Generals Gathered in Their Masses
Decepticon Headquarters...
Having viewed the Autobot/Maximal mass departure as a silent retreat, the remaining members of the enemy camp returned to their base of operations. Great pride was taken in knowing that even though their ranks had thinned, it was nowhere near the extent of the losses suffered by the other side. It made no difference whether they claimed to be Decepticon, Predacon, or Vehicon. The only thing that mattered was that they had the advantage and the outcome seemed all but decided.
In the crowd of gathered soldiers, details were shared of their previous battles, no doubt exaggerated due to the storyteller's instincts to embellish. Boasts of single-handily destroying the mighty and legendary Dinobots filled the air, as did half-hearted eulogies for Fire Engine Prime, Geckobot, and countless others. In other conversations, plans for future targets were exchanged. Perhaps the most passionate proclamation came from the Stunticons, who were eager to gain revenge on G1 Megatron for the murder of their leader, Motormaster. It was tainted revenge they sought, but still they craved to attain it.
At the front of the room, RiD Megatron listened intently to various reports being given to him from Sky-Byte, perhaps his most loyal follower. Sky-Byte served as an admiral in RiD Megatron's ranks. Despite being amongst many that despised Earth and its inhabitants, Sky-Byte privately loved human music, literature, and poetry and would often recite it while exploring various oceans in his cyber-shark alt-mode. Unbeknown to his superior officer, Sky-Byte had purposely misguided an attack squad so as to not damage a beautiful museum and all the glorious offerings it no doubt housed within its walls. Off to one side stood MW Megatron, always quiet and observant, his optics scanning over the crowd and mentally check listing who was no longer with them. BW Megatron smiled brightly as he spoke out to the collection of warriors before him. Once he began to speak, the room fell silent. "We are near our ultimate victory. The hands of time are approaching zero hour." He often spoke with a flare for the dramatic, and this day was no different. "The Dark gods have given us this chance to eradicate our enemies, and we are proving worthy of the opportunity. All is how it should be, yessss."
Galvatron stepped in front of the Predacon commander, earning a deadly glare in the process. "We have torn their hopes apart!" he raved. "Their life-essence stains the very Earth they have sworn to protect. Now, my fellow conquerors, we must end this once and for all!" He thrusted his right arm into the air. "Let this be our final battlefield!"
Moments later, they departed and raced towards The Ark.
The Ark...
Optimus Prime slowly made his way to the podium. His optics stared out across the room, silently surveying his remaining forces. So many faces absent; so many voices silenced. He tried hard to remain calm and appear strong for those still standing, but he knew it was a struggle he would eventually lose. "My friends," he stated. His tone was soft and soothing. "This is without question, our darkest day. As you know, our attempt to turn back the Decepticon/Predacon army with our seek-and-confront strategy... has failed. Just as devastating, our hope that Wheeljack and the others could produce a device to right this wrong was unsuccessful, though the failure was not of his doing. But rather, the result of an attack from a now off-line Starscream."
Prime couldn't help but sense the fear among the survivors, and the realization that for the first time any of them could recall, victory was seemingly impossible. "Some of you I have known for a lifetime, others mere hours. But the losses we have all endured these past several hours has erased any notion of time. We are all united in the present through our grief. Here and now."
His voice went silent as he experienced the strangling emptiness that surged through his body. Never again would he walk side by side with Prowl. Never again would he listen to Blaster profess his love for rock music. He struggled with the fact that not only had he lost countless warriors and advisers, but also- above all else, he had lost dear, close friends. Jazz... Trailbreaker... Bumblebee... that last one proved exceptionally hard to deal with. Bumblebee...
"This is our final stand. Our future begins and ends with the outcome of today. Not only are we fighting for our fallen brothers... not only are we fighting for the planet Earth..." Prime paused briefly, and gathered up all his remaining strength. His next words spoken were strong as steel. "We fight for our survival. Despite the losses we have sustained, we shall rise up and persevere." He looked out at the small group of survivors, their attention fully focused on him. "But only if we stand as one... together." He stood tall before his shaken allies, and could see a spark of hope in their optics. "Together," he repeated, slightly louder and more bold. Others in attendance began chanting it in unison, as if it was their final battle cry.
A lone warrior shoved his way through the diminished crowd with his optics locked directly on Optimus. No one dared prevent him from reaching his destination, instead looking on in sudden silence and with anticipation for what would come next. Finally, the two aged warriors stood face to face. For a moment, for one brief nerve-racking moment, there was an urge to strike out and slay his longtime rival. But the moment passed and the instinct for survival took over. He figured they could resume their long-standing battle later; first they had to find a way to live another day. Megatron extended his hand and repeated what Prime had said. "Together."
As the two legendary leaders stood side by side, Gears left his monitoring station and charged into the room. With a distant and beaten voice, he delivered a message they all knew was coming. "They're here."
end of 25