Coup; Failures
The Harbinger,
Thundercracker watched as Starscream had walked towards The Ancient Warship, thankfully, after Marissa heard about his situation, she equipped him with a drone so that they could see what’s happening as well as protect him discovery by bots like The Decepticons, What I would not give to have wings again.” Starscream glitched and moaned as he headed to his destination.
He trudged to the crashed warship and Thundercracker was all the more curious on whatever was going on, “Ah, The Harbinger, things are finally looking up.” he had said before heading in, the drone following him as Thundercracker had linked his optics with the feed, as Starscream had entered, The Ex–Decepticon wondered what other secrets were hidden in The vessel.
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It had been hours of searching and as he had walked by some wreckage, Starscream had went and hit the junk in anger, “Oh, really?!” he shouted to no one, “Not one scrap of Energon!” He shouted before punching the wall, as he did, the nearby door had opened, the old locking system shaken loose and making Thundercracker curious as Starscream approached the entrance.
He entered now, curious at the function, “A laboratory? And it’s functional.” He said, going to activate the terminal as the door had opened up, as he had started up the systems, five lights turned on that had made Thundercracker stare in shock at what was in there, “No.” Thundercracker thought, “Protoforms.” He said with fear as he looked over the notes there.
From what the drone could pick up, the research was from a branch of Project Mitosis, “Let’s see.” Starscream said, looking to activate them into Clones, “Transference of binary bonding, submolecular infusion the formulas seem straightforward enough.” Starscream said as he got to work on making a wing of himself, “Well, my little lumps of clay, you look like you're ripe for the molding.”
“Let’s give cloning a whirl, shall we?” He asked himself, happy to bring them to life as he had extracted his CNA before going and injecting it into the system, The CNA being sequenced as electricity filled the room, making Starscream laugh as his energon was injected into The Protoforms, “Give me life!” He shouted as the sparkless Protoforms were changed, altered into identical duplicates of himself.
All five of them had risen up from their berths, all ready for whatever was needed, “Ah, like minded company, at last.” Starscream said to himself happily, heading over to stare into the nearests faceplate, “Esteemed members of my armada You now stand upon the very precipice of glory to meet the destiny which I have so tenaciously worked toward.” He had told the clones.
“Dynamic leadership of The Decepticons.” The leftmost Starscream clone had said, catching Starscream off guard, “Eh, uh, I am delighted to hear that we are on the same page.” He told them, “We are as one, Commander.” The rightmost said, “We share your memories.” Second left said, “Your very feelings.” The center said, “Even your insatiable quest for power.” Leftmost said with a smile.
That put The original on guard, “I see.” He had told them before he had went and started to move, the Five clones had followed him as Thundercracker got worried, one Starscream was bad enough, but Five?! That was something that the universe was unprepared for as The Drone had followed and made the Outlier curious on what they were planning now.
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Thundercracker stayed hidden as the six of them walked outside, “Fortunately, the Harbinger's tracking systems have remained synched with Megatron's warship.” Starscream said to the other five, “Of course, we shall require a means of reaching the–” He started before the five transformed, making him turn in shock, “You can transform?” He asked before collecting himself.
“Eh, uh, of course, you can.” He had said, collecting himself, “How else would you fly to the ship?” He had asked of the clones, “That was a test, which you all, eh, passed.” He had lied to them before he ordered them, “Now take flight and snuff Megatron's accursed spark!” He said before they took off towards the Nemesis and he took off to warn Marissa and probably Soundwave too.
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The Bridge, The Nemesis
Soundwave had felt something strange, there were Six more sparks then there should have been and one of them just snuffed the spark of one of the others, reacting, she had started to scan through the cameras and saw that Starscream was there, and there… and… there, “What the frag?” Laserbeak and Soundwave thought, seeing that there were four Starscreams and a corpse before she noticed something.
Someone was accessing the comms, someone NOT a Decepticon, “Bulkhead to base, do you read?” He had asked as she had went and blocked the comm, “Do you copy?” He had asked, irritated at it, “Heh, come on, what you stupid comm tech.” he said, annoyed as she let him fiddle while she notified the nearby guards, “Is this thing even on?” He asked himself as there was a ring.
She gripped her audials as it had pierced her processor, like a spike was hammered into his processor as the others were made aware of the Autobot stowaway, more started to head his way while she knelt in pain, even as the noise was silenced, which was why she was unaware that the signal the Bulkhead had accidentally unshielded became known to any Decepticon, present or former.
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Insecticon Hive, Energon Mine B–9
Airachnid was flying to her Hive, The Hardshell drones all working in unison as they had prepared for war, “My queen,” Hardshell had said as he had approached The Eukarian, “The Hive is almost ready, we await your command.” He had told her, hearing that, She had looked towards them, “Here are your orders,” Airachnid had told them, “You are to exterminate Megatron,” She ordered.
“During the conflict, Soundwave is to be secured and not obeyed as long as I am active.” She had told him, “She is more useful alive than dead.” The Eukarian said as something had popped up on her sensors, “A Decepticon beacon.” she said, satisfied, “At last.” Airachnid said, happy that she can finally put her plan into motion as Airachnid transformed and landed in front of the hive’s entrance.
Hardshell by her side, ready to be her field commander and snuff out the spark of Megatron, Airachnid had walked towards the entrance, ready to speak to The Hive, as she stood at the threshold, Airachnid had taken a vent before speaking in a soft voice, dripping like venom laced silk, “Devoted servants, the time has come for the ultimate retribution.” she had told them with satisfaction.
The Hive had begun to awaken, Hardshell giving a roar to the warriors he had spawned as he could feel the Hive awaken, “Remember–” “Megatron will fall, Soundwave will be secured.” He had said, ready to obey her commands, making her nod in satisfaction towards that as they had awoken and started to roar, their beastial howls echoing through the caverns as she spoke once more.
“Arise, my armada, and attack!” she had said, Hardshell nodding at that as the hive had shot out from the cavern, Hardshell going to lead them into battle, unaware that Team Prime had been bridged there, Airachnid watching in satisfaction and happy that two things on her list would be checked off which was when she had heard weapons charging behind and above.
On guard, she turned to see Team Prime, making her snarl that they were interfering with her plan, “Rear guard, engage the Autobots.” she had ordered as Seven Insecticons had turned around and fired upon the Autobots, showing no mercy as it seemed Airachnid would cross off three things on her list today which was when she saw that a Motorcycle had leapt out of the smoke.
Surprising her and making the Eukarian transform into her Half–Fateweaver mode and move out of the way as The Motorcycle landed where she was before the Two–Wheeler had went and chased after her as her Insecticons continued to engage while her Armada had gotten ready to engage the bots there, Airachnid WOULD succeed and everything would come up for her if she can survive her.
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The Nemesis
Soundwave had recovered and started to search for Bulkhead when there was a message on the comms, “Lord Megatron.” An MTO said, “Yes, what is it?” Megatron had asked of The MTO, “An intruder.” The soldier had asked, “Autobot?” Megatron asked and she was about to confirm when The MTO spoke, “Starscream.” He answered, “He was last in the vicinity of The Bridge.” He said.
Megatron had started to move towards the Bridge in question which was when she went to do as much as well which was when she had started to feel something, it was a feeling that she hadn’t felt since The Battle of Junkion, “Insecticons!” Laserbeak said, “Those parasites? Let us deal with the post haste.” The Voice said as she decided that shoring up their numbers would be an excellent idea.
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Insecticon Hive, Energon Mine B–9
Airachnid was running as fast as she could through the woods there, leaping forward as The Femme had hunted her, this bringing back memories that both terrified and enraged The Fateweaver, so she had turned instead, watching her approach, “Fire on her!” She had ordered of an Insecticon that did as much before two had pursued her to protect their queen when one wasn’t watching where he was going.
He had collided and one of his wings had broken, making him circle as he crashed, going past Arcee and accidentally towards their queen, Airachnid turned and saw them coming at her, “No!” she screamed just as they collided into each other, The Eukarian thrown away, wounding her and killing the Drone but not crippling her as Airachnid had started to drill downwards to the Nest.
She had headed to a place where she could defend herself, knowing that the glitch was following her, but she wasn’t done yet, she needed to succeed in this, she needed to get rid of those two and get The Nemesis so that she could get away from there and have a better… anything! With those two dead and if she was lucky, it wouldn’t be alone as AIrachnid prepared to kill one of her two enemies.
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The Bridge, The Nemesis
Megatron had approached the door which had one of his soldiers dead by the door, confirming that the traitor was there as he had walked past him and into the Bridge, weapon raised as he saw that most of his soldiers were dead with only one bot standing, staring at the terminal with servos clasped behind his back as he turned, “Megatron,” he said, as cocky as ever, “I has come time to settle old scores.”
Megatron couldn’t tell if he was impressed with his boldness, or angered by the fact he attempted to sabotage his operations, either way, it made him laugh, “Heheheha! Really, Starscream? All on your own?” he had asked, when he heard four voices in unison, “Actually…” they said, Four Starscream’s all aiming their weapons on him, good, he wanted a challenge.
He turned to the three that had been behind him, glaring at the trine with the supposed leader at his back, “Clones?” he asked, recalling the projects that Shockwave and others had gone through to try and shore up their military forces, “Well played, Starscream, if you're even here among your underlings.” he said, addressing the one behind him, knowing it would irritate the others.
“Underlings?” One said, taking the bait, “Weare as one.” “Though many.” they said, but he wasn’t scared by four foolish clones of the coward, “Bring me Starscream's head on a stick, and I will reward you as my second–in–command, all of you.” he lied, knowing one would be ambitious enough to try and it would distract them fools long enough, they looked towards each other before the one on his right spoke.
“No! You are trying to trick us!” he said, “Am I?” he asked, playing with their paranoia and ambition, “Is he?” one asked the other, showing their disunity, “Accept my proposal, and we all win.” he said, looking at his digits, “Otherwise, you will merely end up terminating each other to get the spoils.” he had told The Clones, “It is your nature, after all.” he told them as they began to argue.
“Don’t listen to him!” one shrieked, “Prepare to perish at my hand.” “OUR HANDS!” The others told him in unison, “Yes, only our combined firepower will assure Megatron's destruction.” one said, making him keep an optic as they started to count down, “Take aim!” Another shouted which was when there was a noise, a sort of drone that filled the background, “Do you hear that?” one asked, confusing him at what it was.
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The Nemesis
Soundwave had went and gotten worried, she knew that noise, it was the sound of an Insecticon swarm, “Airachnid!” Laserbeak had shouted out as she had went and started to run, heading towards the roof of The Nemesis, “<Open the door!>Starscream” She shouted, the MTO had complied as she had continued to run before transforming and heading in, seeing the swarm as they had charged forth.
“Hive! Cease attack! Soundwave commands you to obey Megatron!” She had ordered, but they didn’t listen to her, instead they had kept charging forth, “Listen to my voice!” She shouted, moving to turn, “Do not–!” Soundwave tried to order when a Insecticon collided with her, one larger and more scarred than the others, “Hardshell!” She and Laserbeak thought as he crashed her into the Nemesis.
“The Queen commands you to be restrained!” He told her, ramming her into a raised section of the ship before doing it again and again, making her snarl before seeing that the others were all swarming, “You will stay until victory.” He said transforming and pinning her, Laserbeak, and her tendril ports, making her struggle as she could only watch as the armada began their invasion.
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The Bridge, The Nemesis
“Ignore! Fire on three.” one said, but Megatron could not since he knew what that sound was as the blasterfire began, “One–!” “Two–!” The clones went when there was an explosion, knocking them all off balance, except for Megatron who approached one, “What was that?” the clones asked before he saw that Megatron had his weapon aimed at his helm, “The sound of the tables turning.” He told the clone before firing.
He was dead and with him gone, Megatron turned to the three remaining clones, blasting the one on his left dead and making the other two aware as he hit the one on the right as well, right before he had fired into the shocked expression of the last one, dealing with the clones, he had went to go and face off against the more pressing attack against his person when he saw one was crawling away.
Irritated, he had walked towards them, aiming his cannon at the craven, wanting to be done with them already, “Exterminating you so gratifying you the first three times.” he had said as the clone rose up, terrified, he was about to fire on the copy of a fool, when there was another explosion, one that knocked him off balance and allowed the clone to take advantage before running out to the hall.
Irritated, he had ignored the fact that there were now two living Starscream's as he had went and put the viewscreen on, seeing the swarm as it had curled around for another attack, the legion firing upon them, “Airachnid.” he said, wishing he did the job himself right now, “A busy day for assassins.” he said to himself before letting loose the signal for all hands to battle stations.
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Insecticon Hive, Energon Mine B–9
Airachnid was staying hidden as she felt two more of her Insecticons outside of the Hive die, Airachnid watched Arcee with her weapon trained, trying to find her and exterminate her, but Airachnid was not going to give her the satisfaction, she WAS going to have her revenge, at her position elevated on the wall of the cavern, charging her palms as she prepared to avenge all her murdered sisters.
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The Nemesis
Soundwave could barely see as the MTO’s had went and fired upon the Insecticons, three of them as the vanguard of the leader, “Megatron!” She went, struggling, kicking at Hardshell who kept her still, “Cease! The enemy will cease to be and you will be free–!” he started as a stray bolt hit him, giving her the chance to transform and fly within the swarm, “Cease!” She had ordered of them.
Megatron stood amongst them and simply aimed and took a shot, the hit Insecticon went and crashed into an MTO, taking the bot with them as the bot fell where she was, making her more insistent to try and stop this as soon as possible as well as made her wonder where Airachnid was and what had made her tell The Hive that as she tried to bring them back under control.
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Insecticon Hive, Energon Mine B–9
Arcee had continued to walk, cautious like prey, good, it was what she deserved, Airachnid got ready as The Autobot paused, before Arcee equipped her other blaster and kept moving, cautious as Airachnid started to fire, only for the Autobot to dodge out of the way, moving and hiding behind the Sentinel pods, they were durable, they could take it as she continued her firing.
Arcee had went and returned fire with a scream, their bolts hitting her in a barrage, damaging her more than the crash as The Autobot finished, once the smoke cleared, she had went and fell down, she was flat on her faceplate, she had started to get up which was when she saw Arcee approaching with her weapons drawn, snarling at that, she got up and glared, not going to give her the satisfaction.
“When you extinguish my spark, make it hurt.” she told her, “You know, I would extend that courtesy to you./Like you did my sisters.” She said/thought to Arcee, who in turn lowered her weapons, “I’m not like you.” Arcee said, which angered her more that this butcher could say that to her, “Very well.” she said, charging towards her, but Arcee leapt up and got behind Airachnid.
She had went and swiped but Arcee leapt backwards on her knee before extending her blades, Airachnid approached, attacking her with her pedes, but Arcee had blocked once, twice a third and the final fourth which pushed her back as she had blocked with both of her servos, right before she had charge forth, kneeing her in the chin, knocking her processor before she kicked once more.
With all of that force, she had went and been knocked back, but she wasn’t down and out yet, as Airachnid readjusted, getting ready to kill Arcee, she heard a beeping before realizing she was on an opened Sentinel Pod, panicking, she had went to run out, “No!” she screamed, but it was too late, the pod shut closed, severing a pedes as she struggled to get out.
Arcee had watched her as she struggled, like the monster she was, making her want to fight and finish her off before feeling as her body went into stasis, her faceplate showing shock as her mind faded into the black, making the last thing on her mind the fact that she lost to Arcee and it was most likely that she would never see who what remained of those she cared about again.
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The Nemesis
Soundwave saw that Megatron was on his own, firing another shot when The Insecticons had started to fall, the leader giving a roar before going to attack, “Cease!” She shouted one last time in the air and this time they listened, “Obey Megatron once more!” She had commanded of them, the Insecticons, all but Hardshell there as they went and kneeled before him in unison.
“Forgive us, one true Lord and master./Forgive us, one true Lord and master.” they said, obeying her as Megatron looked at his forces, Soundwave landing with Hardshell besides her, “This day has certainly seen its share of thwarted intentions.”he said as Soundwave walked towards him through the crowd, bowing towards the mech, Satisfaction. Coming from him.
“Soundwave, begin transporting The Insecticons to Storage Vault C,” he commanded, hearing that, she gave them a nod before giving the command, “Follow to new nest.” She had told them, they had begun to follow the CCO, “Wait, wasn’t there something important we forgot?” Laserbeak asked, “Nay, All six enemies were defeated and–”“Wait, six?" She thought just as there was an explosion.
It came from the Engine Room and made them all start to shake, “Now what?!” Megatron questioned as they had started to capsize, “Brace for impact!” She ordered as Megatron had headed to the controls to figure out what was going on, The Insecticons moved to attach to the the hull as they attempted to not fall, “All hands, prepare for landing!” One of the MTO’s shouted over the comms.
She and The Insecticons had prepared to do as much as they had thankfully created a controlled landing onto the ground, it was bumpy and as Soundwave saw, they were heading to a cliff, she was about to transform and fly away, but thankfully, they were able to stop in time, making Soundwave relieved before she got up to get back to work, almost unaware of Bulkhead escaping the Nemesis.
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Autobot Outpost Omega–One, Nevada
Arcee was glaring at the frozen form of her enemy Airachnid as Ratchet examined the pod, “Stasis.” The CMO told them, “She deserves worse.” Ratchet had told Arcee, “I intended worse more times than you know.” Arcee told him, when Optimus had approached them, “You are stronger for the choice you made.” Optimus had said, just as they had heard the honking of Bulkhead as he had come in.
Transforming as he ran in, “Guys, you are not gonna believe the day I had.” he started to say before seeing the pod, “Oh you too, huh?” Bulkhead said, making Arcee smirk, “Why don’t you tell me about it while we store her, huh?” Arcee had asked him, The Wrecker had nodded at that as he had went to go and help her, as the pair had headed down the hall, Bulkhead spoke.
“Wow, can’t believe Airachnid’s our prisoner.” he told her, making Arcee nod, “Yeah, I thought it would have ended with one of us dead.” Arcee had told him, “Same here,” Bulkhead told her, “Imagine it, Airachnid, survivor of The Fateweaver decimation, versus Arcee of The Darklands.” Bulkhead told her, making Arcee pause, “Fateweaver denomination?” she had asked him.
“Yeah, it was something Delta Magnus told us about when he was visiting his brother.” Bulkhead told her, “Apparently he and The Primal Vanguard were called in by The Eukaris elders, some bot there had been hunting The Fateweavers, massacring them, apparently they were a guest brought by Airachnid to her tribe,” he said as Arcee started to get a helmache from the story.
The bot had hunted them down, cut them open, almost like they were dissecting them until only Airachnid and a few other sparklings were left,” he said as it started to hurt, “All any of them could say was that the bot was a pink and white four–wheeler.” Bulkhead had told her as something flashed in Arcee’s mind, “Hi there! I’m Airachnid!” A young bot said with an excited expression.
It flashed between the two sharing energon, her telling The Sparkling stories, a jungle on fire with a scared Airachnid, “How could you?” She asked as Arcee had left her, “I will never forgive you! I will find you and take everything you love! You hear me?! I will make you feel my pain!” It was disconcerting and made her stagger, “Arcee?!” Bulkhead had asked, worried for her as she readjusted, “I’m fine.” she told him.
But she wasn’t, Arcee couldn’t believe it, during the blackout, did she… was she the reason that Airachnid had become who she was? It made the femme give another look at The Eukarian before they continued storing her away, they became enemies, she got others involved, killing those that weren’t involved, she’d feel guilty later, but now, they had more pressing matters to deal with.
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Insecticon Hive, The Nemesis
Soundwave watched as the Insecticons had started to crawl up and nest with each other, all close together like they preferred, “Tell me, has The Queen perished?” She had asked of them, at that, they had hissed in unison, “She is in the dreamless sleep,” Hardshell said for the whole, “Alive but unable to live.” They had said to her, hearing that, Soundwave took a vent, "She’s in stasis.” Laserbeak said.
“At least now we don’t have to worry about terminating her.” She had thought, glad that was done with for now, “Tell me, what did Queen tell you of Megatron and myself.” She had asked of the swarm, “We were told that you had been turned by an enemy, that you were to be restrained as we slayed the enemy.” Hardshell said, confusing Soundwave, “Turned?” She had asked them.
“Do you still not understand fool?!” The Voice said, making her angry at that as she had went to go and help out the rest of The Decepticon Crew, as she had went and did as much, The Voice had started to look through her optics, seeing everything that she saw which also mean that he saw that the vessel that they were inside seemed too damaged, but there was something else.
When The Voice was once in their true form, they had torn apart many enemies, and there was one in particular that had made them worried as The Voice knew what they were inside now, WHO they were inside, it had worried The Voice immensely before realizing that he was neutered, in stasis as it were, and realizing that, they had prayed to The Five that he would not awaken here with no master to control him.
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The Artillery, Earth’s Exosphere
Trochia was worried now, on the bright side, at least the Autohunter was disabled, but there was another issue, an entire Insecticon Hive was here, taking a vent, Trochia had sent out a message to Autobot Intelligence, requesting a crash on The Nemesis, as she waited, Trochia went and opened a comm to Wheeljack, “Hey Jackie, wanna give you a heads up.” she said to the bot.
“What’s up?” Wheeljack had asked, “The Decepticons have an Insecticon Hive on her servos now.” she had told him, making him pause at that, “What breed?” He had asked of her, “I think Hardshell, durable and strong but lacking in speed and brains.” she had told him, “Thanks for the heads–” “Frag!” Trochia went, getting a response from Prowl, “What?” He asked, worried.
“I can’t go cannon on them, Prowl said observe only.” she had told him as the giant got comfortable to keep an optic on them, “Well that sucks,” Wheeljack said, “If you ever get the greenlight, let me know so I can help blow them away.” He said, “I will.” she said with a grin on her faceplate, now they’d wait, seriously though, their ship was crippled, what did Prowl think was going to happen?