Reviews:
Drager: One thing I wanted to do was keep the sacrifice Optimus made purposeful, Ultra Magnus and the others make sure that fake primes don't rise to honour him, I can incorporate it later down the line though with Jack. There will be some political elements, mostly Earth politics regarding the Decepticons and Autobots, but there will be a few minor things with Arcee and the high council.
Guest #1: For what I have planned, When Jack becomes Cybertronian, he will be similar in appearance to Optimus, but I will incorporate some design elements of Barricade.
Yubel578: We'll be seeing all that next chapter.
Gathering Intel
The sun burned down upon Command Base Alpha 1, the central complex of Unit E. The complex itself was remote, located far from any civilization. At the centre of the large complex, stood the central observation tower.
Within the tower, General Wayne Darby stood, observing the personnel far below him, among them, his former-wife and son moved. He wouldn't deny that he was distant from Jack, it had been the cost of the decision they made years ago.
He had remained in contact his family since that day, offering to provide support for Jack's education. June had declined ever offer, refusing to let the large income of money he received from his occupation support Jack's education.
Something along the lines of it making him an outcast among the town. He wasn't sure whether or not he provided aid for Jack would've made a difference in the end. He certainly was shocked to discover that Jack had been involved deeply with the Cybertronian's war.
He wasn't pleased that Jack risked his life for the aliens, but his doubts were easily swept aside, seems his boy held much surprise in him. Wayne smiled at the things his son had done, not only for Earth, but for Cybertron as well.
Admittedly, Wayne hadn't played a major part in the talks with the Autobots and their war with the Decepticons, focusing instead on the terrorist organizations that threated his home. M.E.C.H had been a major threat to his home. They were the closest interaction he had that involved the Autobots.
He shook his thoughts aside, making his way down the observation tower. His mind drifting over his thoughts. "General Wayne, Private Darby was asking for you."
Wayne nodded, wondering why Jack wanted to see him. "I'll see him in my office." He replied, moving on. The officer nodded, heading the opposite direction.
Jack moved silently, stepping into his father's office. "Father." He greeted, gaze sweeping the room. Photos lined the walls, with a photo of Wayne and a rather young Jack resting upon the desk. A display case of medals rested silently off to the side.
"Jack, I was told that you wanted to see me." Wayne started, gaze locked upon his son. He could tell, the moment that Jack had entered the office, that something was troubling him. "You're troubled."
Jack blinked. "Huh?" He questioned shyly, his interactions with his father had been limited. He wasn't going to lie, his father was an intimidating man, but that was just the outer layer, from what his mother had told him, his father was one of the most caring and gentle people she knew.
"What's troubling you?" Wayne asked, his voice gentle and caring, something unexpected for a hardened military leader.
"Is it that obvious?" Jack wondered, taking a seat opposite his father.
Wayne nodded. "You're not the subtle one with your emotions now days. From what I remember, you used to keep your emotions pretty well hidden."
Jack chuckled quietly. "Yeah, Arcee really knocked that out of me." He sighed, remembering his partner.
Wayne took a deep breath. "You're uncomfortable here." He noted, his body relaxing. "I can understand that." He leaned forward. "So, why don't we talk about what you wanted to see me about."
Jack clamed himself. "I've… I don't even know how to word it." He was lost in his words, not sure how to put it without it sounding bad. "You remember the Autobots, their leader?"
Wayne nodded. "I do, didn't know them as well as you and June did, but I knew them."
"I was summoned by the first Cybertronians, they brought my mind to their realm." Jack began, shifting awkwardly. "One of them, one called Vector Prime, said that I wasn't summoned lightly, that they only summon others to their realm unless…" He paused, closing his eyes tightly.
"Unless they've seen the qualities of a leader, of a Prime in them." Jack sighed heavily. "They said they've been watching me for a while now, they selected me to be the next Prime."
Wayne frowned. "And, how did you react?"
"I… rejected their claims, refused to be the next Prime."
Wayne noticed something in Jack, something within his gaze told him that this wasn't what troubled him. "They said something else, didn't they? It's troubling you, weighing down your thoughts."
Jack nodded. "Another one, Prima, said the with me refusing means they failed their duty, said that without a Prime, chaos will rule over life, that light would fade until darkness was left, that their sparks, hearts, would be gone forever."
Wayne frowned, he had read the reports Fowler had given Bryce. Chaos ringed a bell, Unicron, the so-called chaos bringer, the opposite to Primus, the embodiment of destruction, whose very blood could resurrect the dead as mindless husks.
It wasn't a comforting thought. "And this troubles you why?"
"I wonder now, what did Prima mean? Why would a Prime be important to keeping the light? And why decide to have a human be the next Prime?"
Wayne allowed his gaze to falter, falling slightly to see his desk. "I…" He breathed heavily. "I'm not sure what to say. I guess it could be a warning, perhaps a cryptic clue about something." Wayne placed a hand to his forehead.
"I don't want to be given responsibility, I don't want to be the one others look to for guidance or wisdom." Jack sighed heavily. "I just want to have a normal life."
"General, there's something you need to see."
Wayne frowned, standing with a sigh. "Not to cut our time short, but there appears to be an issue." Ducking around his desk, he paused, reaching out to rest a hand upon his sons' shoulder. "As I told your mother after our marriage, trust in your heart, and you will find the answers."
Jack nodded, watching his father leave. The words weighed heavily upon his mind, circling around and around. Perhaps his heart would give him the answers he wished for.
Wayne frowned as he entered the command room. "What is it?" He questioned, moving around the busy room.
"Drones picked this up several minutes ago, General."
Wayne leaned down, eyes narrowed as he observed the screen. "Any idea what they're doing?" He asked, glancing briefly over the image.
"They seem to be searching the debris, perhaps scavenging for something."
"Or looking for someone." Wayne noted, pulling back as he turned fast. "Look alive men, we have unidentified beings searching an off-limits zone. I want all personnel on high alert." He moved quickly, picking something up. "Get me a squadron of F-35's dispatched to these coordinates right away."
Skywarp observed the clouds of Earth closely, he found it hard to believe that this world had been the end of Megatron's conquest. His optics narrowed, it was pitiful, how such a primitive race could withstand the might of the Decepticons.
"Commander Skywarp, we've detected a cluster of primitive aerial units headed for the salvage team."
Skywarp rolled a fist, such a minor inconvenience, but at this point in time, he couldn't afford any loose ends. His optics fell upon his twin. "Slipstream, you have command of my vessel till I return." Marching away, he paused briefly. "I shall ensure that these primitives have no recollection of our presence."
Marching up to the flight deck, Skywarp smirked, breaking into a run before leaping off the edge. Flipping in the air, he swiftly shifted forms, blasting down towards the surface at rapid speeds. His internal scanners leading him towards the F-35's.
Bursting from the clouds, he unleashed a round of laser of fire, taking down two of the F-35's before they could react, he quickly turned, vanishing into the clouds once more, only to reappear again, another F-35 going up in flames.
With speed, he shifted forms, landing upon one of the F-35's. With a smirk, he reached down, tearing into the aircraft. Leaping back, he watched as the craft spiraled out of control towards the surface. Shifting forms, he quickly gained on the remaining F-35's. He could only imagine the panic induced horror their pilots were going through.
The command centre was tense, waiting for the F-35's to make contact. Wayne was silent, standing tall with arms crossed as he watched seven red dots upon the radar. Alarms rang as a new dot entered the screen, moving at rapid speed. The radio chatter sprung to life.
"Oh god, it just blew Zeta 1 and 2 out of the sky."
"It's coming around for another strike."
"Where, I can't see it."
"Zeta 5, you got incoming."
"It's coming in too fast, I can't shake it."
"Zeta 5, Zeta 5!"
"It's moving in again…"
"Dear lord, it just turned into a giant robot."
"Zeta 3's lost control of his F-35."
"Zeta 4, Zeta 6. Whatever that thing is, it's coming around for another run."
"Zeta 7, it's on your six."
"I'm trying to shake it, but it just doesn't give up."
"Zeta 7, we're moving to engage."
Wayne paused as a new voice entered the radio chat, his eyes wide at the coldness, at the mockery in the tone.
"Hear the voice of the avant-courier, of the one who brings your demise. I am the herald of conquest, I am commander of the Decepticon Early Assault Taskforce Harbinger."
"Oh my god, it speaks."
"Zeta 4, it's headed for you."
"Dear lord, it just blew Zeta 4 to dust."
"It's coming for you Zeta 7, it's moving… Holy lord, grant me mer…"
The pilot's scream faded to static. The command centre was silent. "Get me a visual of the attacker, now!" Wayne ordered, a hand moving to his forehead.
"Drone moving to get a visual now General."
Wayne waited patiently, "Be ready to get a shot of it, I want an image sent to my office right away. And can someone get me Agent Fowler, I need him and his proteges on sight ASAP."
Fowler frowned as he stood silently, phone held to his ear. "I'll be over there as fast as I can." He paused, listening to the person at the other end. "Understood, we'll meet him in his office." He sighed. "Sweet Lady Liberty, there's never an end to these meetings."
Making his way out of his office, Fowler moved, eyes glued to the large hangar. A hangar that had stood empty for months, save his two protégés. "Miko, Raf. Get to the helipad at once. We've been summoned by the General."
Miko and Raf exchanged a look at one another, the former of the two groaned slightly. "Aw man, and just when things were getting to the best part."
Raf shook his head, packing up his laptop as he moved out. "Wonder why the General wants us?"
"Something big is going down, I can tell. I bet it's an intel gathering for some new world threat." Miko said excitedly. Her energy hadn't diminished in the time since the Autobots had left, nor her tendency to run headfirst into trouble.
"So, Agent Fowler, do you know why we've been summoned?" Raf asked, watching the former Autobot liaison closely.
"I wasn't given much besides the fact that a squadron of F-35's and a surveillance drone went dark near Jaspar, Nevada. I presume the General will be giving us more information regarding what we're up against."
Jack stood by the helipad, eyes watching as Fowler's helicopter touched down. Stepping forward, he watched as Fowler emerged, followed by Miko Raf. "Fowler, Raf, Miko." He greeted.
"It's good to see you again son." Fowler greeted in return. "Let's see what your father wants to talk about."
Miko and Raf glanced at each other briefly, both in confusion and surprise. "Wait, Jack's dad is the General?" Miko asked, unsure of things.
Jack chuckled in amusement. "Afraid to meet the head of Unit: E, Miko." He joked, leading the way to his father's office. "But yes, and things aren't looking pleasant for us either." He added, eyes drifting towards the sky.
"General Darby, you wished to see us." Fowler said, entering the office.
Wayne nodded. "Fowler, my old friend, I had wished our meeting were under more pleasant times." He began, gesturing to the chairs before his desk. He watched as Jack moved to sit next to him, Fowler opposite with both Miko and Raf either side of him.
"So, what's the emergency?" Fowler started.
Wayne pulled out a small folder, pushing it forward as he explained. "A surveillance drone spotted these fellas scavenging the remains of that alien tower. Sent Zeta Squadron to investigate further, make sure we didn't have faulty equipment."
Fowler pulled out several photos. His eyes wide. "They're back." His voice was barely above a whisper, but he could recognise the purple face upon the Seekers without a doubt.
General Darby nodded. "This is the one who attacked us, called himself the avant-courier. Mentioned he was the commander of the D.E.A.T.H" He continued.
"The death?" Miko said, amused by the title.
"Decepticon Early Assault Taskforce Harbinger." Jack provided, having already gotten an idea on the situation beforehand.
"As my boy said, he claimed to be the commander of this division, we're past the idea that it's a small group, we believe they have more then what we've seen so far." Wayne paused, glancing at Jack briefly. "Jack reported that Megatron had a warship during his attempted invasion. I believe this division has more than a single warship to spare." Wayne went on.
"Possibly fully crewed with soldiers and heavy artillery to siege a planet for decades, centuries even." Wayne paused. "Since you four have the most experience with these aliens, I want you to look into this further, at least get some ideas down to what they want, and if this is a possible invasion."
"We have no way to get in contact with the Autobots." Raf noted, eyes glued to the images. "Even if we did, how long would it take for their aid to arrive."
Skywarp moved, dusting a few shards of ash from his shoulders. Optics moved. "Contact my Generals, we're overdue a meeting." He barked, marching towards his quarters. "No one is to interrupt me unless it concerns the operation." He added.
Upon entering his quarters, the Seeker locked the door, dimming the lights before three screens formed, one of which was to remain blank, Hotlink wasn't needed for this meeting, he could easily be briefed later. The screens flickered to life. Upon the central screen, a hulking Insecticon appeared.
His appearance was full of bulk, aspects of a scorpion littered all over his frame. A combination of green, purple and orange colouring covered his body with a single red visor glowing dimly. The other had a skull face, two red optics glowed brightly. His frame emulated that of a samurai, with orange and green serving as his colours. "Scorponok, Bludgeon. I am in need of news regarding the progress of your assignments." Skywarp said, watching the two closely.
Scorponok nodded, his head turning to the side. "Fasttrack, fetch my datapad."
Bludgeon stayed still. "My unit has managed to obtain as much intel as we can from various abandoned Decepticon outposts. Though the local organics of our assigned sectors are starting to become suspicious."
Skywarp smirked. "They will not hinder thee operation, the primitives of this world have already proven to be unorganised, going into panic at the first sign of trouble."
"We've managed to acquire the tech you requested from Nebulos, we had a few close calls with the natives, but Insecticons are much tougher than they appear. Everything needed to access this Shadowzone is together, needing only be assembled." Scorponok reported.
Skywarp smirked. "Excellent, everything is going according to plan. Continue with your assignments, keep out of sight, it wouldn't do us any good if the Autobots learned of our continued presence."
The two generals nodded, the screens going blank. Skywarp smirked, turning as he moved to his berth. "Soon, soon the Decepticons will be restored to their former glory. We will conquer worlds, enslave all live, and we shall live as equals with no opposition." He boasted to himself, unaware of the drone watching him from the darkness.
Magnificus watched Soundblaster with great interest. Buzzsaw had already proven useful in spying on their former comrades. Magnificus' thoughts drifted back to the era before the war, how unequal things were. Science could never truly advanced without sacrifice, and the cursed Zeta 'Sentinel' Prime along with his high council held them back.
Perceptor would be disgusted at what he'd done since their exile form Cybertron. But his twin could live without knowing the many lives lost in his purist of scientific advancement. He took pleasure in doing things even Shockwave would find disgusting.
Magnificus scoffed at the thoughts, how pitiful many of them were. He was one of the very few willing to do what was needed to help advance Cybertron to the next era, and to that end, the only one capable of leading this new era, was Galvatron.
Soundblaster turned, red visor falling upon the mad scientist. "Observation: New realm identified, solution: Report to Lord Galvatron." His voice was monotone, void of any emotion but held a lrarger hint of insanity.
Magnificus nodded. "So we should."
Soundblaster raised a hand. "Observation: Magnificus wishes to claim discovery of new realm for himself. Solution: Magnificus needed in scientific advancement. Soundblaster shall report instead."
Soundblaster entered the throne room. He was the only one who did not bow to the self-titled Emperor of Destruction. "Statement: Lord Galvatron, Buzzsaw report impending."
Galvatron turned, red optics locked upon his communications officer. "Report, Soundblaster, and make it quick, I my new project to overlook."
"Statement: Skywarp's forces have acquired technology from Nebulos, ability to enter new realm possible. Seekers intentions currently unknown." Soundblaster reported, watching his lord closely.
Galvatron smirked. "An ideal location to store my army when it is ready, what do you know of this realm?" He questioned.
"Operational status: Accessing databanks, cross-referencing realm name with files. Realm name identified as Shadowzone." Soundblaster continued to process, going through the information. "Shadowzone currently uninhabited, known records of realm limited to Autobot databanks residing upon both Cybertron and Earth."
Galvatron narrowed his gaze. "Anything else?"
"Statement: Viable alternative way to access the Shadowzone possible." Soundblaster announced, tapping into one of the nearby terminals. "Accessing Nemesis datafiles, file located." He paused, shifting through the many different feeds. "Apex Armour rediscovered, last known owners, natives of Earth. Now stored deep within Cybertron's underground."
"Shadowzone entry identified, Shadowzone inhabitants incorrect. One known inhabitant."
Galvatron widened his optics. "Who?"
"Observation: Decepticon chief spymaster Soundwave alongside the drone Laserbeak." Soundblaster reported. "Discovery of Shadowzone made by Earth natives, travel to realm is restricted by Cybertronian law set in place by current Autobot leader, Ultra Magnus."
Galvatron growled. "Ultra Magnus could never find the time to have fun, always by the book. A shame as well. He would've made a formidable second in command."
Soundblaster pulled back. "Observation: Nemesis renamed under Autobot control, new designation as Steelhaven, currently serving as flagship of Cybertron's Defence Force. Commander by Ultra Magnus and crewed by the Wreckers."
"Possibility to access Autobot files presence, detection level high."
Galvatron shook his head. "They still don't know where we are, and I'd like to keep it that way. It would do us no good to be besieged by the Autobots before my army is ready."
"Statement: Soundblaster understand. Restricting access to Autobot files until ordered otherwise."
Sorry if some of the canon characters seem out of character, I'm doing my best to keep accurate to their show personality.
General Wayne Darby, he was a character I created years ago during my early years of writing, he only recently gained the identity of Darby, his original last name was Wayne.
Scorponok, I wasn't happy with how he appeared in RID, here, he's how I feel he should've been. His appearance is a mixture of his 2005-2019 IDW appearance and the BW version. Fasttrack is a minor character in fiction, he's Scorponok's minicon partner. Scorponok is also an Insecticon, who, like Arachnid, can dominate the brains of other Insecticons, there ahs been many a debate between Decepticons as to whether or not Scorponok's dominance over the minds of the large insects is stronger then Arachnid.
Soundblaster is not a clone of Soundwave, nor is Buzzsaw. The two are unrelated, but share similarities in their occupation. I also based his speech on HK-47 from The Old Republic
Yeah, a majority of Galvatron's crew is either on the verge of insanity, or they're already insane. The only sane ones are Scourge, Astrotrain and Mindwipe.