Deus Ex Machina

I sat down next to Megatron. I had stopped counting the amount of stories I told. I just knew that I've been coming here every day to comfort my friend. I asked my still friend, "The very beginning right?" I sighed and recollected, "This was while Alpha Trion led the Autobots: after Optimus became a Prime and before you fully led the Decepticons. I was an Autobot scout. We were sent into the front lines to be used as cannon fodder. My commander had forsaken my battalion and my comrades had abandoned me. I was alone and doomed. My comrades died while attempting to leave me and flee. One by one the battalion fell, but not me. I was taking down cons faster than they could be replaced. Slashing them down and quickly running to the next. As a scout I trained for speed. Of course, as you know, in age I was almost in the warrior class. You remember the ceremony we had later? I'll tell it another day. I'm getting off track. So, the barricade of cannons was piling Autobot bodies everywhere around me. There were many, almost innumerable cannons and the barrage of cannon fire was deafening. The Decepticons had taken control of one of the main armories on Cybertron. The Autobots were trying to reclaim it. I knew it wouldn't make much of a difference, but I decided to take down a cannon. I ran at it while it charged. Once it fired, I jumped out of the way and avoided the blast. I sprinted closer and chopped off the barrel. I retreated some. The Decepticons tried to use it to fire. The cannon exploded, taking out many around it. I had created a path for my teammates to slip through. But that did not matter. They were mostly dead. My unit was just one of many in a battalion and the battalion was just one of many waves sent to die. If we survived the cannons our orders were to advance and storm the compound. But, past the cannons lied an entirely different kind of hell. A wall of heavy soldiers stood between me and my goal. I was tired. The tank-like Decepticons shot at me. I avoided combat and ran to the door. A machine gun blaster-wielding con had taken definite interest in me. He took aim at me. I was hit. I was propelled off course and crashed into a wall. My ped was injured. I was in pain by just putting weight on it. I couldn't run. The Decepticon closed in. I readied myself for a last stand. He fired again. I deflected the fire with my swords. He threw his gun at my swords. The weaponry scattered. The blue con ran at me with kicks and punches. I couldn't dodge all of them. I was stricken multiple times. The Decepticon stabbed my side. I fell to the ground bleeding energon. The Decepticon didn't bother finishing me off, he grabbed his weapon and left. The Autobots couldn't get to me and they didn't care. I lay there until nightfall, trying to think about something other than my imminent demise. Funny enough, I thought about how my family had recently perished. They had joined the Allspark, and I couldn't stop thinking about how the same faction that took them away, would escort me straight to them. Then, you appeared. You walked up to me. You noticed that I was still alive. I was sure the end had come. Instead, you picked me up and carried me to your- the Decepticon's- medical bay. You argued with, and then begged the doctor to help me. You saved my life, Megatron. The next day all we did was talk. You said that you saw me fight and believed that I had potential. As was customary, I swore a life debt to you. When you asked my name I told you that I, like many others, had no official name: A stretched truth that you never questioned. You laughed when I said that my unit had given me the name: The Shadow of Death. You did not laugh because that name was preposterous. You laughed because I was silver. You explained that shadows were not silver, and that they certainly did not have finite detail outlines of red that matched both their eyes and symbol. You asked me why I only used swords. I expressed my novice skill in using guns and the Autobots unwillingness to train scouts outside of battle experience. You said that I would not need guns. You promised me that you'd always be there to protect me," I held Megatron's hand. I concluded, "I joined the Decepticons that day. I met Soundwave first, and then the others later. I fought by your side. When the party gained more power and gave the soldiers more leisure, I changed my color pattern: I replaced the silver with black. Down the lines you took over the Decepticons from the Fallen. I joined your Warriors Elite. Only later, after you promoted the others to Phase Sixers, you gave me the best possible job. You promoted me to be part of your personal taskforce," I let go of Megatron's hand. I got up, walked and stood by the door. I turned around and saluted my friend, "Thank you Megatron, for everything... I'll talk to you again tomorrow."

I left the med bay and walked over to the command center. Starscream was at the helm. Today the medic was supposed to arrive. I waited as well. A few hours later Knockout joined us.

Starscream greeted the doctor, "It's about time Knockout. I do not enjoy being kept waiting!"

Knockout sighed and shrugged off Starscream's comment, "It was a long drive Starscream," The doctor said, "I'm still picking bugs out of my grill."

Starscream turned to face the doctor. He said dissaprovingly, "Yes right, you're one of those."

Knockout looked at the Commander in surprise. He asked, "Come again?"

Starscream walked up to Knockout and looked down on him as he examined the doctor. Starscream inquisitively stated, "I never understood why any self respecting Decepticon chose automobile as his vehicle mode, when he could have flight."

Knockout said back, "I like the way I look in steel belted radiums."

Starscream glared at Knockout. I did not like the way Screamy treated the doctor.

I asked the commander, "Screamy, why are you being so racist? We are made as we are. One cannot choose if they want to fly or drive."

Starscream glared at me and questioned, "Then how Death's Shadow, can you choose between both?"

I plainly stated, "Genetics. I have a dual jointed T-cog."

Starscream walked over to Soundwave to confirm. Ignorant fool. I walked up to greet my old friend.

"Hey Knockout, it's been what? Three years? How've you been?"

Knockout smiled and answered, "I've been better. I can't believe you still call him Screamy."

I shrugged my shoulders, "You know how Starscream loves titles. He's claimed that of Lord. I still see him as a commander. I stick to Screamy because it's the safest. If I use Starscream, he'd demand I use a title. Lord would mean I acknowledge Megatron's out of commission, Commander would get me thrown into the brig."

"Geez, that seems unpleasant. I'm sorry I brought it up... Oh so many words. An annoying problem."

I shrugged again, "It's fine," I told him.

Starscream walked back over and apologized, "I'm sorry Knockout. Death's Shadow is right. You never even got the chance to experience the awesomeness of flight."

I face palmed and shook my head, "Screamy, you were so close."

Starscream remembered something. He exclaimed, "Oh, that's right! An Autobot shot down Death's Shadow recently. Knockout, you should repair her wing so that she may be able to soar again."

Can you please stop talking down to me now? It's starting to get on my nerves.

I shaded my optics with one of my servos to hide my disgust. Under my breath I exhaled, "Vector sigma. Do you really have to say things like that?"

It's bad enough you're insulting me with that blasted disgrace of a name.

Knockout heard me, but Starscream did not. All three of us walked out of the command center towards the Med Bay.

Knockout said, "I take it Lord Megatron requires a laboratory assist?"

We walked to the door to Megatron's medical room.

Starscream beat around the bush. He said hesitantly, "You might say that."

We walked into Lord Megatron's recovery room.

Knockout was surprised by Megatron's state. , "Wow, "he said with his mouth wide open.

We walked up to Megatron's bedside.

Starscream insincerely explained, "Sadly, our inevitably 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."

Knockout turned to Starscream and said, "I've done plenty of body work Starscream. But I'm better at breaking 'em than fixing 'em." Knockout sighed and stated, "It would help if I had my assistant."

Starscream responded coldly, "I summoned both of you. Where is he?"

"We were hot on a fresh energon trail when you called. Breakdown will show when he's through scouting it."

"Fine. Breakdown can go off and put my order behind his own personal wants. I'll be in the command center if anyone needs me."

Starscream left. I pointed to the monitor that displayed brainwave activity.

I asked Knockout, "Do you know what this is?"

Knockout responded as if my question were child's play, "Of course. That measures Lord Megatron's brainwave activity. It looks incredibly low."

I placed a servo on Megatron's arm and explained; "I've noticed that if you talk to Lord Megatron for enough time then—"

"The brain activity is increasing! This isn't half as bad as Starscream made it seem. Does the commander know?"

"No, "I answered. "I haven't told anyone other than you and Soundwave. I wanted to make sure it meant something first."

Knockout nodded, "This is great! Look at how it rises! Have you been doing anything to facilitate this?"

"I've been coming here everyday to tell him a story."

Knockout walked closer to the monitor to get a better look, "Remarkable," he exclaimed.

Knockout and I left Megatron to go to the Command center. When we walked in, Breakdown was talking to Soundwave and the commander. Knockout and I walked up to the group. Soundwave was showing Breakdown a picture on his face screen.

Breakdown confirmed, "Mmhm, that's definitely it."

Starscream exclaimed, "Then I'm afraid Megatron's well being will have to wait. It's harvest time!"

I laughed, "I can't believe you just said that."

Starscream questioned, "Can't believe I said what? It's an energon harvester. I was making a pun."

I stated, "Exactly. You don't make puns," I paused for a moment, "Well I guess that was why it was so awful."

Starscream asked defensively, "Then why did you laugh?"

Breakdown answered, "She's Shadow. She laughed because it was so bad."

Yes! My name! It has been so long.

Starscream became a mixture of embarrassed and annoyed. He turned around and laughed. He bragged, "Well, at least I can fly!"

Starscream turned around. He wanted to feel superior over all of us. I looked at him with a very serious look.

I smugly stated, "I was shot down. Then I fought singlehandedly against five Autobots. I drove away without a single scratch sustained in battle."

Breakdown's jaw dropped and Knockout went wide-eyed.

Breakdown exclaimed, "Wow! Shadow's still got game!"

Knockout joked, "Watch out Starscream, or Shadow might just replace you."

Starscream yelled -scared at the possibility of losing his power- "HAHA! Very funny Knockout! Now can we please just get the Harvester?"

Soundwave opened a groundbridge. Knockout, Breakdown and I walked through. We ended up a block away from the museum. We transformed into our vehicle forms and drove. Unlucky for us, the Autobots were already there.

Knockout drove up to Optimus to distract him. Next, Breakdown drove forward and fired a missile at the museum. Optimus transformed and caught the projectile. Optimus was pushed back. He managed to stop after hitting the glass of the large, front, museum window. Knockout transformed and went up to Optimus with his energon prod. Optimus exchanged glances with... The Kids! I did not want to endanger those humans. Knockout stabbed Prime with his prod. Optimus was stunned; he took a few steps forward and fell. Knockout jumped onto Prime's back and prodded his neck. Optimus was down for the count.

Breakdown accelerated toward the Autobot's fallen leader. Bumblebee and Arcee came out from the sides of the museum to help Optimus. Breakdown fired missiles at both of them. In dodging, both Autobots crashed into each other.

A swirling green vortex opened up in the middle of the parking lot and striker drove out of it. She sped to her leader and failed to wake him. Breakdown aimed at the Prime and his teammate.

Bulkhead jumped off the roof of the building and landed in front of Optimus. I don't even know how he got up there, but it was a pretty cool entrance. Bulkhead ran at Breakdown. In response, Breakdown transformed and punched Bulkhead so hard; the Wrecker flew backward into Knockout. The two projectiles smashed through the Museum's window. An alarm went off. I drove up to Knockout and transformed.

This alarm woke Optimus. Striker helped the Autobot's leader slowly rise. Knockout ran towards Prime. The doctor jumped and prepared to prod the giant midair. Optimus slapped Knockout away as if he were swatting a fly. The giant fell back down. The kids left the inside area of the museum.

I called Soundwave; "I think the kids are trying to escape with the Harvester by exiting the back of the building."

Soundwave didn't respond. I assumed he had left to grab the object. Team missions were the best. Striker started to help Optimus get back up. Behind him, I saw Soundwave fly from the building carrying the Harvester. Knockout, Breakdown and I transformed and drove away. The Autobots fired behind us and Arcee drove after us.

In the middle of the road: I transformed and drew my swords. Knockout and Breakdown stopped. Arcee transformed and fired upon me. I dodged her fire and ran at her. I slashed and propelled her backwards. She did not get back up.

I transformed back into a Lamborghini and followed Breakdown's Jeep Cherokee and Knockout's cherry red Aston Martin to the excavation site. By the time we arrived, the place was crawling with vehicons. I did not feel like fighting the Autobots again today. I found Soundwave by the outskirts watching over the entire operation.

"Soundwave," I asked him, could I please get a bridge back to the Nemesis? I don't feel much like fighting Autobots today."

Soundwave nodded and opened up a portal. Starscream walked over carrying the Harvester.

He raised his eyebrow and questioned, "What? Can the warrior not handle herself? Is she retreating already?"

"Starscream, I—"

"Starscream what?" He interrupted, "Call me by my title."

I did not respond. I walked closer to the portal and looked back at Starscream. I expected he'd have a point.

The commander sighed, "Fine," he gestured for me to go with his free hand, "Go." He looked over the area and then back at me. He shouted, "If you leave now, you'll have no claim to any of this!" He offered the land with his free hand. He continued to shout, "All this energon! This will be a win for the historical archives!"

I responded plainly, "Enjoy your victory."

I walked through the portal. Soundwave followed.