Transformers War for Cybertron: Joining the War.

Chapter 2: Fuel of War.

(Author's notes: This is it, folks. The Fuel of War chapter. Will the first Aerialbot/Autobot Car away team succeed in saving the Geosynchronous Energon Bridge from Roughstuff and his Seekers? We'll find out soon enough.

Enjoy chapter 2, ladies and gentlebots.)

(Kaon Cliffs, Cybertron, third person POV...)

Corvowing Prime's first away team consisting of Grindframe, Hookway, Jawflash, Doublebolt, Slipfeather, Dunestrong, Grizzthing, Hydrauraid, Razorblast, Hydrauburst, Photonsight, Kickbrawn, Bombstorm, Aquablade, Shadowbrawl, Hardflight, Topline, Highsiren, Apewise, Dinoslide, Buzzshot, Skyspike, Deftflash, Hyperburner, Shadeblade, Hookboom, Pyrofire, Grandtwitch, Winddrift, Frostcut, Rhinosnarl, Aftersight, Grizzstreak, Freezecrack, Icehide, Stormmine, Duststrike, Halfvortex, Vortexblades, Groovelane, Divecircuit, Tigaclash, Bluecut, Sidespike, Skysplitter, Ironbot, Soundtempest, Razorracer, Turbohide, Wrecksprocket, Growlslide, Ripslide, Cascadescraps, Neutrotwitch, Bulletblaze, Hailthing, Depthflight, Doomthrust, Beaconwar, Suncast, Acidcast, Ioncast, Novacast, Skyrazor, Sunrazor, Acidrazor, Ionrazor, Novarazor, Fistcircuit, Smokehide, Growlwar, Irontrap, Rollflight, Dreadflinch, Jetheap, Gloombutton, Scrapraid, Lighttrap, Flatburst, Jetshot, Swiftburn, Topsiren, Flametrap, Dreadstorm, Hangpounder, Magmaspot, Dirtsiren, Flatlock, Ratstream, Icefeather, Overtrap, Hydraufeather, Fierysling, Solarcrack, Scrapswitch, Dropbolt, Grizzburst, Retrospin, Gloomslinger, Slipwave, Rollcrack, Phasecase, Quicksight, Fieryfreak, Cinderlift, Flatheap, Shockflash, Scraphead, Helithrust, Roughglider, Suncrusher, Acidcrusher, Ioncrusher, Novacrusher, Flyglider, Sundagger, Aciddagger, Iondagger, Novadagger, Hailtrack, Leadsplitter, Heavyburn, Hailtrap, Divejump, Leadclash, Bulkblaze, Siderunner, Retroburn, Sirenrush, Topracer, Sparkways, Rhinotrack, Dreadswitch, Megastrike, Galvastrike, Sideblight, Botanirunner, Bombboom, Sidebird, Lightpounder, Hammerdrive, Doublesiren, Boulderclutch, Rapidmaster, Voltshot, Quickflow, Flashhide, Freezeviper, Sparkfoot, Leadcharger, Meanflight, Leaddrift, Crossstorm, Jawblitz, Divewatch, Apefire, Fangcrusher, Goldremix, Cliffwhip, Landbird, Megabang, Galvabang, Botanilight, Freezebeam, Jawscraps, Twinswitch, Quickcut, Grandstream, Wildcrack, Overtracks, Helisteel, Lazershift, Scorchfeather, Aquaguard, Shockslide, Armorspin, Wreckswitch, Viceside, Bulkkill, Armortron, Magmacrusher, Dustfire, Topflash, Lunarwave, Chromevortex, Hammerwar, Ripshift, Deepways, Savageburn, Dreadraid, Razorblitz, Bluescraps, Firescope, Botaniglide, Firecrush, Ragebuster, Roughslinger, Darkkill, Cannonraid, Boulderkick, Voltbrawn, Chainstrong, Oilclutch, Rotortrap, Icetrack, Pyroraider, Turboshift, Stormpounder, Rhinowise, Brakerake, Crankdive, Solarline, Bulkcharge, Growlmine, Skykick, Darkrazor, Joltraider, Flyclash, Aquarake, Hailflash, Botaniblitz, Savagesiren, Iondrift, Novadrift, Scopemaster, Hyperstreak, Magmahavoc, Aquabird, Quickclutch, Rageburner, Hydraufoot, Doomtwitch, Flamesweep, Flashstrong, Magnacrack, Strikeglider, Savageraider, Smokedome, Joltrazor, Broadcloud, Slipswitch, Hookhide, Rapidflash, Grimclash, Wireflight, Depthspike, Grindlock, Groundwise, Deeptrack, Vicestrike, Sunbreaker, Ionbreaker, Acidbreaker, Novabreaker, Fangpounder, Sparkdome, Bulkrotor, Rotordome, Ditchthrust, Harddrive, Junkglide, Smokescope, Toplock, Phasewar, Megawave, Galvawave, Chromescraps, Ripbuster, Bullracer, Deftjump, Heavyscrap, Tigerraid, Ironfoot, Pyrothrust, Leadswitch, Mechajump, Lunarslinger, Crankshaft, Rapidcut, Dirtscope, Neutroblades, Hotscope, Cloudtwitch, Hyperglitch, Kickstorm, Razorspike, Grooveframe, Leadvortex, Rhinoshift, Lunarblight, Aquastriker, Gearspin, Rhiraker, Dirtraker, Bulletguard, Tigerjaw, Roughdash, Bullblast, Wideflight, Blowmine, Leadboomer, Bombwheels, Rotorjump, Meanstorm, Speedslide, Grizztrack, Frostsplitter, Vicecast, Stoneback, Solarrake, Bulletstrike, Heavywatch, Bombwing, Sideclaw, Oillane, Chromecrusher, Flybreak, Bonedrive, Kicksnarl, Rollpounder, Crosswing, Chromestrike, Roadbang, Brushtrack, Savagespin, Junkbuster, Depthfight, Tigarazor, Flysiren, Rhinoways, Phasecrusher, Shadowburn, Leodome, Quickdive, Soundspike, Gloomburn, Scrapshock, Zephyrtrap, Shadowcrush, Phasewise, Flatblades, Crankboom, Ripworks, Goldboom, Sparkpounder, Powerglitch, Jawwing, Slipbeast, Voltcircuit, Gunspin, Dirtburst, Kicklane, Deepflash, Meankick, Buzzray, Ripside, Photonbird, Slipfoot, Chromecase, Ripheap, Grandbot, Bullquake, Ripwave, Motorsling, Landways, Shadowglider, Brushwar, Ragesiren, Twinrazor, Sidesiren, Starwheels, Seadome, Breakslide, Sunlock, Ionlock, Novalock, Blowdome, Bonetop, Pyrotron, Kicktrap, Dinosight, Icecircuit, Scorchhide, Slipbrawn, Botanisteel, Razorhide, Scorchspot, Deepraid, Magmaframe, Jettop, Deftspot, Airraider, Doublecharger, Sparkguard, Goldraker, Meandive, Slamstorm, Seablades, Shadelight, Hyperpunch, Crossshift, Lazerslide, Junkbrawl, Dreadtwitch, Hydraufist, Photonstorm, Powersight, Aeroburn, Skysweep, Dirtstalker, Scorchwave, Strikestop, Starray, Neutrobrawn, Meltjaw, Scorchraid, Rhinoflow, Twinbuster, Afterquake, and their three teams of three hundred thousand Autobot Aerialbots, three hundred thousand Autobot Fliers, and three hundred thousand flying Autobot Grounders made it to the Kaon Cliffs leading to the first part of Cybertron's underground sector.

Corvowing says over the commlink, "Your orders are clear, Grindframe: make your way to the Cybertron Underground and ensure that the Energon Bridge can't be reactivated by only Decepticons. We can't let the Decepticons get that much Dark Energon."

Grindframe replies over the commlink, "Sir, we detect ten Decepticon Energon signatures approaching the planet at approximately five hundred thousand miles and counting down. Must be Roughstuff and nine of his soldiers."

Corvowing replies back, "Don't worry, Grindframe; you guys outnumber them. Gang up on them and don't be overconfident. Contact me when you're in position. Corvowing Prime out."

Grindframe remarks, "Corvowing Prime puts so much faith in us, it's intoxicating. But we can't fail him."

The nine hundred thousand, four hundred and nineteen Autobots continue on their way to a platform, and enter the next room, where they encounter an Autobot probe.

The probe senses their Autobot signals and lets them pass.

The Autobot Fliers, Aerialbots and flying Autobot Grounders encounter a closed door on their way.

Grindframe opens the door and is greeted by an enemy detection barrier with an Autobot soldier on the other side.

The Autobot soldier lets them pass and deactivates the next trap to let the away teams pass.

The away teams make their way to the end of their elevated position of the hallway and jump down.

They make it through another enemy detection barrier without setting off an alarm and continue onto a straightforward path.

The away teams make it to an Energon reservoir via a small shaft.

The away teams fly to a rocket launcher defending checkpoint and make it past a deactivated fan.

At the canyon cruiser, the away teams make it to a platform.

Inside the hallway, the away teams continue on the straight path and jump down another shaft. Then they continue on to the next room.

Afterquake activates the console and the teams proceed to the next area.

The Autobots posted at the entrance to the Underground opens the entrance doorway for the away teams.

The away teams make their way inside while making sure to shoot any alien-looking lifeforms they encountered without getting too close and without letting the lifeforms explode next to them.

At the core of the Underground, the away teams are granted entry by the probes, the missile turrets and the Autobot Cloakers posted there.

The away teams fly through another tunnel.

The away teams follow the path and land on the next platform.

The Grounders utilizing winged jetpacks, winged rocket packs, propeller-based jetpacks, natural wings, and natural jet-powered boosters in robot mode, along with the ones that have natural robot mode flight, stop to rest a bit and stock up on Energon.

After refueling, the away teams are led inside the command station.

Then, they make it to the central room and open the gate to the next room.

They activate the path leading to the Energon Bridge and fly off to follow the path.

Along the way, the Autobots leave several squadrons of their soldiers in the various checkpoints to deal with Roughstuff and his troops.

(Meanwhile, back at the Kaon Cliffs...)

Megatron says to Roughstuff over the commlink, "Your orders are clear, Roughstuff! Infiltrate the Cybertron Underground and reactivate the Energon Bridge. I want that power online!"

After destroying the two fans, Roughstuff and his nine troops come to a stop as Roughstuff replies, "Megatron, Tipnose has detected numerous amounts of Autobots up ahead. Rainwheels must've warned Corvowing Prime and had a big enough army intercept us already!"

Megatron retorts, "Enough of your whining! If the Autobots try to stop you, crush them! Report back to me when you have found the Energon Bridge. Megatron out!"

Disconnecting the commlink as he and his Seekers fly forward to the platform leading to the next room, Roughstuff snarls, "That imbecile thinks I'm expendable?! ME?! He'll soon learn never to underestimate Roughstuff!"

Once the nine Seekers make it to the room, they stop as Silvercruncher asks, "What is that?"

Tipnose replies, "An Autobot probe. We should avoid it to prevent detection."

Roughstuff retorts, "Like that puny probe could stop me. Blast them and get on with it!"

The ten Decepticon Fliers make their way to another hatch after contending with two more security probes.

As soon as they make it through a door leading to the next part of the Underground – the one with the first three enemy detection barriers, Tipnose remarks, "I have never travelled this deeply into Cybertron's interior before."

Silvercruncher bemoans, "Ugh. You're as boring as ever, Tipnose."

Once the ten Seekers make it to the console leading to the booby-trapped hallways, Roughstuff activates the switch.

About one Autobot Soldier shoots the ten Seekers before retreating.

Observing the trap, Roughstuff sneers, "What is this? Some kind of Autobot trap?"

Tipnose replies, "It's an enemy detection barrier."

Silvercruncher remarks, "So it's a trap!"

Roughstuff shoots the power core of the barrier and states, "Stupid Autobots! To think their measly tricks could ever fool Roughstuff!"

Once they make it to the other tripwire trap, Bumbleflight states, "The power core has to be somewhere in this room."

Roughstuff switches to his jet mode and flies through the narrow corridor to his right.

He sees the power core and shoots it while stating, "Pathetic machinery."

Roughstuff transforms back to robot mode and leads his troops to the part of the elevated hallway looking down on some Autobots being briefed. However, instead of Sentinel Zeta Prime briefing the Autobots in attendance, it was Optimus Prime briefing them.

Optimus announces, "Autobots, this is Optimus Prime. Be on high alert; the Decepticons are planning to reactivate the Geosynchronous Energon Bridge and infect it with Dark Energon. This will grant them access to an infinite supply of Dark Energon capable of dooming Cybertron. Any Decepticon activity must be reported immediately, and all Decepticons are to be taken prisoner or shot on sight. Optimus Prime out."

Roughstuff throws down a Fragmentation Grenade, which blows up the Autobot troops assembled.

Roughstuff then remarks with a sneer, "How boring! I've read more entertaining maintenance reports!"

Silvercruncher states, "That was easy!"

Tipnose states, "True, but the other Autobots will likely be tougher. I suggest we proceed with caution."

Roughstuff and his troops drop down while Squeezefight knocks down a gate and takes out the enemy detection barrier in the room.

The ten Decepticons run towards the same straightforward path and come under fire from Autobot Rocket Troopers.

Silvercruncher calls out, "Rockets!"

Roughstuff calls out in response, "Quickly! Get to cover!"

The ten Seekers take cover behind some shields and return fire on the Autobot rocket soldiers.

Tipnose then states, "My scans indicate that door should lead us to the next canyon."

After taking out the sizable amount of Autobot troops, Roughstuff opens the door, only for him and his troops to encounter an overshielded Autobot soldier wielding an EMP Shotgun.

As the WFC Shotgunner opens fire, one of the other Autobot soldiers in the next room shouts, "Decepticons! Quickly, seal the door!"

The door shuts just as the Autobot soldier goes offline.

Silvercruncher snarls, "Those punks locked us out!"

Roughstuff rebuffs him in response, "Stop whining and find another way in!"

Tipnose states, "My scans indicate that there should be a ventilation shaft leading to an Energon reservoir. We could use that to get to the canyon."

Roughstuff replies, "Excellent. Now search for the ventilation shaft; it should be around here somewhere."

Surelock calls out in front of the shaft, "Comrades! Over here!"

The others look at Surelock's findings and jump down while making sure not to land on each other.

Wildface then asks, "Where are we?"

Roughstuff replies, "We're NOT where we NEED to be, Wildface, so keep moving!"

The ten Decepticon Seekers switch to jet mode and fly along the path to find the defense checkpoint.

Along the way, Tipnose advises, "Crude Energon is highly volatile, and flying this close to it is very dangerous. We should proceed with the utmost caution."

Silvercruncher remarks, "Tighten your logic circuits, would you, Tipnose? It can't be THAT bad."

Tipnose didn't say anything further as he and his comrades continue on their way while avoiding the highly volatile Energon rivers and the hot steam coming from the exhaust vents on the higher parts of the walls in the reservoir.

Eventually, they made it to the checkpoint just as rocket turrets and Autobot Rocket Troopers open fire with every rocket and missile they have at their disposal.

Some of the first Autobot away team's generic soldiers actually managed to get Roughstuff and his troops on the ropes, but even they were not strong enough to take down the ten Decepticon soldiers.

After destroying the next fan, Roughstuff states as he leads the escort, "We're getting close! The next entrance is just on the far side of this canyon!"

Suddenly, an Autobot dropship generates a force field over the entrance while mortars open fire.

Tipnose points out the obvious as he states, "That Autobot ship is generating an energy shield over the entrance."

Roughstuff retorts, "I can see that for myself, Tipnose! Enough babbling! Destroy it!"

Silvercruncher and Sky Rod add in unison, "Target the mortars first!" "Target the mortars first!"

The ten Decepticons work diligently to destroy the dropship's mortars, and they succeed, prompting multiple Aerialbot troops to pop up from the dropship.

Roughstuff remarks, "Excellent! Now, target the Aerialbots!"

Silvercruncher remarks, "I'll show them some real flying!"

Even though the Decepticon Seekers were outnumbered, they triumphed over their Autobot counterparts.

As soon as the last Aerialbot was shot down, Roughstuff calls out, "The blast doors open! Quickly!"

Silvercruncher calls back in response, "Watch out for those rocket snipers!"

Roughstuff shouts, "Enough of this nonsense! We'll bring this annoyance down from the INSIDE! Fly in and target its power core!"

Once the ten Decepticons flew in and started to slaughter the Autobot soldiers inside, the P.A. declared, "Close the blast doors and seal the ship! We'll trap them inside!"

Silvercruncher asks, "Trap us?"

Tipnose and Powerhold ask in unison, "Orders, Roughstuff?" "Orders, Roughstuff?"

Roughstuff cackles as he answers, "Hahahaha! Those idiots locked us in here with their power core! Plant a Dark Energon detpack on it!"

Victory Raid plants a Dark Energon detpack on the ship's power core and after a seven second countdown, the ship starts to slowly fall apart as the Dark Energon takes its toll, no matter how much of an effort that the ship's repair systems make to initiate the repairs.

The P.A. calls out, "Warning! Warning! Warning!"

Roughstuff remarks, "Unbelievable! These Autobots are dumber than Silvercruncher!"

Tipnose replies, "Perhaps, Roughstuff, but have you considered an escape route for US?"

Roughstuff states in response, "Try the upper deck! Hurry!"

The ten Seekers switch to jet mode and make their way to the upper deck, only for Silvercruncher to point out, "They've sealed it off!"

Suddenly, the door and the front half of the dropship split apart, causing Roughstuff to shout, "Now's our chance! Fly through the hole!"

Once they make it to the designated platform and they watch the dropship fall into the volatile Energon pools below, Silvercruncher states, " 'Dumber than Silvercruncher?' I'll show YOU dumb, Roughstuff!"

Roughstuff causally replies, "You always do."

The ten Decepticon Fliers move on to the hallway and as they get to the end of it, they see an Autobot Cloaker spot them, activate their cloaking shield and drop down the shaft.

Silvercruncher asks, "Did you see that?"

Tipnose asks in response, "You mean that creepy-looking thing that just jumped over the side?"

Silvercruncher answers, "Yeah, that's exactly what I mean."

Tipnose does a double-take and shrugs, "Nope. I literally didn't see anything."

Roughstuff bemoans, "I should've left you two on the station."

They jump down the shaft and enter the next room, only for most of the lights to go out except for a few, signifying that there was a small army of Autobot Cloakers in the room.

Silvercruncher states, "I think I saw something."

Tipnose asks, "You think you saw something? What did you think you saw?"

Roughstuff calls out, "Silence! It could be an Autobot Cloaker. Keep your optics sharp!"

Soon, they spot a Cloaker charging up his Plasma Cannon, causing Roughstuff to call out, "There! Destroy it!"

They shoot the Cloaker in the helm, revealing its corpse.

After about two minutes, all of the Autobot Cloakers are obliterated.

Roughstuff cackles, "Hahahahahaha! Feel the power of my wrath! Now, Sky Rod, get the power back online so we can move on!"

Sky Rod does as he's told and Roughstuff continues, "Get moving, Decepticons. We must be getting close."

Soon, lo and behold for the ten Seekers was the entrance to Cybertron's Underground.

Tipnose remarks, "There it is, the entrance to the Underground."

Roughstuff takes note of the numerous Autobots and the shield generator.

Roughstuff snarls, "Nnnrrrggghhh. Another shield generator?! Even this many Autobots are getting on my nerves. Bring down those shields!"

Like before, despite the superior numbers giving the Autobots an advantage, the ten Decepticon Seekers managed to get the upper hand.

Soon, the Decepticons lower the shields, disabled the rocket turrets and blasted through the armor plating blocking the entrance to the Underground.

Once the door opens, Roughstuff states, "Move, Decepticons, into the tunnels! We have a Bridge to activate!"

After entering the tunnel, Silvercruncher remarks, "This place gives me the creeps."

Roughstuff explains briefly, "These tunnels were decommissioned long ago. We will have to activate the power terminals for the Energon Bridge to get the station's Dark Energon back online."

Of course, they continue on their un-merry way without further interruptions for the time being since Grindframe's away team took care of the explosive alien-looking lifeforms already.

Once they arrive at their next destination, Roughstuff remarks, "There, just as I told you! The Energon Bridge Terminal. Find a way inside and activate it!"

Suddenly, they get attacked by more security probes and rocket turrets as Silvercruncher asks, "I thought this place was deserted?"

Roughstuff theorized briefly, "We must've tripped the station's automated defenses. Open fire!"

The ten Decepticons take out all of the turrets and probes before entering the Terminal.

Along the way, they encounter more Autobot Cloakers.

Silvercruncher remarks, "More Cloakers? These guys creep me out!"

Tipnose asks teasingly, "What's the matter, Silvercruncher? Afraid?"

Silvercruncher retorts in response, "At least I'M not ugly!"

Tipnose states incredulously, "Ugly? You and I look the SAME!"

After dealing with the last Cloaker, Sky Rod activates the console to open the tunnel leading to the next part of the Underground, only for an Autobot ambush battalion to come running from the other side of the tunnel.

Tipnose exclaims, "Detecting more Autobot energy signatures!"

Roughstuff remarks, "More fools rush to their death! Destroy them!"

As the slaughter begins, Megatron calls Roughstuff over the commlink and says, "Roughstuff, report!"

Roughstuff calls out in a shocked response, "Lord Megatron! We are encountering overly significant Autobot resistance, but—"

Roughstuff doesn't get to finish as Megatron rebukingly interrupts him with, "I will not suffer excuses! Do not fail me! Megatron out!"

Megatron hangs up and Silvercruncher remarks cheekily, "You really told him, Roughstuff."

Roughstuff rebukes him and says, "Silence! Soon, the Decepticons will be mine to control, and Megatron will serve ME!"

Silvercruncher retorts, "Whatever you say, Roughstuff."

After destroying the Autobot troops, the ten Decepticons fly into the long enough tunnels.

Tipnose states, "The station is only showing power levels at fifty percent. There must be another terminal deeper underground."

The ten Decepticon Seekers continue – again, without being interrupted due to the explosive alien-looking lifeforms already being destroyed by Grindframe's away team.

As the Seekers get closer to a left-servo turn to the next tunnel, Tipnose advises, "I'm reading Autobot energy signatures up ahead. Prepare yourselves, Decepticons."

Once the Seekers make it to the platform needed for being grounded for a bit, the Seekers fired upon the Autobots firing on them.

Despite the sheer Autobot numbers, as previous times that day in the span of over one Earth hour and a half, Roughstuff and his troops emerged victorious.

The ten Decepticon Fliers follow the path and land on the next platform.

Sky Rod activates the console to open the door, sneaks up on the lone Autobot soldier guarding the door, and takes him out with a silent gunshot.

Unfortunately for him and his troops, the Autobots assigned to their posts are alerted to their presence and open fire.

The battle goes on with so many Autobot reinforcements going down in flames as the ten Decepticon Seekers take them out.

After making their way to the central room, Roughstuff exclaims, "Nothing will stop me! Blast those locks!"

Squeezefight and Wildface blast the locks to force the gate to open.

In the downstairs portion of the central room, the Decepticon Seekers have reached the control panel for the Energon battery portion of the Energon Bridge.

Roughstuff remarks, "All right... this station seems to funnel power directly to the Energon Bridge."

Tipnose states while pointing at a control console, "Those are the Energon Bridge's power control panels, sir."

Roughstuff activates the console and another console opens up behind him, right where Energon batteries are behind a transparent window.

The machinery in the room activates as Silvercruncher remarks, "Wow, Roughstuff. THAT was impressive."

Roughstuff rebukes him and says, "Silence, fool! We need to supply these side terminals with their Energon power cells."

Tipnose activates the console, but nothing happens.

Tipnose observes the situation and reveals, "Looks like the Autobots have locked these power cells down."

Roughstuff snarls, "Quickly, destroy the locks!"

The nine Decepticons under Roughstuff's command fire on the locks in unison, completely obliterating them.

Roughstuff activates the console, only to activate an energy barrier booby trap that's completely destroying the Energon power cells.

Silvercruncher asks, "What happened now?"

Roughstuff sneers, "The Autobots have booby-trapped this room! FOOLS!"

Silvercruncher asks confusedly, "Wait, are you calling us fools or the Autobots fools? Because I'm not getting the sense that you respect me."

Roughstuff shouts, "Silence! Fool!"

To his frustration, Silvercruncher retorts, "That's EXACTLY what I'm talking about!"

Tipnose destroys the first power cell for the booby trap.

Roughstuff remarks, "This is almost too easy. Quickly, find the other power terminals."

Silvercruncher destroys the second power terminal.

Roughstuff states, "Excellent. Now keep looking; there should be just one more."

Sky Rod destroys the final terminal.

Tipnose states his diagnosis, "Energy barriers are one hundred percent offline."

Roughstuff replies, "Perfect! Now, get these power cells into position!"

Tipnose does the honors and the Energon power cells get into position without any further hindrances.

Tipnose says next to point out, "The side terminals are showing power levels at maximum."

Roughstuff cackles again, "Hahahahaha! We are but one click away from activating the full power of the Energon Bridge!"

Roughstuff activates the first console again and the power levels for the Energon Bridge light up to show that they're definitely working.

The gate opens at the same time as Roughstuff remarks, "I did it! Look at all that power flowing! Onward, Decepticons!"

Roughstuff and his troops transform to their jet modes and they follow the power tubes to the main Energon Bridge control panel.

Tipnose remarks, "I am detecting an unknown energy signature nearby, and it's off the scale!"

Roughstuff theorizes, "Then that means we are getting closer. The Energon Bridge must be nearby."

They make it to the actual Energon Bridge and Roughstuff says, "The device must be inside that machine. Plant a Dark Energon Detpack on its power cable to activate it."

Tipnose starts to say, "My scans indicate that—"

But he doesn't get to finish as Roughstuff ignorantly interrupts him with, "I've had enough of your readings! Use Dark Energon and corrupt the machine!"

Tipnose obediently does as he's told, but that only results in the activation of the Energon Bridge Guardian.

Silvercruncher asks, "Whoa! What's happening?!"

Tipnose replies, "Precisely what I was afraid of and precisely what I was trying to explain: Cybertron itself is trying to purge itself of ANY form of contamination."

Silvercruncher asks, "What contamination?"

Sky Rod and Wildface reply in unison, "He means US, you idiot!" "He means US, you idiot!"

The Guardian tries to fire on the Decepticon Seekers, only to miss.

And to make things worse for Roughstuff's temper, Grindframe and his away team finally pop up and lend the Energon Bridge Guardian a hand.

But because of the sheer numbers combined with the might of the Guardian, the ten Decepticon Seekers literally create physical clones of themselves amounting to ten million clones to even the odds.

Roughstuff snarls, "Quit blabbing and destroy these nuisances!"

Roughsight and his new army fight both Grindframe's away team and the Energon Bridge Guardian.

Despite the Energon Bridge Guardian switching between two different attacks coupled with the sheer numbers of the away team sent to help the Guardian, the machine itself opens its core to cool down so as to not overheat. But that leaves it vulnerable to gunfire and missiles being launched at it.

Halfway into the fight, Megatron calls Roughstuff again and asks, "Roughstuff, what is taking so long?!"

Roughstuff answers vaguely, "Just a slight delay that we're almost finished dealing with."

Megatron remarks, "I'm beginning to question your ability to deliver, Roughstuff. Do not disappoint me!"

After the nine hundred thousand, four hundred and seventeen Autobots are soundly beaten, Corvowing Prime appears alongside the repaired Autobots Roughstuff and his troops defeated.

Corvowing calls out, "Autobots, retreat! This battle has been lost!"

Corvowing teleports the entire Autobot away team/armada and himself back to Autobot Headquarters just as the Energon Bridge Guardian crumbles to pieces due to its core being destroyed.

As the Dark Energon in the Energon pools take hold, Silvercruncher calls out, "Wait! Something's happening!"

Roughstuff exclaims, "YES! It's crumbling before the MIGHT of ROUGHSTUFF! To the surface, Decepticons!"

The ten million and ten Decepticons evacuate to the surface in their jet modes as fast as their thrusters can take them.

As the Dark Energon spreads, more and more mechanized tentacles connect to several points to ensure that the corrupted Energon Bridge is functioning flawlessly.

Silvercruncher remarks, "The machine is out of control!"

Roughstuff theorizes, "It must be a side effect of the Dark Energon!"

The numerous Decepticons make it to the surface with nary a scratch or dent on their armors.

On the surface, the Energon Bridge War Machine gets ready for its intended purpose of beaming Energon to Trypticon Orbital Station as Silvercruncher exclaims, "We've done it! The Energon Bridge is activating!"

Tipnose remarks, "Incredible. The Energon Bridge is active once more."

Roughstuff shouts, "Quiet! You're ruining my moment of glory! Soon, my orbital station will be at full power!"

Megatron states over the commlink, "YOUR orbital station, Roughstuff? Surely you mean MINE. I see you have finally succeeded in the simple task I gave you. Perhaps you're not as worthless as I thought. Report back to base – at once!"

The Dark Energon beam piggybacks on several Energon transportation pods to the space station, where it fills up the manufacturing part of the station, thereby creating an infinite supply of Dark Energon.

Soundwave says to his lord and master, "All systems online. Dark Energon manufacturing at optimal efficiency."

Megatron states while looking over a handheld hologram of Cybertron, "Now I can introduce Dark Energon into the planet's core, and as it spreads throughout Cybertron, my power shall travel with it!"

Soundwave points out, "The entrance to Cybertron's core is heavily shielded behind the Omega Gate."

Megatron replies, "Then I will acquire the Omega Key. We launch a full-scale assault on Iacon IMMEDIATELY. And wipe Zeta Prime, Optimus Prime, Corvowing Prime and all of their pathetic Autobots off the face plate of the planet!"

Megatron crushes the Cybertron hologram to signify his seriousness.

(Iacon, Autobot Headquarters...)

Corvowing Prime said to his second away team leader over the commlink, "Skyscrap, the Decepticons will be launching a full-scale assault on Iacon soon. I want you and your away team to coordinate the defenses. Part of it involves making the anti-aircraft guns immune to Dark Energon. Can you do that with the materials I can provide?"

Skyscrap replies, "Yes sir!"

Corvowing ends the commlink connection and mutters to himself, "Soon, Megatron. Soon, you will realize the consequences of your actions. Soon, you will realize that I am your worst nightmare. I won't allow you to poison Primus."

The End.

(Author's notes: In the next chapter, Iacon Destroyed, Corvowing Prime will be putting part of his foreknowledge to good use. But will he be successful? We'll find out soon.

See you in chapter 3: Iacon Destroyed.)