Hello all. I wish to apologize in advance. I didn't plan on this chapter turning into a marathon but I had so much detail I wanted to include. In regards to the first part, again I haven't been in a psychologists' office in years so I can't vouch for authenticity. In any event, I hope you enjoy this newest chapter.
Rung looked at the young Maximal laid out on his couch and steepled his fingers. He'd had sessions with all the Maximals, save Jack and Vince. The former was now in for his session and Rung hoped he'd be able to help. While Jack seemed fine on the surface, but his own discreet observations pointed to a serious problem.
"Good morning, Jack, may I call you Jack?" At his patients' nod he smiled. With how often some Cybertronians changed designations, it was always a good practice to ask. "You've had a very busy couple of months. How have you been holding up?" He asked.
"I'm fine." Jack said with closed eyes, not noticing Rungs wince. "I haven't been having as many nightmares and my training's been going well." Jack didn't want to mention that while the number had gone down, the content had changed drastically. Sometimes he'd be back in Knockouts' lab, others he'd be watching Airachnid killing Arcee and Miko while he was webbed up. Then there were the ones where he was just reliving memories of near misses.
"Jack, can I be honest with you?" Rung asked.
"Of course, doctor."
Rung sighed. "I've been watching all of you since I arrived, and in your case, I've noticed that you spend a lot of time in beast mode. In most cases you spend the most time in bot mode when you have something happening in front of you. Otherwise, you're in lion mode."
"I'm just trying to feel more at home in my new body, in both forms. Besides, in most cases my beast mode is better suited for combat." Jack defended.
"Fair enough." Rung replied. "However, from what I've noticed you seem to be spending more and more time in beast mode." When Rung first arrived Jack only spent some of the day adapting to his new beast mode. However, as time went on it was increasing more and more. It skyrocketed after his and Arcees' encounter with Airachnid. He was even starting to sleep in lion mode more often than not.
Jack let out a sigh. "Honestly doctor, it's not so much I'm more comfortable as a lion, it's the fact that I'm more capable in beast mode."
"How so Jack?"
"Well, my senses are a lot stronger first off. I may not have Vinces' level of hearing but I can usually tell when one of the bots or my mom is checking in on us. Then there's the fact my teeth and claws are my more reliable weapons." He replied. While his whip was powerful, his aim wasn't as accurate as he'd hoped.
"So, you feel stronger and more capable in beast mode?"
"That, and." Jack hesitated a bit before continuing. "And I can't help feeling like if I'd been in beast mode Airachnid wouldn't've been able to sneak up on us. We got captured and Miko got poisoned because I was careless. If I'd been in beast mode, I might have heard or smelled her coming." He admitted.
"Jack. I've known about Airachnid for millennia." Rung consoled. He had a feeling that this might be part of the problem. "At one point during the war for Cybertron, she managed to sneak through our base while Blaster was stationed there, and even he didn't hear her until it was too late."
"Maybe." Jack conceded. "But it still happened. Just like on the beach, I should've been able to sense that Rampage was in the water with us. Preferably before he got between us and the shore." He rebutted.
Rung raised a brow. "I think you're expecting too much from your new body Jack." He replied earnestly. "Despite what some might say you are no more a lion than I am a Decepticon. You haven't got a 'Spidey sense' so to speak."
Jack pinched the bridge of his nose. "That sure would've come in handy." He lamented.
"Maybe." Rung conceded. "Now, I did some reading on how you came to be Maximals, and some of my sessions with the others confirmed it. You, Miko, and Rafael were kidnapped by the Decepticons. Soundwave in particular, correct?"
"Yeah." Jack confirmed with a wince. He hated thinking about how the they'd been caught off guard like that.
"You three were caught off guard and had something horrible happen to you." Rung continued, hitting the nail on the head. "Then you were caught off guard again when Airachnid ambushed and poisoned the two of you."
He took a deep breath. "I think the real reason you're spending so much time in beast mode is because you feel responsible for those events and feel you could have done something to prevent them. You stay in that form so much because its' senses are stronger and you won't be taken off guard again."
Jacks' silence confirmed Rungs' observations.
"Alright." Rung said, looking Jack in the eye. "Let's go over these events in reverse order. You blame yourself for not noticing Airachnid when she snuck up on you three. Honestly, Arcee had just told you about being transgender and you had just met Cyclonus for the first time. That would distract anyone."
At Jacks' confused look, Rung continued. "Arcee came to see me after that debacle and told me about it." He thought for a second. "She honestly blamed herself for the two of you being poisoned." He smiled. "She was actually impressed on how you were willing to put your life in danger, by putting off your transfusion, for Miko."
"Arcee blamed herself for-?"
"Let's just say that I don't think any of you came out of that altercation thinking clearly." Rung explained. Thankfully he'd been able to talk Arcee out of her guilt relatively quickly. He had a feeling her partner wouldn't be so easily persuaded. He'd also helped Miko over her feelings of stupidity over forgetting that she could teleport.
"Now, as far as the ambush on the beach is concerned." He took a breath. "You do know that Starscream, Rampage, and the other Predacons snuck up on not only you and the Maximals, but Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus as well."
Jack started. He honestly forgot about that. He'd been so focused on Rampage that he'd forgotten that there were three other cons in play that day. Not to mention that the goal for the day had been to relax.
"Alright, but what about Doubledealer? And what happened to my mom?" He asked. Part of him still felt stupid for not noticing something off about the con bot earlier. Let alone his guilt for what he believed his part was in his mom now having to live on the base.
Rung grimaced. "All of us were tricked by him Jack, Optimus included. And Magnus had been in contact with him as Dealer for centuries without catching on. Ultimately, that's more on us than you. And I've dealt with more than a few government operatives on Cybertron, if I were to hazard a guess Simmons would've tried something similar once he found out you three were all connected to the Autobots anyway."
"Finally." Rung continued. "When the three of you were captured by Soundwave you hadn't heard anything from the Autobots in over a week. You had no reason to believe you could be in danger. And besides, if Megatron did order your capture, it would've only been a matter of time before Soundwave found you."
"Then why do I feel so guilty?" Jack growled. He couldn't figure out why he felt so bad.
"My professional opinion? You've always felt a strong need to be responsible, to be there for those around you. I'm only guessing but when those you love and care about are hurt around you, you feel sever guilt at being unable to help them. Regardless of your own condition." Rung spoke.
At Jacks' nod he continued. "Your desire to stay in beast mode more often is a side effect of this, you believe it's stronger and therefore more capable of responding to these situations. However, situations like those happen in both war and everyday life sometimes, and as much as you may disagree, you're not used to them yet."
Jack sat up and put his head in his hands. "What do you suggest then doctor." He sighed.
"Just remind yourself of this simple fact." Rung explained. "No matter what happens, no one can do everything, and you do all that you can. Use that as a reaffirmation and focus on that, and from there you can begin the healing process."
The session was interrupted. "All Autobots report to the space bridge staging area." Came the voice of Ultra Magnus.
Rung and Jack got up. "Just remember that affirmation Jack. No matter what happens." With that the two ran to the lift and headed to the space bridge control center.
Upon entering the control center, Jack joined the other Maximals. Miko ran up to him. "Hey jackrabbit, how'd it go with the doc?"
Jack gave her a peck on the lips. "It went well enough; I'll tell you later." He turned to Optimus and Magnus at the display.
"Autobots, Maximals, human allies." Optimus began. "We have recently been informed that Shockwave has set up a lab complex in the American Appalachian Mountains. We have reason to believe he is using the fossils previously recovered to clone more Predacons as well as augment more Vehicons into 2.0 Predacons."
He turned to a secondary screen. "Cosmos, report in." Optimus ordered.
Miko smirked a little at the mention of the little green space bot. With his alt mode so closely resembling a flying saucer she convinced him to buzz by Roswell New Mexico. The fallout from that prank had been well worth the tongue lashing in her opinion.
"Reporting sir." Came Cosmos' Spanish sounding voice, augmented with slight echo. "The location of the laboratory is confirmed. The original Predacon has been sighted entering and exiting. Additionally, I have spotted Vehicon patrols in the surrounding areas."
Ultra Magnus called them all back to attention. "To take this facility, we will have four teams. The first two will be preforming a pincer movement on the labs' two main entrances here, and here." He placed a red dot on two spots at the base of the mountain.
"Those groups will be tasked in keeping any and all soldiers occupied while the third group performs its' task. The first group will consist of myself, Depthcharge, Bulkhead, Wheeljack, Skidz, Nightbeat." He gave a shudder. "And Whirl." He finished.
"Oh, just like old times, eh Magsy." the cyclopean Autobot cooed in a psychotic tone. Apparently, the flyer liked to harass the Autobot Second in command as a past time. The shouting that usually followed could be heard all the way up in Unit-E.
"The second group." Magnus powered on. "Will consist of Arcee and the other Maximals." The group in question nodded
"I myself will be leading the third group." Optimus said. "That team will consist of Bumblebee, Hound, Drift, and Jetfire. Our task will be to retrieve all data from the labs' systems as well as relics and if possible, capture or eliminate Shockwave."
"Finally." Magnus said taking the reins again. "The Protectobots will be on standby as both search and rescue, and reinforcements." He finished.
"There is a high likelihood that we'll be engaging the Predacons as well as the Vehicons." Optimus continued. "That said, once the mission is complete all troops are to evacuate the area. Transform, and roll out."
While the Autobots were forming their strategy, Megatron was holding court with his officers in the Nemesis' cargo hold. The only exception being Shockwave, who was still at his lab.
"With our current numbers, as well as the modifications to the 2.0 Predacons, I feel that the need for the clones is now unnecessary." Starscream argued. He'd been against continuing the original project after learning of Scourges' ability to transform.
Megatron gave a sigh. "Sadly, I agree with you Starscream, although not for the same reasons." He turned to his communications officer. "Soundwave, if you could."
Giving a nod, Soundwave played a recording from Scourges' recent battle with Magnaboss. "Who's to say that they'll allow the Predacons to rise again? Megatron likes control, and if he realizes the Predacons are strong enough to overpower him and the Decepticons he will terminate your species in a spark pulse." Magnaboss said.
"I will command the Predacons, and I am loyal to my lord." Scourge growled. "He would know that we would never rebel."
"I'm sure the senate that Megatron helped overthrow felt the same about-" The recording stopped.
"As you can see." Megatron began. "While our former beast is loyal now, the seeds of doubt have been planted. It may only be a matter of time before he leads the clones into a rebellion. And once he realizes that his forces might could overpower our current Decepticon forces."
"Their evolution, will give way to a revolution." Starscream finished.
"That primitive wouldn't dare." Lugnut growled. "Besides with the 2.0 Predacons being reprogramed by Mindwipe and Tarantulas, we shall have the projected seven Predacons outnumbered." He stated, showing that for all his single-minded dogma, Megatrons old enforcer/bodyguard DID have a brain.
"It is too big of a risk Lugnut." Megatron replied. "I am left with no choice, but to eradicate the Predacon clones before they are capable of eradicating us."
"Lord Megatron, what will happen if that fire breathing brute discovers our treachery?" Knockout asked nervously.
"Why assume that WE will be the ones to perform the deed?" Starscream supplied. "If say, the Autobots were to discover the lab and eradicate the clones, our resident beast would in turn destroy our hated enemies for us." He smirked. "Or vice versa."
Megatron smiled. "An appropriately practical solution Starscream, I shall contact Shockwave and-" He was cut off by a signal from Soundwave.
"Lord Megatron, come in, the Predacon lab facility is under Autobot attack." Came Shockwaves' voice from Soundwaves' mask.
Megatrons' optics widened. How had the Autobots discovered the lab already? He'd have to figure that out later and accelerate their newest plan now.
"Shockwave, prepare the self-destruct and evacuate the facility. I am terminating the Predacon project."
Shockwave was silent a moment. "Your decision is logical my liege. Shall I terminate Scourge as well?"
"No, order him and all Decepticon troops to engage the Autobots. Do not inform anyone of the self-destruct sequence however." Megatron replied. "Force them all outside the facility so we have minimal loss of troops when it explodes. Should Scourge survive, we shall allow him to believe that the Autobots destroyed the clones."
"Logical, I shall prepare the self-destruct sequence and begin transfer of all data in mainframe." Shockwave said. "Then I shall remove the-" He was cut off by an explosion.
"Decepticons, we are under attack, scramble and repel the intruders." Shockwave called in the background. He came back on a moment later. "My lord Autobots are already in the building, I'm afraid the Enigma of combination will be lost. However, I am close to perfecting the synthetic enigma frequency." He explained.
Megatron grimaced. "Just evacuate Shockwave, with luck the enigma will be destroyed with the rest of the lab." Hopefully, this debacle would end in their favor.
Back at the lab, Scourge came running in seconds after Shockwave finished activating the self-destruct. "Shockwave, I believe the Autobots are after my brethren." He exclaimed.
"That is the logical deduction." Shockwave replied. Playing into Scourges belief would be the most logical solution. "However there seems to be a malfunction in communications, I am unable to contact the Nemesis." He lied.
"The Autobots must be blocking our signal somehow." Scourge commented. "Very well, we make our stand here. If you have some alternate way to summon backup, I suggest you use it."
Shockwave nodded. "I shall attempt to get clear of whatever is blocking our connection and summon reinforcements. I suggest you transform and lay in wait for any intruders." He replied.
"Very well." And with that Scourge transformed and left the lab.
Once he was sure he was alone Shockwave began the data transfer from the lab back to the Nemesis' mainframe. "Sparkstalker come in. I need you to ensure that the current data transmission will be uncompromised."
Moments later, the Firecon commander reported in. "Understood Shock-. For crying out loud Cindersaur, just grab Flamefeather and go help the Vehicons!" He yelled. "I'll be at the remote terminal in a few minutes." He finished with a sigh.
"Very well." Shockwave replied. It was a fairly well-known fact that Sparkstalker was the Firecon leader because he had the least amount of neural cluster damage from smoke inhalation of the firestorm troops over the cycles. He'd only been assigned to the lab for his cryptology skills. The other two simply came with him out of habit and were assigned as security.
With that done he contacted Soundwave. "Preparations complete, requesting immediate extraction." Moments later the space bridge swirled into existence before him. As he stepped through, he began to formulate his next experiment. With the synthetic frequency, he should be able to fuse a Cybertronian with dark energon.
The plan had been simple enough, enter through the north entrance to the lab and cause enough chaos to distract the guards from Optimus' mission. Ultra Magnus should've known it wasn't so simple that Whirl couldn't cause problems.
The first problem was the fact that they hadn't expected the Constructicons to be at the facility. They never showed up on Cosmos' surveillance. So, imagine his surprise to see all six of them working in the presence of a dozen armed guards.
He'd been planning a way for the group to separate the Constructicons to minimize the risk of them forming Devastator. Whirl blew it in less than five seconds.
"Time to Wreck and Rule!" He screamed, transforming into his helicopter mode and firing on the assembled cons.
"Primus slag it Whirl!" Magnus cursed. "Alright, everybody do what you can to take out the guards. And whatever you do keep the Constructicons separated." With that the battle began.
Thankfully only a couple of the Constructicons had anything in the way of combat training. Their expertise was more in their jobs. However, that didn't stop Bonecrusher, Scavenger and Long-haul from mixing it up with a couple of the Wreckers.
"Ey, c'mon man, we're workin' here!" Scavenger yelled as he grappled with Depthcharge. "Bad enough yous went scab on us Dreadwing, but sabotage, seriously?" He griped.
"Well, I only have one thing to say to you then Scavenger, as the human expression says, say cheese!" With that he fired a plasma disk from his chest into Scavengers' face.
"Conflab it, right in da puss." He screamed.
In the meantime, Bulkhead and Long-haul were facing off. "Y'know it didn't have to be like dis Bulkie." He spoke, squaring up with his former friend. "We was pals once, and dat stood for something."
"You bought into Megatrons' rhetoric hauler, I didn't." He replied. "And we stopped being pals when you and the other cons demolished Crystal City." With that the two of them began to wrestle back and forth around the cavern.
Bonecrusher, in his usual lack of brilliance decided to take on Ultra Magnus. "So, you're the big chief of this little powwow." He taunted. "Time for me to-" He was cut off as Skidz and Wheeljack both kicked him in the chest, sending him flying.
Scrapper, Mixmaster, and Hook were standing off to the side. "That bot is such an imbecile." Hook griped as he watched Bonecrusher go flying.
"Not disagreeing with you." Scrapper said. "But he's still union. Get ready to reel in our demolition dumb aft. Mixy, a little nitro glycerin should free up Long-haul, and I'll grab Scavenger." Additional laser fire heralded the arrival of four more Vehicons, their blasts catching the Autobots off guard. "Now."
With that the three went about their tasks. Hook transformed and used his crane like a fishing pole and brought a slightly battered Bonecrusher over to them before changing back. Mixmaster spun his chemical drum to create the nitro before firing it from the connected wrist gun. And Scrapper transformed and hauled aft, scooping up Scavenger and dumping him with the others. Thankfully the Autobots were too busy with the extra Vehicons to notice.
"Alright, you three are in good enough shape for this." Hook said after a brief examination of their injuries. "Ready when you are Scrapper."
Ultra Magnus felt the bottom of his fuel reservoir drop out at the next sentence.
"Constructicons, transform! Phase one!" Scrapper yelled.
The groups turned in time to see the Constructicons transform. In their place now stood a crane, cement mixer, dump truck, backhoe, and two font end loaders. The six vehicles arranged themselves with Mixmaster backwards in the lead.
"Now, Transform! Phase Two!"
Scrapper and Bonecrusher flipped and unfurled, becoming a pair of legs that connected into a contorting Long-haul, who became an abdomen set of hips. Scavenger unfolded his cab and connected with Hook who had unfolded the front end of his crane mode to form a chest, their crane and shovel changing to become arms and hands. Finally, Mixmaster drove forward, his drum and the assembly contorting into a head and the green eyed, terrifying face of Devastator.
"This is exactly what I was afraid of happening Whirl!" Magnus yelled.
"What?" Whirl called back. "One target instead of six? I call that-" He was grabbed out of midair by devastator and flung into the cavern wall. "Ouchies!" He groaned as he sank to the ground.
"We'll provide cover Magnus." Bulkhead yelled as Wheeljack, Nightbeat and Skidz formed up on him.
"Skidz, you go left. Nightbeat, you go right. Jackie, with me." He ordered, deploying his wrecking balls.
"Go!"
The two Wreckers leapt up while the remaining two dove aside. This didn't matter to Devastator though. Giving a bellow, he slammed his fists right where the two solo bots were heading and countered the duo with a simple headbutt. The force of the impact sent them flying right into the stretch of wall where Whirl was standing back up. The trio crashed right through it and the tunnel next to the cavern before landing outside.
Magnus, having seen that, realized that they needed more room to maneuver. "Everybody, outside now!" He ordered.
For Arcee and the Maximals, the raid had been a fairly mixed bag. While the group had been able to enter the lab subtly (Mostly due to Whirls' antics with the other group) they'd been set upon by a group of nine Vehicons the moment the alarms went off.
"Is it me?" Wingsaber asked. "Or dose this seem to happen every time we go on a mission?"
"What, pinned down by enemy troops?" Leobolt replied. With no kind of long-range weapon, he was in the back of the group.
"I mean getting into-" She was cut off by a laser blast.
"I wouldn't know." Nightscream yelled. "This is only my second real mission." He gave a shriek, the sonic pulse knocking two Vehicons into a wall.
Arcee put an additional two down with direct shots to the visor. "Either way, just cause as much mayhem as possible."
Punch called out to the other troops. "The Constructicons need reinforcements on the north side." He threw a grenade at the ceiling of the tunnel they were in, causing it to cave in and separate them from the Maximals. "Move out, the Firecons can handle them." He finished. Hopefully he was loud enough for Arcee to hear what else was in the tunnels.
When the dust from the cave in cleared, Arcee glared at the blockage. She'd heard what that Vehicon had said. "Come on, we need to head to the north side of the lab. The schematics I saw said there should be another tunnel a little way back." She ordered.
They backtracked a bit before going left. Going several hundred feet they came across a cavern. This wasn't a problem so much as the purple and yellow dinosaur, and blue and silver griffin standing in their way, glowering at them. Seeing their targets, the two of them reared their heads back.
Arcees' optics widened. "Oh scrap, Firecons! Scatter!" With that group scrambled apart as steams of purple and blue flames blazed the spot they'd been standing.
"Woah, first dragons, now mini-Kaiju? Awesome." Wingsaber yelled.
"No, they're just, WOAH!" Arcee yelled, diving aside as the purple one swung its' tail at her.
"Cin, der, saur." Growled the purple one.
"Oh great, this one acts like a Pokémon." Leobolt grimaced.
Mach hoof dodged a stream of blue flames from the shrieking blue Firecon. "Well then Leobolt, use Tail Whip." She bit out, sending a blast of nucleon back at it.
"Har Har." Leobolt yelled back. Taking her advice, he struck at Cindersaurs' neck. The resultant explosion and roar of pain caused it to back up a few paces.
"Hey Rhinox." Wingsaber called, throwing a couple of kunai at Flamefeather. "How about giving them a taste of the chain guns of doom?"
Rhinox eyed a stalactite in the ceiling. "Way ahead of you." With that he began firing at the base of it.
"I meant them, not the ceiling."
"Wait for it."
With an ominous crack, the stalactite came loose from the ceiling and crashed down onto Cindersaur. He didn't get up again.
"Just needed to think outside the box."
Rhinox was cut off by a shriek from Flamefeather. Turning the group saw that the others had managed to entangle him in one of Botanicas' seed snares. Nightscream had then drained the Firecon of its' energon, taking it out of the game.
The group headed for the cavern exit when a loud bellow rang out, and Whirl, Bulkhead and Wheeljack were knocked through the wall and out through the other side. Ultra Magnus and the others filed through quickly.
"Evacuate, everybody out, now!" Magnus yelled. The entire mountain gave an ominous shake.
Arcee and the Maximals followed them through the hole, showing that they were now outside the mountain the lab was in. "Magnus, what's going on?" Arcee yelled.
The answer came when the side of the mountain next to where they exited exploded outward. From it, walking on his knuckles, was Devastator.
"That!" Magnus responded. "Remember everyone, we need to keep them busy so Optimus' team can carry out their mission. Blaster, send in the Protectobots." He ordered.
Meanwhile, the Autobot commander and his team were making their way to Shockwaves' lab.
A group of Vehicons ran past an empty service tunnel intent to back up the Constructicons. Seconds later, the tunnel shimmered as the hologram of it being empty gave way to reveal a five Autobot team. They exited the tunnel (Optimus with some difficulty) and Optimus turned to address them.
"Good work Hound. Now, our objective should be just around the corner." Optimus began. "Once inside, Jetfire will begin to copy their computer files to our own database. Any resistance will be handled by Drift, Bumblebee, and myself. Hound, your primary objective is to keep Jetfire protected."
He gave a sigh. "If Shockwave is present, please attempt to subdue him rather than terminate. If the original Predacon is present, allow me to deal with him. The Maximals have shown that he could potentially be reasoned with."
"Here's hoping mate. Best of luck." Jetfire commented.
With that the group entered to find an empty lab. "It would seem that Shockwave has already departed." Optimus observed "Jetfire?" He asked.
Jetfire went over to the computer console. "Definitely a data transfer in progress. Let's see if." The console gave a beep and a red symbol appeared on the monitors. "Slag it, he locked the controls. I can't get in but."
He pulled out a small box and placed it on the console. "Activating remote linkup." He activated his comms. "Lightbright, can ya hear me sheila? Just installed the remote link and we need you to copy all the data going out."
Her voice came back over the comms a second later. "Ohh, a big job, finally!" She exclaimed excitedly. "Oh, with so many twists and turns and traps in Decepticon systems this will be so much fun!"
"Lightbright, please keep your focus. We need those files to determine our next course of action." Optimus interrupted.
"Okay, coming up." Lightbright responded. The remote link gave a beep showing that she'd connected. "Alright, let's see here. HA, the files aren't set to wipe until the transmission is complete, rookie mistake."
There was a pause. "If I work fast enough, I should have a copy downloaded here before the transmission is complete." With that, the line went silent and the images on the screen began to change, indicating that Lightbright had begun her work.
Bumblebee beeped that there was something that they needed to see. Coming closer they found a half dozen incubation tubes with young Predacon hatchlings near completion.
"It would seem that the Predacon Project was much further along than we anticipated. If these hatchlings are allowed to finish gestating-" Optimus was cut off by a loud roar and Scourge slamming headlong into him. He landed with a crash before the other Autobots.
Giving a roar, Scourge breathed a stream of fire at the trio of Autobots, forcing them back. Transforming he stood between the tubes and bots. A group of four Vehicons emerged from a nearby tunnel and formed up on either side of him.
"Autobots." Scourge began. "I will not allow you to endanger my brethren. Leave now." He commanded.
"I am sorry Predacon, but we cannot do that." Optimus replied sadly. "Megatron and the Decepticons would use them to cause untold carnage upon this and other worlds. And as you are seemingly unwilling to leave the Decpticons, we are left with no alternative."
"Then neither am I. Attack!" Scourge bellowed before transforming into beast mode and charging at Optimus. The Vehicons deployed their blasters and were hot on his tail.
"The mission is unchanged." Optimus called out. "Drift, Bumblebee, handle the Vehicons. Hound, protect Jetfire. I'll handle the Predacon." Using his gun to blow a hole in the wall, Optimus deployed his wings and took off. Looking down he saw the other teams engaging the Vehicons. And two combiners going at each other?
Once the mountain began to rumble, Punch knew what had happened. "The Constructicons must've combined. The bots are going to need a hand." He ruminated. He'd already planned to plant the Enigma of Combination where the bots could find it. But now it looked like they might need it sooner rather than later.
Slipping away from the other Vehicons and going into the storage vault, he pulled the Enigma from its container and headed out the nearest exit. Looking down he saw the Wreckers and what the bots and cons labeled Maximals facing off with over a dozen Vehicons while dodging blows from Devastator. Spying a swirl of energy that signified a space bridge, he saw the Protectobots emerge. A mad idea came to his mind.
"Whenever this assignment is over." The muttered. "I hope they forgive me for this." With that he aimed the Enigma at the Protectobots and triggered it, bathing them in a magenta light as they began to transform, contort and combine.
Upon the Protectobots' arrival at the battle site, Hotspot called out to Ultra Magnus. "Magnus, sit rep, who's injured?" He hollered. Despite the Wreckers skill, they almost never seemed to avoid some kind of injury. Hopefully no one was immediate need of rescue, but with Devastator in play it was only a matter of time.
Before Magnus could answer Hotspot, Rook, Blades, First-Aid, and Streetwise were bathed in a magenta light. Everyone else in the battle was mesmerized at the sight.
"What in the?" Magnus yelled. The Protectobots that had changed into bot mode were suddenly forced back into vehicle mode. From there First-Aid and Streetwise seemed to elongate and a large foot seemed to grow out of the rear of their vehicle modes.
Rook and Blades on the other hand contorted into arms, a hand appearing from each of their bodies. Finally, Hotspot was lifted into the air and seemed to partially transform in midair, his legs and arms expanding and contorting as a large head was created from his ladders' base as his chest paneling expanded. The transformations finished, the five Protectobots combined with each other, forming a single Autobot combiner.
Ultra Magnus stepped up to the new combiner. "Hotspot? First-Aid? Are you alright soldiers?"
Within the combiners' mind, the five Protectobots were in shock. How did this happen? A roar from Devastator snapped them out of it and back onto the situation at hand. While the five had worked together for years, they had very different views on protecting life. However, in this moment, they knew that to protect life, they needed to work together. They were no longer simply, the Protectobots.
"Designation, Defensor." The combiner stated. "Ready to mend and defend."
Devastator gave another terrible roar and created a massive vacuum force with his mouth, drawing rocks, plants, and a couple of hapless vehicons into it, grinding them up. Most of the Autobots were able to brace themselves against the pull. The Maximals, due to their size, ended up having to grab onto the nearest Autobot or each other to keep from getting sucked in. As suddenly as it began, the vortex stopped.
"Was that it?" Wingsaber asked from hers and Leobolts' position behind Bulkheads' legs.
"No." Wheeljack shook his head, backing away from Devastator. "He's about to-"
Wheeljack was cut off as Devastator released a superheated beam of pure plasma from his maw, right at Defensor.
Thinking quickly, Defensor raised his bent arms on either side of him. Focusing, he created a forcefield directly in front of him to take the hit from the plasma. Several seconds later, the stream weakened and rapidly died. Before Devastator could activate his vortex again, Defensor sprinted across the battlefield and jammed his left arm right into Devastators' mouth, stopping him.
Slamming his right arm into his larger opponents' midsection, Defensor hefted Devastator over his shoulder and slammed him into the ground. While Devastator may be stronger than him, Defensor was much faster. Not to mention capable of actual coherent thought.
The battle began anew as Devastator got up and charged Defensor, locking him in a grapple. The Vehicons, Maximals, and Autobots began their fight again as well. Just in time to see Optimus flying out of the lab with Scourge hot on his tail.
Meanwhile, back at the lab, Drift and Bumblebee had just finished with the Vehicons that'd stayed in the lab.
"That wasn't too great of a challenge." Drift commented. Bumblebee beeped in agreement.
Jetfire however noticed something going on with the computer screens. "Lightbright, what's happening sheila? It's like you're canceling the copying after a few precent." He asked.
"Gyah, there's another hacker in here and he keeps canceling the download." Lightbright replied. "And he is GOOD!" She exclaimed
"Why thank you." Came Sparkstalkers' voice from the remote link. He'd been listening in the whole time. "I have to admit your plan's pretty daring, but you can't beat a top tier cryptologist."
"Top tier? Please. I saw what you were doing and planted some traps." Lightbright responded.
"I disabled them, but it's cute that you think you can trap me in my own systems." He replied.
"Well thanks for the compliment, but I can navigate around your little cancelations." She rebutted.
"You're welcome to try sweet bite."
"Masher."
"Cutie."
"Are you two hacking, or flirting?" Came Blasters' voice in the background. The Autobots in the lab were looking at each other uncomfortably.
"I can multitask." Lightbright exclaimed. She saw something in the corner of the screen that made her gasp.
"Gyah, there's an active self-destruct sequence in place." She called out, surprising both Sparkstalker and the Autobots. "It's been counting down to zero for almost eight minutes but started at ten. You all have less than two minutes to get out of the lab before it blows!" She finished with a yell.
"That can't be right!" Sparkstalker exclaimed. "That would mean, oh scrap." With that he took off from the remote terminal, hoping he could get out in time.
"I'll try to get as much of the database as I can, but you all need to get out of there right now. RUN!" Lightbright warned.
"Righto." Jetfire spoke. He ran to the hole in the wall and transformed. "Hop on blokes, I'll try to get us clear in a hurry."
Drift, Bumblebee and Hound leapt onto Jetfire who powered out of the hole and into a slow decent to the ground.
"Crikey, look at that!" Jetfire exclaimed at the sight of Defensor and Devastators' fight.
Bumblebee beeped his surprise and hope that the new combiner was on their side.
"I feel that he is Bumblebee. I can sense the good in their sparks." Drift commented as the set down. "But for now, let us alert the others and evacuate." He said, drawing his swords.
As the battle raged, Optimus and Scourge were engaging in an aerial dogfight of their own. Each time Optimus took a shot at Scourge, he would swerve and avoid it. Likewise, every time Scourge would breathe a stream of fire at Optimus, he'd hit his thrustors and get clear.
Finally, in a fit of brilliance, Scourge flew through a low cloud and snuck up on Optimus. Clipping a wing with his claws he drove the Autobot commander back down to Earth. Transforming at the last second, he drove a kick into Optimus' back, slamming him into the mountainside.
"Now Prime." Scourge said as he closed in on Optimus. "Events didn't need to play out this way. Had you and your Autobots agreed to leave my brethren alone, I would have let you all walk away. Lord Megatron was right about you." He growled.
"Listen to me Predacon." Optimus began. "Megatron wishes to use you in his conquests, the minute you prove to be more than he can control he will end you and your brethren. I know Magnaboss has told you of this."
"My name, is Scourge, Prime." He replied. "And I am perfectly content to serve Megatron loyally. Under my tutelage, the Predacons will become an elite fighting force in the Decepticons. Once the pretenders have been dealt with, I shall rule Cybertron alongside him. On the behalf of my brethren."
"Will you stand idly by if Megatron orders the destruction of your brethren?" Optimus asked.
Scourge surprised Optimus with a kick to the abdomen that sent him back into the mountainside. "It will not come to that." Scourge spoke, deploying his arm guns and taking aim at Primes' head. "No more lies and tricks Prime, I end this now."
Before he could pull the trigger, a massive explosion shook the ground. Taking his optics off Optimus, Scourge turned to see that the lab was aflame.
"My brethren! NO!" He turned to glower at Optimus. "What have you done!" He bellowed before transforming and taking off back to the lab.
Deciding it best not to remain, Optimus activated his comms. "Attention all Autobots and Maximals, return to base."
Transforming into his vehicle mode Optimus drove back towards the battlefield. Turning the corner, he saw that apparently Megatron had the same idea. The Vehicons were leaving through a space bridge portal as Devastator separated back into the Constructicons.
Turning to his own troops he saw that the new combiner was still separating as well. He was surprised to see that it was comprised of the Protectobots but ultimately thankful that they'd been able to level the playing field somewhat. However, the relic in Ultra Magnus' hands is what drew his attention.
"Commander?" Optimus asked as he switched back to bot mode. "Is that what I think it is?"
Magnus nodded. "Yes sir, the Enigma of Combination. It seems that it was thrown clear in the explosion. However, before the explosion someone used it on the Protectobots to create Defensor." He explained, providing Optimus the new combiners' name.
Optimus glanced at the last retreating Vehicons and shared a significant look with Ultra Magnus. They both had a sneaking suspicion as to who used it and probably threw it so that they'd recover it. Optimus hoped to Primus that Counterpunchs' cover was still intact.
Either way, it wouldn't do to linger here any longer.
"Blaster, send a space bridge to our location. Autobots, roll for home!" He called. The space bridge flared to life in front of them and the group wasted no time going through it. As Optimus was going through the portal, he could've sworn he caught a glimpse of Scourge flying away from the lab in dragon mode before the portal closed.
Heedless of the danger, Scourge flew into the burning lab. Looking around he saw that the six incubation tubes had shattered and a handful of body parts were scattered around the lab. He gave a bellow of rage and anguish.
"My brethren." Scourge sobbed out. "You shall be avenged."
Rage filling his spark, Scourge began to walk back to the hole in the wall, ready to cut down any and all who had a hand in their deaths, when the sound of scared chirping filled his ears. Turning to his right, his optics widened. There, sheltered under a collapsed beam and chirping fearfully, were two Predacon hatchlings.
Ther rage that filled Scourges' spark was now at war with the hope that had flared to life at the sight. He had a decision to make now. He could hope the hatchlings would survive long enough for him to avenge their deceased siblings, or he could take the young ones now and vanish. Allowing the Decepticons to think that he'd perished too.
Hearing the hatchlings chirp again, Scourge knew the decision had been made for him. Running towards the hatchlings, Scourge hefted the beam to the side. "Don't fear little ones, I've got you." He soothed. Picking the two up and holding them to his chest, he ran for the hole in the wall.
Looking down, he saw the last of the Autobots begin to leave. For a brief moment he considered giving chase, but stopped himself. The hatchlings needed him now, the dead could wait to be avenged.
"I'm going to take us to find a new lair." He told the hatchlings, despite knowing that they probably couldn't understand him. Transforming and gently picking them up in his maw, Scourge took wing. He had no idea where he was going yet, but it would be a place he could safely rear the two new lives that were now his sworn duty.
Meanwhile, aboard the Nemesis, Megatron was once again holding court with his lieutenants, this time with Shockwave in attendance.
"It is, unfortunate that Scourge was lost with the other Predacons." Megatron began. "But ultimately, the risk outweighed the reward in this instance. Shockwave, what of the 2.0 Predacons?"
"Tarantulas and Mindwipe have finished their task my lord." Shockwave spoke. "While overall their minds remain unchanged, the use of the phrase 'Predacons, terrorize' puts them into an aggressive and suggestive state. They will attack furiously, and follow orders from Tarantulas in the field."
"I look forward to the field test, lord Megatron." Tarantulas cackled giddily.
"In addition, my liege." Shockwave continued. "While the original Predacon Project has been rendered null and void, my remaining sensors in the lab area have detected something that you must behold for yourself."
Stepping back a moment, he allowed Punch to wheel in a sample of.
"Pure Cybertronian cybermatter." Shockwave began. "Not dissimilar to that which existed upon our primeval home world."
"Or that which engendered my citadel here on Earth." Megatron added. "A result of the explosion?"
"Indeed." Shockwave answered. "However, the cybernucelic acid alone could not account for these, cyberforms. All possible logic points to the presence of one unexpected variable, the synthetic energon." He finished.
"Can you tell me why this cybermatter resemble, chaos?" Megatron asked, hoping Shockwave, or maybe even Tarantulas could explain.
"It would seem that the basic elements are, unstable. I shall shift my focus into correcting that. With this, we could cyberform entire worlds." Shockwave spoke.
Megatron sighed. "Nevertheless, to use the cybermatter to restore Cybertron, or cyberform the Earth, we will require a launch mechanism, would we not?"
After a brief moment of contemplation Megatron got a steely glint in his optic. "Then we shall direct our full resources into the successful reconstruction of the Omega Lock. Shockwave, I want you to oversee its salvage and relocation by the Constructicons. Take Astrotrain to transport it." Shockwave gave a nod and set out.
He turned to the other scientist in the room. "Tarantulas, you and Oil Slick shall begin work on the cybermatter problem. Shockwave will join you once the Omega Lock has been relocated here." Tarantulas transformed into his motorcycle mode and took off.
A few halls away Tarantulas transformed back into bot mode.
"Did you get it?" Came Galavars' oily voice.
Reaching into a hidden compartment, Tarantulas pulled out a piece of the chaos cybermatter the length and width of a thigh.
"Right here, I had a drone recover a piece when no one was looking. I'll begin work on our project when I can. With Megatrons newest scheme, my time will be minimal, but I should find time to begin work on it. Hopefully we'll be ready for the next phase before this newest plan is complete." Tarantulas answered.
"Excellent." Galavar replied. "I shall retrieve the next component necessary. Once our plan is set in motion, we shall be able to overthrow Megatron and takeover the Decepticons. And once the loyalists and Autobots have been dealt with, our own campaign of galactic conquest can begin. Yes."
Hours later, at the wreckage of the lab, Sparkstalker regained consciousness. Moving a bit, he groaned from a pain in his side. He hadn't been able to escape the blast in time. He'd been close to the exit door and when the explosion went off, he was blasted clean through it. Glancing down he saw that while scorched and dented, everything was relatively where it was supposed to be.
Standing up he bit back a scream of pain. Looking around he saw that the area was deserted. For a brief moment he thought about contacting Soundwave for a bridge back but stopped himself. His skills as a cryptologist had allowed him to access the Decepticons' classified files, and what he'd seen of the Decepticons more recent conquests and experiments had disillusioned him.
Ignoring the pain in his side he began to walk. Most everyone probably believed he'd perished in the lab with Cindersaur and Flamefeather. He'd been wanting to leave the Decepticons for some time now, and Primus had handed him the perfect opportunity. Who knows, maybe someday he'd even run into that cute sounding hacker he'd traded codes with.
His thoughts were interrupted when several vehicles roared onto the scene and a high power taser sank into his mesh and delivered a new pain on top of his injuries. Several jolts later he collapsed to the ground in time to see a thin pale skinned human exiting a vehicle.
"Prepare this specimen for transport." Simmons called to his team. "And branch out, I want any and all alien tech bagged and tagged before sunup." He looked up at the smoking wreckage of the lab. Immediate reports showed that the radioactivity was too high to risk any human agents, but with the right drones he hoped they could find something salvageable.
He smiled. Either way, with his new plans in place, he hoped to have more specimens soon. He only needed to wait for those brats to step off the base.
A/N- And there we go. I hope you all enjoyed it. In particular, I hope everyone enjoys the direction I take Scourge/Predaking. Lightbright and Sparkstalkers interaction was one of my favorites to write. I modeled Lightbrights' personality on Entrapta from SPOP. She was my favorite in the series. Don't worry about Sparkstalker, he'll be alright before too long.
I long ago decided I wanted more than one combiner in this fic. I modeled Devastator after his ROTF incarnation, albeit I added the plasma breath to give him an actual weapon. Defensor is modeled more after his G1 counterpart with Rook replacing Groove. And a little heads up, I do have an additional six Maximals in the pipeline for this story as well as more Predacons. That said.
Next time-A secret experiment, a hidden enemy, and new friends.