Hammerhead.
Warnings: Violence, bad language, gore and possibly some sex.
"Through this doorway what's on the other side, never knowing exactly what I'll find, locked and loaded, voices screaming: let's go, come on do it, here we go!" – Hammerhead, the Offspring.
Timing: Post season 2 finale, set few weeks after Beauty of the Beast in my very own BotB Prime Timeline (due to ending of the series and because the first chapter was posted before the last season was aired).
Rating: M (alternative – if there will be any – or extended chapters will go MA and will be available on my Tumblr account, the address is available on my profile page).
Pairings: Megatron and June, Bumblebee and Miko, maybe some Shockwave and Arcee.
Disclaimer: Transformers Prime © Hasbro. Story's plot and OC's © me. There may be some OC's that aren't mine – they belong to their respective creators.
Spellcheck performed by Monstrous-hourglass of dA.
Yesterday's got nothin' for me.
Yesterday, there was so many things
I was never told
Now that I'm startin' to learn
I feel I'm growin' old
'Cause yesterday' s got nothin' for me
Old pictures that I'll always see
Time just fades the pages
In my book of memories
Prayers in my pocket
And no hand in destiny
I'll keep on movin' along
With no time to plant my feet
'Cause yesterday's got nothin' For me
Old pictures that I'll always see
Some things could be better
If we'd all just let them be. (…) – "Yesterday" Guns'n'Roses
oOo
New Kaon, Dark Mount (formerly Jasper), Nevada, USA. Sunrise.
The control centre was almost empty, as always at the dawn, no one really liked to be up that early. The only exception was Starscream who, as all Seekers, was an early bird. The Second in Command immensely enjoyed being up early, before the rest of the higher ranking Decepticons could get up, let alone think about leaving their quarters. Then and only then he had the entire bridge, and lately the Command Centre for himself… The single Vehicon on duty at the time didn't count; all Vehicons knew to mind their own business in such situations.
The Vehicon was wisely ignoring Starscream; he was turned with back to the Air Commander and watched the screen of the console in search of abnormalities in communication waves while his internal comm. played some music.
Starscream stood before his own console; lately he came to liking human internet and was now watching some silly cartoon on-line. He knew that he had at least two more hours for himself, which meant that he was relaxed and simply enjoyed his entertainment. He was so engrossed in the animation that he never noticed that the door silently slid open and then equally silently closed.
On the screen three Earth birds of the kind that doesn't fly but rather swim – penguins – were behaving like soldiers, suddenly a lemur with some silly hat came into the view and started babbling nonsense. It was silly but entertaining, Starscream liked cartoons. 1]
"The one called Julien reminds me of you, Starscream." Said the low and raspy voice next to Starscream's audial. "He makes bombastic gestures, speaks codswallop and nobody takes him seriously."
"GAH!" Starscream jumped, stumbled and fell on his aft.
Megatron was looking at him with barely noticeable amusement. The seeker gathered himself up with all the dignity he could muster. He looked back, but the Vehicon proved that he had a healthy sense of preservation and very carefully didn't notice anything.
"Ahem. Master, how can I be of any service to you… at such an early hour?" Starscream bowed to his Lord respectfully, trying to hide is irritation.
"Have you finished the task I have given you yesterday?" Megatron's stance seemed relaxed, with both of his hands behind his back, but Starscream was no fool, at least not anymore. Megatron was always alert.
"Yes Master. I was waiting for others to arrive but I can present the results now if you wish so."
"The others will arrive soon and we'll begin our morning briefing." Megatron gaze left Starscream and focused on the computer console. "For now, continue with your entertainment. It's actually amusing."
Starscream managed to stop himself from wincing only by his will power and eons of practice.
oOo
"Bring the first Cuban child! Walt Disney must feed."2] Came the voice from console's speakers just after the doors opened as Shockwave and Knockout came in.
"Lord Megatron." Shockwave announced their presence when Megatron have paused the video. "We are ready for the briefing."
"Excellent, we will start when Soundwave will arrive." Megatron nodded and turned back to the console.
"What are they doing?" Shockwave asked Knockout.
"Killing time." The Decepticon Doctor answered him with a half smile. "It sounds like fun; let us see what it is."
oOo
"Gentlemen, gentlemen, we can discuss this logically."3] Five decepticons were hunched around computer console. They never noticed that the previous Vehicon left and was replaced by two other when the morning shift came.
"This is highly illogical." Shockwave stated while his single optic seemed to be glued to the monitor.
"Who cares, this is entertainment." Knockout shrugged. He rather enjoyed it and had to admit that Starscream had a knack for searching the human internet for amusing things.
"Patience, Shockwave, as soon as Soundwave will arrive we will begin the briefing." Megatron said while observing the animated brawl on the screen.
Shockwave chose to remain silent, as logical as it was, it would also be highly unwise to point out that Soundwave came in along with the Vehicons when they changed the night shift soldier, and was now watching the human made cartoon with them. He only noticed that because Soundwave accidently nudged the thick wire that connected his canon with his torso.
Soundwave, who at that moment realised that he wasn't ignored in favour of the cartoon, but was unnoticed, decided to announce his presence in the most discreet and tact way possible. He might been Megatron's oldest comrade and the closest thing to a friend that the Warmonger had, but even he wouldn't be forgiven for making the Decepticon Lord look like a fool for not paying attention to what was going on around him due to some silly show.
Soundwave reached with his slender arm and with great gentleness touched Megatron's shoulder in silent communication. Everyone knew that it was Soundwave's way to discreetly and politely call for attention.
"Ah, Soundwave." Megatron turned to see his Third in Command. "Splendid."
oOo
Megatron sat on his personal throne like chair, his welds seemed to be better, but he still could feel them. He knew that under normal circumstances Ratchet would have kept him under his watch for some more time, but they were in a hurry to find M.E.C.H. Not to mention that under normal circumstances Ratchet would probably cut his head off, given the chance.
His officers stood or sat around him, depending on their preferences and available pieces of furniture. The Warlord decided that he had to order some Vehicons to set some proper briefing room, with a table, chairs and perhaps a large displayer on one of the walls. This was supposed to be a decent base and citadel, it wasn't a ship (not matter how big) where space was limited. The only explanation was that they were still furnishing and setting up in the new home.
"I ordered Starscream to prepare the mixed couples proposition due to our agreement with Autobots." Megatron began to speak while observing his officers. "I want you to be warned, that depending on my acceptance of his propositions, there will be no discussion about it. You stroke a deal with Autobots, I found it beneficial due to their own resources and experience in dealing with humans, both their allies and M.E.C.H. thus we will follow with the plan and eliminate the threat. There will be no buts, no complains and no whining. Is that understood?" Megatron paused for a moment to give his officers' time to voice their acceptance, which they did. "Now, Starscream, report!"
Starscream took out a tablet and cleared his voice box. He knew that his proposals won't be popular. "Let's begin with listing Autobots that will most probably be taking part in the search. As we know their number is limited and I doubt that they will allow everyone on the patrols, even with their pests, I mean pets, operating the Groundbridge." Starscream looked at his tablet and scrolled something. Megatron assumed that it was just for the show. "I assume that Optimus Prime and their Medic, Ratchet, will be left inside of the base. That leaves us with five Autobots to cover, so to speak. I believe that the best way to prevent any unwanted incidents would be assign officers or soldiers that are most popular or recognised among our ranks."
Starscream looked at Megatron to see if he is allowed to continue. "Agreed, continue." The Warlord nodded. Starscream's proposal was sound as far as he was concerned; they needed the cooperation to go as smooth as possible. He had to, reluctantly; admit that because M.E.C.H. was composed of humans, recruiting from their military, the Autobots' connection to humans would be beneficial.
"Yes master. I chose five Decepticons, three officers and two soldiers that would be best for this occasion. Let's start with the newest addition to Autobot ranks, the one called Smokescreen. He is quite a character and to avoid him vexing any of the more temperamental mechs, I chose to pair him with one of the most distinguished soldiers in our ranks, SH1 – V6N, also known as Shivington."
"Wait!" Knockout almost jumped from where he sat on the shelf protruding from a wall. "Shivington? Is that the one that refuses to wear his code piece?"4]
"Yes, the very same." Starscream nodded. "He is one of the most recognisable troopers, and easy going too. He's the best match I was able to find for Smokescreen."
"Continue." Megatron chose not to comment, even he knew who Shivington was – a hopeless case, but the mech was competent enough and indeed he would be the best match for that insufferable Autobot.
"Second on my list is Bumblebee." Starscream recited without glancing at his tablet. "And I paired him with Gavin."
No one made a sound, they all knew Gavin. No one referred to him by his serial number anymore, he was the pervy 'Con, a Playboy, though lately he declared that he wanted to try a relationship with just one femme. The fact that he enjoyed ladies wasn't the problem. The problem was that he chose to enjoy human ladies. Gavin was known to wolf whistle at human women when he was in any kind of human settlements, he was known to honk at them when he passed them on the streets and he was known to reveal his true nature to them and take them to his bunk. And they were willing too. Lately he managed to beg Shockwave into installing him the Shape Shifter, the same device that Megatron had, but he was yet to use it.
"Third would be one of the two Autobot Wreckers, Bulkhead." The Seeker's voice raised everyone from their musing over Gavin and his unique personality. "I allowed myself to pair him with Knockout."
"WHAT?" The Medic jolted to his pedes with angry grimace on his facial plates.
"Let's face it, Knockout, you're a light weight and you require a large partner. You were teaming with Breakdown for a long time; you have experience with entering combat situation with such a large frame as your backup." The Second in Command patiently explained. "Fourth is Arcee. After doing my research I found that she is the hardest to match. She's on the warpath with everyone on our side. No Vehicon will do, she killed so many of them that they daydream about snuffing her. She would want to annihilate any Insecticon simply because of their kinship to Arachnid. She wants my head because of Cliffjumper. She wants Soundwave's head because of that stunt with Groundbridge 5] and I wish I've been there to see it. And Knockout wants her and Bumblebee's heads for New York, which I've heard left him rather… skinned. 6]" The seeker failed to hide slight smirk. "Lord Megatron is out of the question for many reasons, but even if he weren't, Arcee wants his head for so many reasons that I don't even know where to start." Starscream sigh a heavy vent. "This left us with Shockwave, with whom she also isn't on friendly terms, but I believe the fact that he was out of her view for so long will work for his benefit. Of course that regrettable situation that took place on Cybertron isn't the best start, but Shockwave is the only Decepticon that is able to actually withstand Arcee."
"It would seem so." Shockwave's voice was emotionless as always, but there was something to it, perhaps a slight doubt? "I am certain that I am able to prevent any conflict situation, but I am unsure if the same can be said about Arcee."
"Arcee will follow Prime's orders." Megatron had no doubts. "If not provoked and handled with calmness she won't jeopardize the mission. Arcee is very much a disciplined soldier, though she tends to act recklessly if provoked."
"Do I know something about that…" Starscream's wings stirred in memory of when she held her blades against his throat. "The last one to manage is Wheeljack, and that leaves us with Soundwave. I know, it is not the best pairing, but he has similar problems with Vehicons as Arcee, even worse with Insecticons, though for different reasons, he's not quite friendly toward me, he would probably lose it when paired with Shockwave. He's not familiar with Knockout but I doubt if they could work together with Wheeljack being as reckless as he is."
"My analysis suggests that perhaps Bulkhead and Soundwave would be better pair than Bulkhead and Knockout." Shockwave interjected.
"It wouldn't. Not with Soundwave's dealing with Autobots' human companions.7]" Starscream shook his head. "Bulkhead is very protective of his little human pet; he may react hostile to Decepticon who was the first to physically fight with her, even if he also fought with the other two at the time as well."
"But wouldn't he react badly to me too?" Knockout found out that perhaps this was his chance to skip the M.E.C.H. hunt. "I mean I held her in that container…"
"Yes. The key word here is the 'container'." Starscream gave Knockout bored look. "Soundwave, according to his own report, had to hit her twice with his tentacle, second time he held an axe. There is no doubt that she told Bulkhead about that. You on the other hand had never physically hurt her."
"Enough." Megatron seemed to have enough of the banter. "Starscream, are you certain that those matches are the best that we can manage?"
"Yes Master." Starscream bowed before Megatron. "I analysed every possibility and taking under consideration everything we know, these are best matches."
"Shockwave, given the human factor, do you concur with Starscream's proposition?"
"Taking human involvement, that I previously omitted, yes I do." The tankformer agreed. "Though it is impossible to foresee what exactly will happen, these matches are giving the best possible chances of success."
"Then it is settled." Megatron slowly rose from his chair. "Connect me with Autobots." He ordered to one of the Vehicons.
TBC
This time no fireworks, but as short this chapter is, it is also very important for the story – we learn here who will be paired with whom, which in turn deters how the story will roll from now on.
1] Starscream is watching Penguins of Madagascar.
2] They are watching "Robot Chicken" season 1 episode 2.
3] "Robot Chicken" season 1 episode 7.
4] In some fics there is a Vehicon/Eradicon (as far as I am concerned, both are the same thing, no difference) named Shiv – it's not the same guy as my Shiv, my Shiv is way more mentally disturbed, plus he never wear his code piece, which he took off after watching 'Dukes of Hazzard', the movie (the first, not the sequel), not the TV-show.
5] Transformers Prime, season 2, ep. 1 "Orion Pax, part 1".
6] Transformers Prime, season 2, ep. 12 "Tunnel Vision".
7] Transformers Prime season 1, ep's. 5 "Shadow Rising part5", 10 "Deus ex Machina", season 2, ep. 26 "Darkest Hour".