Calm Before The Storm
At the behest of Fire Engine Prime, another meeting was called to order. It felt as though a thousand ideas had been discussed, and a thousand ideas had been shot down. Optimus Prime sat in silence, listening to the others debate various tactics and hoping one would shine above the others. But in each case, it was ultimately rejected and often for the same reason; the welfare of the human population. It seemed that this meeting would suffer the same fate as the one prior. "It would seem our situation is without a clear resolve," G1 Prowl stated. Always one to use clear and precise logic, he had proved himself to be one of the most indispensable members of the earth based Autobots. "Clearly, we must react to what's happening, and react quickly; but we cannot do so without endangering the humans."
"True," RiD Prowl concurred. "We must protect the innocent, and that protocol limits our courses of action." RiD Prowl shared many of the same characteristics found in his G1 namesake. Both had police cars for their alt-modes and both relied heavily on logical thinking. If there was a noticeable difference between the two it was the fact that RiD Prowl had no hesitations using his fists if the situation called for it. The other Prowl, though far from being a coward, preferred words over action almost to a fault.
Megatron, somewhat pleased to be free from his holding cell, shot a look of disgust at Soundwave. It was a very obvious yet silent 'you've got to be kidding me'. To his credit, Soundwave remained still, but a hint of laughter, if one paid close enough attention, would've been noticed. The recently removed from power Decepticon leader leaned in over the table. "This is a waste of time," he barked. "We must act now!"
Rodimus Prime, the Autobot commander from a future time, lunged from his seat, forcing G1 Ultra Magnus to physically restrain him. "Easy, Rodimus," Magnus cautioned. "This isn't the time nor place."
An evil sneer came across Megatron's face. He was slightly amused by this Autobot. Such open disgust and rage was rarely displayed by one wearing an Autobot symbol. Despite having never encountered him before, the powerful Decepticon felt as though he himself would go on to play a distinct role in his life. "My, you're quite the hot rod, aren't you?"
"Enough, Megatron!" Optimus Prime interjected. "We will take no action until we come up with a plan..."
"...To minimize the damage to Earth," Megatron interrupted. "Spare me your heroics, Prime," he demanded. "We don't have time for this!" He tried in vain to calm his tone. "I despise this planet, Optimus."
"We've noticed," X-Brawn stated. The southern-accented warrior wasn't big on speeches and fancied himself as a bot of few words. "Now shut up." Fire Engine Prime raised his hand in an attempt to settle his fellow Autobot down.
Megatron let out a ferocious roar. "Let me finish! I despise this planet. I loathe the humans... if so much hate is contained by one Decepticon," his words stung at his present audience, "Imagine the havoc about to be unleashed by hundreds!"
Optimus Primal reluctantly sided with the chrome-plated warrior. "I'm afraid I have to agree with Megatron." It felt odd calling him that, the same name as his sworn rival in the Beast Wars. Though they shared a common title, Primal felt this particular Megatron was slightly less tyrannical. "I believe the luxury of a well thought out plan isn't feasible. We must ready ourselves for a pre-emptive strike."
"And what of the humans?" RiD Prowl demanded to know. No one offered up an answer. Not because nobody in the room knew what the answer was, but rather because nobody wanted to say it aloud. There was going to be wide-scale damage and loss of life; both robotic and human. Nothing could be done to prevent the approaching carnage from happening.
Megatron stood and turned toward RiD Prowl. He put into words what the others were thinking but couldn't bring themselves to say. "Pray they don't get in our way."
Back at Decepticon headquarters...
"How many soldiers do you have with you?" Astrotrain asked, a question he was sure all others were thinking. Astrotrain was a very special Transformer, classified as a Triple-Changer. Most Autobots and Decepticons had two modes, those being robot and an alternate mode. As the name implies, however, Triple-Changers have three total forms they can take. In Astrotrain's case, he could change from robot to space shuttle to train almost instantaneously. In his line of work, that being military transport, it was a much needed advantage.
RiD Megatron was growing tired of the outcries. "More than enough to handle the likes of you!" The dragon-like Predacon leader was growing tired of inaction. His eternal goal was to conquer the Earth and he saw this as his greatest opportunity to accomplish that feat. It mattered not that it was a different Earth than he was used to.
"What is your decision, Decepticons?" BW Megatron asked. "Are you friend or foe?" Not a single voice called out against the proposed union. "Excellent," he concluded. He instructed MW Megatron to show the soldiers from outside into the base. As they waited to be joined by the other warriors, Galvatron scanned the crowd, trying to locate a particular traitor and sworn enemy. Sadly, Starscream had departed moments earlier, and Galvatron's search went unfulfilled.
A collective groan of disgust escaped from the Constructicons, the greatest engineers to ever wear the Decepticon insignia. They watched as walls were destroyed and doors dismantled to accommodate the increase in numbers. "No respect for established beauty," Scrapper snapped. "Wonder how they'd appreciate us making adjustments to their structures?"
Mixmaster and Scavenger wanted to lash out at the intruders, to literally rip their limbs off from their body and beat them back outside with their own arms and legs. The brutish Bonecrusher was all for it, as was Long Haul. "They've destroyed in seconds what it took us Constructicons months to build!" Only Hook remained calm and cool; he figured he'd have an opportunity for revenge in due time.
"Now," BW Megatron started, "Take a look around you and see how your ranks have grown! You are the greatest collection of soldiers ever assembled, yesss! This is the birth of the Empire written about in prophecy!"
"Glory to the Empire, glory to our destiny!" The cry belonged to one of BW Megatron's most loyal warriors, Inferno. His alt-mode was that of a larger-than-normal red fire ant, and he was one of the most respected infantry commanders involved in the Beast Wars.
"Nothing can stand in our way," BW Megatron continued. "The Autobots and Maximals will not survive the carnage we as a whole are prepared to unleash."
Inferno raised his fist high into the air. "Yes, my queen!" BW Megatron lowered his head in embarrassment. He hated it when Inferno called him that; of all the moments, in the midst of his pride-inducing speech.
Laughter erupted from the crowd. Fingers were being pointed in Inferno's direction, and soon they began mocking his sincerity by calling out to BW Megatron themselves. "My queen, my queen! He's a fem-bot at heart!" Nothing could be further from the truth. Inferno was one of the greatest soldiers ever brought online. His loyalty was unmatched, which was the primary reason BW Megatron tolerated his unique way of addressing him. To Inferno, it was a sign of utmost respect.
The laughter grew louder, and finally Galvatron could control his rage no longer. "Enough!" he roared, aiming his fusion cannon towards the disrespectful crowd. A buildup of power escaped his barrel, sending a tremendous blast of energy out into the gathering. The laughter turned to panic as they tried to survive the unexpected firing. Three weren't lucky enough, or fast enough, to escape the blast. The crumpled and burning bodies of Shrapnel, Kickback, and Bombshell lay twitching on the ground. The Insecticon trio was now one with the Void. "We're finished here," he barked. "Decepticons, Predacons... let the havoc commence!"
RiD Megatron agreed with his emotionally challenged comrade, and was in the first group of departing soldiers. Where they were headed was simple; wherever they wanted to go. BW Megatron shot a glance down at his smaller namesake. "He has a way with words, yesss."
End of chapter 11