a female warriors. The Predacon symbol shinning brightly upon her chest plates. "Take that Cons." She screamed, clawed servos grasping a Vehicon in her servos. "Because Divebomb's here to scrap ya."
"Are your circuit impaired soldier?" Ultra Magnus questioned Wheeljack, eyeing Jack closely, despite his limited knowledge of the boy, the boy was still affect by Arcee's death, not only that, but his presence here caused a major issue.
"Jack can take care of himself." Wheeljack retorted. "From what I heard, he's snuffed an Insecticon himself."
"And survived several encounters with Airachnid." Jack added, resting upon Wheeljack's shoulder.
Ultra Magnus frowned, glancing at Jack, he didn't understand what Optimus saw in the boy. But the knowledge that he'd managed to survive several encounters with Airachnid, who, from his own knowledge, had a large interest in hunting down and kill other species for sport.
"And how did you managed to gain her attention?"
Jack rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I may have ignited her ships fuel supply, blowing the entire thing up, that and, well, I might be up with Optimus among those Megatron wants to kill most."
Ultra Magnus blinked as he processed this information. "And how did this come to be?"
"I hurt his pride by not killing him when I had the chance. Then I was charged with protecting the Key to Vector Sigma, and restoring Optimus' memories."
The Autobot commander froze, had anyone other then Optimus been in the position to kill Megatron, they'd have taken it, yet Jack did not. He could see why Optimus liked the boy, but to give him one of the most sacred relics on Cybertron to guard, that shocked him the most.
"So, as Wheeljack said, I can take care of myself. Besides, I do have my trusty survival kit by my side." Jack concluded, watching Ultra Magnus closely.
The Autobot commander sighed. "Very well."
Divebomb eyed the remaining Decepticons closely, but she kept Soundwave within view, she didn't want him pulling any tricks off on her. "Hand the bone over, Soundwave." She demanded, clawed servos spread wide as she readied herself to attack.
The remaining Vehicons had turned their attention away from the Autobots, ready to deal with this new danger to their mission. Knockout eyed the Predacon closely, unsure how to proceed with this new threat.
Optimus stood silently, watching the new Predacon with interest, a Predacon that had transformed. Divebomb was strange, yet the essence of a Prime resonated within her energy field, there was no doubt that she was gifted.
With a cry, Divebomb charged, leaping into he group of Vehicons, tearing them asunder as she made a beeline for Soundwave, one of her servos shifted into a blaster. A blaster she used to unleash a devastating blast on a nearby Vehicon.
As she reached Soundwave, she fired a blast, reaching towards the bone. Grasping it in hand, she began to tug at it, the other Autobots quickly moved, providing cover from the remaining Decepticons.
As the Wreckers proceeded throughout the cave, Jack listened to the conversation between Wheeljack and Bulkhead. "Heh, just like old times, huh, Jackie?"
Wheeljack nodded. "Except back then, I didn't need permission to pick my partners." He replied, moving forward.
"Come on, we're all on the same team." Bulkhead went on, trying to get Wheeljack to open up.
The Wrecker sighed. "You did the right thing Bulk, leaving the Wreckers when you did." He began, his gaze focused on Ultra Magnus. "When we were still bringing our A-game, before the rust set in." He paused, optics falling upon the long cave before them. "Before Galvatronus showed up and started to take us out."
Jack frowned, he'd overheard many tales about the Wreckers when Bulkhead told them to Miko. "I thought Wheeljack was the one who left the Wreckers?"
"Jackie basically deserted once Ultra Magnus took charge, I transferred to join up with Optimus." Bulkhead explained.
Wheeljack sighed. "You're half right Bulk, I did desert, only after Springer had been killed by Galvatronus."
The cave shook violently as a screech could be heard. "Insecticons." Bulkhead cried, shifting forms as the others did. Unknown to the others, Flamewar had caught sight of them. The former Autobot unleashed a stream of fire from her weapons, causing the group to accelerate.
As the group emerged into a large cavern, Wheeljack shifted forms, holding Jack in one servo, he shifted his other into a blaster, firing into the ceiling above the cave they just came from. A pile of rocks fell, cutting the Insecticons off from them.
"That won't keep them back for ever."
Ultra Magnus frowned. "We need to contact base and request reinforcements."
Wheeljack scoffed. "Wreckers don't call for backup."
Bulkhead sighed, glancing at Ultra Magnus. "What Jackie means is, we can't get a comm-link signal this far underground."
Ultra Magnus nodded glancing at Jack. "Jack, I need you to reach my ship and contact Optimus Prime."
Jack nodded, saluting the Autobot commander. "Right away."
Divebomb pulled with all her might, a crack formed in the bone, a crack she didn't like. "Let it go Decepticon." She hissed, pulling hard. A snap echoed in the air as she flung back, a large portion of the bone in her grasp.
Soundwave stumbled, the smaller half in his grasp, glancing at the others, he nodded at Knockout. Opening a groundbridge, he quickly raced through it, the medic following him. Divebomb screeched as she watched the groundbridge close. "Cowards, come back and fight!" She screamed.
Optimus frowned, Divebomb was, energetic, eager for a fight. She was destructive, and like the other Predacon, strong, stronger than her size or frame let on. Yet the essence of a prime that surrounded her was stronger.
"Divebomb, you are strong, yet your energy field radiates the very essence of a prime." The Autobot leader spoke, walking towards the Predacon.
Divebomb turned, her blue optics falling upon Optimus. "Well duh, I am Onyx's chosen, his special warrior, his coveted Prime." She replied, glancing towards the bone. "Oh, you might want this as well. I managed to keep a majority of it out of the Con hands."
Optimus nodded, taking the bone into his own servos. "There are many questions regarding your existence Divebomb, though these questions can wait, there is one thing I must know, how have you communicated with the Thirteen?"
Divebomb sighed. "Well, I can't exactly answer that yet. We need to find Twincast first, Alpha Trion's chosen."
Jack stood by a rock, his gaze locked upon Starscream, the Seeker had turned, his optics locked upon him. "If it isn't Prime's beloved Jack." The Seeker taunted. His gaze slowly falling upon the ship, with a smirk, he began lifting the ramp. "I'm sorry, were you trying to reach this ship?" He taunted, watching as Jack made a break for it.
"To call for help, perhaps?" Starscream continued to taunt, watching as Jack grasped the lifting ramp. Reaching out, he watched in horror as Jack leapt from the ramp right onto the Apex Armour.
"Now let's see who needs to call for help?" Jack spoke, a small smirk forming upon his lips as Starscream's men backed up slightly. Leaping forward, jack slammed into the closest Vehicon Seeker, sending them crashing to the ground.
Turning his attention towards the other Vehicon Seeker, Jack leapt forward, leaping into the air before he slammed into the ground. Turning fast, he grasped the Vehicon by the head before slamming him into the ground. Slowly, he turned to see two more Vehicon Seekers standing by.
Nearby, Wheeljack emerged from the crater, Ultra Magnus and Bulkhead behind him. His gaze focused on Jack, clashing with the Vehicons Starscream had brought with him. "Woah, I didn't know Jack could fight like that." Bulkhead noticed, only for a screech to echo from behind.
Wheeljack widened his optics as Flamewar soared above. "Scrap." He muttered, shifting forms quickly.
Jack heard the screech, turning only to find Flamewar's fist colliding with him. Flying back slightly, he caught sight of Flamewar's helm. His eyes going wide as he recognised the design. "Arcee." He muttered, watching Flamewar face him.
"Jack." She spoke, her crimson visor locked onto him. "Don't make things difficult."
Jack got to his feet, eyes locked on Arcee, a flicker of betray washed over him. "You faked your death only to join up with Megatron." The betrayal he felt was clear in his voice, yet he didn't let it overcome him completely. "I mourned your death, Chromia mourned your death."
Flamewar hissed, Chromia was always oblivious to the suffering around her, to the injustice acts committed by the higher caste, all because of her Conjux Endura, Ironhide. "Now I see the truth, you never were one of us, you only cared for what Megatron had to offer." Jack accused, fists clenched as he eyed her with anger.
Flamewar turned, eyeing the Wreckers coming closer and closer. "We're done here." She announced, taking to the skies, followed by Starscream's men. The Seeker spared a final glance at Jack before taking flight.
And Jack fell to his knees, a tear of regret, and betrayal rolling down his cheek.
Well, its out, Arcee's survival is out. We deal with its fallout next chapter, and we see how the Decepticon's handle Divebomb's appearance, I will say this, pay close attention to how Galvatronus takes Divebomb's appearance.
Major changes to both Project Predacon and Chain of Command. Jack will be the one using the Apex Armour instead of Miko.
The idea that Cyclonus was recognsied in human history as Typhon was something I made up on the fly, as the local humans would've seen him leading the beasts, it made sense. The idea of snakes of his swords are simply his swords forming.
And as a treat, I posted artwork of Insecticon Flamewar and Divebomb on my DeviantArt(Galvatream), both of which also promote this story in their description.