Before time began, there was the Cube.

We know not where it came from, only that it holds the power to create worlds, and fill them with life.

That is how our race was born.

For a time, we lived in harmony. But, like all great power, some wanted it for good, others for evil.

And so began the war.

A war that ravaged our planet until it was consumed by death, and the Cube was lost to the far reaches of space. We scattered across the galaxy, hoping to find it and rebuild our home. Searching every star, every world...

And just when all hope seemed lost, message of a new discovery drew us to an unknown planet called... Earth.

But we were already too late.

Memorial Held for Victims of Devastating Attack on SOCCENT Base in Qatar

DOHA, QATAR - (AP) In a solemn scene today, hundreds gathered at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar to pay their respects to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack that devastated the Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) Forward Operations Base earlier this month. The official death toll now stands at 267, a number that includes American military personnel, civilian contractors, and Qatari locals.

The attack, which remains under investigation, reportedly involved a complex operation involving pre-planted bombs and an explosive device planted on a Sikorsky MH-53 Pave Low helicopter. The base, a crucial staging ground for anti-terror operations across the Middle East, was left in ruins.

Flags flew at half-mast across the base today as grieving families and former comrades gathered for a somber ceremony. General Glenn Morshower, the head of CENTCOM, delivered a heartfelt eulogy and honored the sacrifice of those who lost their lives in the attack.

"Today, we remember the fallen heroes who served with unwavering commitment for the cause of freedom in the global War on Terror," Morshower said. "Their sacrifice will not be forgotten, and we extend our full support to their families in this trying time." He added, further, that the United States and its allies would not be intimidated by acts of terrorist violence.

However, the memorial was disrupted when Sergeant Jack Darby, a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment, burst on stage and delivered an emotional but rambling speech toward the end of the ceremony. Darby, the only survivor of the attack, claimed he witnessed a giant, metallic figure during the assault.

"It wasn't a bomb," Darby stammered, voice wavering. "It wasn't human. It was a machine, a giant walking helicopter. It just... tore through everything."

Darby's startling claims were met with calm, sympathetic concern from military officials. "Sergeant Darby is a hero," a military spokesperson said. "We understand the toll that this event has taken on him. The road to recovery is a long one, but we shall be providing him with all the support he needs to recover and put it behind him." Last week, Sergeant Darby was awarded with the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart.

At this time, no known terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the perpetrators remain unidentified. The investigation is ongoing, with Qatari and American authorities offering a sizable reward for any information that leads to identifying the individuals or groups behind the attack. But for now, at Al Udeid Air Base, one thing is clear: the fight is far from over, and the scars of those affected will not soon heal.

Author's Note

Hi there,

I'm Rhodes. I'm a semi-professional writer and editor, and a lifelong Transformers fan with a particular fondness for the Michael Bay films. I'm not sure what to call this work beyond a reimagining/reinterpretation of what I find interesting about the Transformers universe. In that sense, it is an AU. Some of you may remember me from my previous Transformers fanfictions Crossroads and Leveller (among others!)

Don't count on any particular adherence (or, really, reverence) to any particular canon. While I will be attempting to make the 'Bayverse' more consistent and coherent, I don't consider this story a 'fix fic.' Like I said, this is a re-imagining based around a lot of the depth and subtleties hidden within the Michael Bay films (and ideas that I wish the franchise explored in more depth.) A sort of 'Bayverse 2024.'

That said, I am playing in Hasbro's universe and making use of their toy box - please don't sue me, guys. I'd like to mention a quick special thanks to the creative team involved across the series and, indeed, YOU for reading this note. I hope you enjoy this story. Feedback is always appreciated. I am also posting this story on AO3, and it would probably be best to follow it over there in the event that I forget to update both platforms.