Chapter 143 – IF
Galvatron P.O.V
I watched as she had fought. I watched as she soared through the skies above the fighting below, swiftly and terribly eliminating my warriors. I watched as she seemed to manipulate and breathe fire, like some metallic dragon.
Yet she was no dragon.
I listened as she screeched her terrible cries of anger and retribution, and it was like music to my audials. I could imagine those screams as she rained down fire and death upon my enemies, upon the disgusting flesh bags of this planet and their cities. She was unlike any Transformer I had seen before. /In fact, I have not seen her before/, I thought with some annoyance as I continued to watch her monstrous form unleash hell. /Where had she come from?/. I gave a low chuckle. /Oh yes, she could be very useful – IF she could be persuaded to join with me/.
I felt my dermas turn up in a sneer as I noted with utter contempt that she clearly fought with and for the Autobots. /Misguided fools!/, I thought scornfully. I watched as she drew several assault craft towards her, waiting until they were in range before she seemed to explode in anger, sending a wall of fire to incinerate them and cause considerable damage to the massive spacecraft that hovered nearby. I felt my optics light up. /To have such a weapon at their disposal and not use her to her full power – as I would do - IF I could convince her to join forces with the Decepticons/.
I felt my spark burn with anger and hatred as she swooped low towards Optimus Prime, clearly warning him of that bounty hunter's ship as it returned once more. What Lockdown wanted with Prime did not concern me. In fact, I had hoped he would remove that wretched thorn in my side for good as it would allow me to carry out my plans without any kind of resistance. I gave a derisive snort of contempt as I watched some of the flesh bags scurry away on their insect legs. The humans of this world and their pathetic weapons would be no match for my army, especially without Optimus helping to lead them. I narrowed my optics as I stared at my mortal enemy. /Remove Prime, hurt Prime, and you weaken the Autobots. A weakened enemy makes an easy target. Easy targets lead to easy victory/.
A feral smile spread across my dermas as I watched in great delight as Prime scrambled to grab hold of something to prevent being sucked up by the Knight's Temenos. I rubbed my servos together in delicious anticipation as his fingertips desperately clung to the building. /Any second now, and Prime will be no more!/.
In my desire to see what happened to Prime, I had momentarily forgotten about her. There was another loud screech of anger and defiance as the massive, flaming bird like Transformer deliberately flew into the path of the magnet before she fired several shots of flame into the belly of the ship. My servos flew apart and I felt my dermas open in shock as Prime fired his weapon at the same time.
''NO!'' I growled in frustration.
Fire raced along the underside of the ship and debris of all sizes began to rain down as the magnet ceased to work. Optimus fell back to earth as did those monstrous beasts who also sided with him. But it was not Prime I was now focused on.
It was her.
She beat her massive wings as she desperately fought to reach safety. She had almost made it when it happened. A massive section of a ship's bow crashed into her helm and her back. I watched with some excitement as the great warrior fell towards the ground, landing roughly in a massive cloud of dust and earth. I noticed with great interest that she was alone. Prime and the other creatures had since departed to either protect the wretched Seed or face Lockdown.
She was all alone. And injured.
IF I was to try and talk to her, convince her that it was a waste of her power and skills to fight alongside the likes of the Autobots, then now was the time. The corners of my dermas curved up into a small smile as I began to make my way towards her.
As I approached her, I was struck by her size. She was much larger than Prime and even me. Her huge wings splayed out either side of her, damaged and torn, yet still imposing. Her sides rose and fell as she lay quietly, almost lifeless on the ground. I walked silently towards her, noticing with a small amount of sympathy the massive gash in her helm and the leaking energon down her right shoulder and back from her wounds. She was indeed injured. /I could use this to my advantage/.
''Well, well. What do we have here,'' I addressed her in as pleasant a tone as I could manage.
She slowly raised her helm, trying to find who spoke to her. ''Who are you? You aren't Rachet.'' Her voice had a strange accent to it and sounded slightly deeper than most femmes though it held no fear or concern. /Interesting/.
At the mention of that talented but irritating medic, I felt myself bristle and a growl of disgust slipped out of my dermas. ''I most certainly am not!'' The thought I could be mistaken for that aging rust bucket of a medic was wholly distasteful. I saw her tense slightly at the tone in my voice and mentally chided myself. /Remember, she has been brainwashed by them, you must tread carefully if you wish to show her the error of her ways/.
She seemed to still momentarily, as a wave of pain washed over her form. Trying to raise her body off the ground, she replied in a demanding and irritated tone, ''Well, if you aren't Rachet WHO the bloody hell ARE you?'' Her optics finally found me, and she studied me a moment, confusion evident. The smile on my face spread as I realised, she did not seem to know who I was!
I gave a low rasping chuckle before I spoke. ''I am Galvatron.''
She tilted her helm at the mention of my name, narrowing her optics, ''Have… have we met before?'' she asked. ''You, you seem familiar somehow.''
I took a step towards her and watched as her brown and gold flecked optics tried to follow me, her optical ridge furrowed as she sought to retrieve some information. /Very unique, her optics. I have never seen such a colour before - fascinating/. I smiled as invitingly as possible. ''No, my mighty warrior, we have not yet had the pleasure of meeting. I should think I would remember someone as brave and remarkable as yourself should our paths have crossed.'' /Vanity, puffery. It usually works on the weaker minded/.
She snorted and then winced slightly, ''Yeah, so ''mighty'' I managed to get sconed on the head by a bloody boat! Definitely remarkable… Gaviscon was it?''
I paused in my approach, forcing myself not to bristle and fire upon her at both her rebuff and the fact she had already forgotten my name. I tilted my helm, processing what she said. She spoke in a strange manner. /Perhaps it is the blow on her helm?/. I forced a smile to my dermas before I spoke to her again. ''The name is Galvatron,'' I corrected. ''And while you may make light of your current situation, most would not have survived the incident at all, so I would beg to differ.'' I smiled again. ''Might I have your name?'' I raised my optic ridge in silent query and held my servo out in invitation for her response.
She stared at me a moment as if digesting what I had just said. ''Phoenix, my name is Phoenix - Galvatron.''
I nodded my helm, my smile reaching my optics, ''But of course it is my dear! I should have guessed given your fiery display just now and the impressive way you seemed to control and direct those fireballs. You seem to have inherited the mythological bird's abilities.''
She flinched slightly, ''You know about the Phoenix?'' Surprise evident in her tone.
I gave another low chuckle, ''My dear Phoenix, I know a great deal about a great many things.''
She did not comment, just continued to stare at me – into me. It was both infuriating and refreshing, her seeming lack of fear. Exposed, vulnerable and injured before an unknown, armed individual and she showed no sign of fear, anxiety or concern. It was as if she knew nothing could threaten her. Excitement and anticipation began to grow within me. ''Forgive my bluntness but, what is it you want? Have you come to help me?'' She cast her optics about. ''Do you know the Autobots?''
Again, I had to fight down the acid that rose in my throat at the mention of the accursed Autobots and any association with them. I ex-vented softly, expelling my ire. ''Perhaps I can be of some help to you Phoenix and yes, I do know of the Autobots. That is why I have come to speak with you.'' I chanced taking further steps until I stood before her.
She tilted her helm slowly so as not to aggravate her injury, ''I am listening.''
I smiled, ''Mighty Phoenix, I feel I should warn you before it is too late. The Autobots, especially Optimus Prime, they are great deceivers and I fear they have tricked you into fighting for their cause.''
Her optics narrowed dangerously and she seemed to tense. ''And what ''cause'' would this be Galvatron? Though I have only been with the Autobots a short time, in my experience, they have given me no cause for – concern.'' She paused a moment. ''Especially Optimus Prime.''
I fought back the wave of hatred at the mention of his name and instead, nodded my helm in understanding, ''And nor would they Phoenix, for that is what they do. They manipulate and trick you into believing they are noble and just, working towards a peaceful outcome when in truth – they seek power and domination.'' I hung my helm sadly. ''That is what happened on my – our – home world of Cybertron. Optimus Prime said he wanted to rule peacefully alongside me, work together towards fixing our planet but instead, he usurped control, turned my own people against me and proceeded to drain the planet of its resource until it was nothing but a lifeless shell of its former glory.'' I raised my helm again to see if she was listening. Her expression had changed, it was softer. ''In the end I was forced to flee with some of my faithful and true followers under fear of death and reprisal from Optimus Prime's wrath.''
''But, but he does not seem to be so ruthless and power hungry from what I have seen? I find this hard to believe Galvatron, can it be true?'' She fixed her gaze on me.
I sighed out loud, ''Sadly yes Phoenix. It is only a matter of time before you will start to see a change in his manner and the truth is revealed.'' I smiled at her. ''You are a powerful warrior, a skilled fighter, perhaps the most skilled fighter and your gifts – your gifts are an incredible asset! Tell me Phoenix, does Prime let you use your powers and your gifts freely or does he make you hold back?'' I raised an optic ridge at her, a small knowing smile on my dermas.
She paused a moment, considering, before in a soft voice she replied. ''He… he makes me hold back. Says I need to be careful I do not hurt others, not to let my anger, my powers consume me and lead me down a dark path.'' She fixed me again with an intense stare.
I nodded gravely, ''Of course he does my Phoenix – he is afraid of you. Afraid and jealous. Jealous of your power and afraid you will use it to destroy him, which is why he seeks to control you.''
She looked away a moment, ''I… I had not thought of that.''
/Oh this was too easy!/. I shifted my stance. ''Perhaps you should Phoenix. If you were to leave the Autobots and join with me and my loyal followers, I would never make you hold back on your gifts. I would only encourage you to be who you truly were meant to be. A mighty and powerful warrior and together, together we could cast out the Autobots and bring peace to this planet and my home world of Cybertron.'' I held out a servo, imploringly. 'What say you Phoenix? Would you cast off the shackles of Autobot oppression and lies and join with me? Would you seek the path that leads to your true destiny or would you be made a fool of, used and cast aside when your usefulness has come to an end by a tyrannical leader such as Optimus Prime?''
She furrowed her optics in thought and indecision. ''I… I do not know Galvatron. What you say does sound appealing to me but I… I just don't know…'' she cast her optics about as if searching for a solution to her problem.
I nodded my helm slowly and gave a supportive smile, ''I understand Phoenix, you have been brainwashed and manipulated so much already. I understand your hesitation.'' My smile faded and a serious look descended upon my face. ''Then perhaps my final kernel of knowledge will help persuade you. A great war is coming Phoenix, one that makes this battle look like sparkling's play.'' Her optics snapped back to mine and she grew very quiet and serious. /Yes! She is coming around/. ''The signs are already here. An enemy more powerful than even you could imagine, yet if you and I were to side together and combine our might, we could be victorious.''
I lowered my servos and continued to stare grimly at her. ''I admire you Phoenix. I admire what you may become, what we can become should we join forces and I wish to make sure you are prepared for this battle,'' I paused a moment and smiled at her, ''It would be a shame if you were on - the wrong side.''
She tilted her helm and tried once more to stand, raising slowly and gingerly to her full height. Brown and gold flecked optics flicked over my form. Even in her battered state, she was a sight to behold. /Yes, she would indeed make an excellent addition to the Decepticon cause IF she bought my lies/.
Her voice was low and even as she spoke to me, ''IF I should decide that what you say is true, and I wish to join with you, how would I find you?''
I gave another low chuckle as I gazed up to her keen optics. ''My dear Phoenix, I would find you.''
She gave a low chuckle of her own, ''You seem confident that I will join you.''
''Hopeful, Phoenix. I remain humbly hopeful that you will reconsider whose side you are on,'' I did not break her gaze.
''Perhaps you should be careful what you wish for Gravitron,'' she smirked down towards me.
''Galvatron!'' I bit back with more venom than I perhaps should have used at this point.
She laughed and lowered her helm towards me, so she was mere metres away. ''If I am indeed as powerful and mighty as you say, with gifts to be respected and feared in equal measure, rest assured I shall call you what I like - Gravitron!''
The energon in my lines boiled and a rage flared to life within my spark. /HOW DARE SHE SPEAK TO ME THAT WAY!/. I felt my fist clench by my side as I fought to control the urge to retaliate. However, I merely smiled at her and inclined my helm slightly, all the while maintaining optic contact with her. ''We shall see Phoenix, but first that would require you to abandon the Autobots and join me. What say you?''
She raised her helm away from me and prepared to speak and I shifted on my pedes.
The sound of a large cannon firing erupted from somewhere behind Phoenix and a nanosecond later, a spray of earth and dust flew up beside me as bullets found their mark.
''PHOENIX! GET DOWN!'' The Autobot weapon's specialist Ironhide screamed out to her as he charged towards me, his face as stern as I had ever seen.
I sneered at him and gave a low growl. ''THIS IS WHAT I REFER TO PHOENIX! We are but talking and the Autobots act with violence – they know no other way!'' I stepped back, firing my own weapon towards them to ''defend'' myself.
Off to my right there was a blur of yellow and moments later I felt my jaw ache as a solid punch connected and a pede found my chest. I stumbled back and came face to face with one of the twins – /Sunstreaker I believe/. I snarled at him and savagely backhanded him across the face as he moved in again before I returned the favour and kicked him in the chest. He went flying backwards into a pile of rubble. Still, I knew the frontliner would be back on his pedes soon and his twin brother would soon be upon me too.
I cast Phoenix a quick glance as she lay on the ground, confused. ''Think about what I said Phoenix!'' I yelled at her before I turned on my pedes and ran, leaping up onto the rooftops nearby and out of sight.
While it was possible the Autobot twins would be sent after me, I also knew that their primary objective had been to retrieve Phoenix and tend to her injuries. I knew they would not risk failing that objective by following me so as I reached the wooded mountains behind the city, I felt a smile creep across my face.
I continued to climb until I had reached the top of one of the tallest mountains. As I turned about to gaze out over the city skyline, I took a moment to delight in the pillars of thick black smoke and the flames that burned unchecked from the many explosions of the battle. Above the city, the Knight's Temenos limped out of the harbour as the human's continued to bombard it with their missiles. My dermas twisted in hatred as I spied a familiar and much loathed figure.
Optimus Prime had clearly somehow managed to best Lockdown and was rocketing across the skyline. I growled as I watched my hated rival streak across the sky. ''We shall meet again Optimus Prime, for I am reborn.'' I turned my back on him and cast my optics in the direction I had left Phoenix and I felt a smile form on my dermas as I thought about the Seed I had sown within her. ''I will see you again soon too my Phoenix, I swear it. I am not finished with you either.'' I gave a low, threatening chuckle, ''And if by some chance she decides not to join me, then I shall terminate her. For if I cannot claim her power for my own – no one will!''