Chapter 9

Unified Year – Nov. 23 1926 – Capital City Berun – Berun National Cathedral

Lying at the center of the city, a couple of blocks away from the Imperial Palace, stood another iconic building. The Berun National Cathedral was large, with walls adorned in white/silver paint. It was a massive building with a gorgeous, golden dome that stood magnificently against the city skyline. It was the Empire's largest church and it could house thousands of worshipers every single day.

The cathedral's dome would've been beautiful if there was a sun, but today the sky was overcast with dark, grey clouds. Rainfall hit and glided along the cathedral's dome and roof. The city was silent; however, the streets were filled with people, all wearing a black arm band on their left arm while their right arm held black umbrella protecting them from the heavy rain.

Inside the cathedral, government and military officials, both high and low ranking, were all gathered. The pews were fully occupied by them, their heads hung low. The mood inside was somber and sad.

The emperor was inside a simple, silver white coffin on the middle of the altar. Tanya and Optimus, in his human holoform, sat at the front on the left side of the cathedral. The major was silent but deep inside she was thinking hard.

The emperor is dead…what timing. I wonder who's fault was this? Tanya shifted her sarcastic eyes at the statue of the woman angel hanging above the altar. Being X's form. She glared at it with anger.

"Major, sir?"

"Nothing, Optimus." Tanya answered bluntly but softly and Optimus sighed, forlorn. The autobot then shifted his attention to the man on the right beside him. The man possessed a crisp, pulled back white silver hair style; his face was sharp and adorned with sideburns. The man's body frame was huge and muscular; his toned chest etched tightly against his empire military uniform. His sharp, red eyes stared icily at the priest as he listened to his sermons.

Optimus opened his internal comm. "You seemed to be interested listening to the gospel, Megatron," the autobot observed as the strange man grinned.

"Yes, I'm listening to his words…his gospel is full of inconsistency. The 'One' was never like that. The One will never start a genocide nor justify rape, incest, parricide, infanticide and homicide. It is all done by us, lifeforms only."

"Yes. But that's what they believed in, which is why they'd written it in the bible."

A low groan of protest escape Megatron's lips.

Optimus then turned back to the priest. The priest, the empire's cardinal, stood on the dais; speaking and shouting the holy gospel coming from the open book in font of him. "Death, is never the end! It's a part of life, a path towards heaven."

Cardinal Aloysious slowly shifted his small brown eyes and glowered at the cybertronian men.

"And if there's a path to heaven then most certainly there's a path from hell. And from there demons and jesters could come to our world."

His voice was low and almost like a warning; his words were directed towards Optimus and Megatron. So that's Aloysious; Prince Leopold keep mentioning him to me. Optimus only stared back with a thoughtful and expressionless look while Megatron's lips curved down, displease at the cardinal's message.

2 hours later – Berun National Cathedral – the Sun room

Tanya and Optimus Prime stood silently on one corner of the sun room and they watched as friends and relatives of emperor, offered condolences to Katherine. The royal princess, wearing an all-black gown, sat on a small throne with a smiling, yet a dead tired, face. Optimus could see the girl was truly devastated over what had happened.

"Katherine." The autobot whispered with worry but Tanya nudged him gently with her right elbow.

"Not now, Prime, can't you see the royal relatives are offering condolences?"

"I'm worried for her."

"Don't be. Worry for yourself, Prince Leopold is looking at you."

Optimus calmly glanced to his left and saw the prince standing beneath the portrait of the empress mother; his eyes bore burningly at him as if he was a dangerous creature. The autobot made a half bow and looked at Megatron. The tyrant was standing in front of a portrait of an Angel and the Devil.

The angel was pointing at the blue sky and was looking to his left where the Devil, with a mocking grin, was standing. The fingers of the devil were pointing down towards a boiling lake. "Heh, the devil is still the worst hmm?"

"Enjoying the art, Megatron?"

Megatron side-glanced at Optimus. "No, I don't know how to enjoy art. All I know is that human's paint if they want to express something. I wonder how?"

The two warriors stood awkwardly for a moment in silence as the exchange of grievances to Princess Katherine continued in the background. The rain continue hitting the windows of the room in a soft, pit-patering pattern, making the room feel cold and sad.

"Say, Optimus…about the things that I've done. Do you think I could be forgiven?"

The question made Optimus look fast at him; the autobot was mildly startled. Megatron glanced down at the marble floor and sighed deeply.

It was disappointment, and somehow fear, that Optimus felt in his voice. "Megatron—I—"

Optimus was about to answer but then the princess's footman suddenly announced: "The royal audience is now over. Please make room for the Empire's sovereign princess!" The small, noble crowd, made a synchronized graceful bow to Princess Katherine, Prince Leopold and Cardinal Aloysious before they all left the room.

After the last of the esteemed mourners exited, the door slowly closed. Silence enveloped the whole room again and the remaining six occupants.

"Tanya, my friend, and Optimus. I'm so glad that you're all here." Princess Katherine stood from her throne; her face regained a light color of brown as a faint smile formed on her thin lips. The three knelt before her.

"Good morning, Your Majesty, Empress Katherine. Though it mayn't be a good time, I come bearing good news. I received the news from Brigadier Gen. Rudesdorf. St. Northusburg is now under our control. Most of the Russy's important communist party members have been killed. The remaining government officials will certainly raise their flag of defeat," Major Tanya reported and it was replied to with a large, strong, clapping sound coming from Cardinal Aloysious.

The old cardinal brushed some dust off his elegant white robe. "Splendid! At least communism is dead," he said with an arrogant tone.

"Good work, Lady Tanya! Dear sister, why don't we promote the major into a brigadier general?"

And live with a heavy debt under you? No fragging thank you! Tanya lowered her head and grunted inaudibly. She was about to voice out a protest; however, Optimus looked at Katherine and smiled with sympathy.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid…communism might not end with Russy's defeat."

His words earned a small gasp of shock from the empress while the cardinal and Prince Leopold glowered with scorn at the autobot. The empress tilted her head in bewilderment.

"Why did you say that?"

"Because communism, like democracy, is born out of ideas and ideas can't be killed. I'm afraid someone will make a martyr out of Comrade Gen. Secretary Josef…and that will reignite the ideology once more."

"Nonsense!" Cardinal Aloysious thundered and stood in front of Optimus. "If that is so, then we will kill them and you'll be the one who'll do it for us!" he berated with aloof tone.

"Heh, and then you'll use Optimus again when they declare war against the Empire? So typical. You're just like those cybetronian Guild Masters and Councilors before."

The old cardinal darted to the third man; his undignified words had struck a nerve. "You-who the hell are you?"

Megatron rose from kneeling, stretched his back uncaringly first, before he spoke. "I am Megatron, leader of the decepticons before."

De-Decepticons! Empress Katherine took a small step back, shocked at the man's introduction.

"You mean, the Galactical Tyrant-who devoured black holes like candy and ate children?!" Prince Leopold dashed behind his sister and looked at him with fearful disgust.

Devour black holes…eat children- what in Primus's name are they talking about? Megatron scoffed off the ridiculous titles and proceed.

"There is one thing you can do however, princess." Megatron move away, ignoring the cardinal's ugly frown, and towered in front of the empress. Katherine looked up at the towering tyrant with unease. "Listen to your conscious and to your people. Tend to their needs. You're not just the empress…you're the mother and father of the Empire."

Oh…I am wrong again. Empress Katherine looked down; Megatron's words had caught her off guard and she was very much at lost. The dime novel and magazines that she'd read before always pertained the cybertronian tyrant to be a monster of nightmares. Yet he'd just given her a good advice. Embarrassed laughter escaped her lips.

"Hmm? Oh is that funny?" Megatron asked but Katherine controlled her laughter.

"I'm sorry, I'm guess I'm wrong about you. Those dime novels and magazines really…I would like to know you more, Megatron." Empress Katherine took his right hand and kissed it. Megatron's brown-toned face reddened while the cardinal and Prince Leopold gasped in horror.

"Your Highness-"

"Sister, you can't be serious! This man is volatile evil and Satan incarnate himself-"

"Zip it, kid." Megatron grinned viciously, showing rows of sharp teeth and making the other two gasp again in fright.

Oh boy. And here I was thinking that he'd behave properly this time…Optimus sighed defeatedly while Tanya giggled softly. She was relishing the stupid reactions of the two.

Berun National Cathedral – (2 hours later)

Optimus, Tanya and Megatron sat on the right pew of the mega cathedral. The place was still filled with royal noblemen, politicians and both high and low ranking military officials. None of them had left yet for the next ceremony that will take place was the most important part of the day.

"Hm, did I overstepped my boundary earlier?" Megatron asked out of simple curiosity, making Optimus's brow furrow as he rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Yes, Megatron. It's a good thing that the cardinal didn't slap you." Optimus made an amused smile.

"Clearly, you've did some numbers on them." Tanya then cast her cautious eyes at him and continue to warn him: "If you ever do that again, I'll kick your ass," she declared in a low warning voice but the former tyrant only shrugged at her.

"Well, he was rude to me and to Optimus and he didn't even ask if you were alright. That skirmish should have an impact on your psyche, you know."

That's because he wasn't in the military. Of course he wouldn't care…but. "He's a civilian, of course he wouldn't care about me or any of the soldiers that were killed in St. Northusburg." Tanya reasoned out and fixed her pointed cap. "Though I have to admit you're correct," she added in a hushed tone and it made Megatron grin.

The door suddenly opened and the mood went still. Solemnity returned to the cathedral as Cardinal Aloysious walked down the aisle. He held a large bible which he raised up and proclaimed the word of God. "Bow down to the crowned prince!" he announced as Prince Leopold entered and trailed behind the cardinal.

The prince showed off a smug smile; his small crown glinted brightly under the sun's ray. The people knelt on the pews in order to respect the prince. He then looked around, beaming his uncaring, handsome smile, until he saw Megatron. His smile disappeared and a frown flashed on his face, for the tyrant had given him a dark grin.

"Bow down to the Crowned Princess!" Aloysious announced. Again, this time Megatron's grin changed into a pensive smile as Princess Katherine entered. The choir played a classical royal welcoming piece; the princess was wearing a beautiful white gown with silver ornaments hanging by her chest and waist. Her blonde hair was tied up by a red ribbon with a red rose. She glowed immaculately and her divine sight made some of the noblemen cry or lightly touch the helm of her white gown.

She's treated like a goddess. That's good. Megatron smirked and lowered his head. The woman was emitting a strong appeal and he felt it; he knew she would be a good leader, which was what the Empire needed.

The princess knelt in front of the altar, bending her upper body down and kissing the marble floor. She acknowledged that she was an earthly human and all human beings will return to earth once they die. She then clasped both of her hands in her chest and bowed her head down in front of the holy woman angel above her, signifying her humbleness as a servant to the Lord and to the Empire. Cardinal Aloysious walked and stood in front of her; in his hands was the large crown of the country.

The crown was silver and beautiful. There were no gems or crystals on its surface and yet it still emitted a powerful aura of authority and order.

"With this crown, the Lord, the Empire and the People, acknowledge you: Katherine von Hildenburg Craverette; as our beloved empress. May God bless the empress and all who serve under her!"

With the announcement, the people clapped their hands and Katherine, now the empress, stood from the ground and cast a dignified serene smile on them all.

"With this crown and the blessings that the Lord bestows upon me," she spoke and slowly opened her arms to the air, "with the power and support that the People of this land given to me... I promise, as your empress, that I shall end all wars! No more children without parents, no more chaos that disturbs peace. I shall lead the Empire to the new Era of Unity and I shall unite every country in the entire world, till all are one!"

Outskirts of Berun City – Near Imperial Airforce Base

After the coronation the three soldiers immediately leave. The limousine car drove silently across the road on the outskirt of the capital city. Inside, Tanya and Optimus sat together across from Megatron, who was currently looking out the window. The rain had stopped and the overcast cloud parted revealing the sun that was already setting making the sky glowed in deep red-orange.

I never realized how beautiful the sunset is. He admired the myriad of different shades of orange across the sky. Optimus observed his reactions and immediately noticed the difference of his attitude. The Megatron that I knew would never admire such trifling colors.

The autobot thought hard before he asked: "Megatron, where were you all through those years?"

Tanya made a leery side-glanced at the autobot before she stared back at Megatron again.

"I…was in space. It will be a long explanation," the tyrant answered weakly and smiled at him.

"You need not to worry, Megatron. You've all the time in the world," Tanya said with hardened tone as the car shook and entered the air force field.

What do you mean by that? Megatron stared at her with his inquisitive red eyes. However, he noticed that two were silent and were both looking out of the window.

Megatron looked outside and his eyes widened in shock.

The old Tyrant's Cybertronian body was kneeling outside; both of his upper limb were raised and held by a thick titanium chains that were supported by a pair of large crane. The panels on his chest was also opened, exposing the Matrix of Leadership to the world.

"Wh—what-!?" But I left my body inside the hangar, together with Optimus's—Other than the chains, rows and rows of Aerial Mage Battalion from different divisions surrounded his body, their rifles were loaded, locked on his Matrix of Leadership and ready to fire.

"Optimus-!"

"I'm sorry, my friend." Megatron slowly shifted his surprised eyes at Optimus, whose face showed a sad and despairing frown. A look of regret was displayed there and Megatron immediately realized what was happening now. The car came into a halt and the door on Megatron's side opened. The old tyrant grunted in anger and immediately jumped outside.

He ran for short second and stopped in front of his hulking cybtertronian body. "What's the meaning of this-is this really necessary?" he asked in a deep, furious tone. After all the help and support that he had given, he didn't like what the humans were doing to him right now.

"It is necessary," a cold voice said behind him and he turned around. Lt. Colonel Rerugen fixed his glasses over his serious eyes. Megatron scowled and walked towards him.

"Do you have any idea what you're doing, boy?"

"Its nothing but a simple security measure, Megatron." Tanya answered and stood beside Rerugen. "By the way, did Prime tell you that our computation jewels are made from raw energon? Which means, in some way, our body is capable of channeling the energon's power and we can inflict damage to your body…and probably your ship."

The Nemesis!? "Major Tanya…are you betraying me?"

"This isn't a betrayal, Megatron." Optimus walked towards him. "I just want to make sure that you'll tell nothing today but the absolute truth."

Optimus…so you don't trust me after all. The anger in Megatron's eyes disappeared and was replaced by a hurtful look. He thought he was already forgiven by Optimus; however, he completely realized what was happening right now and the autobot had planned it all from the beginning.

A sad smile spread across his lips. "So our relationship is no longer reparable?"

A disheartened sigh escape Optimus's lips. I wanted to trust you, my friend. "No, it can still be…just tell me the whole truth. Why do you have a second Matrix of Leadership in your body? Where were you all this time? And why do you have three thousand and five hundred vehicons at your disposal?"

Questions poured out of Optimus and Megatron felt uncomfortable with it. His brain module rummaged for an honest answer.

"I believe I should be the one that will interrogate Megatron, Optimus," Tanya said with a frustrated voice. The major had observed the autobot's desperation and she knew he had feelings for the other. Interrogations don't need feelings…really. The major then pointed at the main building of Air Force Base.

"There's an interrogation room in the Air Force Base HQ. We'll continue there." Tanya cast a warning glare at Optimus and then to Megatron. "Megatron, I've instructed Serebryakov to hijack your Nemesis ship. The Aerial Mage Battalion are equipped with computation jewels and they are ready to fire under my command. We also know the weak points of your cybertronian body."

I know what you're saying, little major. "I get it. You will kill me the moment that I tell a lie, am I right?" Megatron watched as a wicked grin spread across her face.

"The moment that you tell a lie, a signal will be sent from me to Serebryakov; she will then detonate the bomb that my battalion has implanted in your ship's engine and fuel room. And by the way…Grimlock is too friendly," Tanya said and Optimus made a dispirited expression while Megatron cursed under his breath.

Grimlock…the two thought in unison, disappointingly.

Near the Empire Eastern Front Border – NEMESIS

"And that is the security and weapons control system, you can disable absolutely everything from that console!" Grimlock proudly finished as he and Serebryakov exited the room.

Whoa…it's so huge in here! The young 1st lieutenant looked around and felt awe. After the St. Northusburg ordeal, Major Tanya and Optimus Prime had instructed them to board the Nemesis.

All of them were either shocked or startled at the first time after they'd ever boarded the alien spacecraft. It was truly out of this world. I just hope Wustemann and the others are ok in the infirmary.

"Are you worried about your comrades?" Grimlock stopped and leaned down towards the girl; his concerned optics stared at her.

"Yeah…I mean, we've been through a lot," Serebryakov spoke and her words floated; she looked down to her hands and for moment she saw them stained with blood. After she blinked, it was gone. Grimlock noticed her action and it worried him more.

"Your-comrades will be fine-! Swoop and my buddies are good at repairing- er, healing human bodies!"

A light laugh escape Serebryakov's lips. The tense mood quickly dissipated and the two resumed walking.

The door of the bridge whisked open and Serebryakov stood in awe. The whole room was like Berun's National Cathedral; the sunset's light reflected from large windows and cast an ethereal glow over the room. Clouds brushed by as the ship moved. She saw some vehicons standing by their places in front of their consoles. Shockwave, the automata from earlier, was also in there. He was standing on the starboard side and was looking down at the landscape below.

Serebryakov shifted her eyes to the port side and saw another alien automata. He was the same height as Shockwave but his back was large because he had a pair of aircraft wings attached to it.

"Grimlock, good that you're here." The alien automata turned around and cast his curious red optics at Serebyrakov.

His voice sounds funny. "Oh touring the humans? So now you're a tourist guide, Grimlock?" Starscream said and Grimlock laughed heartily.

"Oh, I just making sure she would be relaxed! Starscream, the ordeal they suffered earlier was very…traumatic."

"Of course, who wouldn't be traumatized after being attacked by 100 crazy divisions of Russy Soldiers." Starscream glanced at her and then made a calm smile. "It's a good thing that we'd arrived early and that you had a very strong leader."

Yeah…Major Tanya is that strong, Serebryakov thought with confidence and remembered what the major had told her before she boarded this ship.

"Lt. Serebryakov, I intercepted an incoming message from Major Tanya," Shockwave said and stood beside Starscream. From the major? The young lieutenant quickly pressed her comms. "Major, sir! This is Lt. Serebyrakov."

"At ease, Serebryakov. Where are you now?"

"We are nearing the Eastern Border, sir."

"Good. Unfortunately, you need to stay there for a little while. The comms in the eastern front are currently suffering from a blackout. The whole comm line is down. If one of the infantry soldiers below sees the Nemesis, it might cause a panic. A friendly fire would most likely occur."

Oh, and at this time... Serebryakov sighed and saluted. "Yes, major. I shall tell them this."

The comms were cut and the lieutenant immediately reported the major's message.

"Oh, we need to stop? Well, that will be fine," Starscream understood the cause of the delay.

"Stopping is very logical. Our cloaking system consume more energon and could cripple the ship's propulsion and flotation system."

Yikes we could crash then, Serebryakov thought and shivered.

"I'm really sorry about this. The major and Optimus need to be flown back to the Empire first. If she's there, she could grant us access." -since most within the military force seem to support her.

"That's very understandable. Meggy is with them anyway, Serebryakov. Your Emperor just died right? Poor sod." Grimlock nodded in condolence as Serebryakov smiled. "Well, he was very respected."

She laughed for a bit but then Shockwave appeared beside Starscream again and reported: "I receive an intercom message. Lieutenant Weiss want to see you, Sererbyakov. Your war prisoner is getting lively."

At the mention of the prisoner, Serebryakov's face became serious. The cheery mood had disappeared from her expression.

"I understand. I have to go."

Grimlock noticed her sudden change of mood and he knew something was wrong. "Can I come with you?" the dinobot asked but the girl shook her head.

"I'll be fine, trust me."

"Then I will come with you," Strascream said and the former decepticon moved forward before he added: "I have the only keys to the brig cell, so I need to come with you…and besides, I'm a bit curious on your human prisoner's status."

He grinned evilly and let out a small, dark chuckle. Grimlock's blue optics hardened at his reaction but Serebryakov just offered a welcoming smile at him.

"Then please lead me there again, Sir Starscream."

Serebryakov and Starscream walked along the wide corridor. She could see Weiss and a single vehicon standing in front of the cell where the war prisoner was kept. The vehicon saluted to Starscream while Weiss glanced at the door cautiously.

"He was hitting his head on the metal wall for quiet some time. He might die along the way."

I just wished he would. Serebryakov's blue eyes darkened. Her heart pumped loudly inside her chest. Explosions of emotions erupted inside of her and she was trying so hard to keep them bottled all up.

"It's ok. I will take care of him." She cast an assuring smile and then looked up to Starscream. The decepticon put his right servo on the pad beside the door and it softly whisked and opened.

Serebryakov entered with Starscream trailing closely behind her. The door closed behind them and the 1st lieutenant stopped to watch the prisoner, sitting and swaying crazily on the metal floor like a poor wounded animal. The soldier gritted her teeth at the disgusting sight.

"Loria, what's your problem?" she asked in a dark tone as Loria, the once former head of NKVD, stopped and slowly cast a maddened eyes at her.

"Oh if it isn't another girl soldier. Just my lucky day!" Loria laughed amuck, his swaying increasing.

He doesn't have a country anymore. Calm yourself. Serebryakov calmly sighed and tried to smile, hiding her fear. "If you behave, the Empire will treat you well. You have the right to trial for your war crimes."

Loria stopped and slowly he tilted his head after he heard what she said. The man stood up showing his clothes that were already dirty, tattered and torn. He slowly walked forward and the light above him shone brightly against his bald head. The 1st lt.'s eyes widened in horror.

There was a large fresh scar on Loria's head, his left eye was missing, and his cheek held a wide gash that ran across his mouth. She took a step back and felt Starscream's right foot behind her.

"Swoop and Sludge had found him lying on the street. He came from the warship Virov. The one that Devastator threw…are you, perhaps, scared?" Starscream looked down and asked with concern. The 1st lieutenant shook her head and took a step forward.

"Is there any problem? Loria?"

"Your accent. Russy, isn't it?" Of course he would know. Serebryakov blinked, puzzled to what he said.

"Yes-?"

"Then you're a deserter, is it? Tell me your full name, girl."

What's his problem? She felt something bad was going to happen. "My full name is Viktorya Ivanovna Serebryakov. Any problem with that?" Serebryakov asked sternly and crossed her arms over her chest.

Loria stood in silence. The girl could see that the old man was remembering something from the back of his head. His eyes, cold and calculating, were locked into her and suddenly he burst into a frenzied laughter. "Oh I remember now. Your blue eyes are a dead giveaway! Do you still remember your precious grandpa Ivan Ivanovna?!"

Serebryakov's heart skipped a beat. Her hand fell to her side and began to shake uncontrollably. Starscream noticed it and he saw that she was frozen with fear. I wonder what's happening? He watched the girl with questioning and anticipating red optics.

"How—how did you know my Grandpa's-"

"It's because we caught him before, together with your father! I was in charge in Moskva purge back when we are rounding up the royal supporters!" Loria spit blood on the ground and giggled. "Oh, I remember that time when we round them up on the wall of the People's Palace. It was the Tsar's palace back then."

Stop…please…! Serebryakov looked down, stumbling backward only to hit Starscream's right leg. Memories of her childhood flooded painfully inside her mind.

Loria noticed her reaction and it made him grin more. "Oh, I also remember the time when I started firing at the people tied on the wall by chains! The smell of the rifle was so enticing-and your Poor Grandpa and your father were lying on the ground, bodies riddled with holes, faces bloodied and bashed into a pulp. Ha—such beautiful times-"

"DAMN YOU!" the emotions flooded out of her heart. Her scream echoed hard like a sad wolf crying into the endless night. Serebryakov lunged herself at the old man. The two fell on the floor with a loud thud and the girl pulled Loria's head and smashed it right on the floor. She repeated it, again and again, and each time that she hit Loria's head on the floor she howled more, as she exerted all of her strength to kill the man who murdered her dear father and her grandfather.

And then a loud bang cut short through the room.

"That's quite enough, Serebryakov," Starscream said; he'd seen everything and it was enough. "Inflict more injury and I would report you to Major Tanya, is that clear?" the decepticon said with confident tone. Serebryakov stared at him and then life returned to her eyes and she began to realize what had just happened.

"I-" She darted to Loria. The old man groaned heavily through his broken lips and nose. "I-I—I don't-"

"No need to explain. I know what you'd felt," Starscream said and this time an almost kind and understanding smile spread on his lips. "He toyed with you and your precious feelings for your father and grandfather. If you give in more to hate…to revenge…you will lose them again," he said the words and Serebryakov felt that it wasn't just directed to her. But sadness enveloped her heart and she began to cry.

"I'm sorry. I got lost again…in anger." She took a mouthful of breath and then tried to smile. "I'll smile…grandpa Ivan said—if you're angry just smile and all will be gone."

Starscream didn't answer but he put his right servo down and opened it around the sad soldier. "I want to give you a hug but…Soundwave is still working on my human avatar. So please, pour every one of your insufferable emotions into my hand."

A gentle joking smile formed on his grey face again and the girl didn't answer him. She only put her left cheek in his right index servo and felt the warmness of the cybertronian seeker. My Dedushka and Pap…so warm. She smiled in comfort.

"Heh, so disgusting." The mood was cut after Loria spit again on the floor. Starscream and Serebryakov paused and cast a glare at the man as if he was the most vile object in the entire ship.

"As for you, I want you to shut up. The dogs of the Empire will take care of you," Serebryakov said without faltering in her voice. Fear was long gone from her expression; what was there now was a calm and calculative face.

"Bah! Even if I'm put on trial, I'm sure someone within the Empire would rescue me."

The two paused in their track and Serebyrakov turned around again. His words had struck something inside her. "We'll hunt down your spy ring, Loria," she said and the old man let out a loud maddened cackle.

"I'm not talking about those fools…I'm talking about the Empire's biggest traitor!"

Serebyrakov wanted to asked more but the former NKVD chairman laughed insanely and it irritated her. She looked down and walked towards the door. "I think I've had enough of that wretched scrapmeat, Starscream."

Starscream agreed, he too couldn't stand the crazy cackle. "Indeed. Let's go out and we'll just report everything to the major and to Optimus."

Berun National Cathedral – Grotto of the sleeping Dragons

Beneath the massive cathedral of Berun was the Grotto of the Fallen Dragons. It was a large underground network of small chapels and tombs dedicated to Empire's long gone royal nobles and emperors. The Empire's emperor bears the title of the Dragon, the Empire's national animal, for it was the symbol of the Imperial family and so the design of every tombs and chapels inside the grotto always bore the figure of the dragon- and that included the tomb Emperor Walpurgos. A large dragon with its wings spread, as if it would take flight anytime, was sitting on top of it and below its monstrous mouth, sitting right below it, were two people.

"Those wretched alien automata, they're against God's creation!" Prince Leopold crunched the rose in his left hand. "They're not sent by God, they're clearly the demons. They're just waiting for a time to strike and they'll take over the throne!" he berated in bitter tone.

The cardinal, however, only stared at him with mild interest. A wicked grin spread on his lips.

"But your sister clearly supports him-"

"My sister shouldn't be wearing my Papa's crown. It's mine! I'm the man here!"

Cardinal Aloysious's grin only widened demonically. "You're right. You're certainly right. Your sister was the first woman empress ever simply because she is the eldest. However, her rule could become short-lived."

Prince Leopold threw a confused look his way, but the cardinal only continued.

"She was clearly seduced by that titan automata, which means her judgement is clouded. If I rally some of the best people against her, we could easily overthrow her."

"How-we're not talking about killing her, right?"

"Oh goodness gracious no! No human bloods will be shed, your Highness." Cardinal Aloysious shook his head wildly before he proceeded. "Only the blood of Optimus Prime and his infernal friend Megatron. All I need to do…is to crumble the Empire."

That was brutal…but "How's that gonna make me a king?" the prince asked in a stupefied and perplexed manner. But the cardinal only cast a mysterious grin and said to him with confidence:

"You need not worry. God will work for us. He has plans for all of us in the end."

Imperial Airforce Base – Interrogation Room no. 1

Megatron sat on a metal chair in front of a white table. The former tyrant stared at Optimus, who was standing at the corner of the room with sincere eyes. He softly breathed the air, feeling its coldness before a loud clearing of throat cut the peace.

"Megatron, why did you change your avatar?" lt. Col. Rerugen asked in a deadpanned tone. Megatron shifted his red eyes at him.

"Ever since I landed here on earth, on the Russy Feds land, I donned the mask of Joel Miller. I donned it for two straight years. I've simply had enough with that man's face. I've earned too many bad and degrading memories regarding that avatar."

Two years? he's been here for too long? Then why did the One didn't say anything to me? Optimus thought hard but Tanya then quickly asked. "How did you leave during those times? You need to have a good disguise in order to live under the communist's radar."

"My friends, Shockwave and Soundwave, helped in my preparation. They spied for me and I spied back for them. We gathered many intelligence resources regarding Russy and its allied countries."

The word made Rerugen shifted his head to him. A mild interest showed in his eyes as he fixed his glasses.

"Well then, how should we believe you? Optimus said you're a warlord and murderer."

The lt. Colonel's words seemed to strike a nerve inside the tyrant. Megatron felt disturbed; his red eyes softened and glanced at Optimus as if he was hoping that the autobot would believe the words that he will say next.

"We were saved by the One…by God. And he sent me here on this world to aide Optimus in his quest."

That again. Tanya's right brow flicked in irate. I knew it, Being X was behind this shit-show! "Hoh-it seems Angels do fall from the sky, lt. Col." Tanya stood up from her seat and walked over to the right of Megatron. Then, the major took out her small handgun and pointed it at the tyrants' right temple.

"Major-!"

"Stay out of this, Optimus." Tanya warned and her right index finger grasped the trigger. "Now then…will you start telling the truth, you monster?" she whispered harshly into his right ear.

"I understand you won't die if your human avatar was killed." Rerugen fixed his glasses again. He was not scared or even fazed as to what the major was doing. He then added: "But I believe it would send a lot of pain to your 'Brain Module'."

"Yes. It would be like hangover but very uncomfortable." He glanced at Optimus and smirked with peace. "I have no physical proof to the truth of my story…all I want from you three is to listen to me. It would be a waste of bullet if you would shoot me," Megatron stated in an orderly and tranquil manner. The major shrugged and put her gun back before she sat again on her chair.

He really did change, Optimus only stared in surprise.

The Megatron that he knews so much had changed into something that he couldn't recognized anymore. The former decepticon leader unbutton his military shirt uniform and let the cold air come in. "That's much better…now then, do you want to hear my side? Will you lend me your ears just for a couple of hours?"

Tanya and Rerugen looked at each other and reached an answer.

"Entertain us then, Megatron," Tanya said as she crossed her legs and took a sip of her hot chocolate drink.

Woo-Hoo! new chapter! I would like to thank the readers who gave time to read my fanfic. And super thanks for those who like it!

So what's in this chapter! Well...Optimus and Megatron were back! But the two needs compromise from their past! Will their relationship be fixed in the end or will another fallout occur again?

The Empire has now a new empress but it looks like the shadow that she'd cast had brought more traitor to her doorsteps! What was the Cardinal Planning and why would be the prince be ever part of it?

And now that the Nemesis is here, the war on Tanya's world has finally shifted drastically! Now what will happen to the Major?

Stay tuned folks! Thinker out!

Disclaimer: I do not own Youjo Senki anime and the cartoon Transformers Prime. All names and places are fictional, if one exist in real life then its purely coincidence.

Special thanks to dropout-Ninja for beta reading! You're cool man!