It was a quiet night in the autobots base when Fowler called them.
" Is Prime here ? " Fowler asked
" No, agent Fowler. " Durerus answered
" Then that confirm that he is the one trying to run me down. " Fowler stated
" Is this a joke, Agent Fowler ? Because if it is, there is nothing funny about it. " Ratchet said
" Just come and help me ! " Fowler yelled
" Ratchet, open the groundbridge, we'll see what it's all about. " Jack said, with Ratchet obeying
" Autobots, transform and Roll out. " Jack said before they went through the vortex
They arrived in front of a bridge where they saw a truck similar to Optimus's pushing Fowler's car from it.
The autobots shot at the truck that fell back.
" Bee, Bulk, help Fowler, Arcee and I will follow that truck. " Durerus ordered
" Got it, boss. " Bulkhead answered
Jack and Arcee pursued the truck who was rolling outside the road. It then turned around to face them and transformed into a cybertronian with the same shape as Optimus but with darker colors, a more beat-up appearance and yellow optics.
" Okay, pal, you're not Optimus. Who are you and for whom do you work ? " Arcee demanded
But the robot stayed silent and attacked them.
Jack and Arcee took out their weapons and fired at him, but no matter how many times they hit it, it didn't stop.
" That's not a cybertronian, it would have yelled in pain by now. " Jack noted, while letting out his blades and attacking it.
The robot changed its right hand into a sword and clashed with Jack. Meanwhile, Arcee was striking the robot with hit and run attacks.
But eventually the robot striked Jack across the face and shot at Arcee, sending the two on the ground.
As it moved to finish them, a groundbridge opened and the real Optimus got out and shot at his impostor, that transformed into truck form and ran away.
Optimus then turned towards the two partners who got up.
" Jack, Arcee, are you two alright ? " Optimus asked
" Yeah, we'll live. " Jack answered
" But what was that thing ? " Arcee asked
( autobots base )
Ratchet was examining Durerus and Arcee and found that they were unharmed.
" This robot that attacked me, was it your twin brother, Prime ? " Fowler asked
" I do not have siblings, agent Fowler. " Optimus responded
" So who made it ? Megatron ? " Bulkhead asked
" If that was him, the robot would have fled by a groundbridge. And decepticons would have certainly been there to witness it in action. " Durerus answered
" So there is only one faction left for Nemesis Prime. " Miko said
" Mech. " they all answered
" Of course, with everything they learned by dissecting Breakdown, their association with Airachnid and Starscream's t-cog. " Ratchet said
Agent Fowler then took his phone and called his superiors to warn them about this new threat.
( In the sky )
Dreadwing had flew across the planet in his exil from the decepticons. While Earth was not Cybertron, its various landscapes were beautiful to see.
But he was interrupted in his musings by a strange scene down below : Optimus Prime attacking a human military base.
Dreadwing instantly knew that this thing was not the real Optimus Prime. The autobot leader would never attack other lifeforms. And if there was a thing Dreadwing hated, it was impostors taking the form of others to commit acts of treachery. Especially against weaker beings.
Dreadwing then flew towards the battle and opened fire on the robot which fell from the unexpected assault. Dreadwing then transformed into robot mode, which he noted shocked the human soldiers.
" A decepticon ? " One yelled
" Go. Unless you want to fight me for the right to destroy it. " He demanded to the soldiers, while the impostor was getting up.
" You. You are not Optimus Prime. I fought him, so I suggest you take back your true form to face me. " Dreadwing threatened his foe, who was getting up.
" Sorry to disappoint you but this is its true form. " The one controlling the robot responded
" Who are you and what is that thing ? " Dreadwing demanded
" I am Silas. And this is Mech's new super soldier : My robot chassis possesses all of Optimus Prime's strength, speed... and firepower! Add my extensive combat training, and MECH has clearly achieved the perfect meld of man and machine ! " Silas gloated, before charging at the ex-seeker
" This won't save you. " Dreadwing responded before charging at Nemesis Prime.
( Autobots base )
" What ?! General Bryce, are you sure about what you are saying ? Yes, sir, I understand sir. " Fowler said before hanging up his phone
" What's happening Agent Fowler ? " Durerus asked
" There is two robots fighting at Alden Military base. Our Prime copycat and a decepticon. " Fowler explained
" I'd say we let them took out each other. " Bulkhead suggested
" Who is the decepticon ? " Arcee asked
" They described him as changing into a jet and being blue. " Fowler answered
" Dreadwing. Ratchet, open the groundbridge. " Jack asked the medic
" Jack, I don't think we should intervene to help either of them. " Ratchet protested
" Do you want for Mech to have flying transformers on their side ? " Jack countered
" No, you're right. " Ratchet accepted, before opening the groundbridge
( Military base )
Dreadwing and Silas were equally matched in terms of strength and combat skills. Neither seemed to gain the advantage. Dreadwing then drew his sword and slashed at Nemesis Prime but the drone changed its hand into a blade and countered the attacks of the seeker.
Then a groundbridge opened and Team Prime got out of it and shot at Nemesis Prime. The latter then punched the distracted Dreadwing, transformed and rolled away.
" Dreadwing ? Are you alright ? " Optimus asked
" I will live through it, Prime. " The blue seeker responded
" He's again getting away. " Jack said, pointing at Nemesis
" Not for much longer. " Dreadwing said before showing a radar. " I planted a homing device on it during the fight. "
" Well done, Dreadwing. " Optimus said
" Complementing me will change nothing, Optimus Prime. I will never forget it was you and your scout who killed my brother. " Dreadwing rejected
" I never wanted to fight Skyquake when we met after so long Dreadwing. I tried to talk him out of serving Starscream and the Decepticons. But sadly, he refused to stop. I did not enjoy being partially responsible for ending his life. I mourned it." Optimus explained
Dreadwing really believed Optimus but he couldn't push his anger aside.
" Now is not the time. This Silas must be tracked and destroyed. " Dreadwing stated before transforming and flying away.
" Autobots, return to base. " Durerus stated, before Ratchet opened the groundbridge
( autobots base )
While Ratchet was tracking Dreadwing's signal, Rafael was tracking the signal emitted by Nemesis Prime's remote control.
" Let me handle Silas, Prime. " Fowler asked
" Agent Fowler, I cannot accept you putting yourself in danger. " Optimus refused
" "Look Prime, I don't plan on dancing with any bots, but there's a human element in play here. And in case you haven't noticed, I happen to be a highly-trained, government-grade, human." Fowler countered
" Do as he said, Optimus. Even you refuse, I have a feeling he'll do it regardless of your protests. " Jack said
" Yes, after all, Silas did blow Fowler out of the sky. " Miko pointed out
Optimus sighed " Very well, agent Fowler. You may come with us. "
" Optimus, Jack. Dreadwing finally stopped. " Ratchet announced
" Then bridge us to him. " Jack asked him, prompting the medic to open the groundbridge
" Autobots, Roll out ! " Optimus said before they went through the vortex.
They arrived, during the night, at a large complex and separated to cover more grounds.
Bumblebee walked alone for a moment until he came across Optimus.
" Bumblebee. It's you. Be on your guard. My double could be anywhere." Optimus said
" Understood Optimus. " Bumblebee responded
" I'm sorry, what ? " Optimus asked
Bumblebee then understood he was in fact, in front of Nemesis Prime. He then took his wrist blasters and shot at it.
" Guys, come to my position. Nemesis Prime is in front of me. " Bumblebee called the others.
( with Optimus )
Optimus rushed towards Bumblebee's position and arrived to find Nemesis knocking the yellow bot out.
" Silas, this ends here. " Optimus stated
" Indeed. " Silas responded before the two attacked
( With Fowler )
The agent had sneaked inside the part of the complex where Raf and Ratchet discovered Silas was controlling the robot and knocked out the guards. Thankfully, his training with the rangers hadn't rust and he arrived in the control room where Silas was.
Fowler took his gun and shot at Silas but he missed, causing the terrorist to take cover and return fire. The two shot at each other until their guns were empty. The two then circled each other.
" Agent Fowler, isn't it ? " Silas sneered
" The very same, Si. So, what was the plan ? A mass production of drones ? " Fowler snarked
" Exactly. With an army like project Chimera, nothing would have stand in Mech's way. " Silas responded, before the two attacked.
But the fight was more in favor of Silas, who was more fit than Fowler, who could only block some attacks. But the fighting style of the terrorist was very familiar to him.
" Fighting style from the Special tactics, I presume ? " Fowler asked
" Indeed, and I assume you were once a ranger. " Silas responded before kicking Fowler, sending the agent on the ground " I'm afraid I can't let you live after this. " Silas said before taking a combat knife.
" Just a question, Can your drone operate without its pilot ? " Fowler taunted
" Of course not... " Silas responded before realizing he made a big mistake.
The terrorist returned to the commands but the roof above them crumbled and revealed Nemesis Prime falling. Fowler got out of here but Silas couldn't run fast enough and was crushed by his own creation.
( earlier, outside )
Optimus and Nemesis continued to fight each other until Dreadwing appeared and slashed Nemesis from behind.
" It would seems an alliance is in order, Prime. " Dreadwing stated
" I agree, Dreadwing. " Optimus answered
The two then attacked Nemesis who was now more at a disadvantage, then a bomb dropped by Dreadwing exploded, knocking the drone off his feet then it transformed and rolled away until it came across the command center and it climbed it.
" Jack, my copy is climbing on the command center, go after him. " Optimus asked the teenager.
" I'm on my way. " Jack answered, arriving in jet mod on the rooftop
But as he transformed to fight, he noticed the drone wasn't moving at all.
" Optimus, Fowler has done his job. Let's finish this once and for all. " Jack stated
Durerus then changed into jet mode and flew high then he turned towards the command center and fired two missiles on the rooftop making it crumble and letting the drone fall into it.
Jack looked inside and saw Fowler giving him a thumb up. " Nice job, Jack. Silas is under that. "
" Oops. " Jack said without sounding sorry at all.
Optimus then turned towards Dreadwing, who scowled.
" Fighting now will bring us nothing, Prime. But make no mistake, the next time we see each other, I will destroy you. " Dreadwing stated before flying away.
( Harbinger )
Dreadwing then arrived in view of the old decepticon warship and landed before transforming into a robot mode.
" This will do as a base. " He stated before entering the good half.
But as he explored the ship, he saw that someone was already there. And that was someone he hated above all.
" All this magnificent technology aboard this ship and it doesn't even have a single drop of energon or a t-cog. " Starscream complained
" Starscream, I guarantee that you will never fly of your own wings ever again. " Dreadwing threatened, taking his sword
" What ?! Skyquake !? It is impossible! I saw your corpse. " Starscream said, backing away
" You mistake me for my twin, I am Dreadwing. " Dreadwing corrected him before slashing, making Starscream fall
" Listen, there is always victims in a war, Skyquake knew the risks, and I assure you that he had an honorable death. " Starscream said
" That you dared defile by making an undead of him ! " Dreadwing reminded him
" You know that ?! There must be something I can do! Some form of reparation I can offer you to alleviate your anguish! " Starscream begged
" Your spark will suffice ! " Dreadwing responded, before impaling the cowardly seeker.
Starscream yelled in pain. Before darkness claimed him, he noticed the irony that he died the same way he killed Cliffjumper. Then his optics went dark and he was no more.
Dreadwing then seathed his sword before dragging Starscream's corpse away from here and threw it outside.
Then the blue seeker returned in the main room to meditate on his future.
That's all for now, stay tuned for the next chapter because nothing will be the same anymore.