Disclaimer: This is totally having nothing to do whatsoever with the story, but I recently celebrated my 27th Birthday and went to see TRON: Legacy on that same day. In 3D. It was pretty cool, considering the original TRON came out in 1982, a year before I was born. And Olivia Wilde is just gorgeous no matter what she wears. Again, that has nothing to do with this story.
Still, I don't own Transformers in any way, shape or form. Get it? Transformers, shape, form? I know, I suck.
Chapter XXI
Tempest felt uneasy as she traversed the cosmos, following the ion trail left behind by the Nemesis. She mentally told herself that she did the right thing letting that young Autobot, Breakaway was his name, survive. She'd even tipped him off on how and where to find the wayward Dinobots. But Tempest now had to report back Galvatron, and all that time she'd spent trying to figure out how to explain her actions to him. Galvatron was not a Decepticon who brokered or tolerated failure or insubordination. It didn't work out well for Starscream. Tempest kept on telling herself that she did the right thing. More and more, Tempest questioned her place in the Decepticons and she always came to same conclusion; she was on the wrong side. But now she had to put aside her hesitation. The Nemesis was dead ahead several kilometers away and on board, Soundwave had detected Tempest's approach.
"Galvatron, Tempest approaches." he said.
Galvatron lazed about on an arm chair dead center of the bridge when Scourge said, "I must say, Tempest returns sooner than expected."
"I don't trust her, Galvatron." Slipstream exclaimed.
"I don't trust you, Slipstream," Galvatron retorted. "Nor did I ask your opinion. Wreckage, open the hanger bay doors."
"Shall I meet with Tempest and escort her to you, mighty Galvatron?" Cyclonus asked.
"No, Cyclonus," Galvatron as he rose from his chair. "I'll handle this myself. You have the bridge. Continue to track the ion trail of the Autobot's ship." With that, Galvatron strode off.
"Is it me, or is Galvatron always in a bad mood?" Wreckage asked Barricade.
"Only when he's talking to you, Wreckage!" Barricade said.
"Oh, will you two just shut up? I don't want to be scrapped into spare parts like Starscream on account of you idiots." Slipstream chastised.
"You're just a carbon copy of Starscream, just with female parts." Barricade retorted.
"What happened to Starscream's body anyway?" Wreckage asked.
"Melted down, just like the three of us if you two don't shut up." Slipstream snapped, and that finally was enough to silence Wreckage and Barricade.
The Nemesis opened the hanger bay doors on it underside, and Tempest jetted inside slowly. Halfway in, Tempest assumed proto form and gracefully landed with a loud clang on the deck. The hanger bay doors closed behind her, but Tempest didn't rise to her feet just yet. She could tell without even a glance that Galvatron was already there, arms crossed and leering at her.
"Well?" Galvatron said with malice.
Tempest was trying to choose her words carefully. "Well what?"
Galvatron let the backtalk slide. "Did you find the Autobots, or not?"
Moment of truth, thought Tempest. She stood up, tall and unwavering opposite of Galvatron. "I've located the wreck of the Autobot's shuttle, but no sign of any bodies. It's plausible that they were vaporized from heat exposure when they entered the planet's atmosphere."
She's lying, Galvatron thought. But he decided for now to play her game. "Are you certain of this?"
"Positive!" Tempest said plain.
"Then report to the bridge," Galvatron said. "We are close to locating the other Autobot shuttle."
Tempest strode passed Galvatron without as much as a glance, and Galvatron watched her go. He sneered. He knew Tempest was lying, maybe even planning to betray him. Clearly, Unicron provided Galvatron with too faulty a Decepticon. Galvatron would keep an optic on Tempest. But, Galvatron would play along for now, and when the time came, he'd deal with Tempest. And the other traitor. Galvatron heard a beep and pressed a finger to his head.
"What is it?"
On the other end of the call, Soundwave said, "Autobots located, Galvatron. What are your orders?"
"Prepare to attack." Galvatron said.
The marooned crew of the Equinox was making reasonably good time with repairs to the shuttle. More so than the de facto director, Perceptor, had hoped. Strangely but understandably, Ultra Magnus had resigned himself from the repairs. He'd kept watch over the site for any sign of the Decepticons and/or whatever else inhabited this world. Magnus had thought on more than one occasion that he'd seen movement from the denizens of the so-called Planet of Junk. That was the nickname given by young Daniel. Even he was helping with the repairs, thanks to the exo-suit handed to him by Arcee and Springer. The first time he tried it on he fell flat to the shuttle deck once or twice. And on sheer dumb luck, he performed an impressive somersault, much to the Autobot's amusement. Arcee assured Daniel that he'd become accustomed to the exo-suit's usage with time and practice. Given that Daniel was helping with the shuttle repairs, Arcee was right.
"Easy, Daniel," Springer laughed. "You'll wear yourself out carrying that much weight."
Daniel was, at the moment, hauling a large chunk of the hull over his held. "Yeah I noticed. But I think I'm starting to get the hang of this suit."
"It's either because that used to be Spike's suit or because you're a natural," Springer said with a smile. "Or maybe both!"
"I vote both, Springer." Arcee added.
"Be careful, Blur. Make sure those fitting are securely welded." Perceptor called out to Blur.
"Oh-sure-absolutely-positively-definitely. I-wouldn't-have-it-any-other-way. Although-I-would-prefer-to-work-at-my-own-pace-if-you-don't-mind-Perceptor." Blur chattered as only he could.
Of all the Autobots making repairs, Outback stepped aside and approached the rather stoic Ultra Magnus. "You okay, Magnus?"
Ultra Magnus glanced at Outback. "Galvatron has likely caught on the ruse by now. I don't like it."
"What? The fact that the Decepticons are gonna find us, this planet that we know so little about or the monster planet that we know less about?" Outback asked.
"All of the above."
"Ultra Magnus," Perceptor said as he rushed over. "I'm picking multiple signatures closing fast."
Everyone working on repairs simultaneously dropped what they were doing, and Ultra Magnus looked over the horizon to see a fleet of ship closing. "Decepticons."
"I guess they found us, Magnus. What's the plan?" Outback said.
"Springer, take Arcee, Blur and Daniel. Perceptor and Outback with me. We've got to draw them off and double back to the shuttle," Ultra Magnus said. "Move it!"
Like a flock of mechanical vultures, the Decepticons barred down on the Autobots. Galvatron, in his spacecraft mode, broke off briefly from the pack and headed for the shuttle. He fired on the shuttle and in a single moment, the shuttle was reduced to a giant fireball. The shockwave threw the Autobots to the ground, and pieces of the shuttle rained down to the surface of the Junk Planet. Now without a means of getting off world, the Autobots all one by one assumed alt form. Springer, in helicopter mode, provided air cover for Arcee and Blur. They were flanking Daniel. Ultra Magnus, Outback and Perceptor fired on the oncoming Decepticons as they passed overhead.
"What do we do, Arcee," Daniel said. "We can't fight the Decepticons on foot."
"We have to transform, Daniel. Can you do that?" Arcee asked.
"Transform? I'm not sure how I can."
"You-can-do-it-Daniel. Transform-just-like-this." blur said and quickly transformed raced off.
"Just watch me, Daniel." Arcee said and transformed into her car form. He pace was slow so Daniel could keep up.
Before Daniel even attempted conversion, Wreckage and Barricade dropped down right in front of him and Arcee. "Hey Wreckage, check this out." Barricade mocked.
Wreckage laughed. "Aw, it's a little Autobot. Ain't he cute?"
"Go for it, Daniel," Arcee said while still in car form and revved her engine.
It was now or never for Daniel. He immediately sprinted with Arcee driving right beside him. Wreckage and Barricade stood their ground with amused smiles on their faces. The smiles quickly vanished when, to their shock, Daniel actually assumed a vehicle form. Arcee and Daniel raced right for and collided right into the two stunned Decepticons, knocking them both to the ground. Wreckage was down right away but Barricade was up quickly and assumed alt form and tailed Arcee and Daniel. From the yellowish sky came Slipstream and she opened fire on Arcee, throwing her off the path. Daniel raced ahead with Barricade in hot pursuit, while Slipstream transformed and confronted Arcee who had also assumed her proto form. Slipstream pulled out a vibroblade and charged at Arcee, who had only a shield to defend herself. Thankfully, it worked well for her. Slipstream went for a series of wild strike and Arcee blocked most with her shield, while dodging the rest. They went back and forth in a furious melee assault when a rain of fire bolt came down on them. It was Sideways and it appeared as if he were firing on – both of them. Arcee and Slipstream dodged the fire and Arcee slipped away. Sideways transformed in mid-flight and hovered above a very annoyed Slipstream.
"Watch where you aiming, Sideways." she shouted in anger.
"Sorry. My bad." was all Sideways said before transforming again and flying off.
Meanwhile, Daniel was still being chased by Barricade. Daniel made a sharp turn back around and passed Barricade, who soon turned around as well. But Daniel failed to account for Wreckage, who was ahead of Daniel in his tank form. Barricade was closing fast on the human but was suddenly sideswiped hard by Blur. Barricade beat back on Blur as Daniel raced forward. Wreckage was just about to fire on him when he was suddenly attacked from above by Springer in helicopter mode. Springer unloaded a series of heat seekers and they impacted Wreckage with force. One more missile and Wreckage exploded in a shower of spare parts. Springer hovered and assumed his second vehicle mode, dropping next to Daniel at his left side. Blur returned and flanked Daniel's left and with Arcee joining soon after, they redlined out of sight.
The same couldn't be said for Ultra Magnus, Outback and Perceptor. They were being accosted from the air by the formidable trio of Cyclonus, Scourge and Tempest. It got worse from there; Galvatron had joined in the hunt. Magnus and company did what they could to stave off the air assault. Outback and Perceptor had managed to strike Scourge and Tempest to drive them off. But it was Cyclonus who had the last laugh with a well aimed shot to Perceptor. The blast knocked Perceptor to the ground hard and he didn't move. Ultra Magnus and Outback covered him and Magnus checked the damage done; Perceptor was still functional but his left knee was sparking badly. Ultra Magnus soon saw the Decepticons regrouping, transforming and landing right ahead of them, with Galvatron at the head of the pack. Magnus could see Sideways, Slipstream and Barricade joining them.
"Outback, take Perceptor. Gather the others and make a break for cover," Magnus quietly said. "I'll try to buy you some time."
"What? Magnus, that's suicide." Outback said.
"I'm giving you an order, Outback. Do it. Now!" Magnus said.
Outback glance at the Decepticons, and then at Magnus. No choice. He hoisted Perceptor up and slinked away. "You better survive, Magnus."
Scourge made a move and Galvatron held him back. "Let them go, Scourge," he said and looked at Ultra Magnus. With a slight stride, Galvatron began to speak. "Noble of you to stay behind, Magnus. Foolish, reckless, but noble," Galvatron held his hand out. "Now, I want the Matrix."
Ultra Magnus threw down his energy weapon and pulled out his hammer. "Come and take it, Galvatron."
Galvatron smiled and pulled out his duel edged sword. "You're funeral."
With that, Galvatron full on charged right for Ultra Mangus. Ultra Magnus did the same and within the next tense moment, they clashed. Steel met steel and sparks of energy flew free as Galvatron and Ultra Magnus engaged. Their weapons shrieked against each in an immediate stalemate. They quickly broke off and Galvatron tried a quick thrust, with Magnus sidestepping it. Magnus tried a swing and Galvatron twisted around and tried a quick swipe. Magnus dodged and duck and swung his hammer. This time he caught Galvatron on his side and Galvatron fumbled briefly before dropping to a knee. Galvatron simply smirked and righted himself and charged again. He swung wildly at Ultra Magnus, and Magnus blocked most of the swipes and dodged others. One shot came hard and fast which Magnus barely blocked. Using his hammer's weight, Magnus forced the tip of Galvatron's sword to the ground. Galvatron might have anticipated this, as he reared back and caught Magnus with a vicious back hand blow to the jaw. The shot rocked Ultra Magnus and left him open for Galvatron to strike. Magnus parried and tried a mighty overhead swing that missed Galvatron by inches. The ground quaked and rocked the rest of the Decepticons off the feat. Galvatron looked back briefly and saw most of his troops down in the ground.
Looking back at Ultra Magnus, Galvatron smirked. "I'm impressed, Ultra Magnus. "You're fairing slightly better than I expected. Still, you must realize that you've no chance against me. Now, the Matrix if you please."
"Over my dead body!" Ultra Magnus defiantly said.
"As you wish!" Galvatron sneered and charged again.
He swung in a wild arc that Ultra Magnus ducked and he attempted a counterattack. Galvatron parried and went for a quick thrust and missed. From that point, Galvatron and Ultra Magnus were engaged in a vicious and lengthy duel, in which neither could hold a legitimate edge for more than several cycles. Both were battle tested and thus so evenly matched, that even Galvatron's troop were in awe. Ultra Magnus missed a wild swing of his hammer and Galvatron tried and missed a swift swipe of his sword. There was a problem; Ultra Magnus was starting to lose steam. It had always taken a great deal of effort to swing his hammer, and even Ultra Magnus would need a moment to recuperate. A moment Galvatron wouldn't allow him. Galvatron increased his unrelenting assault, and all Magnus could do was weather the onslaught and wait for an opening if, and that was a BIG if, one came. More than one opening presented itself for Ultra Magnus, and he struck Galvatron dead on several times in his sides and his limb joints. By that point, Galvatron had a noticeable limp but he still kept coming. What this 'con made of, Ultra Magnus had no idea. Galvatron ultimately prove his superiority with a series of quick swipes to Magnus's armor, chipping pieces of him away. Ultra Magnus dropped to a knee, his upper body leaking fluid. His arm, which held his hammer, went limp and the hammer dropped to the ground. Ultra Magnus knew he was beaten, although Galvatron himself was leaking a decent amount of fluid.
"I must admit, you fought well, Ultra Magnus," Galvatron said and limped toward Magnus, who was trying to right himself with the handle of his hammer. "But you had to know it would end here for you."
"I've still got plenty of fight left in me, Galvatron." Magnus said.
"Really," Galvatron wondered and threw his arms to his sides. "Look around. You're Autobots have abandoned you. What kind of leader allows that, I wonder? Optimus Prime would be disappointed," And Galvatron grasped Magnus by his neck. "Now, I strongly suggest that you hand over the Matrix, before I take it by force."
"I think the humans say it best: Fuck you." Ultra Magnus snarled and spit fluid in Galvatron's face.
Galvatron knew right then that he'd had enough. Swiftly but violently, he plunged his hand directly into Ultra Magnus's chest. Ultra Magnus screamed loud enough for his Autobots, wherever they were, to hear it. He struggled against the pain as Galvatron twisted his arm to and fro. Even his own Decepticons troop cringed and turned away. After an agonizing few moments, Galvatron violently yanked the Matrix clear of Ultra Magnus's chest and nonchalantly cleared away the random gyros and wired. Ultra Magnus was still functional but very badly damaged, and he held his free hand against the gaping hole in his chest. Galvatron gazed at the Matrix before motioning to Tempest to approach. Reluctant, Tempest came to Galvatron and stood beside him. She glanced briefly at Ultra Magnus, who glanced back at her.
Galvatron rested his free hand on Tempest's shoulder. "Finish him." he said.
"What?" Tempest asked in shock. "Why me?"
Galvatron leaned next to Tempest and whispered, "You think me a fool? I know you lied to me before about the other Autobot ship. Think of this as an opportunity to prove you're loyalty to me."
Tempest now realized just how cruel and sadistic Galvatron was. She gazed into the flickering optics of Ultra Magnus. There was no fear in them. Tempest couldn't face him and she activated her vibroblade. The moment of truth had come again. Tempest raised the vibroblade over her head and kept Ultra Magnus in her sight. One slash and it would be over, and Tempest would have proven her loyalty to the Decepticons. But she hesitated, and it by that point of hesitation that Galvatron had grown agitated.
"Finish him, now."
Tempest reared back with her weapon and finally declared, "I… will not." And she turned toward Galvatron only to be stopped dead.
Galvatron had plunged his sword into Tempest's abdomen. "Then you are useless to me." Swiftly pulling his sword away, Galvatron let Tempest crumple to the ground. Then he glared at Ultra Magnus, who appeared stunned by what happened. "Sweeps, exterminate him."
Scourge was already airborne with his Sweeps. What happened next, Galvatron didn't care to witness. All he heard were Ultra Magnus's screams of agony, followed by the sound a metal being ripped apart. Cyclonus, Barricade, Slipstream and Sideways flanked their ruthless leader as Galvatron glared at the Matrix in his hand. The brilliant blue hue did little to impress Galvatron. He was however amazed that something so small could be such a great threat to Unicron. Unicron. Galvatron's master. That wouldn't last that much longer. In due time, Galvatron thought, Unicron would be made into his slave. But first things first…
"Sideways?"
Sideways strode toward Galvatron. "Yes, Galvatron?" A moment later, Sideways had a massively gaping hole in his chassis.
"Consider this a message to Unicron," Galvatron said, his particle cannon trained on Sideways. "He's next." One shot later, and Sideways was left without his upper torso.
"What was that all about?" Barricade wondered, but Galvatron ignored him.
Cyclonus approached Galvatron and asked, "What of Tempest, mighty Galvatron?"
"She'd made her choice. Leave her here to rust," Galvatron said and pressed a finger to his head. "Soundwave, we're coming up. Prepare the Nemesis for departure and set a course for Cybertron."
"Course set for Cybertron." Soundwave confirmed from the Nemesis.
Moments later, the Decepticons all departed and left their dead behind. Of the dead, Wreckage killed by Springer and Sideways by Galvatron, only Tempest seemed to still be functional. She was coherent enough to crawl into a small alcove for cover. But she was very badly wounded, holding her hand to the injury. She was leaking fluid and fast. In time, Tempest would enter stasis lock. This was all nothing compared to what she witnessed happen to Ultra Magnus, what the Sweeps did to him. At the very least, the Autobots would reemerge from hiding and find Tempest, and they would likely blame her for all that had happened. Let them. At least now, Tempest knew as she was entering stasis lock that she was no Decepticon. Not anymore.
Far from the orbit of Cybertron, Unicron had been studying the events on the Planet of Junk. He studied as Galvatron recovered the Matrix, and then handily disposed of Tempest and Sideways. Now, Galvatron was coming for him. A foolhardy move, Unicron thought. One that would, in time, cost Galvatron more than he could ever know. And just to punctuate his disapproval, Unicron unleashed a mighty roar so great that all Cybertron felt it. In Kaon, Shockwave could plainly see the planet surface shaking. On this day, Shockwave mused, Galvatron had single-handedly doomed the Cybertronian race.
Author's note: Not too much different from the movie, except that I kept the Junkions in hiding for the time being. Plus, I wanted there to be a face off between Ultra Magnus and Galvatron for the Matrix. And… Magnus's rather (clears throat) colorful language.
As for Tempest and Sideways... well, you figure it out!