I'm so sorry the wait between chapters has been so long. The third and final chapter should be up in a few days. Thank you so much to everybody who gave me feedback.
Shockwave was uncertain as to why his mood had not improved. It had been several solar cycles since the attack on Decepticon headquarters, and the damage had been repaired almost entirely. The fluid that had damaged the generator room had been a variant of Cosmic Rust. Although the scientist in Shockwave was impressed with the chemistry, he loathed how difficult it was to remove. The entire room was demolished and replaced. Perhaps his problems stemmed from other stressors.
How could an ignoramus like Mudflap synthesize such a dastardly solution? He must have had help form one of his compatriots, thought Shockwave. He refused to believe that someone as foul and illogical was secretly a master chemist. He thought, the Autobots must be punished for daring to attack my domain. He knew exactly what kind of retribution was in order.
The Decepticon Stockades were one of the most brutal prisons in the entire Galaxy. Some of the prisoners of war had been captured before Megatron left. They had spent millions of stellar cycles waiting away in a clinically brutal facility, and the concept of personal freedom was but a distant memory. They had given up all hope of escape long ago as no one had ever survived an escape attempt.
Shockwave approached the drone who acted as warden of the Stockades. He asked, "How many prisoners currently occupy this facility?"
The drone answered, speking with only slightly less emotion than Shockwave, "We currently host 232424 individuals, sir."
"Execute them all within the next megacycle." said Shockwave.
"Are you sure Megatron would approve of that?" the drone inquired.
"Did you just question my command?!" Shockwave shot back. After a moment, he said, in a calmer tone, "Megatron wouldn't want any precious resources to be wasted on these lowlifes."
"I shall do as you command" said the drone.
####
Sunstorm was meditating on the mysteries of the Gifts Primus had given him when he was interrupted by Flatline. The spiky, black and red bot was the residential medic for the Decepticons that had stayed opened his optics and growled, "I'm busy contemplating the mysteries of the universe here, you pathetic worm! What could you possibly have to say that could be more important than the reflections of a Prophet?"
Flatline said with a combination of irritation and confusion, "I would like to discuss the recent actions of our commander."
Sunstorm stood up. He smiled and said, "Why didn't you say so? I always have time to discuss the one-eyed, one-armed, giant purple Autobot killer."
"I have become concerned about his recent behavior. He seems... irrational and unstable."
"Why would you question our leader? A good Decepticon never questions the leader. It is by the will of Primus that he is in command, so we must obey him."
Flatline sighed. He said, "It is also by the "will of Primus" that we have been left behind to babysit a dead planet."
Shockwave suddenly entered the room. He said, "I trust you two are having a pleasant conversation?"
Flatline nodded the worker Shockwave had terminated earlier, he wanted to stay on the purple bot's good side.
Shockwave announced, "I require Sunstorm for a scouting mission of a nearby Autobot outpost. His unique skill set and… unconventional personality would come in handy."
####
Copout was not the most enthusiastic Autobot. Although he hated the Decepticons with a fiery passion, he never was really dedicated enough to risk his life. He jumped at the opportunity to stay behind guard Cybertron, and had landed a position as a security officer for a small outpost outside of Vos. He was guarding the barracks and feeling pretty relaxed, the most relaxed he had been since the war broke out. He heard an aircraft coming in overhead.
He looked up and saw an orange, pyramid-shaped fighter zooming towards the outpost. He turned to run and call the aarm but purple lasers pierced his legs. He sat crippled on the ground, unable to transform. His attacker landed and assumed his robot mode, and turned towards Copout. Sunstorm knelt near him and said, "Let me show you the Light."
With a smile, Sunstorm grabbed Copout's head and crushed it into scrap metal. He looked and saw other guards rapidly approaching. He ran towards cover while unleashing rapid fire laser shots. They burnt and sizzled the metal floor by the guards feet. They fanned out and encroached closer to Sunstorm, trapping him in a corner. One guard said, "You've got nowhere to run, Decepticon!"
Sunstorm said, "Why would I want to run? With the Will of Primus guiding me, I have nothing to fear!"
He pulled out his special flamethrower. He fired in a sweeping arc, setting all of the guards alight within seconds. As they scrambled and writhed in agony as their bodies slowly began melting, Sunstorm shot them all in the head, one by one. He surveyed the melting corpses and laughed. He shouted, "Truly I am the salvation of Cybertron!"
He flew over the main building of the outpost. All of the staff and civilians were hiding inside. He melted a hole in the roof and tossed in a nincendiary grenade. He listened to the cries of pain and panic as he walked around the building, welding the doors shut as he recited prayers out loud. After he was finished, he sat down and meditated until the screaming stopped.
####
Shockwave received Sunstorm's report on the raid. There were no survivors, and the unique radiation his body gave off contaminated the area and made sure no other Autobots would be able to use the outpost. Sunstorm was rapidly becoming Shockwave's most rusted soldier, insane as he was. There was something fascinating about the glowing orange
Seeker. Although his pyromania and fanaticism were intriguing, what fascinated Shockwave the most was the radiation he gave off.
What if I could use Sunstorm's natural radiation output? He has proven it can be a deadly weapon in battle. Perhaps I could build a weapon fueled by the energy his body gives off.
This new idea grabbed hold of Shockwave's processor. It soon became all he could think about. He devoted more and more of his time to making blueprints and studying the orange zealot. At last he came up with a power generator that would use Sunstorm as a power source.
With this I could prufiy Cybertron. Just imagine, the joy Megtron would find when he returned to discover I have incinerated the Autobot insurgents. He will finally recognize me as his greatest and most loyal servant when I achieve his dream of a pure, clean Cybertron!
####
Mudflap had zoned out through most of the strategy meeting. It was never like anything actually got done at these things. Everyone knew that the planet was dying and the war was in a stalemate. That was why Optimus Prime had left, wasn't it? So he kicked back and let Chromia drone on about resource management and the massacre at the outpost. At last it sounded like she was finally wrapping up.
"Does anyone else have anything to add?" she asked.
Mudflap stood up and said, "Yes I believe I have determined a strategic weakness in Shockwave's command."
"What is that?" she asked.
Mudflap answered, "He's going nuts. All the time alone and pressure seems to be getting to him. Intelligence indicates that he has become exceedingly irrational and controlling, making strange tactics and ordering executions for no reason."
"What do you suggest we do?"
"I think a good idea would be to make it personal, and push him over the edge until he destroys himself."
To Be continued.