Chapter 189 – In the Neighbourhood…

Megatron P.O.V

Below me the Autobot base on Diego Garcia loomed. I knew of its existence, had done since I was revived with the shard of the Allspark, though I had not attacked it since. There seemed to be this unspoken agreement between Prime and I that we only engaged each other in battle outside of our respective bases. I chuckled to myself. /Well, apart from when my soldiers broke in to retrieve the shard, though I can honestly say I played no active role in that/. Why this agreement was in place, I could not say. How long it would be respected? I smiled to myself. /Time would tell/.

The outline of the small, yet somewhat appealing island, came into sharper focus as I began my descent, my loyal follower Soundwave behind me. Using my optical sensors, I could make out what appeared to be the main communication and munitions hanger, runway and several smaller hangers and buildings. What purpose they all served I did not particularly care at this point. As I neared my destination, I also became aware of several Autobot energon signatures that I recognised. All of them located near a particular structure so I made my way there.

::Unidentified aircraft you are entering restricted US Military airspace. Squawk ident and proceed east out of the area:: A human voice echoed abruptly through my comms as I received their transmission. A smile spread across my dermas once more. It never failed to amuse how these flesh creatures thought they were in control. Thought they held such power.

I became aware of two jet fighters, what appeared to be F22 Raptors, scrambling to intercept us. I initiated my landing protocols as I made my final approach. I refused to acknowledge. Being forced to work alongside the Autobots was one thing. Working with flesh creatures and following their rules – that was not to be borne!

Once more the voice addressed me. ::Unidentified aircraft, we will escort you to Diego Garcia Naval Base. If you do not comply, we will use deadly force::

/Will you now?/. I felt the sneer form on my dermas at their arrogance. /Aren't they in for a surprise/. Beside me the two jets appeared briefly as if herding us to where they wanted us to go. I ignored them. Before me I had a visual on Prime's loyal soldiers. Jazz, his 2IC saboteur-spy, and that slagging weapons specialist with an attitude – Ironhide. I growled. Wherever they were, Prime was usually not far away. /And wherever Prime was, she would likely also be found/. I ignored the dull ache in my spark.

Almost as suddenly as they appeared, the jets peeled off and returned to base. The briefest flicker of interest registered. /Perhaps Prime had called them off as part of our truce?/. I mentally scoffed. /It was of no consequence. They did not deter me anyway/. I banked towards the massive hanger noticing with delight the confused and angry expressions on the faces of the Autobots as I came in to land.

Among them, as predicted - Optimus and Phoenix.

Pulling up sharply and flipping mid-air, transforming in the process, I came to land gracefully before them all, Soundwave landed off to my right behind me. My blood red optics scanned the forms before me, coming to rest on my hated enemy Optimus Prime before they flicked quickly to the slightly smaller figure beside him. /Phoenix!/. I noted she had been repaired. The gaping hole in her chest and the vicious gashes across her abdomen were no more. Her beautiful face held no trace of the damage it had received and her brown and gold flecked optics watched me with both interest and suspicion. Though I would never admit it out loud, the Autobot physician Rachet was indeed skilled and, not for the first time, I wished I could coerce him to our side.

I felt her optics on me as she returned my scrutiny with equal intensity, though she remained silent for now. ''Megatron.'' Prime's voice broke the silent tension. It was both an address and a question rolled in one as he took a step closer towards me his helm tilted slightly.

I tore my gaze away from Phoenix and narrowed my optics at the flame decaled Prime. ''Optimus.'' I spat his name out as I too took a step towards the small group of Autobots. I cast my optics around at the surroundings. Though it was a small island in the Indian Ocean, the greenery of the trees and the buildings made for a welcome change from being surrounded by a blue expanse of ocean. ''No doubt you are wondering what I am doing here?''

I noted with amusement how Ironhide seemed to bristle and refrain from reaching for his cannon. /So predictable/. Prime seemed to snort softly. ''The thought had crossed my mind Megatron.'' He paused a moment. ''Our human allies are also very interested as to why you are here.''

I grunted out loud and sneered at him as I placed my servos on my hips. ''Yes, I am sure they are those pesky flesh bags. I am surprised they didn't try and attack us upon sight.'' I began to circle about the small group, all sets of optics watching me warily. ''Not that that would have achieved anything.''

Beside Prime, Phoenix spoke for the first time. ''We have told them of the truce Megatron, between Autobots and Decepticons, in preparation for battling Unicron.''

I felt genuine surprise that the Autobots had told the humans of this and moreover, that the humans had seemingly accepted it. ''Oh?'' I allowed a small chuckle of amusement to pass my dermas. ''And how did they take that?''

''Well, you may have noticed they allowed you to enter their airspace and island without reprisal,'' Phoenix smiled at me.

I growled at her. ''I am Megatron, Phoenix. As you well know, I go where I please, when I please and none shall stop me.''

The brazen femme merely smiled at me once more and continued unperturbed. ''They think you will turn against them Megatron, against us all, and betray us to Unicron.''

I circled back around to stand before them all. Prime eyed me steadily as he spoke once more. ''They believe that as Decepticons it is in your nature to deceive, and you can not be trusted.''

A small, feral grin spread across my dermas, and I felt my optics flash brightly as I laughed out loud. ''And they would be wise to keep that in mind.'' I fixed my stare intentionally on the pretty femme before me, much to Prime's aggravation. ''Wouldn't they - Phoenix?'' She simply held my stare, a flicker of annoyance burning within those unique optics of hers.

Prime's deep voice growled. ''Why did you come here Megatron? To threaten us?'' His frame tensed and he imperceptibly placed himself between Phoenix and me. My audials detected the distant sound of car engines and voices raised in agitation and concern and I watched contemptuously, as several well armoured vehicles and soldiers with weapons trained upon us approached and encircled us.

One of the humans, I recognised as the Autobot pet - Lennox. It never ceased to both amaze and disgust me that Prime not only willingly chose to associate with these insects rather than crush them like the bugs they were, but he fought to protect them. /He had died protecting one!/. I shook my helm and sneered at the humans before I returned my attention to far more important matters.

I ex-vented loudly and once again resumed my pacing. ''As appealing as that does sound Optimus Prime, that is not the reason for my being here.''

''So, what IS the real reason you are here Decepticon,'' the ill tempered Ironhide snarled at me, unable to hold his glossa any longer. His servos clenching and unclenching by his side as he fought his instinct to shoot me. A certain delight coursed through me at his obvious discomfort in my presence.

''Yeah man. What gives?'' The silver saboteur questioned in that irritating manner of speaking he possessed. ''Surely it ain't a social visit, like ya happened ta be in tha neighbourhood an' all?''

I felt the corners of my dermas curve up, exposing razor sharp denta as a look of pure disgust flashed across my face. ''Absolutely not Autobot!''I spat the distasteful word out. ''I have come to see how you intend to fight Unicron, what strategy you have in place.'' A cold feeling washed over me, and my optics took on a distant look as memories of his recent torture rushed to the fore. ''Unicron draws ever nearer. I can feel it.''

'''Megatron?'' Phoenix's voice drifted towards me, tinged with concern. ''Are you alright?''

I clenched my servo into a fist and narrowed my optics towards her. ''Of course I am alright femme!'' Phoenix simply stared back at me, her own optics flashing. I turned to face Prime. ''Now, what is your plan Prime? How do you intend to – eliminate - our mutual enemy?''

For the first time in the longest time I watched as Optimus Prime shuffled awkwardly on his pedes. ''We had just tasked Ironhide and Jazz with looking into weapons the humans might have in…''

I growled at him in disbelief. ''What? You mean you don't know what weapons you have at your disposal already?''

Prime's optics flashed angrily towards me. ''Apart from the Matrix and the Star Saber, we had just started to identify what human weapons, apart from nuclear weapons, might be advantageous in battle…''

I laughed at my sworn enemy. ''Shame really, inventing nuclear weapons is possibly the most endearing quality about the humans.''

Both Phoenix and Prime glowered at me though refused to comment. ''And I suppose YOU know what weapons the humans have that we could use?'' Ironhide took a step towards me, his voice rising in delightful irritation and hatred.

I nodded my helm. ''Of course I do!'' A mocking laugh escaped my dermas as I taunted the slagger. ''And you call yourself the Autobot weapon's specialist! How droll!''

Ironhide glared at me, producing his cannons. ''Slagging Decepticon punk! Say that again.''

Prime rounded on his soldier, placing a servo on his shoulder. ''IRONHIDE! THE TRUCE!'' Prime barked in an unusual display of anger and frustration. ''Put your weapons away now. That's an order!''

I laughed as I turned to face the humans assembled. ''Well now! What do we have here humans? The Autobots, not the Decepticons are the ones to first draw their weapons during a cease fire! Perhaps they are the ones you cannot trust?''

''Can it Megatron!'' the human pet Lennox dared address me. ''We're not gonna buy your crap.''

I leant menacingly towards him. ''The cease fire is currently with the Autobots human scum. I am not obliged to refrain from killing you!''

Phoenix moved to stand beside Lennox. ''Do that Megatron and you lose the support of the Autobots and me. Without THAT you are left in the same predicament you currently find yourself in - Unicron's bitch for eternity.'' I glared at her though I stepped back away from the human insect. Phoenix smiled sweetly at me. ''I'd pipe down if I were you and continue the discussion in a more useful manner by telling us what weapons YOU think we need moving forward.''

I scowled at her. ''This truce will not last forever Phoenix. As soon as Unicron is vanquished, I shall deal with you.''

She nodded her helm in acceptance. ''If you wish Megatron, but for now, we would appreciate your input.''

Her matter-of-fact attitude and unexpected polite request threw me, and I felt my dermas working silently for a moment as I processed this change of events. Before me, Ironhide glared from Prime to me and back again before he stowed his weapons and stood down in a huff, his optics fixed firmly on me as he folded his arms across his chest.

Optimus dipped his helm towards Phoenix and Lennox before he turned to address me. ''How Megatron? How is it you know so much about human weaponry?''

I shook my helm at him in pity and disappointment. ''Always the trusting fool Optimus Prime. You continue to assume humans won't hurt you because you stupidly ally yourself to them. Have you learned nothing since your arrival on this pit spawned planet?'' I snorted at the humans. ''I made it my business to learn what weapons the humans possessed, especially after Mission City,'' I sent Lennox an icy stare and he shifted uncomfortably on his feet before me. ''Though Transformer technology is far superior, there are some human weapons that we may be able to use or adapt to our benefit.'' I felt a small, knowing smile spread across my dermas at Prime's perplexed look. ''I know of these because,'' I dipped my helm towards my silent shadow. ''Soundwave is very good at gathering intel.''

Optimus ex-vented and shifted on his pedes once more as he placed his servos on his hips. ''Very well Megatron. You appear to be in the driver's seat this time. What do you propose we do?''

I snorted derisively. ''I fail to understand how you Autobots managed to be so irksome for so long with such poor strategy and leadership.''

Prime visibly bristled and I delighted in his reaction. ''Well? DO you have a plan Megatron?''

My dermas curved into a conceited grin. ''Always.''