A/N: I am so sorry that this is taking me so long to write. I had wanted to be so much farther along in the story due to something that took place on Christmas Eve -dun dun dun- but now you'll have to wait until I can churn out at least another chapter or two. On the plus side! We have Jazz and Rachel fluff! Yay! And then of course we have bad things happen and then... well you'll have to read and see. -evil grin-

As always, constructive criticism is welcomed and reviews are given much love. Please please please let me know if you like this story!

Story Arc 6

Chapter 5 – To Start Down the Paths of Darkness

Hook smirked as they approached the Space Bridge, there was only one guard and he looked to be a lowly piece of cannon fodder. The Constructicon engineer sized up the bored looking mech: young with a vaguely human helicopter alternate mode. Hook shook his head with a chuckle; he doubted the 'guard' could keep glitch-mice from entering the Space Bridge.

Soundwave had finally caught up to him as they crossed the plain to where the massive transportation device sat. Upon seeing the large mechs and realizing it was the Communications Officer and the engineer, the bored guard straightened up and saluted briskly, "All hail Megatron!" His vocal processor cracked as he squeaked in greeting. "There have been no signs of Autobot activity in the area, sir!"

Hook just shook his head again with a smirk. Young and eager to please and probably the first to die if another battle took place here. Thus was the life of cannon fodder in the Decepticon army.

Soundwave entered the security authorization into the command console. The bored guard's face fell and he slumped slightly when neither Hook nor Soundwave acknowledged his presence.

The doors slid open and both mechs stepped inside. Hook crossed his arms over his chest plate and sighed loudly, he had to keep up the appearance that he was not thrilled about being sent on a mission for 'basic supplies'. "I could be working on any of my important projects right now, but no. I get stuck on a supply run with you." He glared at Soundwave, secretly enjoying the situation, "I guess you are better company for this trip than Starscream."

"Comment acknowledged." Came the monotone reply as Soundwave activated the Space Bridge.

The transportation device started up slowly, making the engineer groan. This archaic piece of scrap was painful to travel in, let alone look at. Lights on the internal console blinked to life as they gathered the telemetry and warmed up the cyclotronic generators. There was the sudden pull from the increase of gravity as the beam of light dematerialized their forms. The dusty brown landscape of the mud ball planet melted away to be replaced by the cool hued plating of the opposite end of the Space Bridge. The doors opened with a graceful swish and the two mechs stepped through into the Decepticon base on Cybertron.

Hook couldn't help but smile. The Constructicons had designed and built the grand headquarters and the aesthetic beauty of the place still pleased his discerning optics.

The Guardian of Cybertron, Shockwave, turned around from the computer control boards where he monitored everything that happened in the headquarters and surrounding city. The large dark purple mech with the single golden optic looked carefully over the two newcomers before greeting them, "All hail Megatron. I did not receive a communication that you were arriving, Soundwave."

"All hail Megatron. Repairs to the Nemesis are incomplete. Communications were damaged in Autobot attack." The dark blue mech subspaced the data pads and held them out to Shockwave. "Megatron has ordered supplies to be sent to Earth for repairs."

Shockwave took the data pads and read over them. "I can procure the majority of the materials in 700 astro-seconds." He looked up at the engineer, his golden optic narrowing in distrust. "The rest will take slightly longer."

Hook looked down his nose at the dark purple mech. The out-of-date walking scrap heap could go take jump out an air lock for all he cared.

The golden optic flashed again, "I should report to Megatron that you have arrived and that I will have his requested supplies sent back promptly."

The engineer smirked the moment the dark purple mech's back turned. Go right a head and try to contact him. He subspaced a small device and activated it as Shockwave opened a comlink to Earth. "Shockwave calling Nemesis. Respond."

The monitor screen filled with noisy static and Hook crossed his arms over his chest plate with a belabored sigh.

The dark purple mech turned ever so slightly to look at the engineer over his shoulder. The Constructicon was up to something. He turned back to his monitors and tried to hail Earth again. "Shockwave calling Nemesis. Respond."

There was still nothing but static.

"If you are done proving that the repairs to the communication systems are not functional, we would like to gather the supplies and return. I have more important things to do besides stand here." Hook gave an annoyed glare to Shockwave.

"I will have them ready and brought here in under four cycles."

--

Hook stared in disbelief at the primitive 'carts' that Shockwave had filled with the supplies. "Is this some kind of joke?"

"It was all I could obtain in such short notice." The single golden optic flashed at him with malicious glee. "You should have no trouble transporting the supplies since your alternate form was created for such menial tasks."

The engineer's fists opened and closed in fury. How dare this sycophant of Megatron's insult him in this way?

Soundwave stood by passively as the two mechs stared each other down; their petty bickering meant nothing to him. "Acknowledged receipt of supplies. Begin transport of supplies to Space Bridge, Hook."

The Constructicon snarled as he transformed and Soundwave attached the carts to him. Shockwave entered the codes to activate the Space Bridge, but he couldn't let Hook go without a parting comment. "You should repair the communication systems at once, engineer. I'm certain our leader would like current reports from Cybertron. All hail Megatron."

The doors slid shut, effectively ending any further sniping and began the cycle to transport them back to Earth.

The dusty brown landscape appeared and the young guard stood at attention once again for their return. "All hail Megatron." And once again he was completely ignored.

Soundwave started to unhitch the carts from Hook as the engineer transformed and opened a comlink to the other Constructicons. "We have returned. Meet at the Space Bridge immediately."

The sound of weapons fire heralded Scrapper's response. "We are all ready here."

The young guard's optics flashed as he was hit from behind and he crumpled to the ground. Soundwave was easily taken offline by Hook's control device. The five other Constructicons walked out from behind the Space Bridge and started to look over the contents of the carts, evaluating the parts and supplies.

Hook smirked at Scrapper, "I'm surprised that the guard did not notice you."

"Heh. He would not have noticed if his weapon went off in his hand." They both looked at the offlined mech. "Shame that Megatron has mechs like this one guarding something so important." Scrapper looked at Soundwave. "Did he function correctly?"

Hook shot the Constructicon a foul glare. "Are you saying that my work would fail?"

Scrapper glared back at Hook. "No. I want to know if the work you did was able to fool Shockwave."

The engineer smirked bitterly. "Yes. Unfortunately, that writhing pile of slag insulted me and tried to contact Megatron."

"An insult is worth proper supplies."

An alarm went off and Scrapper pulled his weapons out of subspace. "There is an Autobot here!"

The six spread out and searched for the intruder. Longhaul found the nearly dead Autobot behind some rocks and dragged him back to the Space Bridge. "Was he spying on us? Did he call for back up?"

Hook leaned over the red Autobot and evaluated his condition. "He's been offline for days and his powercore is nearly depleted. He doesn't have the energy to make a distress call."

"What is he doing out here then?"

The engineer pulled one of the poor quality energon cubes from his subspace and held it to the lips of the Autobot. "Let's find out, shall we?"

--

The blackness that had felt so welcoming started to melt away as the foul liquid was forced down his throat. Cliffjumper coughed and spluttered trying to bat at whomever was making the darkness flee. His optics reluctantly flickered open and slowly focused on the mech that was feeding him.

As Hook's faceplate came into view, Cliffjumper tried to enter battle mode by pulling his weapons from subspace, but he was too weak to even hold them and they clattered to the ground. The Constructicons gathered around him laughed and he could only scowl. "Slaggin' 'Cons…"

"Now that wasn't a nice thing to say to the mech who just saved your pathetic life." Hook grinned maliciously. "What are you doing out here all alone in the desert, little Autobot?"

"None of your slaggin' business." Cliffjumper's head felt like it was going to roll off his neck.

"Oh, but it is our business since you're here."

The minibot coughed. "Go to the Pit."

"Hmmm, no." Hook shook his head. "But I can send you there."

"Then hurry up and do it already." Any trace of heat from Cliffjumper's voice was quickly fading.

"What, no fighting back? No, 'wait 'til Optimus Prime gets here'?"

"Just do it already."

"So willing to die."

Cliffjumper held his head up painfully to glare at the Constructicon, but his anger melted as he saw Windcharger with the gaping wound in his chest plate just over his shoulder. "I didn't mean it, 'Charger. It just… happened… slag, I didn't meant it…." The red Autobot's voice drifted.

The other mechs stood there looking confused at whatever had drawn the Autobot's attention. Intrigued, the engineer pulled a handheld scanner from his subspace and ran some tests on the Autobot noting that there was significant damage to the mech's CPU and memory. He opened a channel to Scrapper. "He is damaged, but I'm sure I can repair him."

Scrapper looked at Hook like he was crazy. "And why would we need a malfunctioning Autobot?"

"He would be useful in stealing supplies and information from the Autobots, and to keep track on Megatron's plans."

Scrapper shook his head. "Isn't using Soundwave enough?"

"There is nothing wrong with overlapping plans."

"Fine. But I highly doubt you can get this one to come quietly."

Hook smirked at his teammate and turned his attention back to Cliffjumper. "What is your name, Autobot?"

"Go slag yerself."

Hook tried to look sympathetic. "I know you didn't want for it to happen, Autobot."

"You dun know nuthin'." Cliffjumper was slowly losing consciousness and was slurring his words.

"It must be horrible to feel all of this pain from your actions. Isn't it?"

Blue optics locked briefly with red and Cliffjumper managed a small shake of his head.

"What if I offered to take that pain away, to offer your absolution from your actions?"

Cliffjumper shook his head again, this time a littler stronger. "Slag y' dirty 'Con."

"But I can. I can easily take away all of that guilt you must be feeling. Because we know that you didn't mean for it to happen."

Cliffjumper's optics flickered on and off. Hook's faceplate swam in and out of focus as he wished himself offline. But it didn't work and in one of those moments of final lucidity, Windcharger appeared again behind the Constructicon. "Why don't y' let me die already. The Pit is waitin' fer me…"

Hook lifted the energon cube up and poured some more of the disgusting liquid on Cliffjumper's faceplate. "The Pit isn't waiting, Autobot. It was an… accident. I can fix all of that for you. Wouldn't your friend want you to continue to live on? Surely another Autobot would not wish death on his friend over an accident."

Reality spun for Cliffjumper as he coughed. The Decepticon's words actually made sense. It was just an accident. Windcharger was hurt because of that worthless femme. His best friend wouldn't want him to die over a misunderstanding.

"What do you say, Autobot? Do you accept my promise of absolution or would you rather we watch you die slowly and painfully?"

Cliffjumper nodded his head numbly.

"Ah. Good. See Scrapper? I knew this Autobot would want our… help." Hook grinned smugly at the others before turning his attention back on the minibot. He opened a panel on his neck and sent Cliffjumper into stasis lock. "This won't hurt a bit."

--

Jetfire sat cross-legged next to my desk in the med bay with a pile of data pads around him while I searched for everything I could find about ancient human cultures that had any connections to astronomy. Though it was not my area of study, I was amazed at the intricate and detailed stellar observations made by early civilizations. I knew the Greeks studied astronomy, but I was completely unaware that civilizations worldwide also had lengthy ties to astronomy and astronomical phenomenon.

I downloaded another data pad for the gentle scientist about Amerindian calendars and astronomical 'clocks' used by pre-Columbian societies and looked around for a pile to place it that didn't look like it was about to topple over. I gave up looking and settled to reading it myself. I didn't mind being his research assistant, and I needed to know something about what we were looking for as well.

"I'm astounded at how many human societies based so much of their lives on astronomy. Calendars, growing cycles, navigation, even the construction of cities are based on the positioning of the sun and stars." Jetfire set one data pad down and picked up another one to scan. He briefly looked up at me with a smile only to be shocked to find me nearly buried alive in data pads. "You've found this much information?"

"And I'm still finding more. I never knew just how many civilizations used astronomy." I held up the data pad I had been reading, giving it a wave over the stacks. "I found more on the calendar." I looked back at the pad. "It's called… Tzolk'in, 'The Sacred Round of 260 Days'. It's got both the Cybertronian and the Mesoamerican hieroglyphs."

"May I see that?"

I offered it up to him and he carefully took the data pad from me. "Go right ahead. I've got plenty of other stuff to read through."

He chuckled, "You don't have to read all of it, Rachel."

I pulled a data pad free of a pile on the floor about the solstices at Stonehenge and Newgrange. "I have to if I'm going to be of any help to you." I peeked over the stacks at him. "And I have to learn the old fashion way by reading it, though right now I wish I could scan through all of these and have it as reference at any time."

"Can't you download it to your wireless Teletraan?"

"I'm doing that as well, but I still need to have a working knowledge of the information so I know what to run a search for." I sat back down with my data pad to read when one of the towering stacks of my reading material wobbled and fell over. I looked at the scattered pads on the floor and then to Jetfire sheepishly. "Oops."

The Veritech chuckled and started to scoop them up while I tried to make surrounding piles more stable. "At least they weren't in any order."

The doors to the med bay slid open and just by the sound of his internal systems and jaunty steps I knew exactly who it was. With an excited 'whoop' I dodged through the mounds of data pads and ran across the room, grabbing his leg and hugging him tightly. Jazz laughed and put his hands around me. "I take that t' mean y' missed me."

"You have no idea how much I missed you, Jazz." I snuggled up against his warm armor and smiled. "And I'm so glad you came back safe, you were gone for so long this time."

That singsong voice and that disarming smile of his melted away the loneliness from having to wait for him. "Aw, I missed y' t', Rach. And y' had nothin' t' worry about. The 'Cons have been exceptionally quiet."

"Funny that you say that… we've had a handful of meetings with the Seekers and we got to go to Mexico City in the rain." I looked up at him and grinned. "While you've been out sneaking around it's been quite busy around here."

"Oh, really? Seems like I missed out on all the fun." Jazz chuckled as he looked over to Jetfire who was still sitting among the stacks of data pads. "Whatcha two doin'? Tryin' t' rebuild the Library of Iacon?"

"Hello Jazz." Jetfire smiled from inside the stacks, "Rachel and I are researching ancient Earth cultures and their use of astronomy."

Jazz's interest was instantly piqued; anything having to do with Earth culture drew him like a moth to a flame. We walked over to the mess that at one time was my desk and the floor surrounding it and Jazz picked up one of the data pads scanning quickly through it. "Doin' some light readin', Jets?"

I went back to hugging Jazz while Jetfire explained about everything that had happened. From Starscream's interest in the harmonizing radiation signals to finding the artifact in the temple to his discovery of an Earthen Allspark to the theory that wherever life existed in the universe there was an Allspark that created it.

Jazz smiled at me mischievously as he put down the data pad. "Sounds interestin', Jets. Maybe I could help y' out some. Of course that would be after I borrow y're assistant. It's been awhile since I got t' spend any time wit' my Rachel. I promise I'll bring her back."

I blushed like a giddy schoolgirl; I would go weak in the knees every time he called me 'his Rachel'.

The Veritech smiled and waved us on, "Go right ahead. I have enough to scan through to keep me busy for cycles."

I smiled at the gentle scientist, "Thanks, Jetfire. I'll be back later to help search for more information."

"T' the lounge for a drink?" Jazz grinned at me as he reached up and scratched the back of his helmet with a laugh. "I jus' got through givin' my reports and came straight t' find y'."

I patted his leg as we walked out of the med bay, "I bet you're staved for something other than field rationed energon."

"Hmm, a little." He gave me an impish grin. "More like I'm starved for attention from y'."

I was instantly blushing and I gave him a playful smack, "You keep talking like that and people will think there is something going on between us."

He stopped in the middle of the hallway, spreading his arms wide. "I don't care what people think. I'd sing t' the heavens about how much I love y', Rachel."

I gazed up at him with my cheeks burning and smiled softly at him, "Do you know that I think you're the most perfect being in the entire universe?"

"Naw, but I already knew I was the best." Jazz giggled at me.

I gasped giving him a frustrated look and smacked his leg with the back of my hand. "Feeling a little vain today, are we? Sheesh, you pay someone a compliment…"

He giggled again and gave me a playful poke, "So does that mean y're not comin' t' the lounge wit' the vain 'bot?"

"Hmm, I don't know. Jetfire needs me to help sort through all of the data I gathered…" I looked airily back down the hallway.

He feigned being wounded, "Aww, y' wouldn't deny a mech time wit' his girl, would y'?"

I gave him a wily look, "Well…I guess not. But he'd need to take her stargazing and give her lots of hugs."

Jazz's arms swooped down quickly and grabbed me in an oversized hug, "Done deal! Now lets get somethin' t' drink."

--

We headed outside after getting Jazz some energon and me a soda, still flirting with each other unmercifully. It was much later than I had expected and the twilight sky was starting to glitter with stars. I talked his audios off as we headed over to the place we had claimed as our stargazing spot so many months ago. I knew he couldn't tell me about his sneaky missions, but that was okay since I had all sorts of things to tell him.

"You wouldn't believe the lightning storm we were in and the rain was coming down in sheets. And I found Cybertronian glyphs on the temple steps and then Starscream and Skywarp showed up to check out the temple and the energy signature, but instead of a shoot out Starscream pushed past everyone and glared at Jetfire. And then he did something to the pyramid and it opened up and we were actually working side-by-side with him. It was so weird." Everything came out in a rush and Jazz laughed as he sat down.

"Sounds like quite an adventure."

I nodded and sat down on the grass next to him. "It was… and the weirdest part was that the Seekers didn't seem to want to fight. They were more interested in the temple and the artifact. They said they were looking for something that was important only to them and it was almost as if they're willing to put up with Jetfire and us just to get at whatever it is they are looking for."

We sat back in the grass and stared up into the night sky, which quickly reminded me that all the research done today was about ancient human cultures that led their lives by watching the stars. I found and pointed out the blue star that Cybertron revolved around and made Jazz promise to me for the millionth time to take me there to see his homeworld.

He just laughed, "How long are y' goin' t' keep askin' me that?"

The March night was still chilly and I scooted closer to Jazz for warmth. "I'll stop asking the day we can stand side by side on Cybertron." I rolled over onto my elbows and peered at his azure visor, "I wish we could do it when the war is over and your home is peaceful and whole, but I'm afraid that won't happen in my lifetime. So just being there with you and not being shot at will have to do for now."

Jazz turned to look at me thoughtfully for a moment, "Y' never know, Rach. Maybe the war will end soon and we can go back wit'out worryin' about the 'Cons. I'd love it if y' could see Iacon at night. All the towers lit up like shinin' jewels… I think y'd love it."

I smiled at him softly, "If it's as beautiful as you say it is, then you know I'll love it."

He ran a finger down my cheek and under my chin. He always did that when he wanted to see me smile just for him. I rested my head against his hand and let my smile spread across my face. "But it will never be as beautiful as y're, Rachel."

--

The gaping black abyss opened wide in front of him and he was instantly caught in a gravitation well that threatened to rip his limbs from his body. A strangled yelp came from his side and he could barely see out of the corner of his optics Thundercracker being torn to shreds by the pull of the abyss. He shuttered his optics and turned away as one of his best friend's agonizing screams filled his audio receptors. He couldn't hear or see Starscream anywhere, but he knew deep down that he was already dead and that they had already witnessed tortuous demise of their friend. The wrenching pull of the abyss was steadily sucking every trace of air from his intakes and he could feel the energon being forced up through his throat and into his mouth as life was squeezed out of him.

How had this happened? Had all of their work been in vain if this was how their lives would end? He could feel the armor on his legs being sheered away, exposing the delicate wiring underneath and crushing the vital energon lines. He gasped in pain, but the forces at work stole his breath. His optics started to crack and he could feel his body start to disintegrate around him. Why? What did they do wrong?

His optics flared to life as Skywarp shot up from his recharge berth. He brought his weapon systems online as the panic from the vision forced his systems to draw air rapidly through his intakes. It took him a few moments to realize that he wasn't caught in the maw of that abyss but in his room on the Nemesis. He rubbed a hand over his face raggedly and got up, stowing his weapons back into subspace as he dragged himself to the door. Maybe he could swipe some of 'Screamer's energon stash and- Wait, what if Starscream wasn't here. What if he was caught back in… whatever that was.

He called to the red Seeker over their private comlink. "Hey Starscream. Where are you?"

"In the labs. Why? Is Megatron looking for me?" The ever-present snarky tone from the Air Commander reassured the black and purple Seeker that everything was normal. Or at least as normal as it could be with him not getting much recharge because of whatever those stupid vision things were that kept interrupting his rest. He teleported to Starscream's lab and moped over to the nearest chair, slumping down tiredly and leaning back to glare at the ceiling.

The Air Commander watched his friend's arrival and subsequent actions with interest. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing." Skywarp snapped heatedly, "What's wrong with you?"

Starscream put the data pad he had been working on down, giving his wingmate a pointed look. "Nothing is wrong with me. But something is wrong with you. This is the fourth day you've been acting strangely."

The black and purple Seeker scowled and went back to glaring at the ceiling.

Not being the mech that would try to get someone to open up to him, even if they were best friends, Starscream shrugged and picked up the data pad. If it bugged Skywarp enough to say something then he might listen, but even he knew that the three of them didn't speak like that to each other. Not anymore.

Skywarp drummed his fingers on the arms of the chair. He knew Starscream was right about him acting strange. This was the fourth time that he had awoken from recharge because of whatever that was. Maybe his wingmate knew what was happening to him. "Hey 'Screamer? You ever have-"

His question was cut short as the doors to the lab swung open and Megatron stepped through. Starscream growled as he subspaced the data pad quickly and genuflected while Skywarp stumbled from where he had been spinning in the chair to his knees, thumping his right fist over his spark. They both intoned in unison, "All hail Megatron."

"I want you two glitches ready in fifty astro-seconds." The warlord sneered at them. "I have found an unknown power source and I want you, Starscream, to find out if we can use this to our advantage."

Starscream frowned at the floor. Now was not the time to go on a chase after one of Megatron's strange whims. "As you wish, Megatron. Where is this power source located?"

The Decepticon leader glared at his kneeling Second-in-Command before answering his impertinent question. "It is near a human settlement called 'Mexico City'."

--

Sky spy alerted Teletraan 1 of the Decepticons heading towards Mexico City and the artifact. As the claxons rang, Optimus Prime called for all available Autobots to meet outside the entrance to the Ark. Jetfire was one of the first to respond to the call. Why was Starscream taking the other Decepticons to the artifact? Didn't the Seekers specifically state that they wanted to keep this from Megatron? Jetfire transformed just outside the Ark and waited impatiently as the other mechs sped back to the Autobot base for the upcoming fight. The gentle scientist brought his engines online with a roar. Couldn't they see how important this was?

Optimus Prime and the others spilled into his cargo bay. Mechs were checking their weapons and pulling extra ammunition from subspace pockets. Jetfire lifted off and activated his thrusters to propel him into the stratosphere. Entering the upper atmosphere would make the trip much faster.

He started to bring his weapon systems online when Rachel slipped into his cockpit. "Rachel. This is too dangerous for you."

She ignored him and opened her wireless Teletraan 1 and typed something quickly on it. She then pulled a memory card out and held it up to the blinking light. "That has the layout of the entire area. If you can maneuver the Decepticons towards the tree line, you should be able to-."

He cut her off briskly, "Rachel. You will take immediate shelter the moment I land. You should not have come with us."

"You need me, Jetfire. Who else is going to be able to gather the rest of the information from the surrounding Pyramids? They could have valuable clues as to what-"

"Information that we could have come back for after the battle. This is too dangerous for you, Rachel." He started to descend and called back to the others that they were about to land. "I will not tell Optimus Prime about this, but I highly advise that you think carefully about the danger you put all of us in before you try another stunt like this one."

She snapped the wireless computer shut and got up out of his cockpit. Jetfire sighed; for such a smart young woman, she was terribly reckless.

--

Starscream and Skywarp flew side-by-side, no use for their trine formation without Thundercracker. The black and purple Seeker faltered slightly in their flight path causing the Air Commander to radio him over their private comlink. "Watch where you're going. You're all over the place like a drunken Conehead!"

"Shove it, 'Screamer." Skywarp snapped back.

Now Starscream knew there was something seriously wrong with his wingmate. There was always banter between the three of them, some of it vicious when in front of the other Decepticons, but never like this. "What is wrong with you, 'Warp? You need to be focused or else the artifact could be destroyed."

"That's your problem to worry about. You're the smart one."

Starscream gave a martyred sigh. "Do not let Megatron find out that we know what the artifact is. Do you think you can handle that?"

"Whatever."

The red Seeker cursed under his breath; why did Megatron have to view everything unknown as an untapped power source?

Megatron started his descent into the lush green field that surrounded the pyramids and Starscream was about to follow him until he noticed that Skywarp was drifting off to the side and not paying attention. "Wake up, Skywarp! We're here and we don't want to anger 'our glorious leader' by looking sloppy."

The black and purple Seeker transformed in midair and dropped to the ground using his thrusters at the last moments to keep him from a jarring landing.

Starscream transformed as well and landed much more gracefully next to his wingmate. He glared at Skywarp who stalked heavily over to Megatron and stared at the temple. "Is this what we're here for?" At least he pretended to know nothing about the pyramid.

"Yes, it is. Starscream!" Megatron put his hands on his hips. "Can the energy of this crystal be turned into a viable form of energon?"

Without answering the warlord, the Air Commander walked over to the temple and gazed up at it. He pulled a handheld scanner from a subspace pocket and began to 'examine' the crystal. All he needed to do was convince Megatron that the artifact was useless.

After walking half way around it and up a few tiers, Starscream shook his head. "It will be of no use to create energon, Megatron."

The warlord was not satisfied and he glared at the giant crystal. "Then can I use it for a weapon?"

Starscream sighed inwardly and shook his head. But as he opened his mouth to voice his opinion the sky around the pyramids vibrated from the engines of the Veritech. Jetfire had barely touched down before Optimus Prime and the other Autobots emptied from his cargo bay. The red Seeker swore heatedly and barked at Skywarp over their radio link. "Don't let them fire at the artifact! We need to protect it at all costs!"

"I know, I know!" Skywarp's Vulcan cannons powered up and were humming in anticipation as the three Decepticons faced down the party of Autobots.

Optimus Prime strode towards Megatron with his plasma rifle in hand. "I cannot allow you to take the crystal, Megatron."

The warlord smirked. "Oh? And just why is that? Starscream has just informed me that it is useless." He turned and glared back at the Seeker who stood on one of the middle tiers. "It must be worth something if you've wandered all this way from the Ark to protect it."

Optimus glanced between the furious Seeker and the smug Decepticon leader. So Starscream was trying to protect the crystal. "It is of great historical value to the native people. Taking it will be removing a vital part of their culture."

Starscream glowered at the Autobots still angry that they interfered yet again, but slightly thankful that Optimus Prime did not reveal what they knew about the crystal. He lifted his null ray and aimed at the string of armed Autobots; they were outnumbered, but he had to protect the artifact.

Megatron shook his head, "Do you really think I care about something important to those pathetic fleshlings?"

"I'm sure the only thing you care about is yourself, Megatron, but I still refuse to let you destroy the area for your twisted pleasure."

The fusion cannon was raised, and even though he was badly outnumbered he aimed for Optimus Prime. "Then how about I destroy you for my twisted pleasure?"

The Autobots dove for cover as the first blast from the cannon tore into the soft ground and set the grassy field on fire. "Not so bold now, are we Prime?"

Jetfire stood and aimed at the warlord, opening a comlink with the other Autobots. "We must draw his fire away from the pyramid!"

Megatron smirked as he looked at the gentle scientist, "So the traitor thinks he is capable to stand up to me? Why even bother to lift your weapon? You couldn't even destroy Starscream."

"I refuse to create random destruction and cause the death of innocent beings." Jetfire's icy blue optics slid over to where Starscream still stood on the temple. "And I wouldn't kill someone who I still considered a 'friend'."

Starscream sneered as he descended from the temple tiers, "Then you are as pathetic as you are weak!"

Skywarp barked over the comlink, "I thought you said to keep them from firing on the crystal?!"

"We have to draw their fire away from the artifact." He aimed at the Veritech's chest plate. "You should go back to your laboratory and leave the fighting to real warriors, Jetfire."

The fusion cannon hummed with power and blew a crater into the earth at their feet. "Enough!" Megatron swung the cannon around and started to fire at whatever mech was nearby, leaving the ground around him a battered mix of burning grasses and soft earth.

Skywarp took position directly in front of the temple and started to fire at the feet of the Autobots. Hopefully the idiots would get the hint and draw back. The Vulcan cannons whirled and sent clods of dirt flying into the air as he peppered the ground.

Starscream snarled at Jetfire as they faced off. He spat at the Veritech between punches. "Why are you here?!"

Jetfire landed a right hook to Starscream's jaw. "I thought you were trying to keep Megatron from finding out about this!"

An uppercut sent the Veritech stumbling backwards. "I was until you and the Auto-fools showed up. I had him convinced that the crystal was worthless!"

Jetfire grabbed Starscream's left wing and easily tossed the Seeker backwards. The Air Commander activated his anti-gravs just in time to avoid hitting the ground and sliding across the field on his back. He charged in the air and aimed for the Veritech with a vicious snarl spread across his face. "Goodbye, 'friend'."

Optimus Prime had managed to get in close to Megatron and was able to keep the warlord from firing the fusion cannon at anyone else. Punches were thrown back and forth and energon dripped from cracks and splits in each other's armor. Megatron threw a haymaker at the Autobot leader sending him sprawling backwards in the grass. The warlord smirked evilly, "If I can't use the crystal and its only worth to you is for your precious humans, then I see no reason why I can't destroy it!" Megatron whirled around quickly, the fusion cannon already hot from the battle, and fired repeatedly at the milky-white crystal. The blasts shook the area and the remaining tiers of the pyramid crumbled to dust from the quake.

Both Starscream's and Skywarp's optics went wide as the crystal vibrated and started to glow white-hot. The glow filled the area and the resonance from the crystal turned into a high-pitched hum. With the battle forgotten, both the Seekers and the Autobots watched the crystal in frozen horror. Megatron was turning back to fire at Optimus Prime when he realized the effect the crystal was having on everyone else.

The glow dimmed briefly and Jetfire yelled for everyone to take cover. Starscream quickly looked over at Skywarp who was still directly in front of the crystal. He shot forwards to grab his friend, but he was too far away. Time stopped moving for the red Seeker as he shrieked Skywarp's name.

The pulsing light from the crystal expanded and engulfed Skywarp and Starscream as it exploded, sending out a massive concussive blast that flattened the area for miles around.