Chapter 3: Trion's Warning
A thrown object. In this case an empty clip from a laser blaster.
It wasn't the most considerate way to begin a conversation. But it was how Sideswipe had chosen to begin his conversation.
"You started racing again?!" He demanded, optics wide.
Sunstreaker looked up at him with bored optics.
"Hey remember how we used to race all the time? Like once a week? Sometimes twice?" He asked, grabbing the empty clip and hurling it back. "Captain hypocrisy?"
Sideswipe caught it in a backhand, optics dead set on the yellow twin.
"We're soldiers now. It's different. Come on Sunny, you're my older brother, I shouldn't be the smart one here!"
"You're not." Sunstreaker replied, standing up off his berth. "I'm tired of being cooped up in this base. Prime wasn't finding me enough missions. I needed a thrill! Something!"
"And now you're benched. How many missions do you think you'll see now?" Sideswipe asked angrily, turning and punching the wall.
"I don't see what the problem is! You just got a mission! You got to go fight cons and play hero!" Sunstreaker argued, throwing his hands in the air. "I'm the one that has to sit here wondering if you're gonna come back alive!"
"THEN MAYBE YOU SHOULD'VE THOUGHT OF THAT!" Sideswipe shouted. "We're brothers! We do everything together, you know what it's like not having you next to me out there?! We're in this together! If you weren't so Primus Damn selfish..."
The door slid open. Ironhide stood in the doorway, looking aggravated.
"Your door is closed. My door is closed. My room is across the hall. How come I can still hear you? How are you two this loud?" He demanded.
Sunstreaker and Sideswipe exchanged a look.
"Airing some grievances." Sideswipe said finally.
Ironhide's optics shifted from one mech to the other.
"Air em quieter." He commanded.
He walked out, and the door slid closed behind him.
"I'm sorry, Sides." Sunstreaker said, almost throwing his twin off with his sincerity.
"Are you?" Sideswipe asked.
"Yeah. I am. I'm sorry I didn't have your back. Just...please...try and get me back in the game? I can't just sit here collecting dust. I need to fight."
Sideswipe let out a sigh. He folded his arms and slumped against the wall.
"I'll try."
Optimus looked to Mirage, who glared in suspicion at the mech.
"It's okay, Mirage. I'll be alright." He said as reassuringly as he could manage. "Go report your findings to Prowl."
Mirage looked at him with wide optics.
"You're sure?"
"Yes." Optimus replied with a firm nod.
Mirage nodded back, and folded his gun away, giving Alpha Trion one last suspicious glance, before turning and walking down the hallway.
Optimus walked into the room, and sat at his desk, as Alpha Trion shifted to the other side.
"Metroplex, how exactly did this old mech get into you without any notice?" Optimus asked.
"Forgive me, Optimus. I have no record of him entering at any time." Metroplex replied.
Optimus looked back at Alpha Trion.
"You're some kind of ghost?"
Alpha Trion chuckled lightly.
"Almost. I've certainly been around long enough. I've seen the dawn of Cybertron, I've served the thirteen Primes. And I was given the task of readying you for what comes next." He sat down in the chair opposite Optimus.
"What did you mean about dark times?" Optimus asked, arms folded.
Alpha Trion sighed.
"You will not want to hear this..." he replied. "And I'm not sure I'm even supposed to tell you. But I feel I should. As I have served Cybertron longer than anyone still living, and I love it dearly...you will be the end of this planet."
Optimus stared back at him blankly.
"I will?"
"Not directly of course." Alpha Trion said quickly. "You will try your best to save it. But this war you fight is not over. Not even close. And if you stay here, and fight...Cybertron will burn. And you with it."
Optimus stood up.
"Burn how?" He asked.
"I...cannot say..."
"You've told me this much. Tell me what I can do." Optimus asked. "Please. I must save our home."
Alpha sighed.
"Perhaps Solus knew it would be this way. Perhaps...that is why I wasn't supposed to tell you. Optimus, the only way to save Cybertron, is to leave."
Optimus shook his head.
"I can't do that. This is my home. Our home. And if we leave, we hand it to the decepticons." He began pacing the room. He looked at the mech, skepticism in his optics. "Are you a decepticon? Did Megatron tell you to come here, sell me this false tale? Some story that would make me pack up and leave? That sounds too cowardly for the Megatron I knew."
"Optimus, please! I am Alpha Trion! I am not a decepticon, I have never been a decepticon! I barely know of this Megatron." The old mech replied. He stood up, and faced Optimus. "Metroplex, tell him who I am." He commanded.
"Alpha Trion was the senior tactician for the tribe of Solus Prime, and served all 13 of the Primes during the course of the original Great War." Metroplex stated. "He is not a decepticon. To this I can attest."
"Then you're not a spy. Not a saboteur. Just a foolish old man." Optimus said dismissively.
"Optimus...you do not need to listen to me if you do not wish to...but if you stay here, all I ask is that you be prepared...Cybertron is going to fall. And there is nothing you can do to stop it." Alpha Trion said sadly.
Optimus put his hands on his desk and hung his head.
"I never told anyone about my vision of Solus Prime." Optimus said, looking up at him.
"I know. She was more than just a vision. So powerful in life...she brings guidance even in death. It was she who guided you to the matrix."
Optimus looked down at his chest, and opened it.
To reveal the matrix, and it's glowing blue light.
Alpha Trion's aged optics were transfixed by it.
"Ah yes." He said, with wide optics, as he gazed upon it. "Such...indescribable beauty."
Optimus hung his head again.
"When I was given this...Solus Prime told me I was destined to save Cybertron. How can I save Cybertron if the only way to save it is to leave it for Megatron to ravage?"
Alpha Trion put a hand on Prime's shoulder.
"Primus works in strange ways, my child..." He replied. "It is possible that leaving Cybertron was your way to save Cybertron. The planet is so weak, weakened by past corruption, and Megatron's...horrendous, but brief reign. It cannot afford a war."
He reached out and touched the matrix with his hand.
And immediately let out a cry of pain, that shocked Optimus, who quickly closed his chest.
Alpha Trion withdrew, shaking his finger as he hissed painfully.
"Forgive me...I was never worthy of the matrix. I thought after all these years of service...ah well." He lamented. "The message is delivered."
Optimus sighed and shook his head.
"No. I can't. I cannot do this. I cannot leave Cybertron to Megatron. It would betray everything that I am."
"Very well, Optimus Prime." Alpha replied sadly. "But...I must again warn you...Cybertron is going to fall. And no matter what you do, you cannot save it. I am sorry."
He turned and headed towards the door.
"We will meet again, Optimus Prime. I can promise you that. I wish you luck."
Optimus sat alone at his desk. His comm buzzed.
"Optimus. The senate is ready." Prowl reported dryly.
Optimus let out a groan.
"Tell then I'm on my way..."
Astrotrain taxi'd over the plains.
The seeker trio flew in formation around him, as he made his way toward the Manganese mountains.
The metallic mountain range seemed so inviting in the sunlight. The shuttle circled the crevice opening, then lowered down.
Astrotrain dropped his landing gear, and came to a stop.
Shockwave and Bludgeon watched it land, and watched in anticipation as the ramp lowered.
Several decepticons pushed giant drilling machines down the ramp.
They were followed by Soundwave, Brawl and Blitzwing.
"The area is secure?" Soundwave asked, walking up to them.
"What do you think we..." Bludgeon began.
"Of course it is." Shockwave replied bluntly. "I would not declare the site ready were it not."
"I would hope not." A gruff voice replied from the shuttle.
Shockwave turned to see Megatron step down the ramp, optics burning red.
His face had long since been repaired, as had his arm. He had a shiny new fusion cannon on his arm.
The mental scars of his defeat remained. But that was okay.
Rage was a great motivator.
"You are sure we are in the right place?" He asked.
"Yes." Shockwave replied.
Megatron turned his optics to the one eyed scientist.
"I was speaking to Bludgeon. This was his initial discovery."
Shockwave stared blankly back at Megatron.
"Of course, my lord."
Bludgeon shot Shockwave a petty smirk, then turned to Megatron.
"It is here. I guarantee it. There's no other explanation for the amount of dark energon in this location." He explained.
Megatron's frown turned upward just a little at the corner of his mouth.
"Excellent. Begin excavation. Immediately."
"I must warn you, this metal is extremely thick. It could take days." Shockwave warned.
Megatron turned to look at Shockwave.
"There is no rush, Shockwave. If it takes days, we shall wait days."
The building was not far from Metroplex. A large, ancient government center that had been abandoned when the Citadel had risen.
Now it was the home of the newest incarnation of the Cybertronian Senate.
Optimus Prime stood at the doorway. The senate was already in session, and Optimus dreaded opening the door. He could hear them arguing now, muffled on the other side.
This was unquestionably the hardest part of his job.
He pressed the button, and the door slid open.
The chatter ended swiftly, and all optics at the round table turned to Optimus, as he stepped in.
A black and white senator, Crosscut cleared his throat.
"Let it be noted in the record that Optimus Prime has indeed appeared as requested..." he said, looking up at the mech. "Tardiness I suppose is one of the privileges of Primacy."
Optimus chuckled nervously, as he looked around the table.
Elita-1, the lone autobot representative, grimaced nervously at the mech.
"Forgive my lateness. I was on assignment." Optimus said, as he walked in, and took a seat next to her.
"We were discussing the energon shortage." Dai Atlas, a large and ornate blue and gold mech said, nodding to the mech. "It is good of you to join us, Prime."
"Yeah. I was having to answer all the questions on your behalf..." Elita-1 muttered. "These guys aren't very happy..."
"We most certainly are not, representative Elita." Crosscut agreed. "The newest figures show we could run out of energon in less than two cycles. Optimus Prime, I do not need to remind you of just what a disaster a complete loss of energon production would be..."
"Of course not, Senator..." Optimus replied with a nod. "We have research teams engaged in finding methods to extract more energon from the core. Unfortunately, the energon used during the brief decepticon occupation one cycle ago...severely depleted our reserves."
"I suppose our question, Prime..." Dai Atlas began. "Is how are you preparing for the potential civil issues that could arise from our shortage? Will we be rationing energon? Will we be cutting off certain cities, such as decepticon occupied Kaon..."
"I do not wish to deprive anyone of energon." Optimus stated. "Decepticon's are as deserving of energon as anyone else, provided they have not resorted to violence in order to obtain it."
"These are...the same decepticons who had the city of Altihex turned into a lifeless canyon of rust, yes?" Crosscut asked. "The same decepticons who plunged the planet into rioting in an attempt to exert control? Who murdered your predecessor, and eliminated a majority of your own forces during their occupation?"
Optimus bowed his head, and sighed.
"They were led by a power hungry warlord. One who has not been seen since I defeated him, right here in Iacon."
"Ah yes. Your former ally." Crosscut continued, his voice cutting to Prime's spark. "Megatron. Is he forgiven too? Along with all these decepticons?"
Optimus narrowed his optics.
"Decepticons who do not wish to take arms against us, or against Cybertronians are no longer considered enemies or fugitives. Megatron, however, is wanted for crimes against Cybertron, and when he is found, he will face justice. You have my word on that."
"We've made several offensive incursions into Kaon already." Elita-1 added. "It is only a matter of time until we break through their defenses."
"I just feel that...if this were Zeta Prime's senate...even dare I say, Sentinel's...this would have all been dealt with already." Crosscut stated. "Optimus Prime, your naïveté is preventing you from attacking the problems we are faced with. Energon runs dry, decepticons run rampant. Perhaps our expectations for you are simply too high."
"Senator..." Dai Atlas said cautiously.
Optimus's arm buzzed. He looked down at his messages, and his optics widened.
It was a simple message. From Prowl. One word.
Shockwave.
He looked down at it, then up at the senate.
"Senator Crosscut." He said dryly, standing up from his chair. "I am not a tyrant. I am not Zeta Prime. Nor am I Sentinel. I will not fall into the traps which claimed their integrity, but I am no pushover either. I will end this war, and then we will see about this energon crisis."
He turned and walked toward the door.
"I thank you for your time, Senators."
"Optimus Prime you are not dismissed!" Crosscut called.
Optimus turned to him, and let out an irritated vent.
"We are at war. And I have the business of war to attend to. Please excuse me. And have a pleasant day." He said, turning and walking out of the door.
"Okay. So you're telling me Shockwave and some guy are in the Manganese mountains? That could certainly be something." Prowl said, staring at a giant monitor in Metroplex's nerve center.
Mirage stared back at him.
"Okay, I also mentioned the old mech who broke into Prime's room, yes?" He asked.
Prowl looked back at him.
"Yeah, that's just Prime stuff." He said with a wave of his hand.
Mirage shook his head in disbelief.
"Okay. Yes. Of course, I guess it's nothing."
There was a rumble, as a little yellow car rolled in from the hangar.
"Where's Optimus?!" Bumblebee exclaimed, transforming up.
"Simmer down Bee, what do you need?" Prowl asked.
Bumblebee looked at him and let out a sigh of relief.
"Okay. So um. I can't remember his name. But that big shuttle guy, remember? The one Megatron escaped in?"
"Astrotrain." Prowl replied.
"Yeah, him!" Bumblebee exclaimed. "He just flew over the plains, and landed in the Manganese mountains."
Prowl's optics widened.
"You're sure it was Astrotrain?"
Bumblebee looked around as he remembered back frantically.
"I mean...yeah, he's pretty unique looking. He doesn't look like most decepticon shuttles."
"And even if it wasn't him, decepticon shuttle's in the Manganese mountains, joining Shockwave..." Mirage continued.
"Suspicious." Prowl finished, pondering the situation. "Okay. This is good. I mean. Not good, bad, obviously bad. But good to know...Bumblebee go train."
"What?" Bumblebee asked. "I just ran a mission. I trained all day yesterday, I need more?"
"Yeah. You still need work. Ironhide is gonna train you in hand to hand. Prime and I already talked about it." Prowl said firmly.
Bumblebee slumped his shoulders.
"Fiiiiine." He muttered, walking down the hall.
"What's going on?" Optimus asked, walking in.
"Bumblebee is being infantile." Prowl replied. "But also, he got us some really good intel." He said, pointing to the screen.
"The decepticons are mounting some kind of gathering in the Manganese mountains. Astrotrain was sighted entering the main crevice."
Optimus narrowed his optics.
"Wherever Astrotrain goes..." He began.
"Megatron is sure to follow." Prowl finished.
Optimus gave him a look.
"You are getting far too used to finishing people's sentences."
"Everybody has to have a talent." Prowl replied with a smirk.
"Ready a team." Optimus commanded. "Myself, Perceptor, and three others. We're going out there."