Ch. 11

The towering spires of Iacon could always be seen some distance away from the city gates. Bots traveling in from all over Cybertron would feel hope in their sparks at the sight of Iacon's buildings on the hoirzon. The capital city promised relief and safety from the ongoing war between the Autobots and Decepticons and for Cybertronians who had suffered from the energon shortage, the sight of Iacon was always a welcome relief.

For Megatron, Warlord of the Deceptisons, the thought of Iacon being under Autobot control was like a constant spike in the axle, forcing him to confront the fact that he and his Decepticons had not yet managed to fully bring Cybertron under his iron grip.

The current Decepticon base was a good distance yet from Iacon, but from his position at the window at the top floor of the base, Megatron was granted a clear view of the capitol city. His red optics narrowed in thought as he watched the glittering city standing tall and proud in the distance. Though it was the height of day, Megatron could easily make out the various lights emanating from Iacon and he was more than willing to bet every transit system in the city was at least somewhat functional.

"Energon crisis indeed," Megatron growled under his breath. "One would never guess looking at your city, Prime."

"You know, Lord Megatron, you could accomplish more if you stared less."

Still peering out the window of the Decepticon headquarters, Megatron briefly turned his optics upwards at the sound of an oh-so-grating voice behind him.

"And you would stand more of a chance at not offlining if you bothered me less, Starscream," the Decepticon warlord snapped. "One would think that with your brilliant mind, you'd wish to put it to use."

"Oh but I have," Starscream all but purred. "I have been pondering all morning about what could make our revered leader so hesitant about leading another successful raid on Iacon until I remembered just how our last assault ended."

"Yes, with you and Thundercracker nearly in pieces after those energon convertors exploded." Megatron peered over his shoulder to aim a sardonic smile in Starscream's direction. "To be honest, Starscream, I'm rather surprised to see you up and about. Remind me, how long were you down for repairs?"

A few snickers came from the Decepticons watching the exchange. Starscream ignored them, his wings bristling at his leader's remarks.

"At least Thundercracker and I accomplished something by-"

"You accomplished nothing!" Megatron whirled around and stepped closer to Starscream, glaring down at his subordinate with narrowed optics. "In fact, you accomplished less than nothing because if you had bothered to use your so-called superior processing unit, you would have noted that there was a reason the Autobots left those convertors unguarded. Imagine the damage that could have been done to our headquarters had those energon convertors exploded here. So no, I don't consider you limping back to base, barely functional with nothing to show for it, as accomplishing something, Starscream!"

"And now the northern gate of Iacon has been repaired," Skywarp spoke up.

"Did you notice anything else?"

"Pretty sure I saw an Autobot scouting party, but I couldn't tell how many of them were there."

"Which means they saw you."

"Maybe. The scout I saw didn't look like it was in a hurry to report back."

"I'm more concerned about the scout you didn't see, Skywarp."

"Didn't see? What are you... oh." Skywarp frowned. "Well, it's not like there was any sand close by; she wouldn't have been able to hide."

"So you say. I say the Autobots are hiding something inside Iacon as we speak." Megatron turned back to the window, his red optics focused on Iacon's spires gleaming under Cybertron's sun. "Iacon is facing the same energon crisis as the rest of Cybertron, but as of late, the city seems to be in fine working order. Where, then, did Optimus Prime get the energon to ensure no one in Iacon is going without at the moment?"

"It is likely the Autobots have found an outside source of energon Lord Megatron," Soundwave rumbled.

"Yes, but where from?" Megatron's face twisted into a sneer. "A colony planet or somewhere else? Somewhere they don't want us looking?"

"Ridiculous," Starscream protested. "Even if the Autobots found a new source of energon, how would they have done so and, more importantly, how would they obtain it? They haven't taken any ships out from Iacon in cycles; they haven't the resources."

"No. But if they found a reliable source of energon, they might be willing to risk a space bridge," Megatron answered.

"If they did."

"Which is why we need to investigate the matter further. Optimus Prime is hiding something; I know he is and I intend to find out. If it's a source of energon, all the better; we will claim it for the Decepticons."

"And if it's not?" Starscream sneered. "Maybe Prime just found another pet on a different planet."

"An interesting theory, Starscream. And how good of you to volunteer to see if it's true."

"What?"

"Yes. In fact," Megatron turned and seized Starscream by the shoulder, applying extra pressure to the smaller Decepticon's frame. "You and Thundercracker will personally create a distraction outside of Iacon's gates. And this time, try not to get yourselves blown up."

"But Megatron, I-"

"I suggest you listen closely to me, Starscream, because being caught by the Autobots will be the least of your problems if you fail me."

"Laserbeak is in position, Lord Megatron."

"Excellent, Soundwave." Megatron stood in front of his monitor, nodding in approval as the screen displayed an ariel view of Iacon's front gates. Just ahead of where Laserbeak hovered, Starscream and Thundercracker circled in midair, not quite approaching Iacon, but making their presence obvious.

"Have Laserbeak get closer, Soundwave. Focus on the front gates."

"Yes, Lord Megatron."

Megatron watched his screen as Laserbeak's scanners caught sight of two figures standing in front of Iacon's gates. Though their scout was too far away to catch any particular details, there was no mistaking the guards pointing upwards. One of them stayed put, a blaster in his his servos as the second one shifted into his alt form and sped away.

"Excellent. All is going according to plan." Megatron tapped into the radio. "Starscream, Thunercracker, stay in position."

"The guards know we're here, Megatron. The arrival of Autobot soldiers is immanent."

"I know that, Thundercracker. And that's just what I'm counting on."

"But Megatron-"

"Stay in position, Starscream. Or else!"

Megatron ignored any further protests as he watched the scene unfold. Sure enough, Laserbeak's camera caught a glimpse of different colored vehicles speeding toward the front gates. Chief among them was a large red and blue transport that shifted into an even larger red and blue Autobot.

"Ahh, Prime, predicable as always." Megatron sneered at the sight of his long-time rival. "But if you think the same of me, I'm afraid you're going to be quite disappointed. Starscream, Thundercracker, fire a few rounds at the gates and then retreat."

"What?"

"You heard me, Starscream!"

The two Decepticons hesitated a moment before obeying their leader's orders. Powerful plasma beams shot forth from their cannons, neither of them reaching Iacon's gates, but causing some damage to the ground where the Autobots stood. Immediately, Optimus and his fellow Autobots returned fire and their aim was significantly better. One beam managed to graze Starscream's wing while another hit Thundercracker directly in the nose of his jet form.

"I'm hit!"

"Retreat! Both of you, retreat now!"

"You don't have to tell me twice!" Starscream was already speeding away as fast as his blasters could take him. Thundercracker followed, smoke trailing behind him from his wounded frame. Behind them, Optimus held up a servo to halt any further gunfire, but the Autobots remained ready to fie on the off chance the two Decepticons decided to press their luck.

"Recall Laserbeak, Soundwave. He's done his part."

"As you command, Lord Megatron."

Megatron watched the scene of the Autobots fade as Laserbeak ceased his observations and sped back after Starscream and Thundercracker. Switching off his monitor, Megatron stood patiently waiting for his scouts to return.

"A most successful mission. Wouldn't you say, Soundwave?"

"If you say so, Lord Megatron."

"Oh I do. No doubt Starscream will think otherwise, but we can't all see the bigger picture now, can we?"

"No, Lord Megatron. But what is the bigger picture you have observed?"

"I'll explain in due course."

Starscream and Thundercracker's arrival was preceded by the sound of loud complaints. The two Decepticons had transformed back upon arriving at the base and Thundercracker was holding a servo to his chasis when he and Starscream entered the main room to rejoin Megatron and the majority of the Decepticon forces. Starscream looked more annoyed than hurt, but there was a nasty-looking burn mark on his right wing that he immediately pointed at.

"Look at what those Autobots did to me!"

"All things considered, I'd say you got off rather lightly, Starscream. Same with you, Thundercracker; surely a minor blast from an Autobot's weapon is far less painful than your more recent injuries?"

"Yes, Megatron," Thundercracker grumbled. "I'll be fine."

"So you will. And how fortunate, you both managed to execute my plan perfectly."

"Your plan?" Starscream scowled. "What plan was that? Sending us both to Autobot target practice?"

"Consider it punishment for your last failure."

"How dare you! I-"

"And now the Autobots will be expecting us." Megatron turned away from his irate underling to gaze once more at Iacon's spires. "No doubt Optimus Prime is at this moment wondering what kind of attack we will next mount on Iacon. Well, let him wonder and worry for a bit."

"I thought we were trying to find out if the Autobots had a new source of energon."

"And so we will, Skywarp. But to mount a full-on assault against Iacon would be foolish; the city is too well-guarded for us to risk heavy losses without confirmation of a worthy reward. No," Megatron said, his grey face twisting into yet another sneer. "No, we will let the Autobots worry about our next strike and when they least expect it, that's when we will infiltrate Iacon and find out just what the Autobots are keeping from us."

"Huh, you would have been better off sending in a few scouts to do that while Thundercracker and I were being shot at."

"You would think that, Starscream. And if you had utilized that strategy, Prime's little dust devil would have sensed them the moment any spies set foot in Iacon."

"Which means you will be at the same disadvantage when you attack Iacon," Starscream sneered.

"Oh no, Starscream. I intend to make sure no one behind Iacon's gates realizes my plan until it's too late."

"And just how will you do that, Lord Megatron?"

"You wait and see, Starscream. You just wait and see."