Space-Bridge; Captured
Project Iacon Lab, The Nemesis
Orion was startled by the sight of the dead Second–In–Command that was aiming his rockets at him, “Optimus Prime?!” he asked, ready to kill and scaring the Clerk, “Please! I mean no harm!” he said, surprising the Seeker, “Oh?” Starscream said, scared it seemed, “Then what are you doing here?!” Starscream had questioned unbelieving as Orion panicked and answered him.
“Research. For Lord Megatron.” he said, confusing Starscream who hadn’t once lowered his servos, “Is this some kind of joke?” Starscream had asked, “I do not understand.” Orion said, more confused than when he came out of stasis, Starscream had lowered his servos then, “And why did you call me ‘Optimus Prime’?” he had said, having never heard of a Prime like that, a successor of Nominus, perhaps?
“Uh… why wouldn’t I?” Starscream had asked of the bot that was far different from The Autobot Leader, “Because my name is Orion Pax. I am far from being a Prime.” The Clerk had said to the Seeker who then noticed the decepti–brand that was on his shoulder plate, so he had decided to take advantage of the situation, “You reminded me of someone I once knew. That’s all.” he said.
Orion was surprised by this, that Starscream had known a Prime, they must have allied with The Decepticons before Ratchet had… he had ignored that for now, “You are Starscream.” he stated, “Yes…?” Starscream went, wondering what he was getting at, “Lord Megatron told me you had been terminated.” he stated, thinking his old friend might– “Lord Megatron says many things only some of which are true.”
That had shocked Orion, “You do not suggest that our leader would speak falsehoods?” Orion had asked, that sounding more like the Senators than the Mech that he became comrades with when Starscream started to laugh, “You truly are being kept in the dark, aren't you?” Starscream had asked him with a smile, making Orion wonder what exactly was going on here.
Orion had taken steps forward, making the Seeker take a few steps back, “You speak in many riddles, Starscream.” Orion had told his fellow Decepticon, the Seeker already thinking how he could use this to his advantage, “Please, tell me what it is that you know.” he begged as The Seeker smiled, “And in return–.” The Seeker started to say when the door opened to reveal MTO’s with weapons hot.
“Starscream! Surrender!” The lead MTO said as Starscream panicked and hid behind Orion, knowing they wouldn’t shoot him, Megatron would have done so already, “Hold your fire!” he said when he felt The Seeker use him to get into the air before transforming, jettisoning away from the four of them and down the hall, “Remain in the lab.” The MTO said, “But I–” “Lord Megatron’s orders.” he simply said.
The MTO went and shut the door then, the other two staying to guard the door while he got a running start and transformed, chasing after the renegade Seeker as he had mowed down their forces, Soundwave off The Nemesis and getting a physical right now, as The MTO passed the fallen troops, he had started to catch up before all of a sudden, Starscream went robot mode.
The MTO barely had time react as Starscream had landed on top of him, aiming and firing into his spark chamber, killing him and making his body crash, but Starscream was ready and had went back to vehicle mode as he raced through the hall, firing a missile to destroy the bay door and fly out, avoiding the barrage aimed his way barely, as his wing was hit, “Aaah!” he scream as Starscream began to plummet.
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Autobot Outpost Omega–One, Nevada
“Rafael, is the test subject ready?” Perceptor had asked as he and Ratchet were at the controls, The Human putting the toy on the ground and revving it, “Check!” he had told them, “Long–Range GPS activated.” he had told the CMO and CSO, “I have doubts whether our recalibrations have successfully extended Ground-bridge range.” Ratchet had told the group there which was when Hot Rod spoke.
“But there’s only one way to find out.” he said with a grin as Ratchet activated the bridge, Raf had went and sent the toy car through, as it crossed the threshold, The CMO hoped while Drift prayed to his annoyance, “Come on!” The Doctor said as it looked like the car would make it when all of a sudden, it had started to crackle and then exploded to the despair of everyone there.
“It was just the first try.” Ratchet said, “Yeah!” Hot Rod went, “I mean come on! You guys are geniuses! You can solve it!” he went, “No, you two.” Ratchet had told them, “It was pure folly. A misguided act of desperation.” he had told them, “It takes eons to master Space–Bridge engineering.” he had said to them, “Yeah, if only we had a Titan.” Drift told them, the others nodding, “Titan?” Raf asked.
But Ratchet was still spiraling, “We do not have that luxury, what we would need is a master, like Bulkhead’s teacher to get this started.” Perceptor had said to them, making Drift roll his optics at that when Raf spoke up, “You know, there is this thing in gym class where you have to climb a rope. All the way to the ceiling.” he had told the bots, “It's really hard. And I've never been able to do it.”
“And?” Hot Rod asked, not seeing the relevance, “But when I told Bee about it he believed in me.” he had told the group, “Which made me practice a ton.” Raf had explained to the bots there, “Finally, just a couple of weeks ago, I made it! To the top.” he had said which irritated Ratchet, “What does any of this have to do with gym class?!” Ratchet demanded, turning towards him in irritation, startling Raf.
“I– I was just…” Raf tried to explain to him when Raf turned, “I'll give you some alone time.” he said, Perceptor joining Ratchet while Hot Rod went to comfort and Drift went over and smacked Ratchet in the back of the helm, “Drift?!” Ratchet had went, when he noticed the Ex–’Con glaring, “He was trying to tell you about perseverance and faith, idiot.” Drift had said to him, making Perceptor nod.
Ratchet was ashamed at that as he looked up, wondering wherever the Prime was right now, “Optimus I am so sorry.” he had said as Perceptor had started to type, “Let’s try again.” The CSO had said, making Ratchet nod at this as they went to work on trying to bring their Prime home, all the while Drift gave a little prayer that they would be able to return Optimus to his Primehood.
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Project Iacon Lab, The Nemesis
Megatron had opened the door to see Orion hard at work on the terminal, “Orion.” he had said to The Clerk, he had turned then with a strange expression on his face plate, “I am so sorry for the recent commotion.” Megatron had told him, “You weren’t in any way harmed, were you?” he had asked him, “No, Lord Megatron.” Orion had said, relieving The Decepticon leader a bit until he said something else.
“But why did you tell me Starscream was dead?” he had asked his friend, “Because he is dead to our Cause.” “Starscream was my most trusted lieutenant.” He had started to explain to Orion, “Until he turned traitor and joined the Autobots.” He had said, working on a new story for him, “Never have I witnessed a more profound act of deceit.” he said, reminding him of the reasoning behind their name.
“He did not do or say anything troubling to you?” he had asked, knowing Starscream he may have said too much to Orion Pax, “No.” Orion said, making him glare at the admission but showing relaxation, “Good.” he had told Orion, “Perhaps it is best to forget the entire incident and return to your project.” he had said as the door opened with Breakdown and an Energon Cube.
“As you wish, My Lord.” he had told Megatron as the leader had left them, as he did, Breakdown tossed him the cube, “Chow time.” he had told Orion before going to leave, as he was about to, Orion spoke up, “Tell me, Breakdown,” he said, making the Ex–Wrecker stop, “Why did you join The Decepticons?” he had asked of him,making Breakdown pause, “You know Knock Out, right?” he had asked.
Orion nodded at that, “He’s my Conjunx Endura,” he had told Orion, “But back then he was The Velocitronian Ambassador and Velocitron… no one really talked about it but we had a class system of sorts.” he had told Orion, “There were Racers, Direct Support like Knock Out, and Everyone else, like me.” he had told Orion, “Bots like me are too heavy, too slow, it was bad back home.” he told him.
“Then Knock Out and me got sent there by Overdrive after The Benefit 500,” he had said, “We got to go to Cybertron and things were looking great for us!” he said, chuckling as he remembered his time as a Wrecker, “Then we started to see the truth that bots like Proteus just wanted to use us as a resource for them to exploit.” he had said to him, Orion seeing the anger of being used in his optics.
“Eventually Knock Out had found The Decepticon Manifesto and he started to get interested in it.” he had told Orion, “Then when the… Autobots had killed most of the Senate, Soundwave was there to rescue Knock Out from their attack.” he said, surprising Orion at that, “I was desperate, trying to rescue him until we were able reconnect.” he said, laughing at what he did to cause it.
“We were able to reunite and thanks to him and a few others I was able to become a ‘Con, even started a team, Squadron X.” he had told Orion Pax, “And where are they?” he had asked Breakdown who had frowned at that, remembering the incident, “Dead.” he had said to Orion, “Murdered by Kiloton.” he simply said to him, that made Orion nod at that.
“So the Senate is all gone?” Orion had asked, just imagining the chaos that had happened then, “Most of them,” he had said, “Ratbat and Shockwave went ‘Con, actually nice bots once you get to know them,” he had told Orion, “Dai Atlas is around but he’s NAIL.” he said, moving to leave, “Do your best.” he told Orion, “We’re counting on you to help stop them.” he said before leaving him alone.
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The Nemesis
Megatron was walking down the hallway when he had seen that his shadow was waiting for him as The Decepticon leader was angered by the wrench thrown in, “Orion was never very adept at the art of deception.” he said as Soundwave followed him down the hall, “I made a mistake not terminating Starscream when I had the opportunity.” he said and Soundwave agreed, “A mistake I do not intend to make again!”
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Autobot Outpost Omega–One, Nevada
Bulkhead, Roadbuster and Springer had returned, “No sign of Energon spikes.” Springer had said to The CMO and CSO, “Any of the other teams find The Space–Bridge?” Bulkhead had asked, “They haven’t yet reported back.” he had said, seeming distracted as he had told that to the trio, “Ratchet. You alright?” Bulkhead asked, worried as the other three looked at them.
“Hm? Yes! Yes.” Ratchet had told him, “Let’s just get you three to the next quadrant.” he said before Perceptor had noticed something on the consoles, his and Ratchet heading over to look it up, “What is it?” Roadbuster had asked, “A high–frequency signal. With an embedded!” he said which was when Ratchet saw who it was for, “For me.” he said, making them curious who it was.
“Optimus?” Springer had asked, Perceptor had opened up to see the ID, “Starscream.” Ratchet had snarled, “That fraggers still alive?” Roadbuster had asked, “I would have thought The DJD would have taken care of him.” he said and the others were in agreement, “‘I have obtained information regarding your Leader. Bring medical kit. Come alone’.” Perceptor had read to them.
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Mount Saint Helens, Washington
Ratchet alongside Bulkhead and Springer had come in through a bridge to see a wounded Starscream leaning on a rock, scared, “I told you to come alone!” he had told Ratchet, “And since when do we listen to YOU?” Bulkhead said as he readied his mace, Springer his sword also, “Where is Optimus?” Ratchet had asked him, “Patch me up and perhaps I’ll tell you.” he said to them.
That made the three look to each other, wondering if he was serious, “Have sympathy.” he had growled to them, “I’m leaking here!” he had told them, “Then I suggest that you speak quickly!” Springer told The Decepticon, which was when Ratchet got into his face plate, not in the mood for games, “Has Optimus been harmed in any way?!” he had demanded of The Seeker.
“He’s fine. Fine!” Starscream answered to them, “Can’t you see I’m the one who’s been harmed?” he had asked, “Where is he?!” Bulkhead questioned, “Where do you think?! He's on Megatron's warship!” Starscream had snapped, “Which is located WHERE?” The CMO asked as The Wrecker commander just watched them and how they worked, “Ha ha.” Starscream went at the stupidity of the question.
“Now, who knows? It's a ship! It moves.” Starscream told the Autobots, “It took me months to track only to get fired upon.” he said, “You wouldn't go to the trouble of calling me here unless you had information to trade. Real information!” Ratchet had snapped to The Decepticon who had vented annoyed, “Very well Your beloved Leader may have lost his senses.” he told them.
“He goes by the name ‘Orion Pax’ now.” He said with a smile, “And it seems Megatron has led him to believe he's a Decepticon.” he told them when they gave the same look to the ‘Con, “Great,” Springer said, “Tell us something we don’t know.” he said, shocking Starscream, “What?! How could you possibly know THAT?!” he had asked of them, “We are wasting our time.” Ratchet said as they went to leave.
“Wait.” Starscream begged, “That's all I have! Really! You can't just leave me like this!” he said to them, making Springer turn, “Don’t worry Starscream, if you could survive the peeling, you can survive this.” he said, “How do you know that?!” he asked, The Team Prime members not knowing what he was talking about, “Forget it, Unless you know where Megatron is hiding his Space-bridge, you can stay here and rust.”
Ratchet and Springer nodding to Bulkheads statement while Starscream looked offended, “Space-bridge Do you mean to tell me that they actually finished building it without my supervision?!” Starscream had demanded to them, furious at that while the Autobots looked to each other and he saw his bargaining chip, making him chuckle, “It hurts most here, Doctor.” he said, knowing he had won.
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Autobot Outpost Omega–One, Nevada
Team Trion and Team Prime were gathered and looking at the position they were given, “The Decepticons Space-bridge is located right here.” Ratchet had told them, which was when Perceptor had examined it “Deep within an Energon mine.” he said, “Adjacent to a raw fuel supply.” that made Hot Rod nod, “Clever.” he said and Arcee agreed, “What’s our intel?” Arcee asked.
Roadbuster, Bulkhead, Ratchet, Perceptor and Springer all shared a look, “A… reliable source.” Ratchet had said, leaving at that before looking to the humans, the children, June, Fowler and Verity all on the platform, “So! Do we have a consensus?” he had asked of them, “Do we know if people can even breathe your atmosphere?” she asked of The Cybertronians.
“When Cybertron was alive, there were plenty of Organics that came and breathed it.” Perceptor said, “Hot Rod and I will back Jack up.” Arcee said, Hot Rod being one of the most knowledgeable to the location of Vector Sigma thanks to his Nyon days, “He can use my powered armor, let me survive living with them.” she told June pointing to Team Trion jokingly.
June looked to them, still worried, “It’s too dangerous.” she said, worried, “Mom.” Jack said, approaching her, “I know that this is hard. But Optimus risked his life to save our planet.” Jack had told her, knowing the danger and the debt the planet had “And he's not even human. We owe it to him.” which was when his two guards approached, “Jack may be the only one who can do this, June.” Arcee said.
“But we don't want you to think for one moment that I'll allow him to travel unchaperoned.” she said, knowing that Hot Rod was the kind of bot to leave Jack unprotected, “Not everyone is destined for an ordinary life.” Hot Rod said when he saw her expression, “Optimus Prime was once Orion Pax, after all.” he had said with a smile, remembering when he first met him.
At that, June looked to her son, worried for him, “When you were little, you always wanted to be an astronaut.” she had told him, Jack giving a smile as he had noticed that she was worried and so he had smiled, all of them ready for whatever was going to happen, thy had a way to Cybertron and they had a plan, this was going to be one of the most important missions any of them have done yet.
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Project Iacon Lab, The Nemesis
Orion Pax was looking through the Decepticon Database, “Okay. Okay.” he said, taking a vent as he had planned to breach the data, “Optimus Prime.” he had said, searching for him, “Optimus Prime. Leader of The Autobot invaders.” he said, looking at the scowling blue mech with very large pillar like shoulder plates, “I reminded Starscream of him?” he said, “And Lord Megatron said Ratchet was the Autobot leader.”
“Someone is not telling the truth.” he had said to himself, looking through the connected images, Hefter of Uraya, a Decpeticon sympathizer who was murdered in Peacekeeper custody for alleged gunrunning, Shockwave, a Senator who had tried to help the Outlier population before he was put through empurata and shadowplay by The Institute, he tried to ignore it for now as he tried to dig further to the truth.
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Autobot Outpost Omega–One, Nevada
“We will ground-bridge directly into the energon mine and make our way to the Space-bridge chamber neutralizing any Decepticon forces we encounter.” Perceptor had told the Autobots, Ratchet stepped forward, “Once we secure The Space–Bridge we’ll send for Jack.” Ratchet had told them, June giving a comforting touch then to her son, “Stealth must be an absolute priority.” Springer had told them.
“We will most certainly be outnumbered and if any Decepticon should transmit an alert to their warship…” Perceptor had said, “The odds become four hundred to one.” Bulkhead said, all of them knowing this and disliking it, “Scrambling communications upon entry will certainly provide an edge in this regard.” Blaster said, knowing his job, “Taking the Bridge is the easy part.” Roadbuster said.
“We need to hold it long enough for Jack, Arcee and Hot Rod to get to Cybertron and back.” he had said to them, “Rafael climbed to the top of the rope in gym class we can do this.” Drift said, rubbing it into Ratchets face plate, “What does Gym Class have to do with anything?” Miko asked, knowing that she had missed something important, “And if Ratchet gets to go on a commando raid, I'm going too.” she said.
“Miko.” Ratchet said as Verity ruffled her hair, “Sorry kid, you’re stuck with me and Raf operating the bridge and managing comms for Blaster.” she told Miko, “Argh!” The young girl went, reminding Verity of when she was her age, “Can't go to Cybertron, can't storm the Decepticon Space-bridge!” she went, wanting to actually being in the action instead of the sidelines as usual.
“And nurse Darby will stand-by in case of emergency.” Ratchet had told them, “Son?” Fowler said beside the Unit: D agent who had a grin, “It’s time to suit up.” she said to him as they had went to go and prepare him while the two teams had both gotten ready for the fight against the enemy so that they would bring their Prime back to them hopefully.
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Decepticon Space–Bridge, Energon Mine
Team Trion and Team Prime had both went in, “Clear.” Bulkhead said, “Clear.” Arcee had said as well before Blurr and Bumblebee had both went and charged ahead to lead the way, ready to take control of The Space–Bridge before Team Trion had went and hurried to take control and for the first time since the Grand Exodus, Hot Rod and Arcee would return home.
They had found themselves at a drill, reacting to this, they had approached the guards that were there, Arcee climbing the top, getting into position before she leapt down, surprising the MTO before she jumped up, punching them in the face plate and then another, downing him in front of the other who raised his blaster to shoot him when Drift appeared and cut him into quarters.
The last MTO had watched this in fear before going to the comm, “Command! This is Space–Bridge control. We are under attack!” he had said, backing away in fear at the group, all he was getting was static, “Command! Do you–” he went before Bulkhead had smashed him with his mace, Ratchet grabbing the comm that landed, “Shhh.” he said, making Drift chuckle before saluting.
The Autobots had went and headed to the lift, taking control and were met with the back of another MTO, “Going down.” Roadbuster said, lacing his digits together before smashing down, crushing his helm, as he had fallen, the team had moved as one, approaching some boulders and hiding, Perceptor readying his sniper and Blaster checking comms as they saw their target, “By the Allspark.” Drift said.
It was a Space Bridge, one that they could access with each, “Thank you Starscream.” Arcee said, making Springer and Bulkhead look at her, “Who else would it be?” she had asked of them, making Springer nod at that, “Roadbuster, Bulkhead, one two!” he said, making the two of them smile as they had went to help him pick up a heavy piece of machinery, the MTO’s hearing this and primed.
But it was too late, the machinery hit the pair as the eleven bots had charged in, ten of them firing as Blurr rushed in, his weapon ready as they fought, Springer throwing his sword at one mech and taking his servo like Soundwave before Drift finished him off while Blurr used his speed and momentum to leap up and pierce him like a shish kabob, taking out the last one as The three techies approached.
“A masterpiece of engineering.” Ratchet had said, “Operational?” Drift had asked, cleaning one of his blades, Perceptor pressed the button, “Fully.” he had told them as the three got to work, “Perimeter secured.” Hot Rod said to them, “Now the scary part.” Blaster told them as he got to work, “I'm shutting down the scrambler in order to contact base and maintain communications through the remainder of the mission.”
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Autobot Outpost Omega–One, Nevada
The six humans were all waiting for a response from The Bots and were glad when they had heard it, “Strike team to base.” Blaster said, “Objective secured.” He told them, making them turn to Jack, “That’s your cue.” Fowler told him, Jack in the powered suit nodding as he headed to the bridge, “Try to bring it back in one piece.” Verity said as they all hoped that he would succeed.
As Jack had put on his helmet, he had turned to his fellow teens, “Bring me back a souvenir.” Raf had said to him, “Sooo what happens when you have to go to the bathroom?” Miko said to him, “Safe journey, son.” Fowler said, “Just go already.” his mom said, stepping forward, “Optimus needs you.” Jack saluted at that and headed to the bridge, “Wreck and Rule!” Was the last thing he heard from Verity before going in.
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Decepticon Space–Bridge, Energon Mine
Jack was met by the eleven bots, Perceptor nodding as he had went to work, “Locking onto Cybertron.” he told them as Jack went to the two escorts, “You ready?” Arcee asked him, “Let’s do this.” Jack told them as he checked the key, making Hot Rod smile, “That’s what I like to hear.” he told the human, “We’ll leave the Space–Bridge portal open in order to eliminate any communication lag over the great distance.”
Hot Rod nodded at Ratchet, understanding his reasoning, “And make it easier for you to locate when you’re ready to return.” He said, “Easier to locate?” Jack said, confused, “You're not bridging us straight to the Big V?” he had asked which was when Drift spoke up, “Vector Sigma's true location is shrouded in myth and rumor, Jack.” he had told the human.
“It is said that the path of the Primes leads there.” He had said to him, “And if that doesn’t work, Hot Rod here was the closest to finding Vector Sigma.” He told Jack, making Hot Rod smile, the three of them had headed to the Bridge entrance, “Don’t worry. Space–Bridging is just like Ground–Bridging.” Arcee had told him, which was when Perceptor opened it, “Just a little more intense!” Hot Rod shouted over the noise.
The three of them had headed over to the bridge, walking over to it and ready to do whatever it took to bring back their Prime, Hot Rod in the lead, excited that he might actually see Vector Sigma with his own optics, almost forgetting what exactly it was that they were going to be heading back to, both of them nervous and scared of what exactly they going to find there.
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Iacon, Cybertron
The three of them arrive and it was insane, Jack looked around at it all, “I– can’t believe it! I am actually on another planet.” he said, loving every moment of it as they walked, “Arcee, this is incredible!” he said, looking to the two bots who were looking at the dead world, “Arcee?” he asked which was when he saw their grief, “This isn’t how I wanted you to see our home.” she said, lowering her helm.
Hot Rod put a comforting servo around her, “Hey, could be worst, we could have ended up in Toraxxis.” he said to her, “I’m… I’m sorry.” he had told the two of them, sad that they had lost it all, “In the fog of war it’s hard to see beyond the next leg of the mission or the next punch in the fight.” Arcee said, that was all she ever did, fight, “We did everything to save Cybertron.” Hot Rod told him, remembering those days.
“But when the fog finally lifted, there wasn’t much left to save.” he told Jack when the comms turned on, “Arcee! Hot Rod! Jack! Do you copy?” Blaster had asked of the trio, “Roger. We’re on Cybertron.” Jack told them, earning plenty of cheering, “Yes! - Woo-hoo! Oh, thank goodness!” The Humans had went, “Just keep the sightseeing to a minimum, huh.” Bulkhead told them.
“Indeed. We don’t know if your journey is five kliks or five thousand.” Ratchet had told them, “Understood. We’re out.” Arcee had said before they looked to the human, “Okay. Ratchet said the Card would guide us, but I don't see how or what I'm supposed to–” he went as the card glowed, he started to move his arm around, seeing where it glowed brighter, “There you go.” Hot Rod said to him.
The two Autobots then transformed, Jack went onto Arcee as Hot Rod revved his engine, “Race you!” Hot Rod went before moving out, “Do you even know where to go?!” Arcee shouted, “Sure do!I know this place like the back of my servo!” he said, transforming his servo to wave, picking up a bauble that had fallen out of a crate as he did so before Arcee and Jack followed him across the bridge.
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Decepticon Space–Bridge, Energon Mine
“This could be a while.” he said, seeing Blurr already impatient when the comms went on, “Space–Bridge Control, do you read me?” Breakdown asked over the comms, making them all tense in panic, “Space–Bridge Control, this is Breakdown.” He had said, making every Wrecker and Trion glare at the controls, “Your status report is overdue.” He had said, “Scrap.” Drift went before Bulkhead cleared his voice box.
“Bulkhead, no!” He’ll recognize your voice.” Ratchet had said, “I can make it lower.” Bulkhead said, demonstrating it, “Higher?” he had asked, “He would recognize mine as well.” Ratchet went before looking to the others, Bumblebee buzzed as they all shook their helms, they were either too famous or he knew them personally, it wouldn’t work, “Come in, Space-bridge Control! Don't make me come down and dent some engine blocks.”
“Somebody say something, pronto!” Fowler said, “Rafael! Patch in Agent Fowler.” Blaster said as he worked his magic, just as he finished, Breakdown spoke again, “You have one nanocycle to respond or–!” “This is is Space–Bridge control.” Fowler had said, “Situation normal.” he said, “Normal?” Breakdown asked, confused at that, “You sure about that?” He had asked.
“We were just calibrating the subsystems and we uh… had a surge,” He said, getting talked through it by Verity who knew how to talk, “But it’s fine now.” He said, relieving them before he continued, “How are you?” He had asked, making them tense, “Er, erm… never better!” Breakdown had said, “I know it’s thankless down there.” He had told them, always being the approachable one.
“Keep up the good work.” he had said, “Will do.” Fowler had said, “Control out.” Fowler had said, all of them sighing in relief at that as they had bought themselves and the Team on Cybertron some time for now as it were, the bots all going to take positions for when something happened, because there was no way that they could hold this up forever.
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The Bridge, The Nemesis
Orion was typing away at the archive, unaware that he was being monitored by Soundwave as he did so, “Why would the Decepticon archive be so heavily encrypted?” He had asked himself, honestly it was a rush job and he was more skilled than she thought as he had removed the false image of Ultra Magnus with the true image of Optimus, shocking him as he saw it.
“How could I possibly be ‘Optimus Prime’?” He had asked out loud, looking at it, as Megatron saw his search on her face screen, “Even our encryptions couldn't keep him from the truth!” he had said, turning from her and angry at the reveal caused by Starscream, “Orion has much to accomplish and he will stay the course! Even if I must inflict great pain to ensure the completion of project Iacon!” he told her.
Soundwave nodded at this, “Yes! My master was not fooled by his nature! And this pretender of The Fallen is the same! I can see why you like him!” The Voice had said, started to appear as her again while Soundwave had went and checked the download of Project Iacon, taking every Precaution against Orion, having faced the bots wrath before and knowing what he was capable of.
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Kaon, Cybertron
The three of them had arrived in Kaon now as Jack had pulled out the Key Card, “That way.” he told them, “Toward Kaon?” Arcee had asked, “The Decepticon capital.” Jack said to them, “Swell.” he told the pair, “Hey, could be worse, if it was Nyon we’d be digging through rubble.” he had joked as they had gotten ever so closer before stopping at a bridge, right at the tower that Ratbat commission and Megatron claimed.
“We’re on foot from here.” Arcee said as Jack got off, “Don’t want engine noise to attract the wrong kind of attention.” Hot Rod had told him, getting his flames ready, “‘Cons?” he had asked them, “Vermin.” the two of them had answered, their weapons ready, “This way.” he said, the two of them walking forward, covering their spots as they guarded Jack and the Key card.
Unaware that there was a Insecticon hibernation pod beneath them, once they crossed, it activated and the Hardshell Hive member had gotten out, stretching before going on all fours, smelling Autobot but also flesh, making its exhaust savor as it had crawled forth, following them like the predator it was, ready to savor the taste of Energon once more as it followed its prey.
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Unknown
Optimus and The Seeker were watching as the Femme and The Warrior were finishing up on the seat that was before them, The Watcher in his own while Optimus was curious, “Who is that for?” Optimus had asked of the femme, “For the next.” she had told him, “The next?” he had asked of her, “Yes, our brothers told me, he will be coming soon.” She had told him.
“How?” he had asked her, “By accident.” The Warrior, having heard the same, had told him, “They will be coming to return you, and by accident, a New Prime will be born.” The Warrior had said, making The Watcher grip his arm rests, “Who?” He had asked, making them look at him in surprise and a bit of fear that he had spoken for the first time since they explained it.
“Don’t you want it to be a surprise?” The Seeker had asked with a smile while Optimus had focused on the other part, about how he would be returned to the material world, “You better prepare, brother.” The Warrior had said to Optimus as he had sat beside The femme, all of them curious and a little excited for what was going to be happening soon now.