Chapter 2: First Impressions

Aboard the Dilong

Crossblades checked the instruments again aboard the shuttle. He wanted the landing to be perfect. First impressions were everything with a native population, and these ones already had a reputation. Dezaras would have to bring his A-Game to woo the Eukarians. An offshoot of the Cybertronian race long isolated, they rarely accepted outsiders.

Dezaras and his retinue were already positioned by the doors. He had decided to go for cheerful and confident for his debut on the Jungle Planet, rather than stern and professional. The diplomatic process was becoming somewhat dull for him, not the least because of its pension for failure. But Shockwave was very invested in forming a strong bond between Eukaryis and an eventual Decepticon-controlled Cybertron. Dezaras was under strict orders to return successful, or not at all.

Crossblade's voice came over the intercom; "Sir, we have company down there, you ready?"

"I am. Prepare final descent."

The Tooth

"Wake up slaglicks!"

Scourge stormed into the throne room. The air was thick and warm from the breath of its sleeping occupants. Hun-Gurr yawned and stood up.

"What time is it boss? Did ya bring something to eat?"

Scourge grabbed him by the head and dragged him up a level on the tower the Abomnicons called home. The others were gradually rousing themselves below. Scourge's soldiers were perfectly vicious on the battlefield, but they were as slow as tar when they weren't motivated. Scourge could be very motivating when he showed them the blunt end of his axe.

They reached a balcony about halfway up the tower. The building jutted out alongside the bright white peak the Abomi called the Tooth. Scourge had laid the foundation himself many moons ago. He turned Hun-Gurr's face, still clutched firmly in his claw, towards the War World in the sky.

"Do you see that? There are Cybertronians here. HERE! Who do you think called them? Those feeble migrants out on the plains? Magamatron is up to something. We're going to figure out what and remind him why we don't allow outworlders."

"What if the outworlders are fighting him too? We can come help them. And maybe they'll have food..."

"Stop thinking about food!" Scourge slapped his lieutenant back down the stairs."

"He has a point, Scourge." Rippersnapper had rushed over to scoop his commander off the ground. "Everywhere we go the Abomi are asking when we're gonna get another haul of food in. We haven't been on a raid in the plains for 20 Solar Cycles, and the Pred blockades are kicking our skidplates. Cutthroat keeps looking at me like I'm a giant Energon Pod."

"Hrrrng," Cutthroat growled in agreement. At least, Rippersnapper was pretty sure it was agreement.

"You want to raid? Let's go rip open those Cybertronians and see what goodies spill out!" We move out NOW before his highness does something stupid!"

The Landing Site

"...If you believe in that sort of thing."

The stoney faces surrounding him suggested Dezaras maybe shouldn't have gone for "cheerful and confident" after all.

"You may be lost cousin," the one with wings said. "Eukaryis hasn't known peace in eons. We like it just the way it is."

"Believe me, erm, I don't believe I caught your name."

"I didn't give it to you."

"Yes... well, believe me friend, we Decepticons are no stranger to conflict. For nearly two hundred years we have fought to liberate our planet - our home - from an oppressive force."

Laying it on thick, he thought to himself, he was running out of good will to appeal to.

"We had hoped that, as an ancient colony of our species's birthplace, Eukaryis might lend aid in our crusade against the tyranny of the Autobots."

"And I had hoped that Megatron would have the nerve to come ask for handouts himself," a voice crackled from overhead. A dragon, glimmering red and black in the midday light, landed between the Predaknight and Decepticon parties. It transformed into a regal and powerful form in front of Dezaras. A beast like a bat was with him. "It seems we will both leave this valley disappointed."

"Surely you can only be the Lord Emperor Magmatron of the Eukarian Predarchy. I have heard much about you."

"And I have heard little about you," he retorted. Your leader though has made waves across the stars. I assumed the Decepticons would come to this land some day, and now here comes one of Megatron's lackeys to broker 'peace.' how quaint."

Dezaras bit back some anger at the "lackey" comment. "It is not on Megatron's authority that I come here. The war is vast in scope, and so all of us must do our part to muster support. Your empire here speaks volumes for the military prowess of Eukarian soldiers."

Magmatron laughed a joyless laugh. It certainly didn't bring any joy to Dezaras.

"Which is why you are here, isn't it? Soldiers. You mean to use my men as frontline fodder, as mere weapons in your war. I've heard it all before, from warlords across this planet. Who's a hero, who's a villain, tyranny, justice, peace, death. It's all the same when you're a soldier. I only talk to the ones in charge. So unless you have Megatron in that fancy ship of yours, you can go right back to your floating fortress and frag off my land."

Okay, he asked for it.
"Megatron, alas, is no more. Slain in a starship crash. It fell to us, his generals, to carry out his legacy."

Dezaras was pleased that that at least came to a surprise to the Emperor. He was... distressingly well informed.

"So... you come here as soldiers adrift, without direction, seeking what? Shelter? Aide? A place to..."

He suddenly transformed, his dragon head to the air sniffing. The Knights behind him went on edge, drawing their weapons. Dezaras wondered what he could have done now, until he smelled it too. A rotting stench rolling from the treeline to the East.

A group of bizarre creatures came over the hill. "Oh go on, don't let us interrupt," a two headed reptile sneered.

"Hrrr," a bird perched on his shoulder growled.

"I believe he was going to say, a place to mark your graves," said a grotesque purple beast next to him.

A roar came from above as a second dragon dropped out of the sky and tackled Magmatron. The Abomnicons charged at Dezaras and their guards.

This day keeps getting more complicated, Dezaras thought.