In far-off reaches of space, not too far from the Solar system, there was a lone vessel of unknown origins. It was no human vessel, and very few gem vessel still actually came to this system anymore. Even after recent events, there were still only a select few that had ever come back to this small stretch of the galaxy.
While it was not something either side was aware of, the same could be said about the crew of this rather oversized vessel. While it may not have been the first time that this group of aliens had been to the reaches of this galaxy, it was the first time they had been here under circumstances that were even close to cooperative.
"Soundwave, are you absolutely sure that these readings are still good? I mean, Shockwave must have gotten these millions of cycles ago." A large, white metallic being asked. The robot in question went by the name of Jazz and was one of the select few that were sent on this mission. In addition to him and the one he was speaking to, there were several others along for the ride.
Their mission was simple in theory but very difficult in execution. This small, ragtag team was sent to find more energy for their home planet. Or at the very least, find something that could be converted into what they needed. Energon was hard to find and even harder to manufacture from raw energy. The purer source they found, the easier it would be to convert.
Currently, they were hot on the trail of some old reports that were taken during the time of their war. It may have been an incredibly long time since the readings were last taken, but they were getting desperate at this point, and it was truly showing.
"Autobot concerns are unwarranted." Soundwave answered in his synthesized voice, "Readings indicate that from the volatile nature of the planet's surface, any life forms would be incapable of long-term survival. Even if there was stabilization of the atmosphere, the chances of any organism surviving, native or otherwise, is roughly 2.37 percent."
"2.39 percent, actually." Another bot answered, an accent in his voice. "Although I do believe Shockwave's reading to still hold some semblance of accuracy, we still must account for not only time but also the heavy chance for cataclysm in this part of the galaxy. While I do enjoy fellow intelligent company, Shockwave does have a tendency to not double check his work."
"Yeah, that's why he only has one arm now." another Autobot spoke up, this one slightly smaller and red, two horn adorning his head, "Are you saying that you actually like being around that mad scientist Perceptor?"
"Not as casual company, Cliffjumper." Perceptor told him, "More so because it is nice to have someone who can keep up with and understand all the things that I create and devise."
"You saying something about us there, Perceptor?" Jazz asked accusingly.
"Wouldn't surprise me. Most of you Autobots shine about as bright as a three-watt bulb." One of the other Decepticons chimed in. He was not alone, behind him were the four closest of his comrades.
"You're hardly one to be talking, Swindle." Cliffjumper interjected, "You're a con in every sense of the word. Weren't you the one that was trying to sell tainted energon without knowing what you had?"
"Yeah, but I'm not the one who was using it. That honor of stupidity goes to you and the rest of the Auto-trash." Swindle rebutted.
"Maybe, but, if memory serves, one of your Decepti-creep friends was kind enough to take it back to your boss." Jazz added, looking over at one of the larger members of the group. "Tell me Brawl, how'd Megatron react when he found out all that stuff was useless?"
"Unless you're looking to get deactivated, I suggest you keep your questions to yourself." Brawl answered, his tone showing clear anger, "This may be a joint op, but that doesn't mean that accidents don't happen."
"You know I'm surprised they don't just call you brawn," Cliffjumper added, "because you clearly have very little going on upstairs or anywhere else to be known for anything else."
"That's it!" Brawl shouted in fury, pushing Swindle out of the way to make an immediate b-line to Cliff Jumper. Not waiting for the hulking brute to come closer, Cliffjumper started to run towards him as well. Yet, just as the two got ready for a fight, they were stopped.
"Enough!" two voices shouted, coming from each side's respective leader as they got between them.
"Come on, Hot Rod." Cliffjumper said, "Let me just teach this creep a lesson. I promise that it will make him far more agreeable."
"Stand down, Cliff." Hot Rod ordered, "You know as well as I do that it will cause more issues then it will solve."
"That red scraplet is asking for it, Onslaught." Brawl fumed, "If he doesn't learn some manners, I may teach him some."
"We can't afford for you to start things with them." Onslaught told him, "We have a mission and Megatron is not going to be happy if there are any setbacks. This is not a time for the two of you to start the war back up."
Both Brawl and Cliffjumper were not at all happy with what their commanders said, but they were inclined to do as they were told. They had been put in charge and both sides knew that it was for a reason. Even if they themselves could not see why.
After briefly glaring at each other, the two turned away and went back to their own sides. Upon seeing this, the two commanders relaxed slightly but were quick to turn to each other so that they may talk about what just happened.
"If you expect this mission to go through without further issue, I suggest that you keep your Bots in check." Onslaught told the Autobot lieutenant.
"Noted." Hot Rod said abrasively, "but I suggest you do the same with your cons. We were both brought on this mission for a reason, and that was to ensure both our sides knew what was going on here. We don't need another incident."
"That's one of the few things that our kind can agree on." Onslaught told him, "So for now, let's get back down to business."
"Agreed." Hot Rod said, heading back to the front of the ship where Perceptor and Soundwave were. It had been a tense ride all the way, and the two factions were only cooperating due to the orders that had been given to them by their leaders. While neither one liked each other, both Optimus and Megatron knew that cooperation was necessary in order for all of this to be resolved.
But that didn't stop to two from constantly trying to get one over on the other. The entire crew of this mission could still remember the argument that was had before the task had even been decided.
"Soundwave," Megatron said to his officer, "you will be the one heading this mission. If Shockwave's reports are still accurate, the amount of raw energy that we could find on this planet will be able to sustain us for quite some time. Get there, set up communications and then report to me your findings."
"As you command, Lord Megatron." the comms officer said.
"Hold it right there, Megatron." the Autobot leader said, his voice low and commanding, "Do you honestly think that we will let you handle this mission yourself?"
"Really now, Optimus." the Decepticon leader said, "It would not be at all necessary for your Autobots to come along with this mission. It is simple recon, nothing. Do you honestly have so little trust in us that you think we cannot do this without issue?"
"Yes." Optimus answered plainly, "After what happened in the last mission, I insist that a team of our own accompanies you."
The leaders of each faction simply glared at each other, a strong sense of hate being felt by anyone in the room. The two almost never agreed on anything, but they were also aware that compromises needed to be made in times such as this. So, it was Megatron to yield this time around.
"Very well, Optimus. Send your own team if you please, but do not over encumber this mission with useless soldiers. Send only what you need." Megatron said, before turning back to Soundwave, "Soundwave, the Combaticons will accompany you on this mission. Hopefully, they will not be needed."
"Acknowledged," Soundwave said, turning to exit the room.
"I do not take orders from you." Optimus commented, before turning to his own, "Hot Rod, I want you leading this mission."
"Really, Optimus?" the Bot asked, "I've never lead a mission before. Are you sure that I am ready for this."
"We don't always get the choice of when we must lead, but I think this will be a good start for you." Optimus told the young Lieutenant, "Take Jazz, Perceptor, and Cliffjumper. Ensure that the Decepticons don't get up to anything and, if there is any raw energy there, report back once the communications have been established."
"I won't fail you." Hot rod said, bowing his head slightly.
"I know you won't." Optimus encouraged him.
"Perceptor, what's the report?" Hot rod asked the scientist.
"Well, so far nothing new." Perceptor answered, glad that the conflict was resolved before it began, "As said by many others before, this information is very old, but I still feel that it holds merit. With the number of plausible accidents that happen in this remote system and the fact that it has its own asteroid belt, it's unlikely that anything would survive long enough to develop. That being said, once we get close enough, I'll be able to have a better reading of-"
Perceptor was interrupted when a small alarm noise could be heard from the head of the shuttle. Not wasting any time, he, Onslaught, Soundwave and Hot Rod made their way to the front to see what the fuss was. Once they got into the cockpit, Onslaught was quick to question his pilots.
"Blastoff, Vortex, what's going on?" the Combaticon leader asked.
"We're picking up strange readings from the planet that we're approaching." Blastoff said, "It's unlike anything that the old logs have said."
Bringing up a tracking map on the screen just above them, a map of the planet showed the where about of possible fuel sources. While there were a great deal of them dotted across the surface, the most prominent one was at the very center of the large rock. One that glowed like a mass of pure Energon.
"Perceptor, do have any idea what that is?" Hot Rod asked.
"I'm not sure at all." Perceptor answer, baffled by what he was seeing, "This does not show up at all in the old information logs. Shockwave's data has nothing on this."
"Energy signature is near identical to that of raw energon." Soundwave said.
"Raw? How could there possibly be a deposit of raw energon that wasn't noticed before?" Onslaught asked, "I know the reports are millions of cycles old, but we would have seen it even back then? Vortex, take us in closer. We need to see just what's changed on this supposedly uncharted world."
Without a word, the Decepticon began to move closer to the planet. And once they got close enough, they were all shocked to see that, not only was life still on the planet, but it seemed that it had also evolved enough to get to a point of civilization.
"So what were those chances again, Perceptor?" Jazz asked, him and the rest of the crew having just recently come up to the bridge to see what the fuss was.
"I guess the saying true, life does find a way." Cliff added.
"This is astonishing." Perceptor said in complete awe, "to think that a species could survive against nearly every odd thrown against it. I know it's possible, but this is truly something of a miracle."
"Irrelevant." Soundwave said, moving to one of the consoles, "Mission objective is the acquisition of energy. Subspecies must not hinder mission progress."
"This is kind of important, Soundwave." Jazz said, "We don't know anything about these creatures. For all we know, they could be more fragile than Cliff's glass gun."
Cliffjumper simply rolled his eyes, giving an angry grumble at the comment about his favorite weapon.
"Irrelevant." Soundwave repeated, "The mission takes priority, and the subspecies will not hinder us."
"This is completely relevant, Soundwave." Hot said, "We don't know anything about this planet or it's species. For all we know, they could already be acquiring the energy and using it for themselves. Now I know that you don't care about what happens to them, but wouldn't it be easier to try asking them first. Sure, we don't know if they speak our language, but it's always worth a shot."
"I hate to say it, but Hot Rod is right." Onslaught added, "The more conflict we avoid, the more energon we bring back. If these things are even the slightest bit intelligent, we might be able to work something out. Who knows, we could wind up taking it all without them even caring."
There was a long moment of silence in the cockpit as everyone stared at Soundwave. Of everyone in this group, he was the one to the most affirmative action. He never did anything without considering all factors, and his loyalty to Megatron was something that no one else could match. So, when he made a decision, everyone knew there was no going back from there.
It took a long period of thought, but Soundwave eventually gave his answer.
"Squawktalk, eject." Soundwave commanded, a blue minicon flying out of his chest compartment. The con in question was one of the least liked among anyone who knew of him, as the bird-like robot seemed to never stop making noises.
"Operation; translation," Soundwave told Squawktalk. No sooner was it said that bird flew out of the room, heading for the back exit of the ship. Everyone was thankful for this, as none wanted to hear that thing go on in every language they knew.
"Alright, that's something we can take care of at least." Onslaught said, glad to have done the smart thing. "Still, I don't think that we should stick with just one plan. If that doesn't work out, we need to find a place to start this harvesting."
"Agreed." Hot Rod said, before turning to Perceptor, "Perceptor, what's your opinion on the best course of action?"
"Well, based on everything that I am seeing so far," Perceptor said, turning to work with one of the consoles, "with this mass build up of energy near the core of the planet, it is not unlikely that there may be several points on the surface where it can escape. Now, where there are several places that have large build up, I suggest we go to this one."
Perceptor pointed to the map. The others all looked to what he was pointing to, seeing that there was a large energy spike on what looked like some sort peninsula of land.