Transformers Prime: The Final War.

Chapter 75: Persuasion.

(Author's notes: In this chapter, Corvowing's foreknowledge will pull through once again, when Roughstuff's Seeker Armada is about to be given the order to destroy the Autobots' new base.

Enjoy chapter 75: Persuasion.)

Optimus Prime begins the recap, "Previously on Transformers Prime..."

Highstalker states, "Simply put, this combination of the elements from the explosion could potentially allow us to cyberform entire worlds."

Megatron replies, "Then we will immediately focus all of our remaining resources upon the successful rebuilding of the Omega Lock."

Later, as Optimus uses his rearview mirror to spy Soundwave deploying Laserbeak, Agent Fowler advises over the commlink, "Prime! It's 'Cons again, this time in progress."

The Autobots stop and they turn their attention to Soundwave.

The Grounder Autobots initiate Stealth Force Mode and Optimus gets out his minigun while Corvowing deploys his Death Machine Guns and his Dark of the Moon-style Double Rocket Launchers.

The twenty Autobots open fire on Soundwave, eventually managing to down him and severely damage him as he crashes into electrical wires in no time flat.

Optimus contacts the base and advises, "Ratchet, reopen the Ground Bridge, but ensure that the techno-organics and the rest of the humans are kept at a safe distance, for we will be returning to base with a Decepticon prisoner."

In the Autobot base, Optimus asks Soundwave, "Why is Megatron stealing human technology? Is he looking to rebuild the Omega Lock?"

Later, on the Nemesis, Megatron asks Highstalker, "Knife Out first obtained this unfinished variant of the formula from the Autobot medic thanks to Corvowing's carelessness."

And finally, Laserbeak bursts into the Autobot base through a window and is accompanied by his fellow flying Mini-Cons as they occupy the Autobots while Soundwave is freed.

Megatron voices over, "The most efficient means to this end may very well be to recruit that medic."

Ratchet stares slack-jawed as Soundwave approaches with his electrifying tentacles active and Soundwave says, "Soundwave superior, Autobots inferior."

Soundwave electrocutes Ratchet before the reader screen cuts to black.

(End of recap...)

In the South Pole, Optimus groans in pain as he slowly recovers from the nasty fall he just had.

Suddenly, the Predatitan clone turns up, and with a roar, the clone transforms to robot mode and lands.

The Predatitan clone remarks menacingly, "It took a Great Cataclysm to destroy Cybertron's original Predacon inhabitants. You never stood a chance against me, Optimus Prime. In fact... (He deploys his blaster.) The time has come for your extinction!"

The Predatitan clone's blaster charges a shot.

(The intro plays: The Predacon known as Predatitan screeches as he flies over a highway and spits a huge fireball at the highway. Out of the flames comes the entire Autobot army, with the new Vehicons, Shockwave, the new Autobots born in Autobot Outpost Omega 2, and the Autobot Predacon clones that were originally Decepticon Predacon clones in the original timeline coming out of the flames in vehicle/dragon mode. Optimus Prime is once again last. And as the camera pans around him, Optimus quickly transforms to his taller robot mode, and the view shows the entire Autobot army deploying their various robot mode weapons for battle. In Autobot Outpost Omega One, Bumblebee transforms to vehicle mode and drives through the Ground Bridge, followed by Stakebeak and his two clones known as Dreadstreaker and Swingslice. Bulkhead transforms to vehicle mode and he drives through the Ground Bridge, followed by Bombspeed and her two clones known as Crashout and Mazenter. And finally, Arcee transforms to vehicle mode and she drives through the Ground Bridge, followed by Jakestreet and his own two clones known as Jetace and Shortmark. In a Cybertronian battleground, Megatron fires his Fusion Cannon while Highstalker fires his own AstroMag Cannon, Roughstuff fires all of his missiles, and Devastator, Menasor, Bruticus, Preyerking, Abominus, Monstructor, Constructicon Maximus, Bruticus Maximus, Dominus Trannis, Dinoking, Liokaiser, Piranacon, Tripredacus, Devastator Maximus, Predacus, Infernocus, Volcanicon, Battle Gaia, King Poseidon, God Neptune, Megatronia, Grand Galvatron, and Thunder Mayhem fire their guns. Predatitan screeches as he flies towards Optimus Prime and Corvowing Prime, spitting fireballs at them. But the two Autobot leaders are unaffected as Optimus activates his jetpack and Corvowing transforms to his own dragon mode and they fly towards the Predaking lookalike. They respectively punch Predatitan before the title card appears. It reads, Transformers Prime: The Final War: Beast Hunters. The last thing the viewers hear is an unknown Predacon roaring.)

Just as the Predatitan clone was about to fire, Optimus smacks the blaster out of range before landing several punches on the Predatitan clone.

Inside the Particle Collider building, the Autobots continue gunning down the Vehicon Jets and Vehicon Tanks.

Seeing as they were getting nowhere, Wheeljack takes out one of his grenades and asks, "Permission to hasten our progress, Commander?"

Ultra Magnus replies, "Granted!"

Wheeljack primes his grenade before tossing it towards the Vehicons.

Inside the building where the synchrotron is, several Ground Vehicon Troopers and Ground Vehicon Generals were welding the synchrotron off of its restraints so that the Predatitan clone can carry it to the Nemesis through a Ground Bridge.

Suddenly, everyone hears a thudding noise from outside the room.

Several Vehicons on guard duty approach the entrance/exit, only for one of their own to get tossed into the room.

The Autobots suddenly drive and fly into the room, transform to robot mode, and they started gunning down the Vehicons in the room, eventually managing to do so with ease.

Highstalker uses his own version of Firefest and Backmix to multiply the dead Vehicons, including the Firefest-specific inoculated ones, into Autobot Vehicons, including the ones being brought into the room.

Several Corvowing clones arrive to take the new Autobots to base.

Meanwhile, outside the Particle Collider building, Devastator was taking on Nexus Prime.

Despite the odds being six combiner components against five combiner components, Nexus Prime had better experience compared to Devastator.

After landing a hard blow to Devastator's head, Nexus Prime roundhouse kicked Devastator hard enough to make him separate back into the Constructicons, who are all unconscious.

Superion took on Menasor, seemingly winning.

Defensor took on Bruticus, and Bruticus seemed to be winning.

Computron took on Abominus, and the twosome was evenly matched in terms of strength and intelligence.

Preyerking took on Victorion.

And despite Preyerking relying on animal instinct, Victorion was winning due to the power of her Victory Sword.

Landcross took on Liokaiser, and unlike the Transformers Victory cartoon, Landcross was winning the fight.

And the same was said for the rest of the combiners, including the Shattered Glass Decepticon combiners affiliated with the mainstream Autobots, the Decepticon versions of all Autobot combiners, the Shattered Glass Autobot combiners affiliated with the mainstream Decepticons, and the Autobot versions of all Decepticon combiners.

Meanwhile, Optimus lands four more punches on the Predatitan clone.

The Predatitan clone tries to punch Optimus with his blaster, but the Prime manages to block the blow before punching the clone twice.

Optimus tries to go for a third punch, but the Predatitan clone tries to trap Optimus in a hand Powerlock.

Optimus responds to this by giving the Predatitan clone a headbutt.

The Predatitan clone is sent tumbling back.

Optimus states, "Stand down, fake Predatitan."

The Predatitan clone replies while revealing his name, "I am Predatalon, and I will never bow to your kind!"

Predatalon rushes towards Optimus and gives him a jumping kick to the face, but Predatalon's momentum makes him do a backflip transformation back to his dragon mode.

Optimus slides across some ice before sliding down a short drop.

Predatalon prepares his fire breath, but Megatron says over the commlink, "Predatalon. I have been notified that the objective is at risk. Secure it! Now!"

Predatalon growls before roaring at Optimus and letting out a stream of fire into the sky.

Meanwhile, in the Particle Collider building, the Autobots except for Highstalker retreat, as he still has to keep his cover.

Predatalon bursts into the room, grabs Highstalker, and takes the synchrotron before taking flight.

Meanwhile, Optimus awakens, gets up dizzily, and gets back to where his minigun is.

Suddenly hearing a Ground Bridge opening, Optimus spies Predatalon flying into the Ground Bridge portal with the particle collider synchrotron.

The portal closes before Optimus can even think about doing anything.

Optimus growled in annoyance before pushing the matter aside.

Optimus grabs his minigun and puts it away.

The Autobots meet up with Optimus.

Arcee suddenly remembers what happened at the base and says into her commlink, "Corvowing Prime, we require immediate transportation back to base."

In the Autobot base, Corvowing activates the Ground Bridge.

Agent Fowler awakens woozily and remarks, "Stewardess, there's a man on the wing of this plane!"

Everyone comes into the base, and everyone knocked out by Soundwave awakens.

Optimus asks, "Corvowing, did Soundwave take Ratchet to the Nemesis?"

Corvowing nods, "Yes, and it gets worse: the Decepticons know where our new base is."

Everyone's optics widened in shock and horror.

Meanwhile, on the Nemesis, Megatron approaches Ratchet while he lays restrained to a table.

Ratchet awakens and snarls, "What do you want from me?"

Megatron replies, "I actually want your assistance, to help complete a little science project."

Ratchet replies defiantly, "I will never cooperate."

Megatron replies back, "Highstalker does not need your cooperation to siphon your knowledge, doctor."

Highstalker connects the cortical psychic patch to Ratchet.

In the Autobot base, Arcee looks over the burned part of one of Laserbeak's wings as Smokescreen explains, "I peeled some paint off Laserbeak. If I was a better shot, Ratchet would still be here and Soundwave would still be our prisoner."

Ultra Magnus replies, "Chin up, soldier. We've combed the entire floor of the base. For the most part, that remains our only clue."

Bulkhead comes up and advises, "Nothing in the Ground Bridge log. If they bridged Ratchet out of here, they used their Ground Bridge, not ours."

Arcee remarks, "So, this is what Corvowing meant when he said that the events of the next few days still have to happen in chronological order. But why take Ratchet prisoner and leave all of these guys behind instead of taking all of them as prisoners?"

Ultra Magnus states, "If Megatron intends to hold our medic hostage, I'm rather curious as to why he has made no demands."

Corvowing replies, "Since the Decepticons are rebuilding the Omega Lock, they need the Synthetic Energon formula combined with any form of cyber-nucleic acid to create enough of an alternative cyber-matter to reformat Earth and resurrect Cybertron's core."

Bulkhead asks, "Well, whatever the case, Ratchet won't give it up, right?"

Corvowing points out, "They have a cortical psychic patch in their laboratory, Bulkhead."

Bulkhead groans, "Ougghhh. This is gonna go from bad to worse."

On the bridge of the Nemesis, Predatalon takes an elevator to the bridge and says, "Lord Megatron, I understand that you have brought an accursed Autobot aboard the ship."

Megatron replies, "Indeed I have, Predatalon."

The Predatitan lookalike states while deploying his blaster, "Then I shall accomplish with him what I failed to do with the Prime."

Megatron replies, "Predatalon, this Autobot is more than just a prisoner. You do wish to see Cybertron become restored, do you not?"

Predatalon lowers his blaster.

Megatron explains, "Our prisoner's usefulness is only temporary. It will come to an end. And when that time arrives, I assure you that he will be all yours."

Predatalon replies, "You make a sound judgment call, my liege."

In the Autobot base, Agent Fowler says to someone on his phone, "Listen, I need 24/7 satellite monitoring, eyes in the skies and ears to the ground."

Agent Fowler hangs up.

Wheeljack looks into Ratchet's logs and says, "You were right again, Lieutenant; buckethead's after the techno-babble."

Arcee looks and remarks, "The Synthetic Energon formula."

Hexerscorch inquires, "I wasn't around for most of the discussion, so can someone tell me why the Decepticons would need the artificial variant if they already control most of Earth's Energon supply?"

Optimus answers, "Hexerscorch, the Decepticons are rebuilding the Omega Lock, as Corvowing explained. And as he also surmised, Synthetic Energon is a necessary component to use as an alternative cyber-matter."

Agent Fowler adds, "And I hate to bring additional lightning to a thunderstorm, but there's something else you missed, kid. If the 'Cons found Ratchet here, they know the location of this base."

Corvowing replies, "Thankfully, I duplicated our stuff to use in Hanger F since the Decepticons can be easily fooled by a simple paint job."

In the laboratory onboard the Nemesis, Megatron queries, "And what did the cortical psychic patch reveal?"

Highstalker disconnects the patch and answers, "Only confirmation that the Synthetic Energon formula is unstable, and that Ratchet's work on it remains incomplete."

Megatron then declares in reply, "Then it seems that we must help Ratchet complete his work."

In the brig of the Nemesis, as the door opens, Ratchet asks, "Are you done with poking around inside my head? You didn't find what you were looking for, did you? Otherwise, you wouldn't be here."

Megatron replies with a slight lie, "What I want apparently doesn't exist at the present time."

Ratchet quizzes while knowing the answer already thanks to Corvowing, "And what would that be, by any chance?"

Megatron replies, "We would very much appreciate it if you managed to finish your work on the formula for Synthetic Energon."

Ratchet snarls in reply, "Even if I was capable of doing it, do you really believe I would just hand you an unlimited supply of fuel and ammunition just so you could turn around and use it against the entire Autobot army to win this war?"

Ratchet turns his back to Megatron, who reveals, "Oh, you misunderstand, dearest Ratchet. I intend to use your Synthetic Energon formula for the purpose of creation, not of destruction. (Ratchet turns to face Megatron.) We have fortuitously realized and discovered that your Synth En, when combined with any form of cyber-nucleic acid from even Predacons, may in fact form the basis for an alternative cyber-matter."

Ratchet remarks in shock, "Corvowing was right; you are attempting to rebuild the Omega Lock."

Megatron replies, "Yes. And we stand on the verge of a grand moment in time: the restoration of our home planet, Cybertron."

Ratchet replies with a slight lie that fools Megatron, Soundwave, and Roughstuff, "Collaborate with you when you know the location of my comrades' base and that we have an army of techno-organics? Very well. I'll do it. But then again, you probably was expecting me to refuse at first, weren't you?"

Roughstuff chuckles as he remarks, "Hmhmhmhm. Humans and techno-organics: always the weak link."

Megatron then says, "Soundwave, escort our guest to the bridge of the Nemesis. I have something to attend to before I forget. Roughstuff, come with me."

As Megatron and Roughstuff are out of hearing range, unaware that Ratchet's hearing is now one hundred percent superhuman, Roughstuff asks, "Master, you aren't really going to allow the Autobots to remain functional, are you?"

Megatron replies, "Of course not. Assemble your Seeker Armada, Roughstuff, and destroy the Autobot base once again."

Roughstuff smirks evilly.

In the Autobots' new base, everyone is gathered at the monitors as Agent Fowler points out, "Hhhaaa. All aerial search patterns are coming up empty."

Elita One adds, "No chatter on Decepticon radios or commlinks either."

Wheeljack adds as well, "And no ground activity. It's a little too quiet out there."

Optimus replies, "Since the Decepticons no longer seek Predacon bones, Iacon relics, or human technology, there is simply no activity to track."

Bulkhead remarks, "So, until Megatron makes a move, we're in a holding pattern for the time being."

Predaking states, "Ratchet didn't think this new sword he built for me was good enough."

Ultra Magnus adds, "But I'll tell you what truly isn't good enough: giving up. We have no choice but to play this old school, by splitting up into teams for maximum coverage."

Suddenly, the intruder alarms blare and Agent Fowler calls out, "We have incoming - a whole fleet's worth!"

Corvowing replies, "Well, thankfully, we moved to Hanger F already."

High in the sky, Roughstuff leads five members of his Seeker Armada to the military base.

Several human soldiers scramble to their jets.

Roughstuff calls out, "Concentrate your fire on Hangar E!"

The human jets open fire on the Seekers, but they miss continuously.

Roughstuff evades lots of gunfire before launching all twelve of his missiles at Hangar E.

The missiles make impact and explode all in unison, destroying the entire hangar.

Roughstuff and his Seekers flee the area while Roughstuff says into his commlink, "Lord Megatron, I am pleased to report that the Autobot base has been permanently reduced to ashes!"

On the Nemesis, Ratchet mentally chortles, "Gullible fools! You have no idea how well thought out Corvowing's contingency plans really are."

Ratchet comes up to the bridge of the Nemesis as Megatron remarks, "I'm sure you would more fully appreciate our facilities if you were comfortable."

A Vehicon deactivates Ratchet's bonds as he asks, "How do you know I won't use these to amputate?"

He deploys his surgical swords.

Megatron points out, "And pass up a chance to see our molecular masking field?"

Ratchet retracts his swords and remarks, "Your cloaking device."

Ratchet takes a look before he scoffs, "Pfft. Shielding is shielding, high-tech or low."

Megatron replies, "Perhaps you'll be more impressed by our Energon transfusion capacitor. It allows us to maximize our consumption a thousand fold, with and without our Matter Duplication Rays."

Ratchet replies back, "Decepticon engineering never ceases to impress. Even Corvowing would spring a leak if he saw this."

Megatron states, "Doctor, we may be mortal enemies, but all the same, Autobots and Decepticons do share one and only one goal in common: I would like to see the ruins of our devastated home planet restored to their former glory as much as you do."

Megatron displays a picture of Cybertron restored to its former state of being before the war.

Ratchet sneers, "Megatron, you would just try to conquer Cybertron all over again and enslave anyone who refuses to pledge allegiance to you."

Megatron replies, "Of course I would! And your comrades would attempt to stop me as ever. But at least we would once again possess a planet worth fighting over."

Ratchet replies back, "Perhaps. But you wouldn't stop there, would you? Earth would be next, if not first. What assurance do I have that you would leave humankind be and that you wouldn't instantaneously terminate me once you got what you wanted?"

Megatron replies, "None whatsoever. After all, you know as well as I that as a Decepticon, any assurances I might have to offer would be completely worthless and redundant. But that does not change the fact that you may be Cybertron's only hope of ever seeing life again."

Ratchet states as Megatron walks away, "Good point."

In the second new Autobot base, Wheeljack remarks, "So, the kid clipped the business end of Laserbeak's signal transponder."

Arcee adds, "You're not such a bad shot after all."

Agent Fowler states while walking up to Rafael who's typing away at his laptop computer, "We thought you might be able to provide an analysis in Ratchet's absence."

Rafael replies, "It's trying to communicate with the Nemesis."

Miko questions, "How do you know?"

Rafael answers, "It's telling us."

Rafael types a command and Cybertronian code shows up on the screen.

Jack points out, "Uh, Raf, that's Cybertronian code."

Miko queries again, "Okay, wait a minute. First, Raf understands Bumblebee during the brief period of having his voice box crushed, and now Raf reads Cybertronian? Are we sure he's not some kind of alien?"

Corvowing replies, "Ratchet and Alpha Trion took the time to teach Rafael how to read Cybertronian."

Agent Fowler remarks, "If it's talking to its mama, can we triangulate the signal?"

Ultra Magnus asks in reply, "To a shielded warship?"

Arcee points out, "If the transponder was still attached to Laserbeak, we could follow it."

Corvowing points out, "It can work, but it works a lot like a two-way radio. Meaning that the closer it gets to triangulating the signal of the Nemesis and the closer it gets to the ship's present location, the more the chances of the signal being detected by the Nemesis increases. But I think I can rig up a portable signal dampener for it."

Wheeljack remarks, "Maybe we should give it wings."

Rafael states, "We can use spare parts from the machine shop."

Corvowing replies, "Let's get to it, kid. For Ratchet."

In the laboratory of the Nemesis, Megatron remarks, "While your forces have put a dent into our resources, Highstalker has been invaluable in updating our laboratory. Since you've chosen to accept the offer, you now have unrestricted access to our equipment."

As Ratchet spots a quantum cryo-inducer, he remarks in shock and awe, "Is that a quantum cryo-inducer? Only two were ever made."

Megatron corrects him, "Actually, three of them were made. You're holding the original prototype."

Ratchet replies, "Fascinating!"

Back in the Autobot base, Corvowing, Rafael, Wheeljack, Que, Brainstorm, Highbrow, and the other scientists are hard at work on making the drone.

Rafael says in slight frustration, "The frequency modulator keeps shorting out."

Wheeljack replies, "Easy, champ. Let me try uncrossing some wires."

Smokescreen remarks, "Now, there's something you don't see every day."

Ironhide explains, "Jackie wasn't always a loner and he wasn't always a Wrecker. He was once one of Cybertron's most prized engineers."

Bulkhead adds, "And being a Wrecker was all about the team."

Miko does some heavy lifting, thankful that she secretly took shop classes and other kinds of engineering classes when she was younger.

Everyone looked stunned at how well Miko was helping.

Jakestreet comes up to Agent Fowler and asks, "Agent Fowler, is everything all right?"

Agent Fowler replies, "I'm just preoccupied, thinking about the close calls we humans have had with the Decepticons and other threats over the years and much more lately – nearly getting tortured by Roughstuff, getting shot out of the sky by Silas, nearly getting buried in an earthquake at the first base during Unicron's awakening, nearly getting run off the road by Nemesis Prime, getting shocked with Energon by Trypticon, nearly getting shot out of the sky during the attack on the first base, and so forth. The uncomfortable point of reality is that the bots might not always be here. And even if they are going to always be here, they can't be everywhere all at once, as we've learned. This Apex Armor is the only one-of-a-kind battlesuit of invulnerability that can stand between Miko and the Predatitan clone called Predatalon. The reason she can come back without a scratch and without a hair missing or a drop of blood spilled. Cybertronian tech like that could be just what we need to give our agents on the front lines a fighting chance just in case the United States ever gets pulled into another civil war or in case we end up in the end of days according to Corvowing's knowledge of biblical prophecies. Agents like maybe you someday."

Jakestreet replies, "Yeah, but even Cybertronian tech like the Apex Armor can also be the root that causes the start of World War Three. If any of this was stolen by any of America's enemies, including Roarke, we would have a lot of much bigger problems."

Agent Fowler replies, "Well, I won't deny that's true."

Suddenly, the drone's engine activates and everyone turns their attention to the "Chip" drone as it flies above them by Rafael's extreme long-range remote control.

Agent Fowler exclaims, "Custer's mustache!"

The drone circles back around and lands next to Rafael.

Agent Fowler states, "I think I need to change my star-spangled shorts."

Rafael explains, "I'm still fine-tuning Chip's remote."

Arcee asks, "Chip?"

Smokescreen starts to ask, "So, we're gonna have this doohickey fly back to Decepticon Central—"

Jakestreet finishes, "And lead us straight to Ratchet."

Meanwhile, aboard the Nemesis, Ratchet remarks, "Even if you manage to reconstruct the Omega Lock, it is a force of magic. I've come to my senses. The notion of scientifically replicating its capabilities is complete folly, madness even."

After stopping at a door, Megatron asks as the door opens, "But how will we ever be able to know for sure, Ratchet, if we do not try?"

Megatron presses a blue scanner button and the circle on the underdeck of the Nemesis opens, and Megatron questions again, "And how can we not try when the means finally lie within our reach?"

Ratchet's jaw plate drops as he sees VIGINTILLIONS upon vigintillions of Vehicons of every type in the triple digit decillions working on finishing the Omega Lock's repairs.

And they were accompanied by Constructicons and other generic Decepticon troops of every type in repairing the Omega Lock.

Ratchet remarks in shock, "By the Allspark! You've actually done it!"

Megatron replies smugly, "Decepticon engineering. It will not take long for this Omega Lock's drives to be fully operational. All that is still needed to restore Cybertron is the cyber-matter to launch through it to Primus' spark, our home world's very core."

Ratchet adds, "Which requires a stabilized and completed formula for the production of the Synthetic Energon."

Megatron states for the final nail in the coffin, "I have every confidence in you, doctor."

Ratchet remembers what Corvowing said about this and that Predatalon will turn on Megatron only if the truth about the Predacons under Predatitan's command and under Predaking's command is revealed.

Ratchet makes his final decision as he says resolutely, "Like I said on the bridge, I'll do it. And you still already knew about it, didn't you?"

Megatron smiles evilly.

To be continued...

(Author's notes: In the next chapter, some things will diverge from the canon timeline. You'll have to read the beginning author's notes to find out.

See you all in chapter 76: Synthesis.)