Transformers Prime
"Such a shame," Suzie sighed as she and Starscream reviewed the the space bridge explosion. "But I applaud you Lord Megatron. You certainly made a grand exit."
"Ah, Soundwave," Starscream greeted as the Decepticon spy approached them, "Cue the audio/visual. We wish to address the troops."
Soundwave didn't say a word. He only nodded and did as he was instructed.
Inside the various control rooms, the Decepticons were working. Monitoring for untapped Energon, looking for signals from lost Decepticon ships, keeping an eye out for any Autobot activity; if anyone can name it, they're doing it…well, until the faces of Starscream and Suzie suddenly appeared on the screens and halted their process.
"The loss of Megatron, leader of a great Decepticon apprise, is certainly a blow to our cause," Starscream began the speech he and Suzie had prepared.
"Yet, we mustn't despair over his tragic demise. But instead, embrace his ultimate sacrifice and build upon the foundation he laid with an even mightier hand," Starscream continued.
"With all due respect, Comman – I mean, LORD – Starscream and Lady Suzie," a Decepticon began with slight hesitation.
"Yes, yes. What is it?" Starscream asked impatiently.
"If we failed to conquer Earth under Lord Megatron's command, what hope do we have now while the Autobots still defend it?" the Decepticon wanted to know.
"Allow me to be crystal clear. We studied for millennia under our former master. Thus we are equipped to lead you. We are Megatron's true heirs: Lord Starscream and Lady Suzie, Emperor and Empress of Destruction!" Suzie proclaimed.
However, their proclamation wasn't well-received by their Decepticon Army. They were still hesitant. They agreed with the Decepticon who questioned Starscream and Suzie's new rule. They were unable to bring destruction to Earth with the Autobots protecting the planet and all of humankind. What chance did they have under the reign of Starscream and Suzie while the Autobots remained ready to take them on every attempt they make?
"What good are troops who can't rise the task of inflicting unspeakable destruction in our names?" Suzie snarled in frustration as she disconnected the the audio/visual feed.
"My little femme of the night, wait! Legend tells of a warrior that exists here on this very planet. One who could be student to our master," Starscream reminded her, "One that will give us an even more of a chance to destroy Optimus Prime and his fellow Autobots once and for all."
Suzie titled her head "Go on." she purred, keen to hear more.
Landing on the dusty ground, Suzie looked around; taking in her surroundings as Starscream walked up to her and placed his hand on her waist.
"During the war, so much Energon was hidden on this forsaken rock. But our departed master sent some of Cybertron's greatest to guard it. True warriors now lying in stasis waiting to be reawakened," Starscream explained.
"Such folly that late in life, our master searched distant space for warriors rather then here beneath his own feet," Suzie sneered, before Soundwave beeped something to her, "What do you mean you can't pinpoint his signal? I know we are close! Boost the power to your sensors, you idiot!" the femme snarled at him.
And boost his power to his sensors, Soundwave did. When he did, a Decepticon emblem flashed on his screen, proving the theory that Starscream and Suzie share together. There WAS a Decepticon lying here in stasis protecting Energon.
"Yes. There," Starscream observed.
With no more words being said, Starscream and Soundwave changed into their alternate forms. Suzie expanded her bat-like wings. And the three took off towards the resting place of a Decepticon warrior; one that would help the pair succeed in what Megatron could never do:
Conquer Earth.
Together, Soundwave, Starscream and Suzie removed a Decepticon cargo box from the hidden compartment inside the cliff face. Within was their secret weapon.
"Excellent, Soundwave," Suzie complimented before holding out her clawed hand, "The cube."
As usual, without saying a word, Soundwave did as he was told. He handed the cube to the vampiress. She opened the lid to reveal the glowing blue Energon which was the cause of the current war. She slid the Energon cube inside the square hole and stood back as she, Starscream and Soundwave heard the familiar sounds of a machine coming to life.
"The Energon infusion. It's working!" Starscream proclaimed.
They watched as the container opened in a bright flash of light and…
Suzie grinned and spoke "Awaken, warrior. Rise and serve your new masters!" She proclaimed as the crate before her opened.
Once the crate was opened, red glowing eyes stared down at Suzie and Starscream. The green, white and partially red Decepticon stepped out of the tight space he was confined to for eons. When he did, he fully looked at the two fellow Decepticons standing before him. His first words to them were,
"Skyquake serves only one master."
"Excellent. Your loyalty and devotion will set a fine example for the troops. No need to be timid, Skyquake. You may bow," Starscream invited.
"You fail to grasp my meaning. I am here on a mission; assigned to me by my one master: Megatron," Skyquake corrected.
"Sadly, our master is no longer with us," Suzie informed the Decepticon standing before her.
"Impossible!" Skyquake gasped.
"Why is it so difficult for everyone to accept? Skyquake, we located you. We awakened you. Thus, we, Lord Starscream and Lady Suzie, are now your masters!" Starscream declared.
"It has been a while, Skyquake."
Skyquake, Starscream and Suzie turned to their left and saw Optimus Prime standing before them. In their eagerness to locate and revive Skyquake, they have forgotten about the fact that as soon as the Autobots found an Energon signature or a signal from a crashed ship – Autobot and Decepticon alike – that they would come running.
"Optimus Prime. I haven't seen you since the Battle of Technor. Megatron ordered me to annihilate you," Skyquake recalled.
"That was a long time ago," Optimus reminded Skyquake as he approached his enemy.
"That may be, Prime. But my orders still stand," Skyquake retorted.
"Is this ancient war still worth fighting? When so many comrades have been lost? And worlds destroyed? Starscream, Suzie, if you two want to be true leaders, then stray from Megatron's path and lead the Decepticons towards peace," Optimus pleaded them.
"We would be willing to consider a truce…if you would be willing to bow before us, Optimus Prime," Suzie counter-offered.
"AGAIN? BOW TO THIS!" Skyquake intervened as he punched both Starscream and Suzie
The pair screamed in pain as they flew through the air. With a rough, solid thud, they crashed into the cliff face Skyquake had punched them into. They gasped in pain as they removed themselves from the rocky wall. Suzie opened her wings with a snarl and Starscream transformed from his bipedal mode into his alternative mode. And just like that, they took off. But they weren't going to miss the slowly unfolding battle.
"Skyquake, this is a new era. On another world. Side with the Autobots and help me end this conflict forever," Optimus once again pleaded the newly-awakened Decepticon.
"I will NEVER side with a Prime!" Skyquake proclaimed as he ran towards Optimus.
Optimus never saw the next hit coming. So when Skyquake threw a punch at him, he didn't block it. Instead, he let it knock him into a nearby archway. Skyquake picked Optimus up by his shoulders and threw the shorter Transformer around like a child throwing a rag doll.
Above the ensuing battle, Starscream, Soundwave and Suzie watched everything unfold. This was too good of a battle to miss. They finally had an advantage over their Autobot enemy. In their possession was one of Cybertron's greatest warriors. Within a matter of moments, the war would work out in their favour.
"What need have we for peace when we have Skyquake?" Starscream asked rhetorically to Suzie and Soundwave.
"With some discipline, he will learn to respect his new Lord and Lady," Suzie reassured her partner/co-leader.
"And once it becomes known that Skyquake destroyed the great Optimus Prime under our command, all Decepticons will gratefully bow to us," Starscream proclaimed.
Below them, Bumblebee watched the battle between his commander and the Decepticon unfold from his hiding place. He was ready to help Optimus when he requested his help. Not before. Not 5 hours after the request. But right away. But so far, Optimus didn't need his help. He was managing well by himself, hitting Skyquake with a shot or two from his blasters. Which, of course, caused Skyquake to retaliate with his own blaster. Each rapid shot hit Optimus, knocking him back a few feet. But it didn't force Optimus to back down. It would take much more than that to bring him down. Nevertheless, Bumblebee talked to Optimus with his bleeps and started running out onto the battlefield.
"Bumblebee! NO!" Optimus begged him.
But Bumblebee didn't listen to his leader. Instead, he attacked Skyquake from behind. Skyquake was surprised when he felt the familiar sting from a blaster hit him on the back. So he turned around with his blaster reloaded and ready. With each fire he made, Bumblebee avoided being hit. He jumped from wall to wall within the canyon, avoiding fire. Eventually, one hit Bumblebee, sending him crashing to the ground. Skyquake went to fire again, but Optimus stopped him. But it didn't stop Skyquake from grabbing Bumblebee and throwing him around just like he did to Optimus just moments ago.
"Do not miss a single moment, Soundwave!" Suzie instructed, "We shall need visual documentation of Optimus Prime's demise for the historical record!"
Down in the canyon, things weren't looking peachy for either Optimus OR Skyquake. With each hit one Transformer delivered, the other reciprocated with a blow of equal force or more. On some occasions, one would miss. But they would quickly make up for that failed punch, kick or fire. When Optimus was knocked back by a hit from Skyquake, Bumblebee bleeped to him his own worried thoughts.
"Skyquake has not yet acquired a vehicle mode," Optimus whispered to Bumblebee as Skyquake came charging towards the two, "FALL BACK!"
Before Skyquake could even take a swing at the two Autobots, they transformed from their bipedal mode to their vehicle modes and drove away from the approaching Decepticon along the canyon beyond.
"So time has made you a coward, Prime?" Skyquake called after him as he fired a few more shots from his blaster.
Suzie narrowed her optics when she realised the Autobots and Skyquake had disappeared...and so had Starscream.
"We've lost sight of them! Soundwave, why aren't you tracking them?" Starscream screeched, "What? What is it?"
Soundwave showed the pair something else. A different map. It wasn't of the area they are currently watching Skyquake's battle with Optimus and Bumblebee. But a map of Earth and the space that surrounds it.
"A second Decepticon life signal? But Skyquake is the only sleeper buried in this area!" Suzie scoffed in disbelief as she studied Soundwave's map closer.
But then she noticed something peculiar about the life signal. He knew that area well. After all, they were there just days ago.
"The sight of our destroyed Space Bridge! You're not telling us that life signal belongs to Megatron?" Suzie gasped as the realisation dawned on them both.
"But he was microns from the detonation point! Nothing could have survived that blast! Your sensors must be faulty! Ignore the contact! Delete the coordinates!" Starscream immediately instructed Soundwave.
"What are we saying? Of course it must be investigated! If Lord Megatron is up there, I shall bring him home. Soundwave, remain here and monitor the outcome. When Skyquake snuffs Prime's spark, Suzie and I must bare witness," Starscream instructed.
With those words said, Starscream jumped into the canyon below as Suzie opened her wings and lifted herself off the ground. Once he was close to the ground, he transformed into his alternative jet mode and flew away from the canyon with Suzie right behind him. Soundwave just stood by and watched him leave.
"Must bare witness."
Without a word, Soundwave disconnected Laserbeak from his chest and sent it after the pair.
Bits of shrapnel from the Space Bridge explosion remained in space, floating around Earth's orbit.
But Starscream or Suzie weren't concerned about the Space Bridge shrapnel. Rather the life signal Soundwave had detected. The life signal of the original Decepticon commander, Lord Megatron. Once he was at the sight, Suzie watched Starscream transformed into his bipedal mode and the pair landed on a stable section of Space Bridge shrapnel. Upon glancing around the destruction sight around them, they still held strong the beliefs they both shared.
"No one could've survived this." Suzie grumbled" " As I suspected, faulty sensors. The last thing we need now are rumours that Megatron is still-."
Her little rant was cut off by a gasp. A desperate, painful gasp for air. Seeker and femme turned towards the direction the sound had come from. That was when they saw Megatron floating around in space. He was motionless. Unable to move because of the intense pain that coursed through every part of his body. If it weren't for his desperate gasps and his chest which continued to glow a vibrant purple, any Decepticon and Autobot alike who had flown by would automatically assume that the original Decepticon was dead.
But Suzie knew better than them. And she didn't want it to be this way. Not when she and Starscream were so close to power. The pair jumped from the shrapnel they were standing on and floated through space; through the flying shrapnel towards their master.
"MEGATRON!" Starscream gasped, feigning concern as Suzie sneered.
When Starscream landed on Megatron's chassis with Suzie behind him, Megatron bolted upright and grabbed his arms desperately. His intakes grew rapid as he tried to hang on; despite the intense pain he was feeling due to his injuries. However, before long, he slumped to his lifeless appearance once again.
"But how?" Starscream pondered before noticing the purring, glowing shard lodged into his open chest, "Dark Energon. Everyone believes you are deceased,"
A revolting jagged grin suddenly stretched across Suzie's features and she and Starscream exchanged looks.
The seeker looked back down at the fallen tyrant and leaned forward.
"Who are we to disappoint them, master?" Starscream purred in his ear.
Starscream reached into Megatron's chest and wrapped his clawed hands around the glowing shard. With a single jerk of his arm, he plucked the Dark Energon shard from Megatron's chest. Megatron came to life again. His hand reached for the shard Starscream took away. His red optics were pleading for mercy. Silently pleading Starscream to stab him with the Dark Energon shard once again. But Starscream ignored his silent pleas. The pair watched as Megatron's body slumped once again and the light faded from his optics.
"And this time, STAY DEAD!" Suzie shouted as she and Starscream jumped off Megatron, with the femme pushing his body further into space.
That was when they heard a familiar humming. They gasped in horror as the humming came closer. That was when the pair saw Laserbeak approaching him. Obviously, Soundwave played back the seeker's words and the silent mech had sent Laserbeak to watch every move Starscream and Suzie made.
"Soundwave!" Starscream gasped as he hid the Dark Energon shard, "If you are listening, I have found Lord Megatron. And he is…unwell. We must transport him to sick bay…immediately!"
Suzie growled and dug her claws into her palms, making them bleed.
Suzie scowled as she stared at the scene in front of her.
There laying on a berth, hooked up to major life support was Megatron. The femme growled; what she wouldn't give to pull the plug on him and be done with him.
The femme then sighed; well at least while he was in such a state, she wouldn't have put up with him like before.
And who knows, maybe all this life support will be in vain and we will have to pull the plug.
The femme giggled; she hoped when it came to that, Starscream would let her do the honors.
"Wheeljack? You old 'Con Crusher! What are you doing all the way out here?"
"Bulkhead? That you? What's will all the security?"
"The rock we're on is crawling with 'Cons. How soon can you get here and even the odds?"
"A war hero, hmm?" Starscream pondered aloud.
"We haven't much time Star. Makeshift!" Suzie called out.
Makeshift approached the three Decepticons. As soon as Makeshift was close enough, Soundwave stuck out his clawed hand and stabbed Makeshift. Within moments, Makeshift wasn't Makeshift any more. But rather a face that is familiar to all Cybertronians. Autobot and Decepticon alike…
"We too know how to give a proper welcome," Starscream remarked as Suzie sniggered in delight.
In the Nemesis, Starscream and Suzie watched the battle unfold before them. Knowing that it wouldn't be long until help arrived, Suzie turned to Soundwave standing behind her.
"Swiftly, Soundwave! Before the Autobots arrive!" Suzie instructed.
Soundwave just nodded and walked away.
"I love it when you take charge," Starscream purred into her receptor, snaking an arm around her waist
Suzie chuckled darkly before saying, "What can I say? I was meant to rule others like a queen."
"The moment Makeshift passed through their Ground Bridge, we lost their signal," Starscream announced.
"The Autobot base is no doubt heavily shielded to prevent us from locating it," Suzie remarked, almost impressed.
"No matter, my darling. I have complete faith in Makeshift," Starscream reassured his companion as they walked into…Wheeljack's holding cell.
"Our inside man is well... already inside," Suzie oozed to Wheeljack.
"Tell Megatron he's fragged in the head if he thinks Bulkhead won't sniff out an imposter" Wheeljack retorted.
"Haven't you heard? Suzie and I lead the Decepticons now," Starscream informed their prisoner.
"You, Starscream? And that energon-sucking freak next to you?" Wheeljack scoffed in disbelief.
Starscream snarled angrily at Wheeljack. He was getting sick and tired of everyone doubting he could lead the Decepticons alongside Suzie. So he raised his clawed hand ready to strike Wheeljack. But Suzie immediately halted his actions by grabbing his arms and wrapping her wings around, stroking his face softly, sending him a silent reminder.
"Makeshift is very good at keeping up appearances. He need only fool your friends long enough to open their Ground Bridge from within so that we may finally learn the location of the Autobot base and send in our strike team to stain its floor with spilled Energon of Optimus Prime and everyone he holds dear to him," Suzie sneered at the Autobot.
"Are you certain we are at the coordinates we supplied to Makeshift?" Starscream asked Soundwave, which earned him a nod in response.
"Then what is taking him?" Suzie screeched in anger, flaring out her wings.
"Maybe they gave your boy such a hero's welcome, he got the warm and fuzzies and decided to switch sides, you revolting excuse for a femme."
They were surprised at the sound of the voice. He shouldn't be out here. He should be locked in a cell. But he was out of the cell. And he was on the roof of the ship, ready to face them. All turned and saw Wheeljack approaching, mouth guard in place ready to fight them head-on.
"Do you not see you are vastly outnumbered?" Starscream tormented him.
"I see fellas who might vastly enjoy me pound some dents into you," Wheeljack retorted.
"Destroy him!" Suzie immediately commanded.
As soon as that command left her lips, the Decepticon task force began open fire. Immediately, Wheeljack retaliated with his own attack, using his swords to reflect their shots and make them hit the Decepticons who approached him instead.
Suzie screeched as Wheeljack punched her in the mouth sending her back a few feet. Wheeljack smirked "For a vampire, you ain't much of a fighter are ya? Spendin' too much of ya time lazing around and lettin' Screamer do the work for ya? Huh, I'll never understand what he ever saw in you, ya oversized lizard-like harpy!" he told her.
Letting out a furious snarl; Suzie leaped at him, her fangs bared, ready to drain him dry when...
Starscream span around when he heard Suzie's screech of pain and saw Wheeljack had rammed his sword into Suzie's chest, just below her spark "Suzie!" the seeker cried out in horror as Wheeljack throw the femme aside and smirked at him.
Starscream glared at him "You'll pay for that Autobot!" he roared, aiming his blaster at him.
But before he could fire, a ground bridge opened up.
The seeker glared at Wheeljack before turning to the remaining task force "ENTER THE GROUNDBRIDGE NOW!" Starscream roared.
Immediately, the Decepticon troops made a run for the tauntingly open Ground Bridge portal, running as fast as they're legs would carry them. However, just as they were at the entrance, the portal closed.
Suzie groaned softly as she got to her feet, the hole in her chest sealing up. The femme glared at Wheeljack "You're going to regret that." she growled at him.
Wheeljack scoffed "I doubt that." he told her.
Before Suzie could retaliate the ground bridge appeared before the Decepticons once again. Starscream was applaud when the Decepticons backed up instead of going for it. So was Suzie.
"What are you waiting for? GO! Before I drain you all dry!" Suzie snarled at them.
They nodded and the first few ran through the portal.
After a few moments however the pair saw something coming back towards them.
Suzie stared as the first few Decepticons run out of the portal, for a moment she first thought that they were cowards before easily slipping to wondering what was going on. But her questions were answered when Makeshift flew out of the portal…and knocked both her and Starscream down.
Suzie growled, clearly not happy.
"Nice lob," Wheeljack complimented before walking through the ground bridge before it closed up.
Getting to her feet Suzie was frustrated that another chance to learn the location of the Autobot base slipped through the Con's fingers but both her and Starscream still remembered one thing.
"Please tell me that you at least learned the location of their base," Starscream begged as Suzie helped him to his feet.
"Indeed, Lord Starscream and Lady Suzie. It is in a hidden bunker just outside of-."
Makeshift's explanation was cut off by the familiar yet annoying beeping sound. Starscream glanced at the bomb that was attached to Makeshift's hip. He observed that it showed off multiple vibrant colours, clashing against the dull grey design of the hand grenade.
"Whoa! Back! Back! BACK!" Starscream instructed as everyone ran off.
Makeshift continued to stand where he stood, wanting to know what they were talking about. However, when he did realise what was going on, it was too late for anyone to do anything.
"Oh no."
Those were the last words of Makeshift before the bomb exploded, obviating him and any Decepticon who stood too close.
"MAKESHIFT! YOU FOOL!" Suzie screeched in fury as she, Starscream and Soundwave flew off.
A storm raged in the skies. Thunder clapped to show its anger. Lightning flashed across the skies and clouds in retaliation, reflecting the shapes of the dark, grey gloom of the clouds. In the regular circumstances of a thunder and/or electrical storm, lightning would usually search for water, trees and/or anything metal to use as a passageway to the Earth below the angry skies. However, there was one spaceship known as the Nemesis that was made of metal. Yet it was immune to the surrounding powerful storm.
Suzie smiled, over time on being on this planet; the femme had grown a liking for Earth's lighting storms like this and watching the thunder and lighting dance across the skies made her shiver with delight from time to time.
Starscream glanced at her for a moment before looking behind him as the control room doors slid open. The seeker sneered "It's about time Knockout. I do not enjoy being kept waiting." he said as Suzie turned around.
The red and white mech with bits of gold waltzed up to them "Ahh it was a long drive Starscream. I'm still picking bugs out of my grill," Knockout replied before flicking his gaze at Suzie and smirked at her.
Suzie smirked back, Starscream was good-looking yes but Knockout was drop dead gorgeous and the red mech knew it too.
Starscream sighed as he turned around too "Yes, right. You're one of those," he remembered.
"Come again?" Knockout questioned as the pair walked up to him.
"Never understood why any self-respecting Decepticon would choose automobile as his vehicle mode...when he could have flight." Starscream remarked.
"I like the way I look in steel-belted radials." Knockout smirked at the seeker.
Suzie giggled at that but quickly feel silent when Starscream shot her a look.
Turning back to Knockout, the seeker made a beckoning gesture with his hand "Follow me." he almost growled and took off with Knockout and Suzie behind.
The red mech winked at Suzie when she passed him, coursing the femme to blush.
Walking the halls, Knockout turned to Starscream "I take it Lord Megatron requires a laboratory assist?" he asked.
Starscream tilted his head "You...might say that." he answered before opening the doors to the sickbay.
Knockout was certainly surprised at the sight that greeting him. Lying on the metal berth before the trio was, in fact, Lord Megatron. There was a significantly large hole in his chest as a result from the Space Bridge explosion. What humans would deem as large cables linked Megatron to his life-support, his only means of living. Soundwave stood by the computers, monitoring his progress.
"Whoa," Knockout remarked.
Suzie smirked "Whoa is right." she purred to him.
After watching Knockout examining Megatron for a bit. Starscream spoke up "Sadly, our in evidently former Lord Megatron has been like this for some time. But the crew took a vote. And it was decided that an expert might put him on the road to recovery," explaining their master's current state to Knockout.
"I've done plenty of body work Starscream but I'm better at breaking them then fixing them," Knockout confessed as he unfolded his drill from his arm to prove his point before folding the drill back into his arm. Sighing he told them "It would help if I had my assistant."
"I summoned both of you. Where is he?" Starscream asked.
"We were hot on a fresh Energon trail when you called. Breakdown will show when he's through scouting it," Knockout promised the pair.
Suzie had been pleasantly surprised when Knockout's assistant Breakdown showed up and told them of the Energon Harvester. The femme grinned, the thought of having a device that would allow them to drain Energon from anywhere made Suzie lick her lips, they would have so much and she would be set for the rest of her immortal life.
Turning her attraction back to the four mechs around her, Suzie resumed listening.
"Mm-hmm. That's definitely it," Breakdown nodded in agreement with the picture Soundwave was showing them.
"Then I'm afraid Megatron's well being will have to wait," Suzie spoke up, "It's harvest time." she purred, a sinister smile on her face.
High in the sky above the museum, Suzie watched as Optimus pulled up in his vehicle mode and after a bit, flashed his headlight. The femme curled her mouth a little; she figured the humans were in there to get the harvester but they were in for a surprise.
Glancing down Suzie watched as Knockout pulled up next to Optimus.
The red mech wolf-whistled "Sweet rims, 24 gauge. You're real heavy duty...just like my friend here," he remarked.
Suzie watched as Breakdown came tearing the road with a missile that was quickly fired. The femme watched as Optimus transformed and caught it Huh, I'm almost impressed the femme thought before she heard alarms go off.
Taking that as her cue, Suzie dived down to back of the museum and waited.
She didn't have to wait long.
Smirking at the human kids faces, Suzie reached in "It's Suzie!" the smallest one of the kids cried out.
Snickering; Suzie took the orb from them and smiled "For me? You shouldn't have." she purred at them before taking off.
Knockout watched her go "Hmmm... that would be game," he commented before transforming and driving away with Breakdown following suite.
Suzie grinned as she held the orb close to her curvy torso, this night was just too perfect.
Looking around, Suzie had to admit, for ruins, they were fairly impressive ones. Shaking her head; the femme turned to Starscream.
"Why move mountains now when we have a mother load of Energon right here for the taking?" Starscream asked rhetorically, "Courtesy of this gift from the Ancient Autobots."
"Uh…actually, Commander Starscream, it was a gift from Breakdown and myself," Knockout corrected.
Starscream just sighed in frustration and aimed the Energon harvester at Knockout and Breakdown, causing the two Decepticons to cringe in fear. Normally, Decepticons were tough. Ruthless. Known for causing absolute pain and anguish. But when they were at the firing end of an Energon harvester, they were like scared little kittens. Every Cybertronian knows of the dangers of an Energon harvester if they are pointed at them. So now more than ever, they did NOT want to anger Starscream and Suzie
And though Starscream did fire at them, the two managed to dodge the beam. However, they wished they could say the same for the nearby Decepticon drone. He moaned and yelped in pain as he felt his life force being sucked out of him and flow into the harvester. Starscream and Suzie watched in intent. With a few choked gasps and pleas for mercy, the Decepticon drone had fallen face first onto the dirt-and-stone-composed ground below; dead.
"All that Energon in such a tiny vessel!" Suzie gasped, trailing her claws over it.
"Those Ancient Autobots never missed a trick, Lord Starscream and Lady Suzie," Knockout remarked.
Starscream glared at them again and aimed the Energon harvester at them coursing the pair to tremble and quiver in fear as they tried to shield themselves. However, instead of firing the harvester at them, Starscream moved it away from them and pointed it at the otherwise unmineable Energon and activated the harvester. The blue substance flowed from the crystals into the harvester.
Bulkhead arrived at the scene in time to witness Starscream's current actions. From murdering that poor Decepticon drone to his current actions of sucking Energon from otherwise unobtainable Energon crystals. The green mech quietly slid down a hill and began running towards the action. His actions were otherwise unnoticed…until he stepped on something and shattered it completely, coursing the foursome to turn around.
"Oh scrap," the large green mech cursed quietly.
"Back for seconds?" Breakdown taunted as he and Knockout approached Bulkhead with their weapons armed and ready.
Bulkhead found himself suddenly wishing he had Suzie on his side. He looked to his right and saw Knockout twirling his activated Energon prod inside his hand like a baton. When he looked to his left, he saw Breakdown throwing back his arm which had his hand replaced with a hammer. He had two options: get beaten to scrap by Breakdown or wind up electrocuted by Knockout. Suddenly, he realised that he had a third option: DUCK! And duck he did. As he ducked, Breakdown ended up hitting Knockout with his hammer instead. And Bulkhead managed to get his hands on the Energon prod. Much like Knockout did to Optimus back at the museum, he stuck the prod into Breakdown's neck, knocking him out.
Bulkhead was satisfied as he watched his old enemy twitch in pain from the electrical currents coursing through his veins. He couldn't help but see this as payback for what he and Knockout did to Optimus back at the museum. However, when he turned around, Starscream activated the Energon harvester. The beam hit Bulkhead and he was suddenly moaning and gasping as he felt the Energon being sucked from his body.
"You're a big one. This could take awhile." Starscream smirked as Suzie licked her lips.
The pair were suddenly taken by surprise as Bulkhead got to his feet and approached them, fighting the force of the harvester.
Both seeker and femme moved back "Wait! What are you doing?" Starscream demanded as Bulkhead stood before them.
"What I do best" he said, grabbing the active harvester "Breaking things!"
Without warning, he punched Starscream in the face, sending both him and Suzie (who had been standing behind the seeker) into the wall.
Taking the harvester off the seeker, Bulkhead shatter it and tossed into the sky where it exploded. Groaning in weakness Bulkhead passed out just as Knockout and Breakdown approached him.
"He's a glutton for punishment," Knockout remarked as Breakdown chuckled.
Suddenly a ground bridge opened up behind them and Optimus, Arcee and Bumblebee came out and opened fire on the cons.
Breakdown looked at his friend "Fight?" he asked.
"Mmmm...drive," Knockout corrected.
With that said, the two mechs transformed and drove off, leaving Suzie and Starscream behind.
Knowing that staying to fight would be dumb, the pair took to the skies.
Walking into the med bay with Suzie by his side, Starscream spotted Breakdown buffing Megatron's armour and spoke up "Ah, Breakdown. Has there been any change in Megatron's condition?"
"Only cosmetic," Breakdown replied as he folded the buffer away.
"Well I'm sure you and the good doctor have been doing everything in your power," Starscream stated before he looked around "Where is Knockout?"
Right on cue, said red mech walked in, looking annoyed "Can you believe what some skinjob did to me?" he growled to Breakdown and Suzie in disbelief, pointing at a scratch on his arm and ignoring Starscream.
The seeker narrowed his optics "You have been street racing among the humans again, haven't you?" he growled.
Knockout turned to him "I'm not only an automobile, I'm an automobile enthusiast," he told him.
Suzie couldn't help but laugh softly at that while Starscream fumed "I do strive to run tight ship, Knockout," the seeker told him "I would strongly suggest that you seek my permission the next time you decide to disappear on one of your little...jaunts."
Knockout simply smiled "No worries Herr Commandant," he said, rolling his optics.
Starscream's optics narrowed as Suzie laughed a little louder "It is Lord to you." he sneered.
"Only if Megatron takes a nosedive," Knockout replied in a sing-song tone, making the volume in Suzie's laughter increase.
Snarling, Starscream got right into Knockout's face "The day our master emerges from stasis, I shall graciously relinquish the title," he told him before continuing "But I believe that outcome is unlikely...something to do with the quality of medical care around here."
Knockout straighten up and glanced over at Suzie who looked a little concerned before Starscream spoke again "So continue buffing. We do want Megatron looking his best for the memorial."
Turning around, the seeker left while Suzie choose to stay. Watching the doors close, Breakdown resumed buffing as Suzie turned to a silent Knockout and then...
"Buff this!" he called out to Starscream's back, giving him the bird.
Suzie busted into laughter.
Driving along the road away from Starscream was certainly peaceful Knockout mused. After his little confrontation with the seeker, he decided a nice drive was in order.
Suddenly a familiar accented voice was heard over his com-link "Knockout...Starscream's been looking for you again...where'd you go?" Suzie asked him.
"Out for a little drive Mon cheri" he told her "I just roll from town to town sniffing around until" a green sports car passed him, honking it's horn "The next opportunity presents itself." and changing his gears, Knockout sped up.
Suzie sighed softly, a few hours after her chat with Knockout, the red mech had contacted her and Breakdown and told them he had Bumblebee's human friend and asked the pair to meet up with him in case the Autobots tried to rescue him.
The femme suddenly looked up and smiled as she saw Knockout coming towards them.
Watching Suzie and Breakdown fight Bumblebee and Bulkhead, Knockout realised someone was missing.
"Where's the two-wheeler?" he asked himself but quickly got his answer as Arcee jumped on top of him and punched the hood of his vehicle mode.
Knockout was not impressed "Hey watch the paint!" he yelled at her before taking off, with Arcee trying to hang on but soon lost her grip and fell.
Suzie and Breakdown were still trying to off-line the two Autobots when Knockout spoke to them on the comm-link "Uh Breakdown, Suz, in case you're both looking for me, things got messy so I hit the road. One scrape is enough for today."
No sooner had he said that, Bulkhead pulled out a light post and slammed it into Breakdown, spending him flying into first Suzie and then into a building.
Suzie groaned; that was the second time Bulkhead had sent a mech slamming into both her and a wall.
I hope Knockout's having better luck then we are the femme thought.
She would later on find out though that the red mech was having worst luck then they were.
Suzie winched as she stared at Knockout. Returning the the Nemesis, Suzie and Breakdown were surprised to see Knockout wasn't there but they didn't have to wait long. The red mech had returned...both without a hostage and a left car door.
Knockout told them Optimus had found out what had been going on and arrived to rescue the human...by knocking the red mech off the road, pick him up by his rear bumper and tear his car door off, taking back the human.
And before Knockout could get even, the rest of the Autobots had shown up, forcing him to flee.
But that wasn't the end of it as all three found themselves face to face with a very angry Starscream.
Glaring at Suzie and Breakdown for moment, the seeker turned his attraction onto the red mech before him "Knockout! Was I not clear? You have defied my orders yet again!" he screeched.
"My mistake Commander Starscream. But I've learnt my lesson...and paid the price," Knockout muttered, rubbing the area where his car door had been.
But Suzie knew he wasn't off the hook yet and this was proven when Starscream stormed up to him "It...is...LORD!" Starscream snarled at him "And you have paid when I say you have paid!" he then held up a long sharp metallic claw, coursing Knockout to take a step back, his optics wide "Do not worry," the seeker told him "Your punishment shall be merely...cosmetic."
"No not the finish! Anything but the finish!" Knockout cried out before Suzie and Breakdown closed their optics and cringed at the horrible sound of screeching metal and poor Knockout's screams...
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
"Why has the electromagnetic shielding not be repaired?" Starscream demanded. One of the drones spoke up "The crews are working as quick as the can Lord-" the seeker slapped him across the face "We are leaking a trail! All the Autobots need to do is pinpoint our position is to access the correct frequency wavelength!" he pointed out "Accelerate your efforts!"
The drones bowed "Yes Lord Starscream." one answered before they left.
Starscream growled deep in his throat even as Suzie rubbed his shoulders "You should relax darling, all this stress is not good for you." she told him. The seeker grumbled softly but didn't say anything else until the doors opened and Knockout walked in.
"Doctor in the house," he greeted the pair.
Suzie smiled as she and Starscream turned around "Ah Knockout. And how is the patient doing today?" the seeker asked.
"Same old," Knockout replied in a bored tone, a hand on his hip.
Starscream sighed and turned away "An inglorious fate that our master should remain in this vegetative state," he stated.
"On the contrary, Megatron's body might be scrap metal but his mind is still percolating," Knockout told him, tapping his own helm.
Starscream spun and close the distance between them "Keep that to yourself," he hissed "That blasted Soundwave sees and hears everything."
"The eyes and ears of the Decepticons, huh?" Knockout translated.
Suzie decided now was the time to play her part in Starscream's game "Well," she drawled, leaning forward and draping an arm around each mech "as long as their master reminds in limbo, so does their cause," she turned her head to Starscream "The Decepticons deserve a strong alert leader," she purred, stroking the seeker's jawline as he smirked and placed an arm around her upper mid-section.
The femme then tilted her head at Knockout and gently stroked his neck cables. Knockout didn't miss a beat "One who would require a loyal Second in Command, hmm?" he asked the seeker, placing his own arm on Suzie.
Starscream chuckled darkly before saying, "A candidate would need to earn such a post by making a strong case to said eyes and ears..." he trailed off, smirking.
"A case for showing mercy, Lord Starscream and Lady Suzie?" Knockout questioned, grinning faintly.
Suzie's lips curled up as Starscream replied "You scratch our backs...we scratch yours..."
A Cheshire Cat grin was etched firmly on Suzie's face by this point I knew there was a reason why I took such a liking to these two the femme thought, leaning forward and nuzzling both mechs with her snort, purring as she did.
Yes she was definitely going to enjoy working along side these two.
After Starscream had located Soundwave, all four heading into the med bay where Megatron layed.
Starscream then turned to the red mech "Knockout if you would be so kind as to provide your expert medical opinion to Soundwave...for the historical record," he asked.
"Simply put. Unaided, Megatron could remain in this deathless slumber forever," Knockout told the silent mech.
Suzie then spoke "Our master would not have wanted to be seen this way. To stand idly by while he remains captive in his our body. It's not just," the femme placed a hand over her spark, sighing sadly.
Soundwave however pointed at the screen where Megatron's vitals were being monitored or to be more precise, his spiking brainwave activity.
"Brainwave activity. NOT evidence of consciousness," Knockout corrected, "Merely an endless dream from which Megatron may never awake."
"Soundwave we must face reality. Megatron is lost to us," Starscream proclaimed.
"The only honourable option would be to show him mercy," Knockout mumbled.
"A simple throw of the switch," Suzie clarified.
"Quick. Painless. Compassionate," Knockout added.
Suzie titled her head when Soundwave didn't say anything before looking at the other two.
Starscream smirked faintly " Soundwave, do we take your silence to mean you concur with Knockout's medical expertise?" he asked, earning no response from Soundwave.
Shrugging his shoulders, the seeker turned to Suzie and nodded at her. The femme grinned and approached Megatron.
"Speak now or forever hold your peace," Starscream warned the silent mech as Suzie wrapped her talons around the main life support cable.
"Going... going..." the seeker drawled as Suzie slowly pulled at the cable.
Suddenly Soundwave pointed at a black and purple cable that seemed to be coming from the back of Megatron's berth where his helm layed.
Letting go of the cable, Suzie looked at Starscream as the seeker hummed in curiosity as he began to follow the cable.
Suddenly the seeker gave a screech of "What in the?" and the light of a ground bridge opened up, flooding the room.
Suzie's optics grew wide when she spotted Arcee and Bumblebee, "Intruders!" the femme yelled.
Arcee pointed her blaster "Allow me," she growled and fired at Megatron's main life cable, blasting it right off him.
The blue femme and the scout quickly rushed into the portal before it closed up.
Starscream heaved a sigh as he got to his feet "It was an inevitable outcome," he said before Soundwave pointed silently but angry at Megatron.
The seeker growled softly "Of course, it would be wrong to allow Megatron to perish by an Autobots's hand." he grumbled "Knockout!"
The red mech just looked at him and shrugged before waving his head in a 'yeah, yeah,' way and reaching to replug the main cable back into Megatron's chest.
Suzie looked at Soundwave "Happy now?" she growled, earning no answer from the silent mech.
Sometime later, the pair returned to the med bay to see how things were going "And how is the patient doing today?" Starscream asked.
Knockout looked at them "Funny you should asked. Not quite sure what the bots did in there but Megatron's registering zero brainwave activity," he told them.
Suzie and Starscream looked at each other before turning back to Knockout "Meaning?" Suzie questioned.
Knockout walked over to them "Physically, he's stable," he told them "But now there's...no one home."
Starscream looked over at Suzie; following Knockout's informant of Megatron's now brain-dead condition, the femme had almost been beside herself with glee. Currently she and Starscream were leaning over their former master mindless shell as the seeker tapped Megatron's helm.
"Knock, knock! Is anyone in there?" he asked, already knowing the answer "No? Oh well!" he and Suzie then moved from the still tyrant "Seems I possess the only thing that would allow you to rise off that slab and walk again, my dearest Megatron" Starscream smirked while Suzie stood next to him. The seeker then held up a shard of dark energon "The only scrap left on this planet! Plucked from your very spark chamber!" he taunted, flicking the shard in the air before catching it and staring down at it "But it cannot restore your mind."
He then looked at Megatron "The Decepticons need a leader," he said "NOT a decorative centrepiece. And I will convince them that I am the true heir to your throne with Suzie as my queen! With a plan so epic-!"
"That not even the mighty Megatron could have conceived it?" a voice asked.
The pair spun around and saw Knockout leaning against the doorway, arms across his chest, smirking at them.
Suzie simply lifted an optic ridge as Starscream laughed nervously "That was the idea Knockout," he told him before sighing "How long have you been there?"
"Long enough," he said before making a bow "And it's Commander Knockout to you. Once and future Lord Starscream and Lady Suzie."
The pair smirked and held themselves up proudly.
After stealing the lens from that space telescope, Suzie and her two favourite mechs stood on top of the Nemesis looking down at the icy earth below them.
Starscream grinned "Let the reign of Lord Starscream and Lady Suzie begin," he sneered.
At Knockout's indication, the weapon containing the lens appeared on next to them and shot down a large long beam of hot energy towards the glacier. Steam and water rose from the impact.
"Yes! I love when a plan comes together!" Starscream cheered, earning a giggle from Suzie.
Suddenly they heard familiar engines and looking down, the trio spotted Bulkhead and Arcee, heading towards from different directions, ready to put an end to the cons plans.
"Autobots," Starscream growled before Knockout spoke up "Please, Lord Starscream, allow your second in command the honour." he turned as Breakdown approached them "Breakdown...total them!" he instructed.
Breakdown didn't need to be told twice. Leaping from one spiral to another, the large blue con jumped down towards the Autobots, laughing. Landing behind them, the force of impact knocking them off their wheels before they managed to transform and face him.
Watching the two Autobots fight Breakdown, Knockout turned to Suzie and Starscream.
"Don't the bots seem...understaffed?" he asked.
Before anyone could answer, the sound of a truck engine rang out and the trio spun to see Optimus racing towards them in vehicle mode.
Suzie gaped as Starscream growled before turning to Knockout and grabbing his face "What good is a second in command who fails to watch the rear?" he yelled at him before throwing him aside and leaping onto the weapon, kicking the con at the controls off and typed in some demands before turning the laser onto Optimus.
But the Autobot kept on coming and once close enough, he transformed, unfolded his blade and sliced the laser in two, coursing a massive explosion.
Suzie shrieked as she was thrown from the ship before she managed to regain control of herself and looked around and spotted Optimus laying on the ground.
The femme growled when the sound of a jet coursed her and everyone else to turn and see Starscream flying up into the sky before coming back down in a nose dive, aiming for Optimus.
The seeker snarled in fury "Megatron's greatest mistake was ever allowing you to live, Prime!" he yelled as he prepared to fire a missile at the downed Autobot.
But just as the seeker a lined with Suzie, another jet flew out of nowhere and slammed into Starscream and in turn Suzie, spending them both back towards the Nemesis, both shrieking in pain and surprise.
Gasping and yelping as they were thrown onto the ship, the pair witnessed Megatron transform before them both, glaring down at them.
"Lord Megatron! You are... you're healed! Praise the AllSpark! It is a miracle!" Starscream cheered nervously as Suzie nodded her head, a very shaky grin on her face.
"Oh it will be a miracle my friends...if you survive what I planned for you both!" Megatron growled dangerously at the pair.
The pair yelped in horror before Starscream transformed to escape only for Megatron to grab him by his tail fins while Suzie took advantage of this to make her own escape but the tyrant saw this. Spinning Starscream around a few times, he let go and sent the seeker straight into Suzie.
Suzie screeched as Starscream crashed into her and the pair crash landed onto one of the ship's wings. Starscream groaned as he transformed back to robot mode with Suzie behind him when Megatron landing in front of them and slowly approached them.
"But the Autobots! Optimus! Right there! Waiting for you!" Starscream reminded the tyrant as he came nearer.
"My greatest mistake? I've made a few," he admitted before glaring at them "But there are two that I do not intend to make again!" he snarled before grabbing them each by the face and began dragging them away.
Suzie shrieked like an animal caught in a trap as she thrashed around while Starscream whimpered and begged "No! Master! Noooo!"
Megatron had not been kind to either of the two. He dealt with Suzie first, to show Starscream what was coming his way. The tyrant had twisted and mangled Suzie's body almost beyond recognition before tossing her aside and turning his attraction onto the seeker.
Starscream groaned in pain as he laid on the slab that Megatron been on not so long ago.
The seeker tensed as the tyrant approached him "Resting comfortably Starscream? Despite the extent of your injuries, my medical staff assures me that you shall make a rabid recovery," he told him. The tyrant then smirked and looked over at Suzie who was curled up in a dark corner. Unlike Starscream, the femme's regenerating abilities had allowed her body to repair itself much quicker then any medic could hope to do. Even so the extent of her injuries were so large, it was taking longer then usual to heal. Even from where he stood, Megatron could see injuries still slowly sealing up.
"Feeling well Suzie?" he asked.
The femme glared at him for moment before turning away, not answering.
"Not speaking? Fine! Continuing sulking then." he told her before looking back at Starscream.
Making an attempt to get up, Starscream glared at him and said "Hopefully my recovery will be as every bit as rabid as your wrath is swift."
"And how swiftly things change," Megatron chuckled "To think that but a short time ago, it was you who was standing here while I was lying there. Right after your fatal attempt to terminate me! But know this dear Starscream, our positions shall never again be reversed."
With that said, the tyrant turned and left, leaving a fuming seeker and femme behind.
Growling Starscream ripped the cables off him and limped out, ignoring a stunned Suzie and Knockout.
"Starscream? Have you lost your senses? You haven't fully recuperated!" Knockout protested to the limping Decepticon.
"I feel fine, Knockout! Never better! You're a brilliant physician! Now GET OUT OF MY WAY!" Starscream demanded impatiently as he shoved Knockout out of the way and walked past him, still gasping and limping from pain, "Dark Energon may have replenished your strength, master. But how could you forget that you never reclaimed your original shard?"
As Starscream talked to himself, he reached into a hidden conduit in the structure of the ship and pulled out the shard of Dark Energon he had personally plucked from Megatron's spark chamber when he found him after the Space Bridge explosion.
"Once the blood of Unicron flows through MY veins, our positions shall be reversed…"
Sometime later, both Suzie and Knockout looked up and stared as Starscream came back into the med bay...minus half his right arm.
Suzie could only gaped as Knockout immediately made him lie on the slab and have him checked out. There was something bugging Knockout though. And what was bugging him is…how did this happen?
"Uh…Starscream, I don't quite understand how this could have happened," Knockout confessed rather sheepishly.
"And yet it did! Can you imagine my horror? There I am! Minding my own business when my arm just falls off! Clearly, Megatron inflicted more damage on me then you realised! Doctor…," Starscream growled dangerously.
"Well…on the bright side. This provides an excellent opportunity for an upgrade," Knockout remarked as he showed Starscream different models of the arms he has in his possession, "Uh…let's see. You can go with a sonic cannon. It's reliable, low-maintenance. Although, it lacks a certain flair. Personally, I prefer the know ray. Has just the right mix of flash and fire power."
"I DON'T WANT A NEW MODEL! I JUST WANT THE SAME ARM I HAD BEFORE!" Starscream snapped.
"But Starscream, your equipment is a bit…obsolete. I'm not sure I have another one lying around," Knockout admitted, "Of course. We could try to salvage yours. You'd get it, did you?"
"It was…beyond recovery," Starscream answered.
Suzie narrowed her optics when she heard that.
What have you been up to this time? The femme thought.
After Knockout had left the pair to see if he could do something about Starscream's arm, the med bay was peaceful...but it didn't last long.
As Starscream was comfortably sleeping on the slab inside the medical lab with Suzie watching him, the Dark Energon shard rested in his hand lifelessly. Suddenly, as the Nemesis flew over a certain location, the shard purred contently in his hand, startling Starscream from his dreamless oblivion.
"My Dark Energon shard? Pulsing? My warrior lives!" Starscream proclaimed as he disconnected himself and walked out of the medical lab.
"Ah, look what I found in storage. What are you doing?" Knockout demanded as Starscream walked past him.
"You were right, Knockout. I'm much too attached to my original appendage. I will retreat it," Starscream decided before walking away.
Suzie then appeared. Knockout looked at her "What's with him?" he asked her.
The femme shrugged her shoulders "You tell me." she replied.
Suzie couldn't believe her optics when Starscream returned, looking yet again like a mess and she wasn't the only one.
"What happened? Megatron pound you like scrap metal again?" Knockout asked as he worked to repair Starscream's latest injuries.
"I would rather not discuss it!" Starscream snapped.
"Really, Starscream, you need to take better care of yourself," Knockout grumbled before suddenly asking, "Didn't you retrieve your limb?"
The seeker didn't answer.
"Lord Megatron, I fear Breakdown has gone missing," Starscream reported.
"The Autobots?" Megatron guessed.
"According to surveillance by the astonishingly accurate Soundwave, Breakdown was abducted by humans," Starscream corrected.
"Your point?" Megatron demanded impatiently.
"The strongest recommendation is we assemble a rescue team to hunt the vermin responsible for this outrage," Starscream suggested.
"Breakdown is on his own," Megatron proclaimed.
"Master?" Starscream inquired after exclamations in protest.
"If Breakdown allowed himself to be captured by those smaller than him, weaker than him, he deserves whatever fate awaits him," Megatron declared.
"But Breakdown is a key player in our-," Starscream stopped short when Megatron gave him the look that said, 'Don't-push-your-luck-with-me!', "Your wisdom reigns supreme, Lord Megatron…for now."
Getting Suzie to round up vehicons who were loyal to the pair wasn't as hard as Starscream thought it would be.
The pair and their small party rescue party had gone off to save Breakdown from the humans and in the mist, had seen him fighting along side an Autobot.
But Breakdown quickly convinced the pair of his loyalty to the Decepticons and tried to attack Bulkhead but the rest of the Autobots showed up and they had to flee.
"One day, you will pay your debt to me, Breakdown. The day it comes time to choose sides," Starscream proclaimed.
"Between Bots and 'Cons?" Breakdown guessed as he transformed into his bipedal mode.
"Between myself and Megatron," Starscream corrected, surprising Breakdown, "Incidentally, I suggest that Megatron never know of this rescue. You do want him to think you overcame the puny humans on your own. Don't you?"
With those words said, Starscream flew away with the other Decepticon drones. Breakdown just stood there at the centre of the road shocked. Starscream was planning to overthrow Lord Megatron? He couldn't believe that by just hearing about it.
It was something that he would have to see to believe.
Suzie tilted her head as Soundwave showed her and Megatron the unusual magnetic flux on the screen and while she didn't recognise it, Megatron did.
"I recognise this magnetic signature, Soundwave. And it would be unfortunate to have a Decepticon invention such as this used against us," Megatron remarked.
"I will secure the weapon, Lord Megatron," Breakdown promised as he stepped forward.
Breakdown's appearance has certainly changed since his encounter with MECH. His chassis and other parts of his body were covered in fresh scars from MECH trying to drill their way into his biomechanics and partially succeeding as well. And he never replaced the optic he had lost during the kidnapping. Instead, he sported a mechanical eye-patch over where his optic once was.
"Breakdown?" Megatron scoffed, "If you can be bested by mere humans, what chance do you have against the Autobots?"
"Allow me to redeem myself, master. What I have lost is a constant reminder that I must never again fail you," Breakdown pleaded.
Suzie looked at the tyrant "Let him," she said "Everyone deserve a chance at redemption my Lord."
Sometime later Breakdown returned, empty-handed or so the tyrant and femme thought.
"Breakdown! You dare return empty-handed?" Megatron exclaimed in disbelief while Suzie just stared in silence.
"No, master," Breakdown told him before turning around.
Suzie barely managed to contain her laughter; there attached to the blue mech's back was her old friend and fellow femme Airachnid.
"Airachnid. It has been some time," Megatron greeted, sounding amused.
"Lord Megatron and my dear friend Suzie, what can I say? It's good to be back," the spider femme remarked to them.
"Lord Megatron, far be it me to question your intentions. But I don't understand why we've returned here after all this time. Alone," Starscream confessed nervously, only to have Megatron ignore him and Suzie as he walked into the mine, "Every last trace of Energon was extracted from this mine. There's nothing left."
"Indulge me, Starscream, Suzie. Won't you both?" Megatron suggested sarcastically before continuing his voyage into the darkness of the mine.
Starscream and Suzie followed Megatron's footsteps nervously. They both thought that Megatron was oblivious of the seeker's plans to overthrow the Decepticon lord with help from the vampiric femme and obtain that title for himself. But they also knew that Megatron won't be oblivious forever. They both knew that he would eventually catch on to their secret ambitions: one involving this mine.
If they weren't careful.
As the trio walked deeper into the mines, Suzie couldn't help but grow more and more nervous by the moment and judging by Starscream's expression, he was feeling the same.
Eventually, the trio reached a large section of the mine out of the hallways. Immediately, they saw the Decepticon mining equipment filling the place. However, the equipment mostly consisted of computerized drills. Starscream and Suzie were certainly not happy about the presence of the drills. Megatron, however, was beginning to become aware.
"How intriguing," Megatron thought aloud.
Suzie began to pant and gasp nervously before putting on a show and growling, "Incompetent fools! This mining equipment should have been relocated! Why is it still here?"
"A most valid question," Megatron complimented.
"Our apologies, master. I believe Soundwave was in charge of coordinating transport," Starscream stuttered nervously, earning a growl from Megatron, "But in fairness, during your interstellar travels, all had to assume additional responsibilities. Clearly, mistakes were made."
"Yes. Clearly," Megatron agreed dryly before punching into the wall and pulling out hidden collections of Energon, making the pair even more nervous, "Every last trace of Energon extracted?"
"Lord Megatron, we can explain!" Starscream gasped nervously.
"Explain what? That you've been hoarding an extra supply of Energon for your personal use?" Megatron demanded as he dropped the Energon he plucked.
"No! Not exactly! That's actually for Suzie here," Starscream defended as Megatron shattered the Energon with his foot and Suzie turned her head and glared at the seeker.
"DO NOT TAKE ME FOR A FOOL, STARSCREAM!" Megatron finally snapped, his blood red eyes blazing with recognisable anger, "I have been wise to your transgressions from the beginning. Not only did you pluck the Dark Energon from my chest in a failed attempt to snuff my spark! But you tried to raise your own dead warrior with it! It's no secret that you lost your arm in the process! Which you've since had replaced!"
"YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT?" Starscream screeched nervously as he began backing away from the approaching Megatron.
"Soundwave is quite competent in his surveillance and is the most loyal. I can assure you both. The fact is, Starscream and Suzie, despite your treachery, I've allowed to two of you to carry on this long because I took a certain delight in following both of your strings of failures! But you've both finally become tiresome! Predicable! You've hit rock bottom!" Megatron declared as he aimed his charging cannon at the trembling Decepticon and femme.
"Master! Please! Give us one more chance! I BEG OF YOU!" Starscream pleaded as he and Suzie tried to shield themselves from any potential fire from the cannon.
Suzie closed her optics; while she knew she wouldn't die, Megatron would make sure she couldn't leave the mines and try to take revenge on him.
The femme braced herself as she and Starscream lowered themselves onto the ground.
"You have both ceased to be of use to me. So you shall both certainly cease to be." Megatron told them.
The femme heard the shot but never felt the pain of it. Opening her optics, Suzie saw Megatron was now firing at Arcee and two of the humans.
Looking at Starscream, the pair quickly made their decisions and took flight.
Megatron glared at them "You two dare abandon me?" he bellowed after them and tried to shot them but only succeeded in coursing the mines to collapse.
Suzie groaned; during their escape, rubble had fell on them and knocked them both out.
Lifted her head; Suzie saw Starscream trying to dig his way out. The seeker looked back at her "A bit more digging and we'll be home free my dear, just you wait." he told her and resumed his digging.
Suzie just groaned again and layed her head back on the ground.
Eventually Starscream managed to make a hole large enough for him and Suzie to escape through. Once outside, Starscream turned back to the mines and laughed evilly at the turn of events.
"Predicable master? It that what you called us? Well, now who has hit rock bottom? What's that? Sorry we can't hear you under all that rubble! Farewell, Lord Megatron! May you rust in peace!" Starscream cackled as he and Suzie walked away.
The seeker smirked broadly; accomplishment filling his body. Megatron was finally taken off! Now he and Suzie could rule the Decepticons side by side...then he remembered something.
Suzie frowned as she turned around and looked at Starscream who had frozen in his tracks "What's wrong?" she asked him.
Starscream growled and looked back at the mines "But you have survived far worse master. If you had managed to free yourself, you would blame US for your setback. And there is nowhere we could possibly escape your wrath. Or worse yet, your mindless followers will come looking for you! And take credit for your rescue. Credit that could rightfully be mine and Suzie's! And even if you died, I would not be the one assuming command! Soundwave would!" Starscream spat before he and Suzie screamed out,
"MEGATRON!"
After much tunnelling and digging; the pair came upon an odd sight, the Autobot Bulkhead holding up the mines ceiling while his human stood next to him.
Starscream smirked "Well, well. If it isn't Bulkhead and his pet vermin? My, you do have your hands full. Don't you Autobot?" he sneered.
"Do whatever you want to me, you two! But let the human go!" Bulkhead pleaded.
"No! I'm not leaving you!" Miko protested as she hugged the equivalent of Bulkhead's ankle.
"It appears that the human wishes to remain," Starscream remarked as he reached his clawed hands towards Miko, causing her to retreat further behind Bulkhead.
"Starscream, don't push me!" Bulkhead threatened as he saw Starscream follow her.
"You like playing with the big bots. Don't you, little girl?" Starscream tormented Miko as he followed the small human around the former Wrecker.
Miko screamed as she saw Starscream standing over her with Suzie just behind him. Reaching towards her. Bulkhead didn't like the idea of the slippery Decepticon or his freakish girlfriend laying their claws on Miko. So without thinking about the consequences, he kicked Starscream hard. Starscream let out a yell in surprise as he flew first into Suzie and then across the area towards the wall. Bulkhead grunted as he once again found it hard to hold the roof up above him.
"That's it, Autobot!" Starscream roared as he picked both himself and Suzie up, "I'll-!"
"You'll what? You'll what? Bring the ceiling down on top of all of us?" Bulkhead challenged before turning to Miko and pleading her desperately, "Run, Miko!"
Miko was conflicted. If she ran, she would be safe from dying in the mine from either the mine collapsing on top of all of them or under Starscream's hand. However, there was also the chance she would never see Bulkhead again. And the last thought scared her senseless. So she shook her head and hugged his leg again.
"Yes. Run, Miko. I would love to see you try. Really. I would," Starscream challenged.
Suzie opened her mouth to say something with a drill burst though the wall behind them and then proceeded to run the pair down. Jack was shown to be at the controls. Glancing at the pair, he remarked "Those two are sure gonna sore in morning, huh?"
Bulkhead looked at him "Jack! Get Miko and get outta here!" he said "Bulkhead-!" "No arguments! Just go!"
The two teens had no choice but to go. Reversing the drill out, they made their escape...leaving a trapped Autobot and two angry fliers behind.
Getting to their feet, they both smirked "And then there were three," they jeered as they faced Bulkhead.
The green Autobot glared at them "If you both think I'm gonna beg for mercy, forget it," Bulkhead gritted.
"Yes. Begging for mercy would be quite pathetic, wouldn't it?" Starscream chuckled nervously before Suzie took over, "Well, you're much more valuable to us alive. Imagine Megatron's appreciation when we not only rescue him. But deliver an Autobot. I believe that would restore our statutes quite nicely."
The pair suddenly froze in fear when they heard the familiar sound of a charging cannon. Slowly – and hesitantly – Starscream and Suzie turned around to face the plasma cannon. The blue light from the square barrels stared them both right in the face. Soft pink lights were scattered around the cannon. The person aiming glared at him menacingly.
"Don't move, either of you," Arcee warned them very dangerously before turning to Bulkhead, "Hey, Bulk."
"Hey, 'Cee," Bulkhead greeted weakly before noticing the cut, "What happened to your head?"
"Got hit in the head as the mine collapsed," Arcee explained before turning back to Starscream and Suzie with her cannon aimed at both their head, "Raise your hands."
The pair panted nervously. They wanted to take on the injured femme Autobot. They also wanted to take on the former Wrecker. But there was also to possibility that if they did, they could cause the remainder of the mine to collapse on top of them and destroy all hopes of escape. With that alone, the pair made up their minds. They moaned and slumped slightly. They knew when they were defeated.
"For the record, I blame you for this!" Suzie hissed at the seeker.
When the pair had lifted their arms to the ceiling and the Autobots left, they had found themselves carrying a heavy burden. And that heavy burden just happened to be holding the ceiling high above them.
Starscream scowled at Suzie's comment "Oh shut up." he growled, straining to hold the ceiling up. Suzie glared at him "Don't you tell me to shut up! It's your fault we're in this mess!" she spat back.
The seeker stared at her "How the frag is it my fault?" he squeaked in disbelief.
Suzie quickly replied "It was your idea to come back into this pithole in hopes we could rescue our master and nothing more! But no! When you saw Bulkhead, you let your damn greed get the better of you and now look where we are! Stuck quite literally between several rocks and a hard place!"
Suddenly the wall on Starscream's side broke open and someone walked in. The pair quickly looked and froze in fear when they saw it was Megatron.
The tyrant narrowed his optics; it was clear he hadn't forgotten what he was about to do to the treacherous pair.
Suzie and Starscream glanced at each other before they looked back at their leader "Master! You're alive! Thank the AllSpark!" they cheered.
Megatron didn't say anything, he only continued to glare at them and they realised they had to take their chances in one go.
"We...we did not abandon you master! We came back! To save you!" Suzie gasped as Starscream nodded franticly.
"Save me?" Megatron repeated but the tone of his voice told them that not only did he know of their true intentions. That they were only seeking the glory they would get from saving him and how he hadn't forgotten their original pre-collapse intentions. The pair bit the bullet and took their only unused chance left.
"Look into our sparks Lord Megatron! Our intentions were pure! PLEASE MASTER! HAVE MERCY!" the pair begged as Megatron continued to glare at them.
Suzie still couldn't believe it! Even after a week of it happening, the femme couldn't believe it when Megatron had saved her and Starscream from the mines instead of simply killing them.
The vampiress frowned; something was up, she was certain of it but until she could learn more, she had to be a good little femme and following Megatron's every order. The same went for Starscream.
Shaking her head, she enter the bridge, Suzie spotted Starscream and approached him. The seeker glanced at her "What do you think they're talking about?" he asked her. Suzie looked in his direction and saw Airachnid talking to Megatron and frowned. Ever since the former rouge femme return to the Cons, she had been sucking up to Megatron, trying to get into his good books and via versa. It made Suzie's stomach churn in disgust at seeing her old friend behaving in such a way.
"Is this true?" Megatron suddenly boomed, making the pair jump.
"Starscream nor Suzie never mentioned it," Airachnid answered.
"If those two are up to their old tricks, I shall grind them to powder," Megatron declared as he clenched his fist.
"I'd like to see you try," Suzie sneered as she and Starscream walked up.
Megatron growled as he turned around as he turned to face the pair.
"Lord Megatron. Please excuse Airachnid's impertinence. Now, what is it we allegedly failed to mention?" Starscream asked nervously.
"The Harbinger," Megatron responded, causing Starscream to gasp nervously while Suzie flinched.
"What about it?" Starscream wanted to know nervously.
"Eons ago, a Decepticon transport crash-landed on this planet," Airachnid began explaining.
"Oh please. Common knowledge. Suzie and I scouted the crash site when we first arrived on Earth," Starscream scoffed.
"Then I presume you recovered the experimental weapon prototype the Harbinger had been transporting?" Airachnid guessed, earning silence from the disgraced Decepticon and femme.
"Where is the crash site?" Megatron demanded.
"It was never logged into your ship's database," Airachnid answered on the pair's behalf.
"Starscream, Suzie, I can't believe you both! You actually failed to record the coordinates of a Decepticon transport?" Megatron exclaimed in disbelief.
"An oversight, Megatron. But I noted its exact location!" Starscream defended as he pointed to his own head.
"Then you can lead Airachnid there. So that she may retrieve the prototype for me," Megatron declared as he began to walk away.
"My personal native guide. How delightful," Airachnid remarked sarcastically.
Suzie turned to Megatron "What about me?" she asked.
The tyrant looked at her "You shall remain here...where I can keep an eye on you." he growled before walking away.
The vampiress scowled, not impressed.
She just hoped Starscream and Airachnid got along long enough to retrieve the weapon.
The femme should have known better.
Suzie could not believe her optics when Airachnid return both empty-handed and without Starscream but she quickly worked out what happened and relayed it to Megatron.
Needless to say the tyrant wasn't happy ""You left Starscream with the Autobots?" Megatron practically screeched at Airachnid, "Do you have any notion of the consequences of your blunder?"
"But my Lordship! It was Starscream's incompetence that cost us the Immobiliser!" Airachnid began defending.
Megatron glared down at her.
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT SOME TRINKET! MY SECOND-IN-COMMAND IS A PRISONER OF THE ENEMY! Which means all Decepticon intelligence could be at the fingertips of THE AUTOBOTS!" Megatron raged before walking away.
Suzie bared her fangs at her former friend "Have you forgotten how much Starscream means to me?" she snarled at the spider femme before storming off.
Entering the med bay, Suzie was greeted by Knockout "I heard what happened," he told her before holding out his arms "Come here." he said.
Suzie didn't need to be told twice, walking in the vain mech's arms, Suzie closed her optics and allowed him to soothe her.
The femme didn't know what now. Starscream had always been the reason why she stayed with the Decepticons for so long and now that he was gone...
Suzie shook her head, she didn't want to think about it.
The only question remained now was : what was the femme's future?
And that's part two people!
Next part goes from 'TMI' to 'One Shall Rise part 3'
Keep an eye out for it!