The First Falling Star
Megatron stood inside his holding cell, haunted by what Starscream had said to him earlier. Redemption. The humbled former leader began to pace back and forth, his optics peering down at the ground below him. His strong mechanical hands were clasped behind his back. "That fool doesn't realize what he's doing," he mumbled aloud. "Neptonium is the most dangerous element in the known universe!"
"Quiet down in there!" Motormaster shouted. "I may have to play babysitter, but nothing was said about me having to listen to you speak!"
"I'm curious," Megatron admitted, ignoring the request to be silent. "What lies did that moron come up with to convince you and the others to go along with his treachery? What outlandish promises did he make to you and your cronies?"
"It didn't take much," Motormaster replied with an arrogant tone. "We all just figured anything would be better than following you any longer." At one time, the commander of the Stunticons could have been considered one of Megatron's most loyal generals. That time, it would seem, had passed. "Even your lapdog Soundwave didn't object; of course he didn't really have much of a choice. He's loyal, but he isn't stupid. He'd have been a fool to have refused to go along with the plan." The words struck a painful chord in Megatron's soul, and Motormaster found a sick pleasure in observing the discomfort his commentary had caused. "To tell you the truth, I think he was glad to see you fall. Who knows? When it comes time to kill you, it might be him that pulls the switch!"
Megatron stopped dead in his tracks and approached the electric bars keeping him from freedom. "Your bravado amuses me, Motormaster. I wonder how loudly you would protest with my hands around your neck!"
Motormaster rose out from his chair and walked towards the prisoner. "Your threats don't frighten me, Megatron," he smiled. "You're a relic, and it makes my circuits tingle knowing that your days of leading the Decepticons down the losing path have come to an end."
"The only end that is approaching is that of your existence, once I get out of this pathetic holding cell!" Megatron screamed.
Motormaster erupted with laughter. "If the cell which holds you prisoner is pathetic, mighty Megatron, then what does that make you?" Motormaster never heard the reply, as seconds later a swift laser blast caught him from behind. The weapon that did the damage was unique, a modified concussion blaster gun belonging to one Decepticon in particular. Though it didn't knock him off-line, it stunned him long enough for the trigger-man to get off a second, more direct blast.
With Motormaster no longer a factor, the 'con holding the gun made his way over to the control panel, and switched off the electrical bars. Megatron walked out of the cell and grabbed his fusion cannon from the rack it had been placed upon. "Soundwave, my friend." The sound of metallic magnetic clasps snapping together could be heard as the deadly weapon was firmly reattached. "I knew you'd return and set me free. I knew you'd never betray my trust."
"We must leave the base quickly," Soundwave informed him. "Starscream's hold on the other Decepticons is strong and cannot be broken. I am the only one not foolish enough to believe his hyperbole. To ensure our survival, we must relocate."
Megatron shook his head in agreement. While he hated hearing what Soundwave had reported, he also realized that his words were true. Leadership of the Decepticons was a prize he could not regain under the present conditions. But before they left, he had some unfinished business to attend to. He eagerly walked towards Motormaster's still body and bent down on one knee. The purple-toned warrior with a semi-truck alt-mode had started to regain his senses. The first image he saw was that of his former commander, with great anger radiating from his optics. The second image, which would also prove to be his last, was that of Megatron getting to his feet while smiling, as he aimed his fusion cannon towards him and fired.
The rest... was darkness.
end of Chapter 5