Chapter 3 Awakened Destruction

Rystolth was in chaos. In a split second, Soundwave had deployed a smaller Cybertronian called Rumble who easily fit through the energy beams and smashed the control panel, dissolving the energy barriers and the Decepticons were unleashed. Every Autobot was quickly terminated… except for Groove; Brawl kept his promise and literally attached stasis cuffs to his neck, then impaled him on a pole outside the base that had quickly fallen under Decepticon control. Megatron felt he could gain more soldiers so when they broke into the command centre, he gave them the option of surrendering and joining his ranks, or defy and face termination. Without argument, thirty Autobot officers quickly turned on the defiant, and their faction logo changed to that of the Decepticons.

"Megatron, subjugation of the base is at 85.4% complete." Soundwave reported.

"I think we should pay a visit to the scientists on the lower levels," the Decepticon leader smirked, "I trust your ally, Flatline, is present with them, Soundwave?"

"Affirmative."

"Megatron, this is Starscream. All Autobot aerial resistance has been crushed," a transmission came through on the comlink, "However Thundercracker believes there may be several other bases on the planet. Permission to investigate?"

"Do what you must, Starscream. But give them the chance to join our ranks."

"I shall, Mightiness!"

Barricade raised an optic at Megatron, "I don't know, Megatron. That Starscream character can't be trusted in any way. I suggest we terminate him before he gets out of hand."

"Starscream is loyal to me, Barricade. I trust that you're not jealous of his lofty position?"

Without further argument, the Destruction Patrol captain followed his leader to a door that had been welded shut by the terrified scientists and engineers on the other side. Unimpressed, Megatron ordered Brawl to blow it open which the trigger-happy Decepticon soldier eagerly obliged with.

Megatron and his soldiers casually strolled into the science lab, catching all the Autobots present by surprise and they watched their enemy walk in.

"This base is now Decepticon property; SURRENDER IMMEDIATELY!" Megatron threatened, noticing among the scientists was the Autobot captain, Sideswipe, "Or face termination!"

A lowly, red-optic Autobot scientist was the first to surrender and he walked over to the Decepticons, a small smirk on his expression. This must be Flatline, the Decepticon leader thought. He was about to say something else when he watched an awestruck Shockwave walk through the Autobot ranks, staring at something.

"It is the most beautiful masterpiece I have ever seen," the mad Decepticon scientist marvelled, "Oh how incredible would it be if it had a few additions of my own."

All the Decepticons quickly discovered that Shockwave was marvelled over the super soldier project that had not even been concealed from the Autobots.

The mastermind behind it, Dropshot, spoke up, "Yes, it is truly a masterpiece that I crafted into almost perfection… yes, I also do claim responsibility for its creation."

"Is it a mindless drone?"

"No… it's not." All the other scientists that were working with him suddenly stared at him with wide optics… Dropshot had never told them that he never went along with the plan of creating a drone, "It is just as alive as you and I."

"Absolutely fascinating," Shockwave commended the Autobot scientist, "I never anticipated an Autobot to have such a… remarkable imagination to invent such a weapon!"

"I helped design it," Flatline growled, now with a Decepticon logo on his chest, "Don't forget that."

"Imagine what achievements we can reach with it!"

"Yes Shockwave, we're all very aware of how excited you are," Barricade scowled.

"I am imagining…" Dropshot thought, his Autobot insignia converting to that of the Decepticons'.

With eyes burning with hatred, Megatron turned his head over in the direction of Sideswipe, "You're the only important officer left on this planet… and you still refuse to surrender."

The red Cybertronian slowly began to back away from the Decepticon leader, "I don't wish to be turned into useless scrap metal… nor do I wish to serve you."

"Make your decision quickly, Sideswipe. I do not have patience this current solar cycle."

Sideswipe refused and looked away from Megatron when he noticed the Decepticon leader holding a cube of Energon in his left hand.

"Is that… Energon?"

"Of course it is." At first he was confused then he realized how to win Sideswipe over, "Oh, you desire this precious liquid, don't you?"

"I haven't had a drop in over thirty stellar-spans…" the Autobot captain cautiously edged closer to his nemesis, watching in despair as he began to drink the contents, greedily, "It would do me great pleasure if I could feel its rich properties in my mouth once more…"

"I cannot share with you; you're my enemy."

"Can we put aside faction differences? I NEED Energon… I desire it…"

"No can do, Autobot." Brawl caught on with Megatron's plan and began to drink from a cube too.

Soon twenty Decepticons were doing so and Sideswipe watched helplessly along with his few soldiers that were also succumbing to Megatron's plan.

"Megatron, we should at least share one cube," Barricade suggested, "Besides, there's thousands more where these came from."

His leader nodded and the Decepticon tossed a cube of Energon over to the Autobots, who immediately began to quarrel over it. Quite entertained, their enemies watched as Sideswipe literally kill one of his own followers in pure desperation to have it for himself. He repeated this process until all what was left of his soldiers was corpses and he stood triumphant. Seizing the Energon cube, he hissed his threats at all others who may take it from him and began to gulp it down greedily.

"That proverb is correct: 'the quickest way to one's allegiance is through his fuel tank'… it's interesting how it also applies to the strongest-willed of all the Autobots." Megatron scoffed, enjoying every moment of it, "Sideswipe, if you join the Decepticons, you can have all the Energon you desire."

"All mine?" Sideswipe asked as he emptied that cube and stared wide-eyed as Megatron tossed up and down another, "That could be mine?"

"Yes. It just requires the right answer."

"I will… now GIVE ME THAT CUBE!"

Like a man tossing a treat to their dog, Megatron tossed the cube to Sideswipe whose insignias faded from Autobot to Decepticon.

"He behaves like a Cybercat with the slightest scrap of metal," Killstreak laughed. He never imagined his former captain to behave in such a low manner.

"I think it's fair to say that now this base is completely under my rule."

Several Decepticons agreed with him and joined him in laughing at Sideswipe. Soundwave was one of them until his scanners detected Autobot activity outside the base.

"Megatron, my scanners detect Autobot activity five clicks outside the base. Recommendation: destroy enemy soldiers." He reported.

"Brawl, take Killstreak and exterminate these Autobot dissents."

"With pleasure!" Brawl and Killstreak transformed and left the science lab.

Now free to do anything he wished without defiance, Megatron walked over to the super soldier, laughing manically as he went. Several charges of energy were emerging in his hands and he blasted the project.

"Forgive me for questioning you, my lord," Blackout, the tallest Cybertronian present, said, "But what did you do to the super soldier with those energies?"

"I have mastered a technique that one would claim impossible, my loyal hound. And through this skill, I passed my collective, passive lust for destruction and chaos into his circuitry. Now he is programmed for sheer, unrelenting destruction, loyal to me ONLY."

All who were present gathered around their leader as one of the hands of the super soldier clenched into a mighty first, the sound reverberated all around the room.

"He's awakening!" Sideswipe yelled, quite terrified of the newly-crazed super soldier.

"Steady yourself, coward!" Megatron scolded, "He will not harm us…"

The stasis cuffs that confined him on the berth were utterly useless as they broke apart as he hardly mustered any strength to break free from them. Several more restraints were shattered from the intense strength contained within the super soldier. Lastly his optics opened, glowing blood-red and as blank as the Abyss itself.

The smaller scientists hid behind larger soldiers, intensely petrified of the fearsome super soldier that they had created… but even Megatron's top-ranking Decepticons were backing off. Not even the mad scientist, Shockwave, was standing near; he was backed along the wall along with the others.

"I am Sixshot." The emotionless voice associated with the fearsome structure said, "I am your Destruction."

"Sixshot, you're activation will become the Destruction of all those who oppose us," the Decepticon leader stated, "Whom do you serve?"

After an eerie silence, Sixshot replied: "Megatron!"

"I am he."

"Your command is my life."

"HAHAHAHAHA! I, Megatron, have created the most deadly weapon in the known Universe! The Universe will hear my name and TREMBLE!"

"All hail Megatron!" Blackout shouted.

HAIL MEGATRON! The Decepticons chanted, MEGATRON! MEGATRON! MEGATRON!

At first the scientists and the newly-joined Decepticons were unsure of whether or not to join in with the chanting, until Megatron retorted, "I cannot hear you!"

MEGATRON! MEGATRON! MEGATRON! MEGATRON! MEGATRON!

"FOR GLORY!"

MEGATRON! MEGATRON! MEGATRON!

Outside the base, despite being underground, the Decepticons outside, who continued to battle the Autobots, heard the chant and they began to join in.

MEGATRON! MEGATRON! MEGATRON!

As the chant carried on outside, the Autobots began to back away; the chant repelled them and infused fear into their Sparks. Some in fear also began to chant for unknown reasons, but all who chanted along with the evil Decepticons had their insignias transform into Decepticon logos.

All across the planet, Megatron's name was chanted. It was the Decepticons' indirect way to tell the Autobots that they ultimately had won, and they should side with them. And it worked! A Decepticon, if alone, was chanting and surrounded by Autobots, would realize that half of them began to chant as well.

MEGATRON! MEGATRON! MEGATRON!

Accepting the praise, Megatron indulged in it. He knew that they feared him no matter how powerful they were; he had the most fierce weapon standing behind his right shoulder. Then Megatron silenced them, and nodded to Soundwave to broadcast this message:

Citizens of Rystolth! This is Megatron, your conqueror. Your defences have fallen and succumbed to my will and my power. However, rejoice for I have delivered you from Autobot tyranny; no longer will you have to submit to their ways and leadership. All I require of you is your service and allegiance. In return, I shall grant you sanctuary, peace, and freedom. Under Decepticon rule, you won't have to worry about a status quo for all are free to be whoever they so desire. Therefore, my brethren, look towards a new age… a Decepticon age and it shall be glorious! Rout out all dissenters; destroy all who crush this goal; pledge your allegiance to me and to your new name, for you are now all DECEPTICONS!

MEGATRON! MEGATRON! MEGATRON!

"Go now, Decepticons," he commanded those present in the science lab, "Spread the Decepticon influence across this planet and KILL all those who oppose us. Do this, for your Master."

All the Decepticons transformed into their alt-modes and left, except for Sixshot, Soundwave, Shockwave, Blackout, and Sideswipe… he had other orders for them. Without care of how mad his scientist was, he granted Shockwave complete access to the science lab. Following that, he tasked his loyal lieutenant, Soundwave, with maintaining planetary communications and intelligence. Looking at his newest officer, Sideswipe, he ordered the former Autobot to be in command of the recruitment of new Decepticon soldiers, under the watchful eye of his loyal hound, Blackout.

"You have your assignments; now be off with the lot of you!"

There were no objections to the commands; they were all well-aware that every order of Megatron defined whether or not they shall live to enjoy another solar-cycle.

"Come with me, Sixshot," the Decepticon leader finally said once his officers were gone, "I have some important undertakings for your capacity to handle."

As the two left the experimentation lab as Shockwave recently designated it, Megatron gave further orders to his other officers as he passed them. Barricade was given absolute control over military and civil law enforcements, Brawl had full access to all munitions and weapon-related stocks of the planet, and Grindor was placed in command of the land operations of Rystolth and commanded to inform Blackout that he was in charge of all Decepticon military operations. Hardtop was assigned the job of assembling a team of marksmen, while Crankcase and Crowbar were given the brutal task of "dealing" with any future dissenters, Killstreak was made Brawl's 2IC, and Reverb was tasked with reporting to the Communications Officer Soundwave.

"Sixshot, there are a few targets that I have in mind. I want you to destroy them."

"Certainly." Sixshot lifted up powerful weapons identified as Sonic Barrage pistols, "What are the targets?"

"Three planets: Ys'Devian, Mumu Obscura, and Dastrylk. Each planet has harboured a certain subject that requires purging. Ys'Devian harbours Autobot manufacturing plants, Dastrylk contains inferior life forms that are too useless to be alive, and lastly Mumu Obscura has been invaded by the fearsome Reapers. I do not expect you to survive; however if you do, I'll have more assignments for you. You are to be known as my personal assassin… or better yet, the Iron Fist of Megatron. Do you comply?"

"Completely, Lord Megatron."

"Excellent! Now go; kill, eradicate, destroy, wreak havoc, strike terror into every core of life form on those planets so they shall hear my name and tremble. But do not negotiate; kill them all!"

"Those words seem resoundingly beautiful to my audio receptors," the ice-cold voice replied, "I shall return soon, my lord."

To quickly gain immediate honour and recognition in Megatron's sight, Sixshot bowed meekly and noticed a smile of contentment on his Master's faceplate. After doing so, he transformed into one of his alt-modes which was a dual-barreled all-weather Cybertronian assault jet.

"A brilliant scheme, Lord Megatron!" the ever-so sycophantic Starscream declared as he approached his leader, "Break into the Autobots' base and turn their own greatest weapon against them!"

"Yes Starscream, but I'm surprised at how long that took for your meagre mind to comprehend. This new super weapon, Sixshot, will pave the way for a new Cybertronian age, one in which will be paved with the corpses of our enemies and all other traitors."

"So, he is your Harbinger of Destruction then, Master?"

"He will be my greatest triumph… the Autobots' surprise will be total."

"So impressive!"

Megatron nodded before asking, "Did you do exactly what you set out on doing, Starscream?"

"Of course, Mightiness! The Autobots surrendered almost immediately after hearing the glorious chanting of your name and power!"

"Who is dominant of the skies?"

"Your mighty Seekers rule the skies, my lord."

"Good. Very good." The Decepticon leader paused for a moment then looked over at his 2IC, "Do you know what conquest is?"

"Affirmative! Conquest is made up of the ashes of one's enemies; you've instructed me of this before, Master… why do you question my knowledge of this?"

"I need to confirm whether or not I can count on you to continue my path of conquest if I am ever absent… or deceased."

"You're considering me for your successor? None, not even I, could ever be as great as you!"

"I am AWARE of this. It is prudent to have a back-up system in case the mainframe fails. You are so far the only one I can rely on to continue my war with sheer ruthlessness and unrelenting hatred."

Starscream edged closer to his leader, "But what of your other faithful subjects: Shockwave, Soundwave, and Blackout to name a few?"

"Shockwave's insanity would only lead to the Decepticons' downfall. As for Soundwave and Blackout, they would be more of use serving rather than leading."

"You believe I have leadership potential, Master?"

"Is not that why you are second to me?" Megatron retorted.

"Forgive me for questioning your will, Lord Megatron." Starscream humbly bowed.

A quick nod of the head was the only answer he received along with the task of being dominant over the skies. His loyal second-in-command bowed once more before transforming into alt-mode and flying away.

"He's strong, Blackout." Megatron answered a low growl from behind his right shoulder, "He will remain loyal to the Decepticon cause."

"But he is young, reckless, and ambitious… he may contrive other plans against your will."

"That is why I have him under your wing for guidance; he may be 2IC but he will have to submit to your wishes too. If I am ever absent, I shall expect him to be Acting Leader and you to serve as his 2IC."

"There is a high possibility that he would appoint Thundercracker that position."

"Your logic is sound, my trusted adviser, but Starscream cannot have someone who cannot advise efficiently for a 2IC or a 3IC for that matter. I trust Starscream more than I trust any other Seeker; if you find non-confidence with him, I'll consider changing my absence command structure."

Blackout nodded, "After all, he does bear resemblance with that Autobot…"

"Don't mention it to him,"

"As you command, Lord Megatron. I rest my case." The Hound of Megatron transformed to alt-mode and flew off to attend to his undertaking.

"Beware Optimus Prime, I have untethered your Destruction," Megatron warned out loud.