Transformers Prime: Macross Rising

by angelum-tenebrarum

Adopted from Knightmare Gundam of Ni. Six years after the devastating Unification War, three years after the Autobots' arrival on Earth, Jack Darby falls victim to horrible chance just after his victory in restoring Optimus Prime with the Key to Vector Sigma. Now, the mysterious SMS enters the Cybertronian War, armed with fifteen-year-old secrets and a mysterious war machine.

6. Falling inside the Black

Autobot HQ, Nevada
August 12, 2014 1414 hours

"So, wait." Miko held her hands up. "Jack is a now a super awesome, transforming, 'con-kicking mech?"

"Uhh… I… guess?" Lang said, confused.

It has been a few hours since Captain Gloval explained the situation to the Autobots. Soon after Bulkhead and Bumblebee had picked up their respective human partners from school. Gloval and Lang had given them a rendition of the situation. It was shorter and much simpler as they could make it. Out of the possible reactions and outcomes including that of Arcee's, the confusion and surprise was the one they were hoping for. So, in Gloval's mind they're taking this whole thing rather well.

"If Jack's alive then shouldn't we tell his mom?" Raf asked.

Optimus shook his head. "Unfortunately not, Raf. Her reaction would be much worse would be worse than Arcee's."

Wheeljack barked out a short sarcastic laugh.

Gloval placed a comforting hand on the young boy's shoulder. "Besides, she would take it better if Jack had his memories back."

"I guess." Raf mumbled.

Fowler leaned on the railing. "Speaking of which, where is Jack, urr, Phoenix?"

Lang looked at his watch. "He should be here any minute, especially at those speeds."

The captain looked towards the open hanger door where Arcee's shoulder peeked out from the edge. Ever since the Raf and Miko were picked up, she's been out there, leaning against the wall and scanning the skies. On their way over, Lang had told Gloval a theory that he didn't believe at first. Lang had thought that Phoenix reacted so strongly to Arcee is because his feelings for her are stronger than friends. Looking at Arcee now, Gloval thinks those feelings are mutual if unrealized.

"Captain Gloval." Optimus called. "May I have a word in private?"

"Of course, I have my own word to speak of." The Naval Officer stepped down the stairs while the prime transformed into his new truck form.

Once he was down the stairs, Gloval climbed inside Optimus on the passenger side. The two of them drove off and pulled onto the road that surrounded the base. Optimus circled around the base a few times. After the third or fourth cycle, Gloval turned on the radio to some random country station. It was loud enough that anyone listening from the outside wouldn't be able to hear a thing but Optimus and Gloval would be able to talk to each other.

"That's unnecessary, Captain Gloval." Optimus stated.

The human pulled down his hat. "Forgive me but one doesn't get this far in any military without being careful."

"That is understandable."

Gloval pulled out his tobacco and pipe. "I'm willing to bet that the words we have to share are the same."

Optimus confirmed, "Arcee and Phoenix."

"Yes." Once the pipe was filled with tobacco, it was lit. "We have both seen how they react to each other. I worry there might be later instances."

"It seems our fears are the same," Agreed the Autobot leader. "But what should we do to prevent such possible instances?"

The human leader blew out some smoke in thought. "We could keep them on separate teams and missions to divert their attention from each other or keep them on the same team and keep their attention focused on each other to the point of inattention."

Optimus hummed. "The former could cause one of them to disobey orders and hurry to the others aid, like what happened at Darkmount. The latter could have the same results but if they are constantly seeing each other, they'll have visual confirmation that they're safe and focus on the mission. I choose the latter."

"I see." He puffed some more of his narcotic. "My only concern is that the two of them have a bond and it could accelerate his receovery past the safety point. However it does seem the best option. We'll have to set up escorts to make sure things won't go awry. I may have a few suggestions…"

The country music on the radio was replaced with Japanese rock as a V-formation of familiar jets flew over-head.

"Jibun wo sekai sae mo kaete shimaesou na"

"Shunkan ha itsumo sugu soba ni"

"… to be discussed later. They're here." Gloval finished as shook the ashes of the pipe out the window. Optimus turned around and headed back to the base.

Arcee watched as fighter after fighter landed at the base, each identical to Phoenix in all but paint scheme. Finally, she saw a fighter that matched Phoenix but it didn't land. She was confused until the last fighter came in for a landing but instead transformed directly to battleloid. By pure coincidence or maybe purpose, the mech stopped in front of Arcee. Judging by the design of his head, this is Phoenix. He had exchanged his red with orange with a phoenix decal on his chest.

"I like the new look." Arcee commented casually, crossing her arms.

He shrugged and thumbed to the jet that shared his old paint job. "On the way over, we had some confusion between me and Rick."

The femme nodded. "I can imagine."

Optimus Prime pulled up nearby and let Gloval out.

Phoenix took notice and called out. "Attention!"

All the SMS pilots including Phoenix stepped into a line, facing the officer and saluted. The music that was playing in the background cut out. Arcee raised an eyebrow. The speed at which the pilots had come to attention was impressive. Even if, she found the whole thing quite unnecessary but every society had its customs. Just the other day, Wheeljack was telling her how on his travels he had encountered that juggled baby birds that were like geese, goslings that's what they were.

"At ease." Gloval said as he returned the salute.

Immediately, the humans returned to assisting the runway crews taxi the planes into the warehouses

Phoenix turned back to Arcee. "Sorry. SOP."

"It's fine." She replied in understanding.

"So…" Phoenix scratched his head. "About the other day. I'm sorry if I caused you any anguish."

Arcee's spark sank. Here was the hard part. Speaking about Jack like he's dead, when the mech in front of her was Jack.

Arcee choked on the words as she spoke them. "No, it's fine. Your voice reminded me of someone that I knew."

Optimus suggested to everyone, "Let's head inside to start introductions."

Arcee and Phoenix followed the two commanders inside. The motorcycle 'bot was finally able to get a good judge on how tall Phoenix was. The white mech was a little taller than Optimus prime. As soon as the three machines made it inside, Miko ran up to Phoenix.

"Dude, Do you even know how rad you are?" The Japanese girl shouted. "You can transform into an F-14. The best jet. The way you took down the Predacon… AWESOME! And the music! FREAKING GREAT" She finished calmly.

Phoenix looked down at the teen and had a vague itch of familiarity beyond the file he read but dismissed. "Thank you, I guess. You must be Miko."

"Damn right, I am." She answered.

"Miko, language." Bulkhead chided.

"Sorry, sorry." She restated. "Darn right I am.

Raf walked up next to the girl. "My names Raf. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, too"

Gloval cleared his throat from his position on the platform.

"We'll have to talk later." Phoenix suggested.

"That's cool." The boy replied. "Later

"Yeah!" The rock enthusiast shouted excitedly. "Maybe we can go out for a joyride."

"I don't think that'll be a good idea." Phoenix chuckle.

She crossed her arms in annoyance and muttered. "You really are like Jack, no fun."

Gloval spoke when entered the warehous. "Where's Lieutenant Fokker and Lieutenant Hunter?"

"They're scouting out the area, looking for a good F.O.B. setup as ordered."

Arcee crossed her arms. "Why do you need a Forward Operating Base?"

Gloval looked to Optimus.

The Autobot stepped forward. "I am accepting the Captain's offer of our two forces."

"But Optimus," Ratchet questioned. "Weren't you against the humans getting involved in our war with the Decepticons?"

"Indeed, I was, but that was before the humans had the capacity to fight on out scale."

Gloval explained. "This task force will be independent of the SMS and will be under the joint command of Optimus and I. It'll be called the Robotech Defense Force or the RDF."

Ultra Magnus spoke up. "We know what we can bring to this alliance but what do you have to offer?"

Gloval smirked. "Fourteen Veritech fighters piloted by out top aces. Over eighty F-35E's with two hundred Destroids of varying classes. More are being built daily. Including several battalions of specially trained marines, equipped with appropriate weapons."

Wheel jack clapped. "Now, that's impressive."

The comms center started beeping.

Ratchet turned his attention back to his station and pressed a few keys. "I'm detecting Decepticon movement. Looks like a mining op."

Optimus nodded. "Open a Groundbridge. I'm going to intercept."

Gloval suggested, "Would you mind taking Lieutenant Fokker? It'll help him train the other on how you operations work."

"I would not mind."

Gloval walked down the steps to notify said lieutenant.

Decepticon warship Nemesis
August 12, 2014 1445 hours

"Oh, will my torment never end?" Starscream started pacing and moaned in agony. "First, I had to vie for Megatron's favor against that treacherous harpy, Arachnid. Now, I must contend with Shockwave and his incorrigible beast!"

"Oh, look on the bright side, Starscream, at least one of them is currently on ice, locked up tight in the vault of our warship." Knock Out comforted.

"How I would love to stuff Shockwave and his mangy abomination in that stasis pod beside her." The jet 'con walked to the side of Knock out. "The only reason his 'Project Predacon' is in full swing is because I supervised the acquisition of his dozens of bones."

The Breakdown/Cylas hybrid built by MECH who was strapped to the lab table started groaning in agony.

"Will you please keep your lab rat quiet while I'm airing my grievances?" Complained the second-in-command.

"Starscream, help me." The cyborg begged.

Starscream chuckled. "My, my, my, whatever have you been inflicting on poor Cylas?"

"Anything that merits the need for a living petri dish." Said the vain Decepticon as he held up an injector filled with Synth-En.

Knock Out injected Cylas with the liquid energy and his eyes turned green. His groans of pain turned to screams of rage.

"Starscream! I hoped you replaced your T-cog because I'm gonna tear it out!" Threated the cyborg.

"Why are you turning him into a psychopath?" The second-in-command cringed.

"I'm testing the Autobot formula for Synth-En. So far, we've hit a few… wrinkles."

Starscream hummed. "Is there any chance you can use the Synth-En as a… Super Soldier serum?"

Knock Out smirked. "In order to have the chance to outshine Shockwave? Sign me up. However, I'll need something to actually him 'super'."

Starscream let a sinister grin spread across his face. "I'll be right back."

True to his word, for once, he came right back. In his right arm he carried a cube of Red Energon.

Knock Out stared in disbelief. "Where did you get that?"

"I kept a container of it, if the need should ever arise." He responded.

"Has a need arisen?"

"It most certainly has." Starscream set the box on the table and headed for the door. "Work on the serum. I'll go make our… 'sales pitch' as the humans call it."

Sonoran Desert
August 12, 2014 1501 hours

Lieutenant Fokker and Optimus Prime flew in formation. Optimus saw a cave down below and pointed to it. Roy nodded and followed prime into a dive. Roy entered battleloid mode and the two of them landed outside the cave. They looked at the entrance that barely reached the Autobots's waist. Optimus could fit in his vehicle mode, but Roy couldn't. He didn't have enough control to try to taxi his fighter down a cave.

Optimus hummed in thought.

"That might be an issue." Roy remarked.

Optimus looked up at the cliff. "What are the chances of the cave having a fissure in the ceiling that you can slip through?"

"I'm no geologist but if the cave gets large enough then maybe." Roy theorized.

The prime transformed. "Lieutenant Roy, I want you to track my movements and follow overhead. If you find such a fissure, slip through and join me."

The auto bot drove inside while the RDF pilot returned to the skies. As Optimus drove on, the cave slowly began to increase in size. The cave twisted and winded and went every direction possible. Eventually he found the dig site, where five Insecticons and ten Vehicons were present. One of the Vehicons were manning the drill. Above on the ceiling was the exact kind of fissure they were looking for.

Optimus stopped and turned on his high beams. "Abandon the excavation. Now."

"Attack!" Commanded an Insecticon.

Two of the five Insecticons followed by five Vehicons charged Prime and Optimus returned the charge. He counteracted with a pair of missiles, one took out the Vehicons while the other blew apart an Insecticon. Optimus transformed and performed an uppercut on the last charging 'con. Optimus continued his charge, dragging the Insecticon against the ceiling. Optimus let the 'con drop and used his internal blaster on his other to blow a hole through his chest.

The other eight Decepticons readied their blasters to fire but was interrupted when Fokker dropped through the fissure and crushed two Vehicons in battleloid mode. The third Vehicon turned around to fire at the RDF pilot. Roy ducked under the Energon blast and sent a burst from his Gunpod into the 'cons head. As it fell, an Insecticon kicked Roy into the wall. Optimus came in and slugged the 'con. Roy got up and slid out his HF-blade, stabbing the downed Insecticon. Optimus activated his internal blaster and obliterated two more Vehicons. Roy retracted his blade and brought his carbine to bear, unloading on the remaining Vehicons. The last Insecticon panicked, grabbed something out of the hole that was drilled, transformed and took off.

"Do we follow?" Roy asked.

"No." Optimus turned to the newly-drilled hole and pulled out a large fossilized Predacon bone. "This takes priority."

Autobot HQ, Nevada
August 12, 2014 1539 hours

For the first time in a long time, Arcee was laughing. She was with the SMS, no, the RDF pilots. Bulkhead and Wheeljack were with her. They had exchanged greetings, names, and now stories. The Wreckers and Skull Squadron got along just as much as water and plants do. So, it was natural some stories were getting tossed around.

"'Old sourpuss?" She managed to get out between laughs.

One of the pilots nodded, Jason, nodded. "Her face…priceless!"

The laughter increased while Rick blushed.

"Wreckers, Arcee, Phoenix." Ultra Magnus walked in. "Optimus has returned. It seems the Decepticons are on the hunt for Predacon bones."

"What's the value in fossils?" Bulkhead asked.

"Unknown," Magnus replied. "But we're going on an interception run."

Wheeljack groaned as he, his fellow wrecker, and the femme mobilized.

Phoenix saluted. "I'll be right there, sir. Need time to get loaded up."

Magnus nodded. "Understood, be ready in ten."

"Yes, sir."

NEW PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:
-INVESTIGATE DIG SITE
-ELIMINATE ALL DECEPTICONS IN AREA
-RETREIVE PREDACON FOSSIL

LOADOUT: STANDARD AIR-TO-AIR COMBAT
1 X ENERGON CARBINE/3,200 AHEAD ROUNDS/2 X SPARE CARBINE MAGAZINES

12 X SEMRAAM MISSILES
24 X SESRAAM MISSILES

2 X FAST PACK

Decepticon warship Nemesis
August 15, 2015 1545 hours

Starscream stormed out of the bridge where, just now, Megatron blew him off. He couldn't even get the gladiator's attention. The glorious leader was paying attention to Shockwave ramble on about his beloved predacon's. Things were so much easier when he was the only second-in-command around.

Knock Out was leaning against the wall outside the door. "So… how'd our sales pitch go?"

'Scream growled. "We may move on without our commander's permission. How's the progress on our serum?"

The two of them started walking to the lab.

Knock Out smirked. "It was simpler than I thought, and I had a particular feeling that Megatron wouldn't give us the permission we needed, so I already injected him."

"Good, any results so far?"

"Some. Not all… positive." Knock Out opened the door to the lab that they had just reached.

On the lab table inside, Cylas was screaming his lungs out in the metaphorical sense. Maybe the literal sense as he roared out death threats and promises of torture. The cries echoed throughout the ship, attracting the attention of passing Vehicon troops. Acting to avoid any more unwanted attraction, Starscream shoved Knock Out inside. Starscream followed, shutting the door behind him. The two walked to Cylas.

"Despite your distinct lack of remorse for the human side, don't you feel regret about having Breakdown suffer your scientific endeavors?" Starscream questioned.

"Not really." The red 'con shrugged. "Cylas once had poor Breakdown strapped to his lab table. My old partner would love to be a part."

Cylas shouted. "I will make you suffer in ways you will not believe."

The second-in-command growled. "He's completely useless. We already have one wild beast roaming around what's the point of a second?"

Knock Out nodded. "Control's not our only issue."

As if to prove Knock Out's point, Cylas let out one last anger-filled scream before powering down.

"The Synthetic Energon quickly burned through his natural reserves before, now he can barely last half a cycle without a transfusion." Explained the mad scientist.

Starscream scratched his chin in thought. "Wait, what did you say?"

"About his natural reserves? Well…"

Starscream shook his head. "No, no, no, before that."

"That we can't control him?"

"Maybe we can."

Once again Starscream left and this time he came back with a cube of dark Energon.

"Dark Energon?!" Shouted Knock Out. "I knew you were insane but this? Don't you remember what happened when we injected our ship with the stuff?"

"That was the result of a large transfusion." Starscream made a 'small' gesture. "I'm only asking for a small one, enough to give our glorious leader command over our super soldier."

Knock out walked over and snatched the cube out of Starscream's hand. "While I do admit that Megatron seems to have control over anything infected with the so called 'blood of Unicron', but you do realize that I report directly to Shockwave."

"No!" Snapped Starscream. "Super soldiers are part of military operations thus you report to me."

Knock Out sighed. "For the record, I was against this."

"Duly noted."

Knock Out filled an ejector with the violet liquid energy. Walking over to Cylas' side, he looked to Starscream for confirmation that was given with a slight nod. The red 'con reluctantly injected the cyborg. At first nothing happened, only silence rang through the room. Suddenly, Cylas' eyes turned a sickly yellow and started thrashing around. He pulled at his restraints while unleashing another round of horrifying screams.

"It's alive!" Announced Knock Out.

The moment of celebration was ruined as the subject ripped free of his bindings. The two 'cons backed up towards the door as Cylas got off the table and shuffled towards them. Starscream activated his null ray blasters and Knock Out whipped out his sawblades. Both of them were ready to turn the human-cybertronian half breed into nothing more than a pile of scrap metal. However, they were stupefied when Cylas collapsed on one knee and shut down. The Cybertronians cautiously stepped forward.

"What happened?" Starscream questioned.

Knock Out answered, "It's the serum, I told you. It burns through his natural reserves at an accelerated rate."

Starscream shivered. "I think it'd be best if we avoid any transfu… AHH!"

The reason why Starscream screamed like a human child was because Cylas pounced and pinned the 'con to the ground. The cyborg's mouth had mutated. Now, his jaw had split into mandibles and a long snake-like tongue. It snapped at Starscream's head. The Second-in-Command dodged as much as he could in his position. Knock Out grabbed a nearby Shock Stick and jammed into the Terrorcon's back. It screeched in pain and ran full tilt into the door. The door was torn right out of its frame and the mutation run down the hall at unprecedented speeds. Soon, it had disappeared from sight.

Starscream shot up. "Did it just…?"

"…try to suck out your Energon with that thing? Sure seems that way." Knock Out finished.

"We have to destroy it!" The car 'con cried out. "If Megatron finds out, we'll be fed to the Predacon!"

"There's nothing to worry about." The second-in-command assured

Knock Out looked confused.

"Use your head." Starscream tapped his helm. "This warship is crawling with highly trained Vehicon troopers, armed for combat. The moment Cylas tries to feed, they will neutralize him for us. Problem solved."

A Vehicon trooper walked down the hallway on patrol. The day's been relatively quiet, though he heard a loud crash earlier. He was told to ignore it as Knock Out was at his experiments again. So, the Vehicon walked on, oblivious to the danger that waited him at the next junction. The Terrorcon hid behind the wall and waited until the Vehicon was within range. It grabbed the unfortunate Decepticon and pulled him off to the side. The Vehicon screamed for help as his Energon was devoured by the abomination above him.

Once the Terrorcon finished his first kill, it got up and walked away. The aberration didn't get too far before it fell to the floor. It started to writhe and howl in agony as its body started to mutate. The smooth, boxy design was replaced a spiky, animalistic look. Its legs morphed into that of a wolf's, then its head stretched out to a point. When it shrieked, the head spilt into a beak and two jaws, inside were rows of teeth and the same snake-like tongue from before. The newly mutated Terrorcon got back up and continued its hunt for Energon. Meanwhile the once Vehicon, now Terrorcon got up and begun to find its first kill.

Hebrides Bluffs ,Scotland
August 12 2015 1601 hours

Phoenix landed beside Ultra Magnus's ship, in which his friends led him to the dig site where the Decepticons were looking for Predacon bones. It was finally happening. Today was the day where he would finally fight side-by-side with Arcee. He's seen the videos; he knows how she fights but seeing it on a screen and seeing it in person are two different things. Besides, he kinda has a thing for showing off and now was the ultimate chance to show off, to both his superiors and Arcee. Phoenix transformed to battleloid mode as the ships ramp lowered rest of Team Magnus.

"All right, soldiers." Ultra Magnus announced as he adjusted the position of the Forge of Solus Prime that sat on his back. It was out of power and thus useless in regards to it's original intention so both he and Prime believed it would useful in the field. "According to our intel, the Decepticons should be excavating for Predacon bones directly beneath us."

"On it chief." Wheeljack took off towards the cliff nearby.

"There he goes, again." Arcee commented.

"Is he always like that?" Phoenix asked.

Arcee replied. "Pretty much, yeah."

"Does Wheeljack not comprehend the chain of command? I didn't authorize him to advance without the proper cover." queried an angered officer.

Bulkhead fumbled an excuse. "I'm sure Jackie's just trying to prove himself now that you and he are working together again, sir."

"Yee-ha!" Came Wheeljack's untimely shout.

Ultra Magnus frowned and gestured for Arcee and Phoenix to cover Wheeljack from the top of the cliff and ordered Bulkhead to follow his partner. Arcee and Phoenix took positions at the top of the cliff at opposite side of the wreckers who were climbing down the cliff. Magnus waited above hammer at the ready.

The wreckers got into a discussion about something, Phoenix couldn't hear them. Everyone slipped into still silence as a Vehicon walked out of a cave below. The Autobots had hoped to stay undetected but falling rocks caused by Bulkhead's foot alerted the 'con. He looked up only to see Wheeljack descend with his katanas drawn. The Vehicon's head rolled on the ground as his body fell. Wheeljack saluted the second-in-command who wore a disapproving look on his face. Suddenly, a massive group of Vehicons poured out of the cave.

"Scrap." The entire group swore.

Wheeljack slid his faceplate into place and charged the onslaught of Vehicon troopers. Phoenix thought the guy was nuts, there must be over thirty 'cons. Wheeljack stabbed one the chest while he slashed another across the chest. Bulkhead dropped down, crushing one into the size of a pancake. He blasted two in the chest. Wheeljack roundhouse kicked another, sending him sprawling on the ground. The 'con feebly attempted to get up only to be crushed by the 'forge of solus prime' brought down by the hands of Ultra Magnus from the top of the cliff.

"this will be the day we've been waiting for"

"this will be the day we open up the door"

Phoenix dropped in, firing his gun-pod, and killing three different 'cons. Arcee dropped on another and snapped his neck. She rolled off his body as it fell and fired her blaster into the head of the next. Phoenix stabbed a second 'con and threw him at a charging group knocking them over. Bulkhead picked a Vehicon and tossed him towards Wheeljack who parted the Decepticon at the middle. As if on instinct Arcee and Phoenix went back-to-back. Both of them holstered their blasters and activated their blades as group of five Vehicons charged them.

Phoenix blocked a swipe from one and severed its arm. As the 'con clutched its arm in agony Arcee came around and decapitated him. Arcee jumped in the air as Phoenix spun low and swiped out the legs of three distracted Vehicons. While in midair Arcee fired her blasters into the sparks of the downed 'cons. The last 'con watched as Arcee grabbed his head with her feet and twist it off. Ultra Magnus swung the massive hammer in wide side arc crushing three more. Wheeljack entered a flurry of blades attacks that downed six more. Using a mixture of blaster fire and mace attacks Bulkhead defeated the last of them. As the action died down, so did the music.

"Well," Phoenix needlessly dusted his hands. "That was a thing."

"I'll say." Wheeljack agreed as he slid back his faceplate.

"That's why we wait for cover." Magnus criticized.

A metallic knocking come from Wheeljack.

"Ah, bolts." He grimaced as an opening formed on his chest.

Miko crawled out gasping for air and looking a little green. Bulkhead looked around nervously while Arcee face palmed.

Wheeljack carried Miko over to a nearby boulder. "Forgot you were in there, kid."

Miko gasped. "At least I didn't heave on any formats." Speaking too early, the boulder was colored in vomit.

Magnus stormed over and got in Wheeljack's face. "And what could've possible compelled you to bring the native?"

The demolitions expert stared off into space.

"Are your circuits impaired, soldier?" Magnus asked expectantly.

Shook out of his thoughts Wheeljack explained. "Prime told you to lead the Wreckers on this one. I assumed he meant all of 'em."

Magnus scowled. "Are you mocking your commanding officer?"

"Wouldn't think of it, sir. The kid's a full-blown wrecker. Isn't that right, Bulkhead?"

"Well…" The massive bot stammered.

"Look. She may be small, but she saved my tail pipe. Snuffed an Insecticon all on her own." Wheeljack continued to defend the human girl.

"Outside standard protocol, no doubt." Countered the second-in-command.

Arcee stepped in. "I can vouch for her, sir. She's able to keep calm even in the most dangerous of situations."

Miko clarified, "The point is, sir. I can take care of myself."

Phoenix didn't hear the conversation, as the entire world seemed to black-out.

Miko ran out into the open to take a picture of the 'con.

"Not of that! of that!" He shouted as he pointed at the cybertonian computer.

Miko nodded and took a photo of the right object then dodged a Decepticon foot. He grabbed Raf and the three of them made a break for the massive door.

"Phoenix. Phoenix!" Arcee shouted.

Slowly his optical sensors reactivated revealing to him that he had fell to the ground. The Autobots were standing ever him worried while Miko watched from her boulder.

"What happened?" Phoenix asked groggily.

"Don't know. You just… hunched over." Bulkhead notified.

Magnus helped steady the RDF Mech. "Are you fit for combat, soldier?"

RUNNING DIAGNOSTIC…

TESTING NEURO-CIRCUITRY …
UNCHANGED

TESTING NEURO-PATHWAYS…
DAMAGE DETECTED

TESTING COMBAT PROGRAMS…
UNCHANGED

TESTING PSYCOLOGICAL STATUS…
DETECTING SIGNS OF DURESS

REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO DR. LANG FOR REPAIRS

"Ready to kick 'con a… err… tailpipe, sir." Phoenix replied, almost saying something Miko really shouldn't hear.

'She's easily influential. The last thing we need is her cussing more than she already is.'

Magnus nodded. "Prepare to move out. Miko, I have something to ask of you."

Magnus stepped over to the boulder where Miko stood. They started whispering about something. Phoenix couldn't hear them nor did he want to. What they talk about is their own business.

Nemesis
August 12, 2014 1604 hours

Megatron walked down the corridors searching for that worthless pile of scrap known as Starscream. Not so long ago, the Decepticon commander had felt the 'blood of Unicron' that resided within him start pulsing. Deduced from past experiences, Megatron automatically suspects his own second-in-command. If he learns that Starscream has been getting into his own personal stores of dark Energon, he punish the coward. However, that is not the only reason why he seeks Starscream.

Megatron had been told that Autobots are attacking their excavations. He had already sent Soundwave and Shockwave to intercept one. Now, he planned to have Starscream take their newly recovered Predacon to the other site and intercept them. Megatron contemplated going himself as reports say that the machine that helped defeat him was there. However, 'Project Predacon' takes precedence. Hopefully between the Predacon and Starscream, that human machine will be destroyed. With the tight confines of the cave, it won't be able to perform fancy maneuvers this time.

'Where is that coward?' Thought Megatron.

As if on cue Starscream slammed into him, as well as Knock out.

"Would either of you like to tell me what exactly is going on?" Demanded Lord Megatron.

"Yes. Absolutely nothing, my liege." Starscream lied, horribly.

Knock Out feebly attempted to add on, "All is quiet. Too quiet. One could even say dull."

"Funny, because the dark Energon within my spark has been pulsing." Megatron blew through any lie they could come up with.

"Allow me to handle this." Starscream assured Knock Out… "It's Knock Out's fault!" … falsely.

Knock Out was late to realize what had just happened. "Precisely, my…what?!"

Starscream continued to spin his web of half-truths and false accusations. "He infused Cylas with a cocktail of Synthetic, Red and Dark Energon, creating a monstrous mutation which is now on the verge of turning our entire crew into mindless, Energon-sucking Terrorcon's!"

Megatron looked at him skeptically. "I do not what from what madness your yarns spring, Starscream, but if I learn that you have been dabbling with my Dark Energon stores again, attempting to infuse yourself with its formidable power…"

Starscream stared quaking in fear and pointed to a creeping Vehicon-turned-Terrorcon behind megatron. "Uh, my liege…"

Megatron ignored him. "Let me just say, you have been awarded more chances for redemption than anyone in Decepticon history!"

A growl finally alerted the cybertronian gladiator to the danger behind him, even though he was unaware of what it really was.

The Decepticon leader turned to face it. "You there, what are you doing? I order you, stand down."

The Terrorcon's mouth mutated the same way Cylas' did before it leapt at Megatron. Big mistake. The Terrorcon was only cleaved in half by Megatron's internal blade. Relief spread through the cowards behind the lord. It was short spent as the creature started moving again. Megatron looked at it with scorn and blasted it to pieces.

Starscream shrugged. "We did try to warn you."

Megatron turned around and faced those masterminds behind this whole mess. "It would seem that you might be speaking the truth… for once. However, this works in our favor. With this virus plaguing out ship, we do not need our precious asset infected also."

Starscream groaned. "Of course, my liege."

"Autobots have attacked our excavations. I need you to take the Predacon to our Scotland site. Let's see if it's as adept at hunting bones as it is returning home. Afterwards we'll discuss your punishment."

Starscream cringed. "Yes, my lord. Anything you say."

He took off towards the flight deck.

Megatron looked to Knock Out. "You. Find the abomination you created."

"As you wish, my lord." Knock Out turned and ran.

The Terrorcon stalked the halls of the warship, seeking its next victim. It has already devoured over a dozen Vehicons, even managed to claim the life of an Insecticon. It sensed an Energon presence nearby, the mechanical life force seemed to pulse sluggishly. It had also felt familiar, it's curiosity lead the creature to the Energon source. The Terrorcon would find out why it seems so familiar then it would devour. That was its sole purpose, to live, and to live is to devour others.

The Terrorcon walked up to a locked door, beyond this door is where the signature resided. It punched the lock, obliterating the device and the doors freely slid open. The abomination walked inside. The room had several things locked up in glass, including a massive sword and a brass knuckle shaped weapon, among other thing. In one of the glass containers a large egg-like object resided. The Energon signature came from inside the egg.

The Terrorcon threw itself against the glass. "Energon."

Hebrides Bluffs, Scotland
August 12, 2014 1632 hours

Team Magnus walked down the cave drilled by the Decepticons. Arcee felt like it's been hours since they began this search, but she knows it hasn't been that long. As important as the search is it might as well be like looking for a needle in a haystack. There's no telling how long this tunnel stretches on. The bone could of any part of a Predacon and considering that Predacons were as racially diverse as dinosaurs there's no telling how it looks. For all they know, they might've already passed it.

'Stop thinking like this.' Arcee criticized.

To divert herself from negative thoughts she struck up a conversation with Phoenix who she walked with at the back of the group. "Tell me something. What's with the music?"

Phoenix looked back at her. "Well. There's multiple things to it. Primarily, it acts like a coms jammer. All communication within a two mile radius is clogged up with music. No one's sending nor receiving."

"Not bad, but why music? Wouldn't it be simpler to just jam the coms?" Arcee asked.

Phoenix chuckled. "I didn't have a name at first. All I had was the designation 'VF-0'. However, for the first… god, I don't know how long it was, but I was given the nickname EDI."

"EDI?"

"It's the name of a AI controlled fighter in a movie." He explained.

"Inventive." She quirked her eyebrows .

"They're pilots not poets." He quipped. "See, my entire consciousness is stored in a device called the 'Cranium', kinda like in the movie. After a few weeks, I started playing music when running the simulations. It was the first real sign that there was something more in there than hardware. Eventually I started going by 'Phoenix' but Protocol EDI stuck, so did the nickname." He said that last part with irritation.

"Ah." Arcee nodded before saying. "So, I noticed you and Skull Squadron were pretty close."

"More like family." Phoenix corrected. "For as long as I can remember, they're the only people I've ever known. I treat everyone on the Prometheus like my siblings."

"I know the feeling."

As Arcee was about to ask another question Miko interrupted. "Is this it?!" She shouted.

Magnus turned and looked at her. "No, that is a rock."

She looked disappointed but tossed it aside.

"So, just like old times? Huh, Jackie?" Bulkhead asked trying to alleviate the tension between him and Wheeljack.

"Yeah, except back then I didn't need permission to pick my partners." Wheeljack, said sternly.

"Come on we're all on the same team. Hey, RDF right?" Bulkhead tried to salvage the situation.

Wheeljack turned sharply to the larger Autobot. "During all those cycles it took me to travel to Earth, all I ever thought about was getting out band of brothers back together, but this isn't the lineup I had in mind." He turned to look sourly at Ultra Magnus. "You did the smart thing Bulk. Leaving when you did, when we were still bringing our A-game before the rust set in." Wheeljack resumed walking.

Miko climbed on a nearby boulder. "Wait, I thought Wheeljack was the one who left the Wreckers."

The green 'bot explained. "Jackie basically deserted the Wreckers when they fell under Ultra Magnus' command. I transferred out before that to join up with Optimus at the battle of Thunderhead Pass." Bulk' shook his head. "Sometimes, I think Jackie feels like I deserted him."

"You do not want to be the one who breaks up the band, Bulk." Miko unhelpfully commented.

Having caught to the group and heard the entire conversation, Phoenix patted Bulk's should in a comforting manner. "Look, Wheeljack has a different view on how a team works than Ultra Magnus. Wheeljack sees the team as family as do lot of soldiers in any military, no matter the branch. Magnus sees the team as a machine, which is not exactly uncommon in the military either. This kinda thing happens all the time. Optimus might be able to clear things up."

"Thanks."

Then the whole cave started shaking causing debris to start falling from the ceiling. Bulkhead had to intercept one that nearly fell on Miko.

"Is it an earthquake?" The Japanese girl worryingly asked.

"No." Ultra Magnus and turned around to face the way they came.

At that moment the Predacon turned around the bend running hell bent for them.

"Go, go, go, go, go, go, go!" Yelled Phoenix.

Bulkhead scooped Miko up and transformed with the other Autobots. Phoenix entered guardian mode but kept his wings folded back. He started flying backwards and kept the Predacon suppressed with Gunpod fire. The bestial cybertronian ignored the AHEAD round as he did before. The Predacon launched a fire blast that everyone managed to avoid. Phoenix turned around to avoid wasting his ammo. Arcee knew that the only things they had that could do real damage was Wheeljack's grenades and Phoenix's missile.

Miko popped her head out the window. "It's back, but how? I thought you smoked that thing?"

"I know that missile would only damage it severely, not kill it. That hide is tougher than it looks. I would need something a little bigger." Phoenix explained.

"How big?!" Wheeljack demanded.

"Anti-tank!" He answered. "And I don't have it in my loadout!"

"This way!" Magnus ordered as he took a sharp left down a side tunnel.

Everyone followed but the cave was starting to get small for Phoenix. He was forced to transform into a fighter. He activated his landing gear during the transformation and kept his wings back and his tail fins down, so that he was for all intents and purposes driving. Arcee admired his ingenuity, however if they had to turn, he was done for. Luckily enough the cave got too small for the Predacon also and it couldn't change its size. So it got jammed into the tight space coming to a stop. Then, the cave opened into a massive cavern.

The Autobots were able to return to robot form. Phoenix's transformation with a few flips but Arcee suspects he was showing off a little. As soon Phoenix was done he faced the cave entrance with his Gunpod facing the same direction. Bulkhead set Miko on a boulder behind them before joining the others in pointing their weapons at the Predacon. The cave entrance glowed as a fireblast shot at the Autobots. They dived off to the side while Phoenix turned his back to the danger and put himself between Miko and the inferno. Much to Arcee's gratefulness the flames didn't reach far enough to do serious damage to Phoenix. He might need a new paint job though.

Phoenix turned back around and looked up. "There's a fissure up there. We might be able to slip through it, but that cave won't hold the Predacon for long. We need to call in backup."

"Wreckers don't call in back up." Wheeljack scoffed.

"What Jackie means is that we can't get a signal this far underground." Bulkhead mediated.

Magnus walked over to Miko. "Miko, I need you to go to my ship and radio in back up."

"What about my mission?" She argued. "I don't wanna go! I want to help!"

"You will help. This is your new mission: reach my ship so you can contact Optimus Prime."

Miko saluted and set something on the ground against the wall before climbing up.

"Mission?" Arcee asked.

Ultra Magnus dismissed her. "We'll discuss it later."

The ground started shacking again as a crashing noise and he Predacon's roar echoed down the tunnel.

"Not sure I like the sound of that." Wheeljack commented.

"So uh…" Bulkhead stammered.

"We make our stand…" Ultra Magnus declared as he pulled the massive hammer off his back. "Here and now."

Miko had finally reached the top, for a short while there she thought that she wouldn't make it. She crawled over the edge and saw Magnus's ship. Luckily enough the fissure wasn't too far from it. Well, in Cybertronian terms anyways. She made a mad dash for the ship, ready to complete her other mission. Her primary mission given to her by Ultra Magnus was to record Phoenix's combat ability, so she had set up her smart phone on video and left it down there. As she got near the ship the ramp lowered. Instinctively she dived behind some boulders to hide. Starscream in the Apex Armor and a pair of Vehicons were on the loading ramp

"… it would seem the Autobots did stumble across our mining operation. No worries, my Predacon is no doubt dismantling the interlopers as we speak. It was a challenge, taming the wild beast, but I had to get it here. Away from the danger that is plaguing out ship." Starscream gloated.

"Come on, shut up already and go." Miko whispered.

"You're not wearing the Armor to protect yourself from it?" One of the Vehicons asked.

Starscream had a panicked look for a second. "From my beloved pet? No! I wore it so I could get past the monsters safely and rescue the poor creature. I just forgot to take it off. In fact it's getting a little stuffy in here." Starscream pressed the button on his chest and the armor retracted to just the chest piece. He set on a nearby rock. Stretching his limbs he sighed. "Ah, ventilation."

The Predacon crawled forward into the cavern, having forced his way through the tight entrance. Arcee waited on top the cave while bulkhead and Wheeljack sat behind outcroppings on either side of the opening. Phoenix used his engines to get up high and was clinging to the wall. Ultra Magnus was out in the open acting as bait. The Predacon roared and charged said bait. Magnus let out his own roar as he slugged the beast with the Forge. He slugged several more times making sure it had its attention directed towards him.

Once he was sure, he gave the command. "Open fire!"

Wheeljack was the first to react, he hopped out and set bolts at the Predacon. It looked at him with disdain, which is when Bulkhead came out and started firing. It swiped its tail at bulk and he barely dodged it. Metal scrapped against metal. Arcee took her turn at fire pot shots at the 'con. It turned around and charged up a fireblast. It fired but Arcee was fast enough to clear the danger zone. The savage cybertronian turned around and fired a spray of flames around the cave. Magnus slid underneath it and struck with the hammer again. Taking the hit on the chest the 'con flew back into the wall.

"Now!" Magnus yelled out.

Taking his cue Phoenix dropped form the wall, HF-blades out. He dropped on the Predacon, and heated Synth-en collected at the edge of his weapons, enhancing their cutting ability. He started slashing at the stomach making long blazing cuts. The Predacon howled in pain and charged up its range attack. Seeing the danger Phoenix used his boosters to fly off the 'con and to the second-in-command's side. The monstrous Decepticon slammed its tail on Phoenix, sending him flying into the wall. It slammed its tail again, this time at Magnus.

Bulkhead intercepted and caught the appendage. "Oh, no you don't."

The Predacon only hissed and threw Bulkhead into Magnus. Arcee charged fire her blasters as it got up. She performed an aerial roundhouse kick to the 'cons face. It simply looked at her as if questioning her judgement. It clamped its mouth on Arcee's side and picked her up. She screamed as sharp fangs pierced her armor. Phoenix roared out a challenge as he used his engines to slam full tilt into the predacon's side. As it keeled over it threw Arcee off to the side. The RDF Mech quickly got up and flew to her side.

"Arcee!" her cradled her in his arms, as she groaned in pain.

The Predacon sauntered over to them ready to finish the nuisances.

Wheeljack fired a few bolts at the Predacon. "Hey, hothead."

The cloned beast readied another fireblast. Wheeljack merely smirked as he activated his grenade and threw at its mouth. Either by pure chance or it proved its intelligence once again, the Predacon smacked the grenade away with its tail. The explosive bounced off the wall and landed next to Bulk and Magnus. The grenade started beeping faster just in time for Bulkhead to return to consciousness and see it.

Phoenix saw it too. "Aw, son of a…"

Miko hit the ground as a giant explosion rang out behind her.

'What was that?' She mentally panicked.

However it bought her the opening she needed, as Starscream and his Vehicon guards went to investigate. Once they had passed her she resumed her dash for the ship. Thankfully, the ramp was left down. Just as she was about to reach the platform Starscream's foot planted itself don in her path. She barely stopped in time to not slam into the obstruction. She looked up to Starscream looking down…at her.

"Miko, is it?" Starscream asked.

Nemesis
August 12, 2014 1432 hours

The world was black and quiet then slowly the world came to her and Arachnid reactivated. As sick and twisted as the spider-like Decepticon may be she still got around. So, she's heard crazy stories of what soldiers woke up to after being in a stasis pod. She's heard a lot of insane ones but she's sure what she saw outshone them all. The best way to describe it is to call it a monster. It was animalistic in shape and spikes protruded out from all over its body. Its cone like head split into three parts as a long tongue slid out and snapped at her.

Crying out, she swiped it away and clawed the demon in front of her. It growled, moved to grapple her. She jumped over the attempt and snap kicked it in the face. It stumbled back. She stabbed two of her spider legs into the disgusting head, killing it. It fell over dead.

She crawled over it and studied the head. "You are one ugly…"

It reached up and grabbed her neck, tightening its grip. She stabbed it several more times but it ignored the attack. It threw her into the wall. She fell to the ground in a helpless heap as it stood back up. It grabbed her by the throat as hoisted her up until her feet dangled off the ground. Its 'mouth' opened up and the tongue came out again. It slowly inched forward towards her neck. Not ready to die yet, Arachnid used her webs to pull herself out of its grip. She shifted to her spider form and clung to the wall. She shot out webs, tying its mouth and knocking it to the ground. The webs bound the creature to the ground.

Arachnid landed on top of it and started tearing away at its chest. "If I'm going to kill you it looks like I'll have to rip out your spark."

When she got past the chest what she found surprised her. Cylas was inside but metallic spikes protruded from his skin, more metal had deformed in his mouth.

"Cylas? Whatever have they done to you?" She asked. "But more importantly, thank you for freeing me."

"No, thank you." Cylas groaned out before breathing his last breath.

"Whatever."

'Insecticons, heed me, heed me." She called out to her children. 'Your queen has returned!'

Arachnid felt every Insecticon throughout the ship rush to her aid. Immediately she began moving towards the bridge. Shortly after Insecticons gathered up behind her following in her charge. She grew nearer and nearer to the bridge. She took a turn and Soundwave was waiting for her at the end of the hall.

She grinned. "I vow on this day the world will hear the sound of your screams."

She sped up her charge ready to run down the silent 'con in front of her. As she grew closer a Groundbridge opened in her path that was meant to send her Primus knows where. However, an inferno of pain erupted throughout her body as she collapsed and stopped just outside the wormhole. She started screaming in agony as Soundwave deactivated the Groundbridge and stood over her. He raised a leg and tried to crush her helm. Instead, an Insecticon slapped him off to the side and picked up its queen. It led the others to the hanger and escorted Arachnid to safety.

Phoenix shifted the rubble around him, until he was finally free. He got out just in time to see the Predacon take off through the fissure that miraculously remained intact. Immediately he started digging for the others, primarily Arcee. Last he saw, her side, stomach and back were all torn up. If he doesn't find her soon she might bleed out. Eventually Bulkhead dug himself out, followed closely by Magnus, and Wheeljack was the last one out.

"Well, that didn't go exactly as planned." Wheeljack stated.

Magnus criticized, "That's because any first cycle cadet knows better than to detonate a grenade in a confined space."

"Even if I intended the 'confined space' to be the belly of the beast?" the explosive expert shot back."

Bulkhead tried to butt in. "Uh, sir?"

"Your actions continue to be just one step removed from getting us all scrapped." The second-in-command continued, ignoring Bulk.

Phoenix was getting tired of this. "WILL YOU TWO SHUT UP?!"

Everyone stared at him surprised.

Phoenix stared them down and even seemed to make the commander cower. "Now, listen up. You to have different views on how a team works. That's fine, but right now it's gonna get Arcee killed. The Predacon's out there, so is Miko and out there is open sky and as we've seen before, I can beat it. Now, I'm trusting you to find Arcee." Phoenix walked directly under the fissure and burned holes into the Autobots with his glare. "If I come back and find out Arcee died because you couldn't get your shit together, then you'll really know what the chain of command is when beat you with it."

He activated his jets and took off through the fissure made wider but the Predacon's exit. When he cleared the cavern and made it out side, what he saw angered him even more than he already was. Miko was inside the Apex Armor, pinned down by the Predacon, getting beaten by it. Off to the side, Starscream gloated to a pair of Vehicons, pretending to command the beast into attacking Miko. Phoenix activated the program that allowed him to change his paint scheme. He switched back to his old white and red design.

Phoenix landed in front of the Predacon gaining its attention. "Get away from her you bitch!"

Having recognized him, it roared in pure rage and charged. Using his boosters he strafed to the side. He pulled out his Gunpod and fired the remains of that clip. Once again it proved to useless against the armored hide of the Predacon. The ammo only seemed to piss it off and that's wait he hoped for. The Predacon continued to give chase as it sent short bursts of flame flying at Phoenix. The Mech would dash from side-to-side in a random Zig-zag pattern. Phoenix did a quick boost back as he fired a pair SEMRAAM missiles.

As the Predacon countered the missiles the same way it did before, Phoenix saw that Miko was back up. She was giving the other Decepticons a true beat down. As wild and as untrained her style was she mopped the floor with them. Phoenix had to return his attention to the Predacon as it did a flying pounce. The RDF mech quickly holstered his carbine and released his blades to knock back the beast. He shot around the 'con and sliced at its legs with the Synth-en edged blades. They cut the legs up with ease and forcedthe Predacon to slow down. He dashed back and forth around the bestial cybertronian giving it gashes all over its body.

Eventually, it was too weak to fight and before it could get too weak to run it took off. Out of rage, the heat of battle, and because he could, he shifted to guardian mode and fired every missile in his arsenal. The Predacon's eyes widened in fear and sent out a wild spray of fire that did engulf and destroy almost all the missiles but some got through and detonated against the 'con. The Predacon lived but the damage was intense and it made a final run for safety. Upon seeing the Predacon retreat, Starscream and his followers retreated also.

Phoenix flew over to Miko's side. "You all right?"

She crossed the arms of the Apex Armor. "Yeah, they got way with the bone."

Wheel and the others walked over. Bulkhead was carrying Arcee, she had some crude metallic bandages on her right side.

The femme was conscious and she a slight smile. "There's not much we can do about that. Just take pride that you did your best."

Bulkhead laughed. "Isn't there a human saying that goes 'do as you teach'?"

She lightly smacked him in the chest.

"You brought you're A-game, kid. Like a true Wrecker." He fist-bumped with Miko then looked to Phoenix. "You kicked some tailpipe out there, too. You also got me and Magnus to get our act together, long enough to save Arcee."

Phoenix nodded.

Wheeljack looked at the team. "And I want to remember us just like this, before the rust sets in." Wheeljack transformed and drove off.

"What? Where's Wheeljack going?" Miko asked.

"Solo." Bulkhead numbly answered.

"Again?"

"Jackie just broke up the band."

Phoenix watched the demolitions expert disappear off into the distance. "He's a solo player. As much as says he wants to be on a team, internally, prefers to work alone. That's something else we get in the military also. Lone wolves." Phoenix patted bulk's shoulder. "The thing about lone wolves. Eventually they learn to enjoy being on teams. Give him time he'll come around."

Derelict decepticon warship harbinger
August 12, 2014 2331 hours

Arachnid writhed on the ground, screaming and howling in agony that ripped through her body. A scratch on her neck pulsed with yellow light. Her Insecticon army was gathered around her trying to figure out what to do. Then she stopped screaming, stopped moving, stopped everything and just deactivated. A brave Insecticon nudged her. Nothing. Until a low demonic growling came from her. The Insecticon leaned closer to her. Suddenly, it was on its back, its beloved queen tearing at its throat. Soon it died, and Arachnid stood up. She was leaned forward and the other bug-like cybertronians couldn't see her face.

"My queen." Another Insecticon spoke up only to be decapitated.

The femme fatale tilted her head back and held the 'cons head over her. She lustfully moaned as she drank the Energon the spilled from the helm.

"Delicious." She moaned. "This euphoria. Is this it? Is this what humans call pleasure? True pleasure?"

Proving how little intelligence Insecticons have another stepped forward behind her. "My queen, we await you orders."

Arachnid leaned back until she was looking at it, startling her subject. She wore a psychotic grin on her face, and her once-purple eyes now yellow. Her voice slowly turned demonic as she gave what the Insecticon wanted. "I… want… more."

had some fun with this one. I combined these two episodes and altered the events to give some more insight to Phoenix and to start our first Arc. Now not every chapter is going to be a rewrite of the show. I only used the episodes to get things started.

Review help the world go 'round.

Songs:

colors by flow (Code Geass opening)

This Will Be the Day (feat. Casey Lee Williams)" by Jeff Williams (RWBY opening)