Megatron's Trial ~ Part One
A dark cloud of smoke covered the star covered sky. The scent of ash and burning was everywhere as Phoenix walked to the lonely house. Its roof was caved in, the walls crumbled and singed and the door looked like it had been kicked into. None of it seemed familiar but Phoenix could'nt help but feel….connected… to it somehow.
Stepping forward the small sound of breaking glass made her look down; under her foot was a broken picture frame. Clearing away the glass she took the picture out of the frame and stared closely to it. There was nothing there but a black silhouette of what looked like a couple, but she was not sure. She suddenly felt something land on her shoulder; she looked behind her and gazed up to a blue glowing figure.
She awoke, startled, her dream gone along with the glowing stranger. The hand was replaced by light sunbeams through the leaves of the tree she rested in. Taking her head out from under her wing she gazed around remembering where she was, sighing in relief.
Later in the day she sat with the team, Sentinel, and the twins as they asked her questions, most she unfortunately could not answer. "So you don't remember anything...at all… before your crash here?" Optimus raised an optic, she shook her head. "No sorry, nothing." "It's true, I've scanned her processor multiple times and there's nothing beyond what she already knows." Ratchet scratched his chin in curiosity. How was that even possible? "It's strange."
"Well then why is Ultra Magnus so concerned about us finding you?" Sentinel crossed his servos, unbelieving. "Who?" "Primus you don't know who your own Magnus is?" "My own what?" "So you've never been to autobot camp or anything ether?" asked Bee "Camp?" "Primus, are you even from Cybertron at all?" cried Ironhide. "Where?" The orange bot slapped his own forehead. "Gosh this is odd" Jady cut in. "I'll say" Bulkhead scratched his head. Jady stroked her chin in thought "Okay let's ask something more simple…can you please tell us what you already know?" "Well, let's see…" Phoenix goes on to tell them about her meeting with Rosie, Mac, Wreck Gar and the constructicons, up until her human changing events and seeing them at the concert. "And that's it." Ironhide's optics widened "Whoa now, did you just say you turned human? How's that even possible?" "The constructicons! There still around?" gasped Bulkhead. "One at a time." Optimus shouted.
Phoenix pulled out the small golden device "This is the device that helped me turn human." With a single press she gazed up to the bots whose jaws had dropped. "Whoa! But how? Wait! What? Naaahhh?" Bee could'nt finds his words. "Well… this explains the disappearing and reappearing signals at least." Ratchet crossed his servos in mild shock. "Surprise." Phoenix shrugged
"Hey guys I'm back. Hey what are you…?" Sari came around the corner and stood stunned, as she was suddenly facing her idol, "AHH OMG! NIXYY!" "Whoa whoa kid! Look I'm not exactly who you think I am." Sari cocked her head in confussion. "Come again?" Pressing the button Phoenix gazed down at the organic "Hi I'm Phoenix" she smiled as she shook the flabbergasted Sari's hand.
"Do you have any parents?" Jady interupted
"Huh?" Phoenix gazed back blankly at the butterfly bot "I...I don't know"
"Did she not just say she doesn't remember anything from before?" Ratchet whined. "What does that have to do with anything anyway?"
"Well, I thought maybe we could trace her history that way but I guess…maybe...it...got erased somehow?"
"Wait? Her memory was erased? Then can't you do that processor thing you did with Arcee from before Ratchet?" Sari used her jetpack to fly onto Bumblebees shoulder. The med-bot shook his head. "Believe me kid I've tried no luck. I'm afraid the condition of her processor is far worse than Arcee's was. I'm surprised that she's even still online. No offence of course." He waved to Phoenix, who nodded in response.
Processor damaged? Still online? Was not remembering anything that bad? And who was this Arcee? The more questions they asked the more she thought of her own.
Optimus turned to Sentinel, "Sentinel are you sure you didn't leave out ANY other information Ultra Magnus gave you?" Sentinel shook his head but Optimus could see the small bit of uneasiness behind his face. He could ask what he was really hiding but knowing Sentinel he would be stubborn to the end trying not to get that small piece of info out.
Sentinel could sense Optimus' concern; quickly he turned the attention back to Phoenix. "Are we even sure if she IS an autobot bot? I mean she has no insignia, no record and I have never seen any bot's armour so FILTHY."
Phoenix looked down at her armour; she was a bit grungy looking compared to the others with just the few scratches and dents. "She just needs some repairing is all." Jady smiled. "Ya, just polish up a bit and she's good to go." Bee gave the thumbs up.
"Well when we do take her to Cybertron maybe one of our scientist can figure out what's really wrong with her." Something about Sentinel's sentence made Ratchet uneasy. Not that he didn't trust scientist or anything but from the last time he met with them with a damaged bot they said she was to be stuck in stasis mode. One that lasted cycles. Too many cycles.
"Take me? To Cybertron?" It sounded exciting to Phoenix to visit some place new but it was also very worrisome. The reaction on Ratchet's face had made her feel suddenly uncomfortable on going and now; thinking about it, it did seemed a bit…forced. "Yes, Ultra Magnus is wanting to be seeing you urgently most." Jetstorm tried to move in as close as he could without looking inconspicuous. "Which is why we are now leaving." The bots turned in shock to Sentinel's announcement, the blue mech ignored the questioning faces. The faster they got off this mud ball of a planet the better. "My orders where to find the source of the signal and to bring it...err her back to Ultra Magnus a.s.a.p. You'll be questioned further on the way." She could feel her spark pounding against her chest, as much as she would love to go with the twins; earth so far had been her home and the sudden feel of home sickness struck her like a bolt of lightning. "What's your rush?" The med-bot raised an optic. "Can't you let the femme just settle in first? She's only just gotten comfortable here; she doesn't need the stress of suddenly jumping planets!" Optimus placed his hand on Ratchet's shoulder, silently telling the old bot to settle down but he was far from the mood to. "Are you going against Ultra Magnus's orders?" "Of course I'm not! And you know it!" "*Grumble* Fine, But we leave by tomorrow, the sooner the better." They watched the mech march out until he was gone from view.
Sari jumped from Bee's shoulder and flew onto Phoenix's knee "I guess there's not really much of a choice for you is there?" The techno-organic put a hand on the bird bots arm, she could'nt help but feel bad for Phoenix; she of coarse knew how the bot felt. "Hey! How about before you go we give the best time on earth possible! I mean...who knows who long you'll be gone." They gave each other weak smiles.
Jady patted the organic on the head "That's a great idea." Bee wrapped an arm around her waist and pumped the other in the air in excitement. "Sweet! We can give you a real night on the town! Plus you're gonna need it if you're going to be stuck traveling with Sentinel." Phoenix giggled, "Sounds good. Are you coming too?" She looked to the other mechs. "Sounds like a sweet deal, sure. I'm down with that." Jazz smiled. "I'm in too!" cried Bulkhead. Ratchet and Optimus shook their heads, as well as Ironhide, "I'm good, you lot go ahead." "And how about you two?" Phoenix turned to the twins.
They gave her a surprised look then looked at each other; no one's ever asked them to 'hang out' before. "As great as that is being," Jetstorm started, "But Sentinel Prime will be wanting us on ship back." Jetfire finished, their shoulders sagged in disappointment. "Oh don't worry maybe another time." Jady gave them a smile transformed like the other into her jet mode and flew off as the group made their way into the city.
Phoenix looked behind and waved "See you tomorrow then!" She waved until they were no longer in her sight, transformed and soared away to join the others; her friends.
~~~In the prison city of Kaon; the court was filled with echoes of loud whispers from the councillors and jury that were nervous yet anxious for coming event. Ultra Magnus sat motionless ahead of the court, as a Trooperbot marched in and saluted; as if giving the council the signal to silence themselves all at once, giving all their attention from below their stands.
Trooperbots marched in single file surrounding the walls, weapons at the ready; as the tyrant himself was wheeled into the room, strapped to a gurney. A circle of more bots surrounded him as he was placed into the centre of the room facing Ultra Magnus with a blank stare. The Magnus showed no emotion in return as he stared back into the face of Megatron.
"Let us begin the trial…" bluntly he banged the bottom of his hammer on the floor, signalling the trial had officially begun. "Megatron you are here accused of multiple accounts of treason, evading arrest, murder, tyranny, leader behind terrorist attacks and above all, leading this planet into countless cycles of war." As he finished he could have sworn he saw the edge of Megatron's mouth twitch. "How do you plead?"
The large decepticon gazed blankly back, "First of all…" his deep, sinister voice echoed, "I never plead, especially to autobot scum." The room was once again filled with whispers from the council members, both terrified and some insulted. "And secondly; I do not see why I should. You obviously assume that I am already guilty. So the real question is; why are you even bothering with this pathetic excuse for trail?"
Ultra Magnus expression never changed, "Because despite what you say; we believe that all bots should have a fair trial, either autobot or decepticon." "And just what part of this do you consider 'fair?'" The tyrant glared. The autobot leader did not reply; he knew that Megatron held a good point. It was obvious to everyone that he was indeed guilty, and the only reason why they where there was to see what punishment the decepticon leader was going to receive. "That is what I thought" he smirked. "So then; you admit to the charges." "Apprently." Megatron could not help but find this whole thing amusing; he could see from the corner of his optics the fear in the council members faces. How pathetic. It was clear to him what was to be expected of his so-called 'fair' trail, but he had to keep them busy for the plan to go forward and perhaps…for a bit of amusement. "If I am to be stuck here for the next few solar cycles, listening to your ramblings can I not be at least be released from these uncomfortable straps?" "Denied" Um banged his hammer once again. A smirk crossed Megatrons's face, "of course." The plan was in motion.
~~~The pocket bot still held its place in the dark corner of the room, its tiny eye made a 'clicking' sound as the images of the trial transferred from it to Shockwaves cell. The tiny hand-made screen viewed in black and white, through static. Shockwave watched and listened; "Can I not be released from these uncomfortable straps?" There, the word to start; raising from his corner the long limbed bot peered through the cell glass; a Trooperbot was standing guard only a foot away. Good the idiot wasn't sleeping. Looking in the opposite direction; the clone Sunstorm looked back at him through his cell wall and nodded. Stepping back trying not to look inconspicuous, he knocked on the wall that separated him and the jet, loud enough to get the Trooperbot's attention. The guard bot didn't move but Shockwave could tell it was listening in. "Who is it?" Sunstorm mocked, "I hear the plan has been set," Shockwave whispered but made certain the guard could hear. "And what a brilliant plan it is!" "Indeed, now that we and Megatron are stuck in here it is up to the 'others' on Moon base 1 to get through the spacebridge." "That is genies! No one we'll expect an attack on Moon base 1, not even the great autobots!" "Exactly, as soon as they rid of the inhabitants it will become the perfect base for decepticon spacebridge operations." He looked from the corner of his one optic; the guard quickly looked away. "And when will this glorious plan take action?" the jet continued. Shockwave kept his optic on the Trooper, he could sense the anxiousness even though it still did not move from its post. "Sometime today. During the trail." And with that the Trooperbot silently walked away. "That's right," the con whispered while he watched "Go on and be a hero."
The Magnus was starting to become restless, the more he asked the less Megatron would give him a straight answer. It was like this one big game to him. Refusing to give into his frustration he continued on until a Trooperbot came in, somewhat frantic and whispered into his audio sensor. Megatron smirked as he watched the autobot's optics widened. Nodding to the white bot to leave Ultra Magnus looked back to him with an expression of slight unease. "It appears that one of our guards has overheard your back-up plan." Gasps where heard from around the court, the con just smirked. "Did you now?" "I assume these 'others' are more of your followers?" "Who can say?" "That is enough! Are you or are you not planning an attack on Moon base 1?" "Now how could I possibly plan an attack from inside these prison walls?"
The Magnus could feel the heat rising in his face plate, but he kept it back. He would not show any reaction to the cons guessing game. "We shall stop now for a brief intermission." As the crowd stretched their tired, stiff limbs; Megatron was wheeled away back to a holding cell. Ultra Magnus made his way over to a small, red mini-bot "Cliffjumper." He called. The bot turned around looking upward, "Yes sir?" "I need you to get in contact with Optimus and Sentinel Prime," he told Cliff everything the Trooper had told him, "but tell no one, the last thing we need is panic; not at this time." "But sir can we not just put the trial on hold?" The mech shook his head. "I'm afraid not, the quicker he is sentenced the more the inhabitants of Cybertron can finally rest in peace. Besides…I am not even sure if this is just a rouse." Cliffjumper nodded in agreement and marched away.
~~~Back at the autobo'ts base all the bots had returned, laughing at the day's events. Phoenix was laughing so hard she swore she felt like she was about to have an oil leak. "And when Bulkhead tried to sit on the swing set!" the other burts out laughing. "What? I could have fit…if it was about 5 times wider." The swat van blushed. "Hey! Whos up for some oil?" "I am!" Jady and bee called, "Pass one over big guy" Jazz caught the barrel as Bulkhead tossed it. "You want one Phoenix?" he held a full barrel over to her. She stared blankly at the black liquid, "Uhhh," "What's up? You look like you've never seen oil before." "Well," she rubbed the back of her head, blushing, "Actually, I haven't" There was a sudden silence as all the bots turned to her with shocked expressions. Bee spit shot the oil that was in his mouth onto the floor. "*Cough* Come again? You've NEVER had oil before?" Phoenix shrugged, "Nope, I've always been on human food." Bulkhead scratched the top of his head "I guess that makes sense. Well why not give the stuff a whirl? It's reaallyy good. Trust me!" She took the barrel from him and stared at it for a few klicks before taking a sip. The bots slowly leaned in watching as she licked her lips. "hmmm, not bad." She smiled. "Yay!" the other raised there 'cups' in rejoice and gulped it down. "So whats Cybertron like?" "It's a pretty awesome place, ur, other than earth." Bee used his most punctual tone, "The only difference is that everything there is well; more suitable for our size." "Is it just one big city of a planet?" "Not quite," Jazz took over, "But it is mostly a whole load of different sectors; kinda like a city. But we have some energon farms too." "That's where I'm from." Bulkhead gleamed. "But there located outside of the planet, on our two moon bases." "Moon bases? That's sounds cool."
"You bet."
A loud beeping noise came from outside, "What is that?" Phoenix almost spilled her oil from jumping. "Sounds like it's coming from Omega Surpreme." Optimus ran past the group with the others eventully following behind. Phoenix tried her best to keep up with Bulkhead asking, "Who?" "You'll see." Behind the main building, a large Orange and yellow ship was opened. Phoenix gazed at it as they walked in, "How the heck did I miss seeing this thing!" she thought.
Optimus turned on the view screen in the main control room, with a voice shouting; "Optimus Prime, calling Optimus Prime. Emergency call, please respond." Cliffjumper's face appeared. "This is Optimus Prime what is the emergency?" "We need you and you team to immediately transport to Moon base 1." Bulkhead pushed forward hearing the name of his old home, "What going on there?" " I'm sorry to say that we believe it to be a target for a decepticon attack. Bulkhead's giant jaw dropped.
To be continued….