Chapter 3
Confrontations
Wow, third chap. This is certainly taking longer than I expected, but still it won't be long before our cybertronic friends reach Earth. I would seriously appreciate any ratings between 1-10 (1 being the worst-10 the best). I apologise if this is all unfamiliar to you, literally all of this is original but I promise it will get better once it begins to follow the sequence of the films. As to the queries about using dark energon, I am of course not going to use it once the transformers reach earth as it is not in the films. The purpose of these chapters are simply me trying to create what I envision life on Cybertron to be like before the films, so apologies if there is confusion.
Flying never ceases to thrill me, I thought as I skimmed 40,000 feet over the planet's surface, and yet the joy of it fades somewhat once you gaze upon the devastation below. To any other Decepticon, perhaps the destruction of fallen cities would bring a sense of satisfaction, knowing that they were one step closer to achieving domination over the planet and a superior hand over the enemy. To me however, it is but another reminder of the depths we have had to go through to secure a victory.
The ground below was a raging inferno of fire, smoke and Energon radiation. What little could be seen through the dense smoke was anarchy. The twisted remains that littered the ground spread for miles around, too obliterated to distinguish between infrastructure and Cybertronian. The hollowed out wreckage of buildings near and far stood like symbolic headstones for the dead, spreading a grave message to those of the living, those who should resist. An eternal darkness seemed to spread the distance we flew, the smoke having blocked out the cold glow of the stars above. I felt a shiver run through my circuits at the thought. Will we ever see the end to this? I thought forlornly, a future comprised of darkness is no future at all. Pushing these heavy thoughts away, I gaze upwards into the distance. Praxus loomed ahead like a beacon in the dark. Even from this distance the Helix Gardens were a spectacle to gaze at. The crystals seemed to glow from an inner light of their own, the garden itself serving as a place for contemplation and peaceful thoughts for many a Cybertronian. Nowadays however it would serve the mind a way to escape from the war. For how long it would last was something else entirely.
An incoming transmission over my own secure frequency alerted me to the fact that our hidden base was close. As Praxus was very much an Autobot based State, any presences of Decepticons were neutralized immediately. The Autobots guarded Praxus passionately, as it was seen by many to be the centre of science, technology, philosophy, art and culture. Flying low as to avoid any enemy scanners, I signalled to my wingmen and flew a small sweep of the base before swooping to the ground, transforming in mid-air, with Firewing and Titan in tow.
The base wasn't anything special to look at, but that was what disguised its presence. As we are a proud race, all our other Decepticon bases are out in the open for every Cybertronian to see. We do not like to hide away from the enemy and the Autobots know this. This being the case they would not expect us to hide a base in plain sight. The base of operations was a good few miles underground, beneath a large communications tower which was destroyed after a particularly catastrophic explosion in a nearby building. I was about to enter when the large doors opened. At the head of the procession was Starscream, along with his two wingmen Thundercracker and Skywarp. Behind them was a group of around twenty Decepticon fighters, some of which looked to be Cybertronian corpses powered by Dark Energon.
I silently grimaced as Starscream approached. Out of all of Lord Megatron's generals, Starscream was perhaps the only one I truly disliked, and the feeling was mutually returned. He viewed me as his biggest threat to the position of second-in-command (a place he was willing to go through the extremes for), openly challenging me for Megatron's favour. The fact that he continually tried to gain leadership vexed me, yet we are obligated to work together at such times as was required. This incident being one of them. The fact that I am always above him, both in favour and rank did give me some satisfaction however. Starscream never did appreciate being given orders.
"I have received your report on your success in Altihex; the Autobots have been weakened as a result. A shame that you couldn't have accomplished it with fewer losses", I stated, enjoying the way Starscream bristled. "I'll have you know….sir" he ground out, "that the Autobots sufficiently outnumbered us in both fighters and munitions. Not to mention the fact that most of my fighters our merely Dark Energon powered beings." "Even so if you had chosen a more tactical approach, like Lord Megatron had suggested, instead of taking things into your own hands and giving an all-out offensive, perhaps you would have been able to take them by surprise. Unless you believe that you know better than our Lord?" "How dare you….." Starscream stuttered in rage. "I suggest that if you wish to remain in his good books, you start toning down your arrogance and your belief that everything should revolve around you, and start acting in a manner more befitting of your position. Needless to say the previous attack you led on Crystal City's border failed to reach the expectations Lord Megatron had in mind and instead resulted in another colossal loss of fighters due to your cowardice. "If you think….." Starscream bellowed. "Now I recommend you gather your remaining forces and start sweeping the air for any signs of Autobot activity. Soundwave informed Firewing on the way here that Optimus Prime himself is expected to be here, and the last thing we need is a surprise attack. Lord Megatron himself will be here shortly to oversee this attack himself, especially if Prime is involved."
Without another word I walked off to meet with the rest of my forces, who I could see approaching over the horizon, leaving a raging Starscream behind. I half expected to feel a plasma bolt impact with my back, but not even he would be that stupid. Being Megatron's second had its advantages after all. The blast of jet engines behind me alerted me to the fact that Starscream and his wingmen had taken to patrol the skies. Thinking about it though, if there was one thing that I could give him credit for, it was that he was a skilled flier. He was one of the best.
"Report" I state, sweeping my optics over the group of fighters. "All is quiet sir. We encountered no hostile forces on the roads, although we picked up a large amount of chatter on the secure Autobot frequencies. They were too encrypted to attempt to decipher". "Very well, I want you to group a short distance away from the main entrance of Praxus. Do not bother to hide yourselves, the bigger display of strength we put on, the more the civilians will see that resistance is futile. Hopefully they'll have enough sense to surrender without a fight. Many of them are neutrals and so therefore have no quarrels with us. It's the Autobots we have to worry about." "Yes sir…...uh sir, is it true that Lord Megatron himself is coming here?" "Yes. Praxus is one of the key cities in which supply Primes armies and hold many Autobots and their sympathisers. If we take it, it will be a damaging blow to their fight. As we made it clear already that we intend to lay siege of it, Optimus Prime is fully aware, and sure enough he will attempt to stop us. Lord Megatron intends to face him himself." Despite this, I still couldn't help but wonder if there was some sort of ulterior motive to this attack. Megatron wanted Optimus Prime dead that much everyone knew, but still it seemed a bit to sudden to launch a direct assault himself against Prime after countless cycles remaining under his radar. Something else is at work here, I'm certain of it.
At that moment, Starscream landed at my side, agitation and excitement evident in his stance. "Lord Megatron approaches". An instant later, the harsh sound of a motor and gears on metal could be heard in the distance. Megatron advanced in his large heavy duty vehicle form, which was quite the impressive sight to behold in itself. As he drew closer he morphed into his Cybertronian form, each gear and piece of metal moving in perfect synchronisation with each other, until he became the towering figure which was their lord. His fiery red optics glanced briefly around the base before landing on Starscream and eventually me. "Have you managed to triangulate the Autobots' position?" "Unfortunately not, my Lord. Soundwave was unsuccessful in breaking though the encryptions of their communications. It would seem that they have updated their software to an even more advanced system. I'm afraid we are relying on visual sighting alone to ascertain their whereabouts, although that's proving difficult with the increasing density of the air pollution". "Well, at least we have the city surrounded. I know Optimus; he will not strike if he feels the wellbeing of those in the city is threatened. No…he will try something subtler. Send scouts out to ascertain the hold we currently have outside the city walls. Starscream". "Yes my Lord?" "Continue your patrol of the skies. If you see anything that even remotely resembles a weapon or an Autobot, send word back," His arm suddenly lunged out, clawed fingers wrapping around Starscream's throat, lifting him up and slamming into a nearby wall, "and this time Do. As. I. Say. Or else I will find someone who can follow orders without suffering the vast amount of losses you continue to demonstrate!" "Y-yes my Lord, certainly my Lord, I-I would never wish to displease you….."
Dropping Starscream to the ground with a growl, Starscream quickly picked himself up and went bowing to Megatron. "Oh thank-you, thank-you master, oh my master, such mercy. I cannot begin to….." "Oh spare me your pathetic grovelling you gaseous sycophant and get on with that patrol".
My scarcely concealed sneer at Starscream's snivelling behaviour quickly turned into a smirk as he threw a hasty glare at me, and once again took to the skies. Megatron shook his head disgustedly and beckoned me to follow. I silently waited for him to speak first, sensing that what he had to say was of significant importance.
"You are perhaps wondering why I have taken such a keen interest in Praxus". It was more of a statement than a question I realised. "Honestly, I am slightly curious though not entirely surprised. Praxus is an important landmark to the opposition. Its loss would impact greatly on their moral". "Yes, there is that. However I had different intentions in mind for taking this city", he paused for a moment. "I have managed to trace the All Sparks energy signature to the centre of Praxus, but the trail is very faint. It was moved a very long time ago, off world, yet I may still be able to pick up the signature if I can get to its origin, within the city walls". "And I take it that we are to be the distraction," I surmised. At his nod I stated "With respect my Lord, it will be difficult to reach the location even with all our forces expended. Optimus may not suspect the true reasons for this attack but he will have suspicions none the less. It won't be possible to face him as well as search for the signature". We paused in are walking as he turned to face me, a triumphant gleam in his eyes. "Ah, but that is where our fighters come in Darkstreak. You are correct in what you say. Prime will be a thorn in my side, but not if they distract him". "How will they do that? He will surely come after you", I stated curiously. Megatron gave a decisive smirk. "Not unless he finds himself otherwise occupied with saving those pathetic parasites. Starscream and Barricade will charge the city walls with the others, take out any Autobot scum they find and capture as many hostages as possible. I managed to recently bribe the alliance of a senior senate member in Praxus. When I give the word he will lead his associates to what they will believe to be a safe zone for them to hide while the Autobots arrive, but it will actually be a trap to keep them under hostage. Optimus could not afford such important and influential figures as them to be wasted from blast fire. He will focus all of his attention on them while I, you and Shockwave will seek out the All Spark signature".
Outwardly I showed my support of the plan, but inwardly I couldn't help but feel a pang of distress at the thought of the number of innocents that would die in this siege. While it was true that I held no little disdain for the corrupt senate members who watched many of our kind wallow in despair and poverty without lifting a finger to stop it, I did not wish for them to die. They would be of better use alive, but with Starscream and Barricade as their guards, I could not hold out much hope that any of them would be alive for Prime to save. While it would undoubtedly serve as an adequate distraction, I could not help but feel a sense of doom.
"You are quiet Darkstreak. You have reservations?" Megatron stated flatly. "I cannot help but feel that relying on Starscream in such a sensitive environment is too risky. He's disobeyed you before and if any one of those Autobots are killed, it could destroy the tentative relations between ourselves and the neutrals. As for Barricade, he's too loyal to Starscream. He will not hold him back should Starscream lose his patience with babysitting". "You have become too suspicious Darkstreak," Megatron chuckled. "Whatever Starscream's reservations are against me, he still values are goals as strongly as you and I." Noticing my silence, he continued, "If he values his life he will not dare disobey me. He holds self- preservation above all else, he's smart enough to realise the consequences". "I understand," I sighed. "When….." "My Lord Megatron," Starscream's voice sounded on the intercom. "Prime and his team are approaching the city, twelve miles out of range. Your orders?" "Seize the city with everything we have. Once it's secure you will meet are ally at the senate building and guard them with Barricade and whatever fighters you can spare. I want them secure, do I make myself clear?" Megatron all but hissed. "Yes my Lord, crystal clear." Starscream said, signing off a moment later.
Turning to face the city which was slowly crumbling under the onslaught of the siege which had just begun, I heard the panicked shouts of the Cybertronians, the defiant hails from the resistors, heralding the Autobots even as they were struck down by Energon bolts. The cries of anguish as friends and family alike were killed. Buildings exploded into debris as cannons impacted with them, and everywhere I could see Cybertronians were trying futilely to escape, only to be shot down by aerial attacks. Glancing to my side I saw Megatron smirking victoriously, seeking solace in the screams of pain and despair. I wondered, not for the first time, how the Cybertronian, who stood up for and saved my life, could take such refuge in blood shed.
An explosive bang sounded in the distance and I quickly turned to see one of the air fighters impact into an already crumbling building, the result of a plasma bold impacting in its fuselage. Gazing past the wreckage, I felt my circuits buzz. The shape was all too distinctive, even from this far away. The looming figure of Optimus Prime sped towards the city walls, his team following. I felt more than heard Megatron's menacing laugh and once again felt that impending sense of doom, more powerful than previously. Whatever was going to happen in this battle, I was sure it would mark history.
"And so it begins," Megatron muttered, confidence and dark intention radiating from his voice. And so it begins, I repeated silently, the confidence I felt earlier fading to be replaced with a desperate hope that this would not all be for nothing. Gazing at Prime, tearing into the battle with such fiery determination and passion, I truly doubted my words.