Three Months Later-Florida Keys
"Bishop to G5," said Ironhide. Playing chess with Lennox via the internet was hardly the Autobot's version of entertainment but it was the only thing he could do at the moment. Sentinel led them to the naval base and the Autobots managed to construct a base for themselves in no time. Problem was that Ironhide was a soldier and for the moment, they didn't really need soldiers.
Wheeljack was constantly doing things right and left. It was a wonder the Autobot didn't go insane with the projects he was working on. Long range energon sensors, anti-aircraft defenses, Teletran 1 AI Core, the list went on and on. Ironhide was the direct opposite. He was called whenever they needed heavy lifting but other then that, he really didn't do much.
"Queen to D3. Checkmate," said Lennox. Ironhide groaned, he never was really good at this game. "Care to go again? It's not like either one of us have anything better," asked Lennox. The human had it just as bad. With all the Autobots gone, he was assigned to some desk job at the Pentagon. He hated his new posting as much as Ironhide did.
"I can't believe I'm saying this but I miss the Decepticons," said Ironhide. For the past three months, there had been no sign of their foes. It was if they just disappeared of the face of the planet. Ironhide knew that wasn't the case but this was the longest the 'Cons had ever hidden themselves.
"I hear ya," replied Lennox.
"How Epps?" asked Ironhide. He knew the Sergeant retired after NEST was dismantled. With no sign of the Decepticons and the loss of the Autobots, the White House in its infinite wisdom decided to cut the unit for budgetary reasons. Humans could be really stupid whenever it came to their currencies. Apparently, Epps disagreed with that and resigned in protest.
"Well, I heard he got a job at NASA. Working security at Cape Canaveral," said Lennox. Static began interrupting their conversation. Wheeljack must have been working on the communications again.
"Sorry Lennox but your signal's breaking up. We'll talk later," said Ironhide before disconnecting. He groaned as he walked through the old naval airbase find Wheeljack and complain. The facility was originally built to use as a staging area to invade Cuba in the 1960s but after the Cuban Missile Crisis, those plans were scrapped. The base became less important and was finally abandoned, again for monetary reasons. Again with humans and their currency.
A massive underground hanger that was supposed to house fighters and bombers now served as the basis for the Autobot's headquarters. They managed to expand it and dig out a network of underground tunnels. What would have taken years for the humans only took months for the Autobots. Ironhide found Wheeljack working on the AI Core Teletran I. The core ran and processed all of the base systems, most of which were created by salvaging parts from the remains of the Ark.
"Wheeljack I thought you fixed the glitches in the communications," said Ironhide.
"The communications aren't the problem, it's Teletran I. So many bugs and glitches that keep affecting other systems," said Wheeljack.
"Well could you make hurry up and make it less glitchy. I can't even have a simple chess match with Lennox," said Ironhide.
"You play chess? The Autobot with the biggest Decepticon kill count plays chess?" laughed Wheeljack.
"Oh shut up," groaned Ironhide.
"Well this would go faster if Sentinel wasn't in his lab day and night working on Primus knows what." said Wheeljack.
Sentinel added the final touches to his AllSpark model. He did it; he managed to recreate something others thought only the gods could do. The Cube was ready to be energized. All he needed to do now was Megatron's fragment and insert the Matrix of Leadership. All these months of colluding with the Decepticon leader would soon yield its rewards.
Sentinel's lab was a small chamber he kept sealed off from the rest of the Autobots. He couldn't let them see what he was up to. The Autobots wouldn't understand but in time, they would see. He was doing what was best for them and for their home Cybertron.
He tapped a small orb resting on the ground next to his work bench. It came alive, transforming into a transmitter. A special encrypted communicator that only Megatron could pick up. "Megatron. The Cube is complete. All it requires now is the shard. Begin phase 2," he transmitted.
Lennox entered the former NEST headquarters inside the Pentagon. The room was now utilized as reconnaissance on the Autobot's colony. Lennox hated the fact that they were spying on the same beings that fought alongside them and saved the human race on more then one occasion. But the President and the Joint Chiefs were nervous now that they couldn't keep a direct eye on the Autobots.
The spy cameras were small rover similar to the ones NASA uses to explore Mar's surface. They kept a low profile and the Autobots seemed to ignore them. Or maybe they did know they were being watched and simply tolerated it.
Standing in the middle of the room was General Morshower. "This is wrong sir," Lennox said to him. He raised his objections to this before and they were shot down.
"You've already made your objection heard Colonel now I suggest you keep it to yourself," said Morshower. It was more like friendly advice then a warning. Lennox watched footage from the spy cameras as Cliffjumper and the Twins were…singing?
"I don't know what I've been told!" yelled Cliffjumper.
"I don't know what I've been told!" echoed the Twins.
"Killing 'Cons never gets old!" yelled Cliffjumper.
"Killing 'Cons never gets old!" echoed the Twins. Cliffjumper and the double loudmouths were clearing away rubble from the old human-made runway while singing Cliff's new military cadence. He came up with it after watching the human movies Platoon and Full Metal Jacket.
Most of the rubble was rocks and dirt left from the Autobot's tunneling underneath the island. The work was hardly a complex job so Cliffjumper gladly took it along with the two mouthpieces. Sentinel had everyone working hard so if Cliffjumper saw a chance to do something easier, he took it.
"Man, this sucks. Give me Decepticons any day of the week over this," complained Skids.
"Keep talking. That'll really improve the situation dumbass," shot back Mudflap.
"What did you say to me?" yelled Skids. He tackled Mudflap and the two started pounding on each other. Cliffjumper was stood back and let them duke it out. It was the most entertainment he had in months.
He would have enjoyed it more until the ground started shaking. It was subtle at first but as time went on, it got worse. It couldn't have been any of the other Autobots digging, not with this much intensity.
Suddenly the ground beside the twins exploded as the Decepticon Driller shot up. The two bots were hurled into the air, landing on top of each other. Cliffjumper quickly pulled them to their feet and the three dashed towards the underground entrance.
"We've got Decepticons!" yelled Cliffjumpers.
Lennox couldn't believe it. After all this time without so much as a hint of what happened to them, the 'Cons were back and attacking the Island. The instant he saw the massive Driller, he bolted to the nearest phone. "Put me through to Optimus!" he yelled.
"Contact the 2nd Fleet and tell them we need birds in the air now. Launch everything we've got." ordered Morshower to his staff.
Optimus found living among the humans somewhat lonely. There were many humans he considered his friends but he hadn't seen another Autobot face to face since they all left to build the colony. He contacted them all the time but it wasn't the same as before.
He was in a mini-hanger in Joint Base Anacostia-Boiling, the closest airfield to the Pentagon. It was a challenge doing his job, often bearing the brunt of whatever anger Director Mearing and Mr. Galloway felt towards Sentinel.
"Optimus do you read?" came Lennox's voice over Prime's com. Optimus knew something was wrong, Lennox sounded very concerned.
"What is it?" asked Optimus.
"It's the Decepticons. They're attacking the colony," replied Lennox. Optimus wasted no time as he rushed to his trailer which transformed into a mini-weapons rack. He stepped onto it and all of JetFire's parts began to magnetically attach themselves.
Megatron stepped out the Driller along with Shockwave, Barricade, Soundwave, and the remaining five Protoforms. Starscream, Thundercracker, and Skywarp all dropped from the sky landing in the robot forms. They waited as the Autobots came rushing out of their bunker, guns raised.
"Are you certain this is wise Lord Megatron?" asked Starscream.
"Just keep your mouth shut and do not open fire unless fired upon," ordered Megatron. All the Decepticons had a collective look of concern. They obeyed only because they feared Megatron's wrath more then they feared the Autobots.
"Hold your fire!" yelled Sentinel, emerging in front of his troops. The Autobots were confused but did not open fire. Both sides stared at each other for a moment. "What do you want Megatron? The fact that you haven't started shooting must mean you want something," continued Sentinel. The old Prime played his part well.
"I've come to talk," said Megatron, stepped forward. Sentinel moved closer to talk. They were face to face with both their troops ready to open fire on each other as the sound of a pin drop.
"Why should I believe that? Your words always spoke well enough on the battlefield," shot back Sentinel. He played his part very well.
"Because it no longer matters. We can longer grow any new Protoforms and our reasons for fighting are gone. The Fallen and the AllSpark are destroyed along with Cybertron itself. I tire of this war that has driven us to near extinction. I'm tired of fighting," said Megatron. His Decepticons were just as shocked as hearing this as the Autobots. "I've come to end the war," Megatron thought that was a fine performance.
Sentinel narrowed his "suspicious" eyes. "Why should I believe that?"
Megatron dropped to his knees. "Then shoot me. I won't stop you. Either we end the violence or I won't live to see it to continue. Make your choice."
"Shoot him!" yelled Ironhide.
"Be silent!" ordered Magnus, shutting Ironhide up.
Sentinel lifted his Rust Cannon at Megatron's head, as if contemplating such destroying the Decepticon. It was quite a measure of trust that Megatron was placing in Sentinel but the old Prime wanted the war over. Otherwise, they would have never made the deal. He lowered his cannon. "I won't kill you," the Prime said.
The Autobots were outraged. "What are you waiting for? Shoot him! Are you crazy?" they all starting shouting at once. Magnus lifted his Fusion cannon and shot into the air. The shot all silenced them.
"Sentinel did not give any of you permission to speak," said Magnus.
"There was once a time where they were no Autobots or Decepticons, only Cybertronians. The only thing that has ever separated us is our names." said Megatron.
"Bullocks!" shouted Mirage. A stern glance from Sentinel shut him up.
"What are you saying?" asked Sentinel.
"Perhaps we should discuss this in private?" suggested Megatron. Sentinel frowned for a moment.
"Let us step inside to my lab. We can talk privately there. Magnus, make sure no one disturbs us." said Sentinel. The two leaders walked by the stunned Autobots.
Optimus Prime was halfway to the island when he got a transmission from Lennox. "Optimus, we've got a message from Ratchet. You're going to want to hear this." said Lennox. Something in his voice was different, it wasn't concern but confusion.
"Ratchet, what's your status?" asked Optimus.
"Prime, you're not going to believe this. Megatron just showed up with all the Decepticons and he says they're here to talk. We were all ready to start shooting before Sentinel stopped us. He's taken Megatron inside the base to talk in private," reported Ratchet.
"What? Why would Sentinel…this doesn't make any sense," said Optimus. Something was terribly wrong. Prime wished his jets could go faster but he was at maximum speed as it was.
The Autobots and Decepticons all stared at each other, their weapons haven't lowered the whole time. Ultra Magnus wanted to rip the sparks out of every one of the Decepticons but Sentinel ordered them to hold their fire. Keeping the peace at the moment was probably the hardest assignment Magnus had, especially since he had to stop himself as well.
"You and me have some unfinished business," Mirage said to Shockwave.
"You're welcome to try but just remember that Optimus isn't here to save your useless hull this time." taunted Shockwave. Mirage took a step forward, only to get stopped by Magnus. All the Decepticons chuckled.
Starscream and his Seekers kept their eyes on Air Raid and the Aerialbots. The two groups had been rivals long before the Great War even started and they never turned down a chance to kill each other. Hopefully, they wouldn't decide to start again now.
A noise caught Magnus's attention. He looked up to Optimus with his flight attachments come crashing to the ground. The Decepticons level their weapons at him but hold their fire. "Where's Sentinel?" demanded Optimus.
"He's inside," said Ironhide.
Optimus moved towards the entrance before Magnus stopped him. "He gave explicate orders not to be disturbed," Magnus said.
"The Decepticons are not here for peace. Megatron's playing an angle. I know it and so do you," said Optimus.
"It doesn't matter what I think. We have our orders. You'll just have to wait until they come out," said Magnus.
"This is wrong Magnus. Stand aside now," said Optimus. He took a step forward only for Magnus to shove him back.
"Are you giving me orders? Using your birthright as a Prime to give me commands?" growled Magnus. He always resented that Optimus was born into command while he had to work his way up the ranks.
"I don't want to fight you brother," said Optimus.
"Then stand down," said Magnus.
"Not until Sentinel gives me answers," said Optimus. Magnus got into his face, the two not backing down from each other.
"You don't get to decide which orders you follow and those you don't. Perhaps you enjoyed the taste of command too much for your own good," said Magnus.
"Uh guys, could we turn it down a notch?" asked Sideswipe. The two Autobots didn't even acknowledge him, their optics focused on each other. Finally, Magnus stepped aside. The Autobots all breathed a sigh of relief while the Decepticons all moaned in disappointment.
Sentinel led Megatron into his lab. The Decepticon stared at the Cube completely mesmerized. "The Cube, a near perfect reconstruction of the AllSpark," said Sentinel.
"It's beautiful," said Megatron, reaching towards it. Sentinel stopped him.
"Not yet. We still need your fragment and the Matrix," said Sentinel.
"Then let's get on with it. I've been waiting too long for this," said Megatron.
Sentinel opened his chest piece and pulled out the Matrix of Leadership. He inserted the object into an opening in the Cube's side. It began to light up, streams of energy shot across its surface. Megatron was next, pulling his AllSpark fragment out. He put the fragment up to the Cube's surface and jammed it in.
The Cube suddenly came alive, blinding Sentinel. After the light dimmed, Sentinel opened his optics to see the Cube floating in the air. It worked, he had recreated the AllSpark. Suddenly, the laboratory doors opened and Optimus rushed inside. "Sentinel…great Primus," he said, stunned at what he was seeing. His pupil never did learn to follow orders.
"Behold Prime, the fruits of our alliance. Megatron's AllSpark fragment and the Matrix combined with my own design," said Sentinel, holding the Cube with his hand. Optimus was mesmerized by the sight before seemingly snapping out of his disbelief.
"Alliance?" Optimus asked.
"Yes, the war is over my old friend. The Autobots and Decepticons can now rebuild our race together," said Sentinel.
"We can't ally ourselves with them. Peace is something the Decepticons don't know the meaning of," said Optimus.
"I'm standing right here," growled Megatron.
"Megatron came here seeking peace and you would reject it? Explain yourself," demanded Sentinel.
"The Decepticons only offered peace once a few years ago to get their hands on a human named Sam Witwicky. They wanted the codes inside his brain to find a Sun Harvester and use it to destroy the nearby star. Peace is nothing to them but a distraction," said Optimus.
"So paranoid. Did you ever stop to think that maybe I've lost the will to fight? That I miss Cybertron so much that I'm willing to do to relinquish command of the Decepticons to Sentinel?" asked Megatron.
That last comment caught Optimus completely by surprise. "What?"
"Megatron and the Decepticons will submit to my command in exchange to amnesty for all past crimes and as you can it see, it was well worth the price," said Sentinel, holding up the Cube.
"Megatron only wants the Cube," said Optimus.
"No, I want Cybertron back," countered Megatron.
Sentinel stepped in-between the two, stopping them from attacking. "Enough! Both of you. The Autobots and Decepticons will work together to rebuilt our home," said Sentinel.
"But Sentinel…" protested Optimus.
"Be silent Optimus! You have made your objections known and I have made my decision. Now it is time to tell the others," snapped Sentinel.
Lennox watched the footage in silence as Sentinel emerged with Optimus and Megatron. In the Autobot leader's hands was a glowing cube-shaped device. All the Transformers were enthralled by the cube's presence, stunned.
"Is that what I think it is?" asked General Morshower.
"It's the AllSpark. They must have built their own version," said Lennox.
"My brothers, the war is now over. The Autobots and Decepticons will now work together to rebuilt our race and our home. We are united once more. No matter what has happened in the past, we will make this work and we will triumphant over anyone or anything that gets in our way," said Sentinel. Optimus had his head lowered, almost in shame. Megatron seemed surprisingly pleased with the smirk on his face.
The rest of the Autobots and Decepticons were stunned but finally lowered their weapons, no longer aiming them at one another. "This can't be happening," Lennox said to himself.
Sentinel turned and stared right at the camera. "Enjoy the show?" he asked before lifting his cannon and firing. The footage was replaced by static.
"Get me the President now!" order Morshower.
(I bet you didn't expect this to happen. Autobots and Decepticons working together, all puppets on Megatron and Sentinel's strings. This chapter was incredibly hard to write and went through several rewrites. Hopefully the next chapter won't be as frustrating. Please review.)