Chapter Five
Optimus rubbed a hand over his face as he piloted the small shuttle towards Goloran. He had most certainly frightened the technician who had been inspecting the shuttlecraft in the launch bay. He had stammered nervously about needing flight orders, and Optimus had regrettably had to show him the business end of his laser rife, which the tech had accepted as very good orders. He had heard the tech radioing Kup for help as he had fired up the shuttle's engine. The grizzled old security officer had tried repeatedly to raise him on the shuttle's radio, but he had ignored that as well. He wanted no distractions.
He activated the shuttle's comm. system as his craft began to penetrate the planet's atmosphere. "Decepticon base, this is Optimus Prime. I must speak to Megatron! Hold your fire, I come in peace!"
Despite his pleas, the base's guns opened up on the small craft, weakening the shields. "This is Optimus Prime. I come in peace. Cease fire!"
Remarkably, the guns were silenced. A few agonizing seconds passed, then Megatron's visage filled the shuttle's small communications screen. "This is Megatron. What sort of Autobot trick is this?"
Optimus fixed him with a frank gaze. "It's Optimus Prime. I need to speak to you urgently! Please, grant me an audience! I am alone and will disarm upon landing."
He watched nervously, practically seeing the thought process whirring away in his old enemy's mind. Megatron muted the audio output and conferred briefly with his officers, all brandishing their weapons. It was clear what their thoughts on the matter were. Megatron waved his hand dismissively, and they saluted. Then the audio feed was restored. "Very well, Autobot. You may land. But I warn you – cross me and you will not live to regret it!"
Prime sagged slightly in relief. "Thank you, Megatron. I assure you that this is of the utmost importance."
He guided the shuttle to a clearing near the base. He allowed himself a brief pause to compose himself, then stepped outside, slowly raising his hands. As expected, he was surrounded by Decepticon snipers, their sights zeroed in on his fuel pump. Two of them stepped forward and entered the shuttle, conducting a brief but thorough search for any concealed Autobots. They exited, shaking their heads. Under their expectant gazes, Optimus reached into his subspace pocket, withdrawing his rifle. Very slowly, he knelt and set it on the ground.
Megatron stepped forward, taking care not to block the snipers' line of fire. "Here I am. So what's this all about?" he asked, unable to hide his curiosity.
Optimus clasped his hands together, choosing his words carefully, needing to persuade Megatron of his sincerity. "The Autobots are in grave danger. A threat has appeared on Cybertron, the likes of which I have never seen. I know you have no reason to help us, but if my hunch is correct, the Transformers as a race are doomed!"
Megatron frowned deeply. "You are correct in that I have no reason to help you. So why have you come here and put yourself in such danger? What is it that threatens Autobot and Decepticon alike?"
Optimus spread his arms wide, needing to make Megatron understand. "I do not profess to understand what is at work, but Rodimus has been possessed by some evil force. This is what it is after." He reached for his chest plate, and the snipers instantly tensed their trigger fingers. But all thoughts of violence were instantly forgotten when Optimus reached within his structure and withdrew the glowing Autobot Matrix of Leadership. "It was only pure luck that Rodimus was not carrying the Matrix. I have felt its thoughts, seen its intentions. It hopes to gain control of the Matrix through its bearers and twist it into a force of evil. If it succeeds, there is no hope for our survival. The Transformers are as good as dead."
Megatron found himself captivated by the glittering blue crystalline orb, cradled within its casing. "I still don't see how this affects the Decepticons. It has been said that a Decepticon cannot open the Matrix."
Optimus too seemed entranced by the object in his hand. "That is precisely why I am entrusting it to your care." A collective gasp went up from the Decepticons, none louder than that of Megatron himself. "If this creature can control Rodimus or myself, then it can gain control of the Matrix. But you, Megatron, have no affinity for the Matrix. It can be in no safer hands than yours. The Matrix may be held by the Autobots, but it is a positive force in the galaxy, benefiting Autobot and Decepticon alike. I have never known of a Decepticon that could use the Matrix, but that could one day change. Primus sired both of our factions as one whole. We were the ones that created the split. The essence of our god has protected the Transformers twice already, and without it we are lost."
Optimus Prime held out the Matrix, and Megatron took it numbly, scarcely aware of his actions. He secured it within his chest plate. Nothing. He felt absolutely nothing. That, he supposed, was what Optimus had been counting on. He had no connection to the Matrix, and thus whatever was on Cybertron could not get to it through him. "I'll protect this Matrix, Prime, though I can hardly say why." His mind could scarcely comprehend what had just happened. After jealously guarding the Matrix for over nine million years, the Autobot had simply handed it over to his greatest enemy. Megatron held it within him right at this moment!
A smile shone through the gentle blue optics that beheld him. "You have my gratitude, Megatron. Guard Cybertron's greatest treasure well. It is the key to our salvation. Now, if you will excuse me, I am sorely needed on Cybertron. I have already stayed too long. I only pray that I am not too late."
Megatron watched in a trance as his greatest enemy retrieved his weapon and left. He knew that he had a golden opportunity to capture his enemy and cut the Autobots off at the knees, but he didn't think he could stop Optimus if he tried. He certainly didn't envy the Autobot leader right now, and some perverse part of him wished the brave Autobot luck.