Chapter 4

Starscream and his new companion set out towards Iacon's border, taking to the air in robot mode and keeping away from the main cities as much as possible. Upon their arrival some time later, the silver and black Destron would go no further. "It is better that I enter Iacon alone. Your unpopularity with the Autobots is well known, Starscream – you might raise too many suspicions. Wait here until I return." Starscream reluctantly agreed. He knew that Megatron was right; there was no guarantee that the Autobots, upon seeing him again, would allow him to leave Iacon.

As his mentor took to the air once again, heading towards the city center, Starscream surveyed his surroundings. Iacon was much newer than Cybertron's other city-states; as the Autobots' home base, they had input a considerable amount of time and resources into upgrading its roads and structures.

Taking cover from any prying optics underneath a nearby overhang, he activated his encrypted communications channel. It wasn't long before he established contact with his Destron ally in Polyhex. "Soundwave, there's been a change of circumstances that I think you will find very much to your liking. How soon are you able to gather the other Destrons and bring them to my location?" There was a pause, as his informant relayed his response. "That would be most suitable. Oh, and Soundwave?" Another pause. "Don't expect to return to Polyhex any time soon."

As the link disconnected, Starscream smiled in satisfaction, but then froze as he heard a sound nearby.

"Hello, Starscream," someone greeted him, a familiar voice that was devoid of any warmth. Starscream stepped out of the shelter and spun around, his arm weapon pointing defensively in front of him. "Have we been out on a little errand?"

It was Jhiaxus; he must have been following him. The war lord's second in command seemed only too pleased to discover the Air Commander's treachery, collaborating with one of the Liege's most despised Destrons – Megatron; Jhiaxus saw this as the perfect opportunity to teach him a lesson.

"What do you want?" the seeker replied, taking a few steps back as the white and yellow Destron jet moved closer towards him.

Jhiaxus' energy-blast missile launcher was aimed directly at his chest. He let out a cruel, menacing growl. "I want you, Starscream. I do believe it's about time you received your just reward for your faithful service to the Liege, wouldn't you agree?" he threatened sardonically.

"If you think I'm going anywhere with you, then think again," Starscream replied, but he was too late as Jhiaxus launched a missile towards him. The blast impacted Starscream's torso, and he was instantly deactivated from the energy overload.

"Whatever you say, Starscream," Jhiaxus replied, his face contorting into an evil grin. Then, he lifted the unconscious seeker and, transforming into his jet mode, carried him back to Kolkular.

During the Destrons' mass uprising, when Megatron was still a member of Tarn's research facility, he had devised a theoretical model for a very powerful portal, which existed in subordinate space. If he was correct, it could be used to not only guarantee Cybertron's protection, but to also establish the planet's dominance throughout the galaxy. Shockwave had shown great interest in his research, and had agreed to help him develop the experimental technology.

Although Shockwave was a first generation Transformer, he remained one of the few of his peers to refuse the Autobot distinction, preferring instead to remain unaffiliated. His primary function, and the original purpose for his creation, was as Cybertron's guardian; he was responsible for protecting his home planet against hostile alien races and, to a large extent, had already helped prevent many potentially devastating invasions in the past. He generally showed no interest in the ongoing struggles between the Autobots and the various Destron groups; he believed that all Cybertronians should lay aside their petty quarrels and instead focus upon strengthening Cybertron's inter-galactic position, mainly by improving its energy efficiency and upgrading its defences. He was an extremely powerful Transformer, built for conquest, with a superior intelligence to match; however, he preferred to spend most of his time alone, and rarely engaged in casual conversation with the other Autobots at Iacon's Technological Science and Research Station, where he could be found.

One of the few Transformers who shared common interests with him was Megatron. Not only did they both show little regard for the existing factions, they also agreed that protecting Cybertron from all harm, and ensuring that another energy shortage did not occur again, should be the most important considerations.

After a number of simulated trial runs, the portal design seemed to show some potential; however, it had proved overly sensitive to the massive vortexes created as a result of connecting with the subordinate space layer, resulting in an overload of its circuitry before a portal could be successfully established. These initial failures did not deter Megatron, and he had returned his focus to its theoretical aspects in an attempt to solve the problem. It was only recently that he had been able to come up with a possible solution, with Shockwave's continued input.

He stepped through the front doors of Iacon's expansive Research Station, and began to make his way to one of the top floors, where the powerful space observatory, and Shockwave's laboratory, were both situated. The Autobot scientists who occupied the facility walked past him without a second glance, barely noticing the Destron insignia visible on his chest.

The large, imposing guardian robot had been expecting the Destron. He had made preparations beforehand, and had set up a testing platform in anticipation of the completed prototype. Megatron allowed him to look over his last-minute adjustments to the design, waiting expectantly for the Cybertronian's feedback. It was positive.

"The enhancements you've made to the power containment cells are exceptional." Shockwave walked over to the main terminal and input a series of calculations into his simulator. They both watched the results as the simulated portal was established, and remained stable for a few seconds before the safety overload shut down the device. "With a few more modifications, this should be successful," he said.

Megatron was pleased with the feedback. The simulator had never achieved such a result; up until this point, they had not been able to get it to establish a stable portal. Even Shockwave, who was rarely impressed by anything, stepped back in reserved astonishment and purposeful contemplation.

The silver and black Destron broke the silence. "There's something else." Shockwave remained where he was, unmoving; his single optic was his only discernible facial feature, which made it almost impossible for anyone to read his emotions. The tone of his voice and his mannerisms were usually the only indications. "It appears that Liege Maximus is about to engage in war in an effort to establish singular dominance over the other Destron groups… and, then, over the Autobots as well."

The large purple Cybertronian pulled his attention away from the simulated portal on his display. His head was tilted down towards the floor, as if in contemplation. "That would be unacceptable."

"There are other Destrons who share similar sentiments, who do not wish to see Cybertron torn apart by their wars. If you would be willing, together we could prevent any such devastation." Megatron was persuasive when he wanted to be, and he knew the guardian well enough to know how to influence him; they did share similar view points on the guardianship of their home planet, after all.

Finally, Shockwave nodded. "I will help you." Then, he looked up at the other Transformer. "Have you spoken to the Prime?" he asked. Sentinel Prime had a substantial influence over Autobot affairs, and was the one to approach regarding any military matters.

Megatron shook his head. "No."

"If the Autobots can be persuaded to take the offensive, they may be able to stop the rebel groups before any serious harm is done."

"Agreed." Satisfied with their exchange, the Destron turned towards the laboratory's exit. "I will speak to Prime, and let you know of the outcome," he added, before leaving.

Megatron had known Sentinel Prime since the day of his own creation, and each time they had conversed, their discussion had always ended the same way; in disagreement. He had functioned originally as Sentinel's military advisor shortly after he'd been created, having demonstrated a remarkable ability to assess an enemy's weaknesses and determine the most likely outcome of any planned strategy, or of a particular course of action. To Sentinel, Megatron had been the most valuable amongst the Destrons, though that did not stop the Prime from harbouring anti-Destron sentiments, and Megatron was no exception.

When Sentinel was informed by Prowl, his advisor, that he was here to see him, the leader of the Autobots was reluctant to allow the Destron anywhere near the Command Center. "What does he want?" he asked with irritation, seated in his chair inside the control room.

"All he said was that it is a matter of urgency," Prowl relayed with his usual quiet confidence.

Sentinel frowned in annoyance. He was a powerful, imposing Autobot in his own right, eager for battle and impressively armed. He led the Autobot military with pride, and never compromised his position or ideals for anyone. "Very well; I'll speak with him," he said finally, more to humour the Destron than to actually take anything he said purposefully.

A few minutes later, Prowl reappeared with Megatron, and Sentinel nodded, indicating for his advisor to leave them alone. "You ought to be grateful I've even agreed to speak with you, Megatron. What do you want?"

Megatron tried to ignore Sentinel's unwelcoming attitude towards him, but he had expected such a reception from the Autobot Prime. "You should know that Liege Maximus is about to make his move," he said.

Sentinel studied him intently, sizing him up. Megatron would make a formidable enemy against any opponent; indeed, Sentinel was one of the few to have witnessed his capabilities first-hand, though he doubted that the Destron's drive and determination could surpass his own and decided that he would easily be able to defeat him in one-to-one combat. However, his theory had never been put to the test. "And why should that concern me?" he replied, keeping his gaze steady.

"It may not be of any concern to you now, but if he is successful in overtaking Polyhex, you and the Autobots will be his next target," Megatron informed him.

Sentinel laughed quietly, yet he was filled with derision. "And you think the Autobots are not prepared for such an outcome?"

"It always pays to be better prepared," his former military advisor told him plainly.

"I have everything under control, and I certainly don't need advice from a Destron – particularly one who doesn't know how to keep quiet." Sentinel was referring to a time when Megatron had spoken his mind to the Autobots' governing body against the Prime, when the latter had planned to send an army of Destrons to fight a losing battle on one of Cybertron's moons.

"This isn't about your petty need for retribution–" Megatron started, growing restless with the Prime's arrogance.

Sentinel stood up in anger and strode towards the Destron, but he did not get any reaction from him. "And why should I listen to anything you have to say?" he said, raising his voice in anger.

"If you won't listen to me, then perhaps you will listen to Shockwave," Megatron replied, unperturbed. "Or, have you made it a habit to stop taking advice from those who might know better than you?"

Sentinel's optics widened in surprise, and he scowled . "How dare you?" he said in a venomous tone. "Get out of my sight, before I have you thrown out!"

Megatron did not bother giving him a reply, but strode out of the Command Center without looking back.