Season 2
Planet Chaar
Decepticon Capital World
…
Located well enough away from Cybertron to be considered safe, the ancient mining and manufacturing world of Chaar had been laid claim to by the Decepticons during the early years of the war, helping to supply munitions and made-to-order soldiers, and later Vehicons, to the continuously crumbling Cybertron, where few places remained that could produce such vital resources.
At the heart of the main city, a great fortress had been constructed. In fact, it had been under nearly continuous construction for the entire war, building up whenever the Autobots developed newer and more powerful invasion ships.
And in the command centre of this colossal structure, Strika had been patiently waiting for the call to come in. She had sent away the crew working here beforehand, as this transmission was for Decepticon high command only.
"What could be taking him so long? Do you think he's alright?" A red-masked mech asked nervously from a view screen, one of many that had various high-ranking Decepticons patched into the secure comm line.
"Steady yourself, Tarn. I am sure that Megatron wouldn't risk asking for this gathering if it wasn't important. He took a big enough chance when he sent out that first message, and if the Autobots couldn't trace him by that, our leader should still be fine." Strika replied, doing her best to calm the DJD commander.
"Please understand Damus, it would make logical sense that Megatron is taking his time making contact with us. He does not have the luxury of great distance between himself and the Autobots, unlike ourselves." Shockwave responded, although he was clearly busy with something else off-screen.
Soon, a new figure appeared on one of the already open view screens. The large, beastial Deathsaurus returned to view. "Apologies again. I had to take care of some business on the bridge. I hope I haven't missed Megatron?"
"No." Shockwave said, a hint of exasperation slipping through his usual monotone voice.
A few minutes more passed in silence, before a notification popped up of an incoming transmission. After a few seconds of processing, the screen flickered to life, the Decepticon leader sat at his desk.
"Greetings, Megatron. It is very good to see you again," Strika said with a slight bow.
"You as well, Strika. And as I'm sure you're wondering, your scouting party did make it to Earth. However, I regret to inform both you and Shockwave," said scientist finally snapping to attention, "that Acid Storm did not survive."
Strika couldn't help but slam her fist in a fit of rage, "It was that Arcee, wasn't it?"
"Indeed it was. He sacrificed himself protecting Airachnid and Jackson, one of our human companions, from Arcee's wrath." Megatron responded.
Megatron didn't need to wonder what was going through Shockwave's faceless mind, his body language made it apparent, and he was certain that anyone nearby would be able to feel the grief rolling off his EM field. He had been present for it once before, the sheer force of his raw emotions making him feel as though he was grieving as well. He watched as Shockwave turned away from his monitor once more, throwing himself into some project.
"It has been far too long, and we have much to discuss. Strika, report first. How fares you're end of the war?"
"All according to plan, sir. Chaar's many factories and shipyards keep the Decepticons well armed, and any attempts by the Autobots to breach the solar system have failed. I don't mean to sound overly optimistic, but I have received some estimates that, should there be no major setbacks, we might be able to produce enough warships and MTO's to begin an effective counter attack on the Autobots."
"That is, to say the least, surprising news. However, I shall take it with a grain of salt."
"Grain of salt, sir?"
"Earth expression, the local dialect seems to have affected most of us by now. However, in regards to the production of new ships..." Megatron said, typing something into his console, and appearing on screen to the rest of the gathered Decepticons was a design unfamiliar to them. "This is a quantum warp drive, similar to what gives Skywarp his special abilities. We obtained these plans from a raid on the Autobots, and believe this will help us greatly."
"Thank you, Megatron. Our scientists will have their work cut out for them, but we shall get these designs brought to life."
"You are most welcome," he replied. "Shockwave, how are our efforts going with the Velocitronians?"
"They are going nominally, lord Megatron," Shockwave said, finally turning back to the screen, speaking a more somber tone. "Some members of the local populace have been a great asset in the fortifications of the planet and its moon, and we have yet to come under any attacks from the Autobots. The planet's leader, Override, has even undergone proper initiation into the Decepticon faction. However, the population overall still stands divided on the war. She also has a message for you to pass on to someone."
"Really? What might that be?"
"She would like you to inform Knockout that he 'owes her one'."
"I see, I'll make sure that gets passed along then. Thank you, old friend." Megatron said. "Is everything alright, Deszaras? You seem distressed."
Deathsaurus was thrown off for a moment at his leader using his traditional name, hesitating before responding. "Distressed doesn't even begin to cover it, I'm afraid." He said with his head hung low. "Our fleet has been under constant threat from the Autobots, they have been chasing us across the galaxy ever since we left Cybertron. Star Saber and his fleet have dealt severe damage to us, and the gap between us shortens every day, and we have not been able to stay put for long enough to make repairs.
"However, given these new blueprints, we might have a better chance of survival should we find the time to instal them ourselves."
"I truly am sorry to hear that, but I am glad to know you are hanging in there." Megatron said solemnly. He had figured it wouldn't be all good news this meeting anyhow. "You seem tired, Deathsaurus. Go get some rest."
"I think I will, it's been long since I got any downtime. It was good to hear from you again, sir." Deathsaururs said, as they dropped their end of the call.
"You as well, Shockwave-"
"He already left the call," Strika said. "As soon as he started to cry, he dropped his end of the comm."
"Cry? As in, proper tear ducts? Has he actually gone ahead with that scheme of his to revert his impurata?"
"It worked well enough for Tarn, he supposed it could work for him. However, he thought it best to operate on himself, the mad mech."
Megatron heard a faint clunk, turning his attention to the last member he had yet to address, and saw that Tarn had taken off his mask, the young mech's face scarred from years of warfare.
"Are you alright, Damus?"
"Yes, Megatron. As fine as one can be right now, anyways."
"That's all I needed to hear. But, do tell, how goes the endeavors of the D.J.D?"
"Our relief efforts on Cybertron and surrounding planets have been going slowly as of late. It seems that the Autobots have finally strengthened their defensives, and are further cracking down on Decepticon cells still on Cybertron, so getting intel and supplies to and from them has been tricky to say the least. We haven't been able to contact Tankor and his resistance fighters in months now, but last we spoke he said that they had managed to finally sneak off the Hydrax Plateau."
"It is most unfortunate that we have lost contact with such brave warriors, but it is reassuring to know they are still holding their own. Then again, nothing short of death could ever stand in Tankor's way." Megatron said with a smirk.
"And what about yourself, how are things on 'Earth' going?" Strika asked.
"We are doing fine, at least for the time being. The local government has allowed us to operate here, so long as we remain a secret to the rest of humanity. The Autobots have been extremely persistent here, though. Prowl and Rodimus have not made it easy for us, that's for certain."
"So Optimus has sent his best after you, huh? You must feel honored." Tarn jested.
"Hm, given how our last confrontation ended, I was surprised he didn't come to fix his broken pride himself." Megatron said with a chuckle. "I'm sure you have other business to attend to, Damus, so I shall let you get back to work. I have some things to discuss further with Strika."
"Of course, Megatron. It was good to see you all again, and I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours." Tarn said, before signing off.
"So, what's this about?" Strika asked. "I'd assume anything you can tell me in private, it can't be anything good."
"Oh, on the contrary. This is about your sparkmate and his trinemates."
Strika went slack, her optics going wide. "Lugnut… you found a way to fix him and the others?"
"Yes, but you wont like it. I doubt you would even believe it, truly. Even I sometimes question it."
"Try me," she goaded.
"What would you think if I said that Unicron was involved."
"...you're bluffing. Unicron hasn't been seen since Cybertron's early days, in the Age of Forging."
"And yet, it would seem that by some cosmic coincidence, that the planet Shockwave had been testing his experiments for millenia, the one we find ourselves stranded on now, just so happens to be where the great chaos bringer lies."
"I… honestly don't know what to say. I'll take you at your word that Unicron lives, but how could a being of chaos help bring back our fallen friends?"
"By using this," Megatron said, as he held up a white glowing cube. "This is light energon, the lifeblood of Unicron. And to make a long story short, it brought Skywarp back from something that, by all accounts, should have killed him."
"Something like this sounds too good to be true. Side effects?"
"Enhancement of basic and outlier capabilities, the occasional lucid dream that feels like something sustained via hallucinogens, and a lingering connection of sorts to Unicron, but nothing we have seen indicates any explicit harm comes to those infused with it." Megatron said in a reassuring tone. "I wanted your go ahead on this one, Strika. The medical staff wont outright say it, but Lugnut, Blitzwing, and Slipstream wont last long if we just keep them in a medi-tank indefinitely."
"I appreciate you asking, but do know that being halfway across the galaxy means you are much better suited for this kind of decision making." Strika said. "So yes, do whatever you can to bring him- all of them back."
"Very well then, I shall have the medics start preparing in the morning. Just know, we will do our best to make it work." Megatron said with a relieved smile.
"Thank you, sir. Best of luck to you."
"You as well, Strika. Megatron, out."