Transformation

Chapter 2: The Returning Threat

"...and the buildings in the west sector have to be demolished," Springer concluded in his report.

Rodimus nodded to him, then looked around the briefing room. "Blaster?"

"We've been monitoring radio traffic, but there's no sign of the Decepticons," Blaster reported. "They're gone."

"Hopefully they'll stay gone," Hot Spot snorted. The other gestalt team leaders nodded their agreement.

"They'll be back," Rodimus corrected, steepling his fingers and shooting the Protectobot leader a glare. "They're not gone. Once they've regrouped, they'll be back. Don't count them out just yet."

"Pessimist," Sideswipe muttered.

Blaster glanced at Sideswipe, then nodded to Rodimus. "We'll continue monitoring space and radio traffic. Armed patrols are scouting for any possible hideouts. We'll let you know if we find anything."

Magnus spoke up. 'The Decepticons are probably trying to decide who will be their leader. Once the issue of leadership is resolved, they'll be back. And it may not take too long before that happens."

"We'll be on our guard," the communications specialist assured him. "If they come back, we'll be ready for them."

"I hope so," Rodimus replied. "We have no way of knowing who will be their new leader, or what that leader will be capable of. So we will be unprepared for him."

"We'll do our best."

"I do hope so. Now, what other business is there to attend to?" Rodimus looked around the table.

"Demolitions work in the south sector have stalled due to sudden collapses of the ground under the buildings," Grapple spoke up. "Large sinkholes have dropped entire buildings three and four levels down into the planet's interior. The sinkholes show no signs of spreading, but there is the potential for them to form under other sectors of the city. We're checking for any signs of sinkhole formation, but until we're finished all other work has to be put on hold."

"Let me know what the results are," Rodimus told him. "What about the north and east sectors?"

"The north sectors are the most heavily damaged and potentially the most dangerous. The fliers have been helping lift debris out of the area, but ground workers have not yet begun to enter the sector. There are huge craters scattered throughout the area, and sinkholes may form without warning. We're waiting for the unstable ground to settle before any serious cleanup begins. Once the cleanup is complete, then we'll see about repairs. Looking at the extent of the damage, repairs might not be possible.

"In the east sector, the damage was relatively light, but many of the buildings have been so heavily damaged that they have started to collapse on their own. Ground workers have had their reflexes tested constantly since they started working in that sector. They're working with one optic on their surroundings to keep from being caught if a building comes down on them. Because of the damage in the various sectors, communication is very difficult."

Rodimus nodded. "Has Sky Lynx returned from his surveys yet?"

"He has."

"What does he have to say about the state of the rest of the planet?"

"He recorded damage on the south continent that surpasses anything we've experienced here. And the north pole area has been smashed in, probably when Unicron slammed his hand down on it. Entire sectors of the planet have been devastated. He also discovered hundreds of bodies, mostly Decepticons, who were killed fighting Unicron. They're being collected for burial. Unfortunately, Cyclonus or Scourge wasn't among them. Neither was Galvatron."

"I threw Galvatron out through Unicron's hull, but we never found where he landed. If Cyclonus and Scourge are still alive, then they're probably searching for him. If they find him alive then we have a problem."

"Galvatron nearly succeeded in killing me," Magnus growled. "And he almost killed Hot Rod. He did kill who know how many other Autobots. Rodimus is right. If Galvatron does come back, we have a very big problem."

"We'll begin installing planetary defense systems as soon as possible," Hoist added. "Plans are already on the drawing board for major weaponry to defend the planet from outside attack."

"Get to work on them as soon as possible," Rodimus ordered.

"Will do," Hoist acknowledged.

"Is there any more business to take care of?" Rodimus looked at his command staff. "No? Then, dismissed. We've all got lots of work to do. Let's get to it."

The other Autobots rose from their seats and headed out, discussing their various tasks. The room was quickly emptied.

Rodimus watched the others leave. Then he sensed Magnus standing behind him and turned to face his second-in-command.

"Something on your mind?" Magnus asked.

Rodimus sighed. "I'm worried. Galvatron's alive out there somewhere. Don't ask me how I know; I just do. He'll be back. And soon."

"We'll be ready for him." Magnus patted his leader's shoulder reassuringly and headed for the door. Rodimus smiled and followed.

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Elsewhere in the galaxy...

Charr was a deserted planetoid far from any civilized world, with high winds and frequent dust storms. It had just one tiny moon, which gave its winds extra ferocity. No life-form in its right mind would travel to Charr. It was so far off the usual trade routes that no one wanted to go near it, and its poisonous atmosphere was deadly to almost every form of life in the galaxy.

Which made it perfect for the Decepticons' purposes.

The Decepticons had discovered the deserted planetoid and found that it would make a perfect base of operations for them. Trypticon had landed in a canyon that was naturally sheltered from the fierce winds, and the others had moved in. Not even the Autobots could find them there.

Astrotrain fought against the high winds to reach the giant city, finally flying into the shuttle bay and landing. Galvatron was offloaded and taken to the city's repair bay. Once there, the medics scrambled to get the Decepticon leader operational again.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Scourge muttered to Cyclonus.

"Be silent," Cyclonus growled at him.

Finally, Galvatron was reactivated.

"Unhand me, fools!" Galvatron yelled, shoving the medics away from him. "I will tear the guts out of Rodimus Prime and Ultra Magnus and everyone else who opposes me!"

From there, his tirade dissolved into incoherent raving. Galvatron stalked around the medical bay, frothing at the mouth as his rage made his fluids boil, screeching at the top of his lungs. Cyclonus and Scourge exchanged a horrified look. Their leader had gone insane.

"I did say I had a bad feeling about this," Scourge hissed to his companion. "Somehow 'I told you so' just doesn't seem to cut it."

Galvatron finally spotted them. "Rally the Decepticons! We will strike at Cybertron and destroy the Autobots!"

Tbc...

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