Transformers RPG Season I IC Thread

[Spider-Man9X17]

(IC: Ironhide)

"Interesting location, sir. I will get to my post. Now, there is the matter of this new recruit." Ironhide pauses. Is this kid really a decepticon spy? In times like this he could killed just for the assumption of being one. What should I do? Ironhide thinks to himself for only a few nanoclicks, and then makes his decision. "Sir, this is Ratchet. He's a medic I recruited. We are low on them, and I thought he could join the crew." Ironhide looks back at Ratchet, and then back to Prime. "He fixed me up pretty good, so I trust him." Ironhide pauses. "For the most part." He mumbles.

"Then he shall be welcomed on the Ark. We may be in need of a medical officer very very soon."

 

[Saved]

"Then he shall be welcomed on the Ark. We may be in need of a medical officer very very soon."

(IC: Ironhide)

"Very good, sir." Suddenly, and alarm goes off at Ironhide's station. He runs over and begins looking at the screens. Suddenly, a look of shock comes across his face.

"Sir, a ship is approaching. And it's Decepticon." One of the other Autobots at his station begins to panic.

"What do we do?" Ironhide looks over to him, and smiles.

"We kick some Deception circuits. Main weapons aimed to fire. Security units cover our entry docks incase they breach us. Get ready guys, this'll be a rough launch."

 

[ScarletVenom25]

PROWL

I reached the bridge, only to see Sentinel Prime nowhere. Where is he? Who's in charge? I noticed everyone getting ready for battle, and then I saw the Decepticon cruiser coming closer to the Ark. Barricade is on it. I could feel it.

I took out my pistol blaster and quickly exchanged it for a much larger weapon. If Barricade was going to invade this ship, I will do what needs to be done, alone of course. He's my brother, so he's my fight. No one will interfere.

Now to my my Prime problem. Well, I'll take care of that at a calmer time.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

"Then he shall be welcomed on the Ark. We may be in need of a medical officer very very soon."

"Thank you, Optimus. I promise you that I'll do my job to the best of my ability."

(IC: Ironhide)

"Very good, sir." Suddenly, and alarm goes off at Ironhide's station. He runs over and begins looking at the screens. Suddenly, a look of shock comes across his face.

"Sir, a ship is approaching. And it's Decepticon." One of the other Autobots at his station begins to panic.

"What do we do?" Ironhide looks over to him, and smiles.

"We kick some Deception circuits. Main weapons aimed to fire. Security units cover our entry docks incase they breach us. Get ready guys, this'll be a rough launch."

"And it looks as though you'll might need it quicker than expected."

I turn back to Optimus.

"Ready for orders, sir. Whatever you need me to do."

 

[Spider-Man9X17]

"Evasive manuevers. Show them as little of the ship as possible."

"Tech unit, prepare for a hyper jump. Scan immediate area for any temporal disturbances or space warps to jump through."

 

[Saved]

"Evasive manuevers. Show them as little of the ship as possible."

"Tech unit, prepare for a hyper jump. Scan immediate area for any temporal disturbances or space warps to jump through."

Ironhide watched the radar screens as the Decepticon ship game in closer and closer.

"Optimus, the ship is almost right on top of us! Should we take action?"

 

[Spider-Man9X17]

Ironhide watched the radar screens as the Decepticon ship game in closer and closer.

"Optimus, the ship is almost right on top of us! Should we take action?"

"Open fire!"

 

[Saved]

"Open fire!"

"Sir! Finally! I get to slag some Decepticon!" Ironhide begins to type on the console, accessing various weapons systems. Soon, he has every weapon aimed at the enemy ship. Ironhide looks at the radar and see the ship closing in.

"Fire!" He hits the button, and the Ark's cannons and anti-armor rockets begin to fire on the enemy ship. "They'll pay for killing Sentinel. With their sparks."

 

[LibrarianThorne]

"Sir! Finally! I get to slag some Decepticon!" Ironhide begins to type on the console, accessing various weapons systems. Soon, he has every weapon aimed at the enemy ship. Ironhide looks at the radar and see the ship closing in.

"Fire!" He hits the button, and the Ark's cannons and anti-armor rockets begin to fire on the enemy ship. "They'll pay for killing Sentinel. With their sparks."

The Nemesis lurched as the hail of fire from the Ark slammed into it. Massive die-cast rockets crunched into the hull of the Nemesis, shattering armor plating and diving deep into the ship. Cannon fire raked across its prow, rocking the ship like a drunken fighter.

"Maintain course!" bellowed Megatron. Thundercracker and Skywarp complied as best they could. "Extend boarding clamps, Scorponok! All other Decepticons, to me! For glory and victory! Decepticons forever!" Megatron stood, followed by Barricade, Soundwave and Skywarp. They all lurched forward, slamming into the bulkhead as the Nemesis finally made contact with the Ark.

Enormous steel tubes, like some form of piston, shot out from the Nemesis into the hull of the Ark. They were not elegant tools but then again no elegance was necessary as they pounded through the hull of the Ark, smashing through feet of armor plating like enormous sledgehammers. In the span of a moment, the Decepticons had their chance. Megatron and the rest of the Decepticons, barring Thundercracker and Scorponok, stood at the entrance to their boarding tunnel. Megatron held up his left hand, and it swiftly morphed into an enormous plasma cannon. With fury in his optics, he roared "Decepticons, ATTACK!" and leapt into the hole, landing feet first on the deck of the Ark.

 

[Saved]

(IC: Ironhide)

The Nemesis lurched as the hail of fire from the Ark slammed into it. Massive die-cast rockets crunched into the hull of the Nemesis, shattering armor plating and diving deep into the ship. Cannon fire raked across its prow, rocking the ship like a drunken fighter.

"Maintain course!" bellowed Megatron. Thundercracker and Skywarp complied as best they could. "Extend boarding clamps, Scorponok! All other Decepticons, to me! For glory and victory! Decepticons forever!" Megatron stood, followed by Barricade, Soundwave and Skywarp. They all lurched forward, slamming into the bulkhead as the Nemesis finally made contact with the Ark.

Enormous steel tubes, like some form of piston, shot out from the Nemesis into the hull of the Ark. They were not elegant tools but then again no elegance was necessary as they pounded through the hull of the Ark, smashing through feet of armor plating like enormous sledgehammers. In the span of a moment, the Decepticons had their chance. Megatron and the rest of the Decepticons, barring Thundercracker and Scorponok, stood at the entrance to their boarding tunnel. Megatron held up his left hand, and it swiftly morphed into an enormous plasma cannon. With fury in his optics, he roared "Decepticons, ATTACK!" and leapt into the hole, landing feet first on the deck of the Ark.

The Ark rocked back and forth as the enemy ship began to board. Ironhide looked at the scanners and radar screens.

"They're boarding us Prime!" Ironhide hit a few buttons on the computers. Soon, more of the Ark's rockets and blasters began their barage against the enemy ship. Ironhide looked to Ratchet, I know how to prove his loyalty, he thought. Ironhide walked away from his station and toward the door. On his way out, he grabbed Ratchet by the shoulder, and forced him through the door.

"We'll be back, Prime. If those Decepticons board us, our weapons won't mean a thing." Ironhide forces Ratchet through the bridge doors, as they close behind them.

"Come on, kid. I have the perfect plan." Ironhide walks with Ratchet down the hallway. Soon, they reach the armory. Ironhide punches in a few codes on the module by the door. It quickly opens, and Ironhide rushes inside, as Ratchet stands outside confused and dazed.

Ironhide walks out of the room carrying two huge blasters. He throws them to Ratchet, who narrowly catches them. Ironhide looks at Ratchet, and smiles.

"Come on, kid." He says, as cannons form over his forearms. "We're going hunting."

 

[ScarletVenom25]

PROWL

The Ark began shaking, I was barely able to keep my footing. The Decepticons are boarding the ship I thought. I holstered my blaster on my back, and soon determined what area of the ship they were planning to board. I began running through the halls, thinking of a battle strategy in my head. When I confronted Barricade, I was going to be ready. I arrived at my destination, and began waiting for my adversary.

 

[Venom160]

I quickly lay Jetfire into the command seat.

"Hot Rod get to the weapon controls! These Decepticons isnt letting us get away. Blur I want you on secondary backing him up!"

"I'll radio for back up."

"No!"

"Why?!"

"Sentinal Prime has more to worry about than backing us up. Besides once we get out of Cybertronian space they can't follow."

I lower my voice and look over to Blur.

"Unless they have a ship already waiting for us."

Several plasma blasts slam into the rear of the ship causing it to shake wildly.

"Why aren't those weapons firing!"

"We're working on it."

"Do it faster! We're taking on a lot of damage!"

"Well if you flew this heap with some kind of skill we wouldn't get hit as much!"

The weapons finally come back online and target the pursuing Decepticons.

"Eat this!"

Several high power plasma bursts erupt from the cannons destroying two Desepticons in the tracks while Blur takes out another with his shot.

"We're leaving Cybertronian airspace!"

I watch through my view screen as the remaining Decepticons fall back.

"Whew, that was close. Helluva first battle eh Rodimus."

"Oh no Jetfire!"

I spin around in time to see Jetfire fall out of the chair, sparks and bluish black liquid oozing out of the hole in his chest.

"Primus! Hot Rod help Arcee get Jetfire to the repair bay! I'll get us a safe distance away from Cybertron and meet up with you."

I quickly get to my feet and pull one of Jetfire's arm around my shoulder as Arcee takes the other. Blur races ahead of us to activate the repair equipment.

Blur has the equipment online by the time we arrive in the repair room. Arcee and I gently place Jetfire onto a steel table while Blu lowers a repair plate onto Jetfire's chest.

"Hot Rod...get Springer down here..."

"But he trying to.."

"Just tell him to put....the ship on autopilot and get here!"

I quickly relay the message and Springer arrives ten clicks later.

"My students im not going to make it so here is your mission."

"Don't talk like that, we'll have you repaired inna a few cycles."

"No we can't."

I jerk my receptors over to Blur who is staring at the readouts from the repair plate.

"His wounds are too severe, even for stasis lock."

"No."

I place an arm around Arcee's shoulder as black fluid ozzes out of Jetfire's mouth.

"Heres your mission, you are to get the artifact away from here and try and meet up with Sentinal Prime and the Ark."

We remain silent as we listen closly to our fallen teacher.

"Hot Rod....you will lead this team."

"What?! Jetfire.....I can't....I'll screw it up....."

"You can do this Rodimus......I have faith in you."

I open my mouth to argue the point more until sparks start to shoot from Jetfire's wound.

"Take care of each other.........Im proud of you all............"

The lights in Jetfire's eyes fade as his spark is extinguished.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

(IC: Ironhide)

The Ark rocked back and forth as the enemy ship began to board. Ironhide looked at the scanners and radar screens.

"They're boarding us Prime!" Ironhide hit a few buttons on the computers. Soon, more of the Ark's rockets and blasters began their barage against the enemy ship. Ironhide looked to Ratchet, I know how to prove his loyalty, he thought. Ironhide walked away from his station and toward the door. On his way out, he grabbed Ratchet by the shoulder, and forced him through the door.

"We'll be back, Prime. If those Decepticons board us, our weapons won't mean a thing." Ironhide forces Ratchet through the bridge doors, as they close behind them.

"Come on, kid. I have the perfect plan." Ironhide walks with Ratchet down the hallway. Soon, they reach the armory. Ironhide punches in a few codes on the module by the door. It quickly opens, and Ironhide rushes inside, as Ratchet stands outside confused and dazed.

Ironhide walks out of the room carrying two huge blasters. He throws them to Ratchet, who narrowly catches them. Ironhide looks at Ratchet, and smiles.

"Come on, kid." He says, as cannons form over his forearms. "We're going hunting."

I stare at the blasters in my hands, like foreign, alien objects. It feels like ages since I killed that Decepticon with my scalpel, and yet it feels like it just happened, and the oil is still dripping from my hands.

I've heard it said that the second time you kill someone is always easier. I don't know what's worse, having to face that...or finding out that it's true.

I feel the blasters in my hand, heavy and deadly. I look at Ironhide and numbly nod, following him.

Following him to battle, to hell--my hell.

 

[Spike_x1]

Above the bridge of the Nemesis, watching the Decepticon officers plot their engagement of the Ark, Jazz was peering down through a small patch of grating in the ceiling. He had successfully followed Megatron to the launch site and snuck onboard without being detected. Before now, the Autobot hadn't known what course of action to take next; the thought had even crossed his processors to simply break out of the ceiling and start blasting, taking out as many enemies as possible before being cut down. Now however, that last ditch plan of action wasn't necessary. If the Deceptibutts were going to attempt to board the Ark, Jazz could try to sneak over with them and regroup with his fellow Autobots. He had to warn someone about the failsafe virus!

The Nemesis lurched as the hail of fire from the Ark slammed into it. Massive die-cast rockets crunched into the hull of the Nemesis, shattering armor plating and diving deep into the ship. Cannon fire raked across its prow, rocking the ship like a drunken fighter.

"Maintain course!" bellowed Megatron. Thundercracker and Skywarp complied as best they could. "Extend boarding clamps, Scorponok! All other Decepticons, to me! For glory and victory! Decepticons forever!" Megatron stood, followed by Barricade, Soundwave and Skywarp. They all lurched forward, slamming into the bulkhead as the Nemesis finally made contact with the Ark.

Enormous steel tubes, like some form of piston, shot out from the Nemesis into the hull of the Ark. They were not elegant tools but then again no elegance was necessary as they pounded through the hull of the Ark, smashing through feet of armor plating like enormous sledgehammers. In the span of a moment, the Decepticons had their chance. Megatron and the rest of the Decepticons, barring Thundercracker and Scorponok, stood at the entrance to their boarding tunnel. Megatron held up his left hand, and it swiftly morphed into an enormous plasma cannon. With fury in his optics, he roared "Decepticons, ATTACK!" and leapt into the hole, landing feet first on the deck of the Ark.

Staying at a distance behind Megatron, Barricade, Skywarp, and Soundwave as they began descending into the hole, Jazz followed swiftly and quietly. Every few paces he found refuge to pause and take cover behind, watching the villains and the boarding tunnel. He was lucky that Thundercracker and Scorponok were still at the controls on the bridge. Even with this small amount of Decepticons, it was going to be a miracle to get passed them and onto the Ark in one piece.

Tuning his visor appropriately, Jazz loked down and could make out the faint thermal images of his fellow Autobots on the other side of the Ark's hull. So close and yet so far. He just had to wait for the last of the Decepticons to board the Ark, as much as he hated the thought.

 

[Spider-Man9X17]

"Megatron," Prime growled as his old friend and comrade came into view on the deck below. He put the Ark on autopilot, addressing the Autobots in the bridge.

"Stay at your stations, soldiers, and hold your ground. I must go meet Megatron now. If I am unable to stop Megatron or drive the Decepticons from the Arc, I want you to engage the jump."

The doors to the bridge slid open, and Optimus Prime left to engage the enemy.

 

[Saved]

(IC: Ironhide)

Ironhide nods back to Ratchet. He takes cover and holds his cannons aimed at the door.

"Hold steady, Ratchet. Shoot once you see their traitorous eyes."

Suddenly, the blast door opens, and all is silent. Ironhide holds his arms steady, ready to fire. As they focus on the open door, they only see black. All that can be heard is the creaking of the ship, and the humming of Ironhide's guns.

"Steady, boy." he whispers to Ratchet. "Steady."

"Decepticons, engage!"

"Fire!"

Ironhide begins his assault, as the enemy begins to fire through the dark hallway beyond the door. He fires the missles from his cannons, each flying through the small hallway, and into the on coming enemy. Suddenly, the enemy bursts through the darkness, and into view. Ironhide watches as the Decepticons begin to ambush them. To his astonishment, he sees an old nemisis from battles before.

"Soundwave..."

"Decepticons, fire at their chests. Extinguish their sparks, for the glory of our leader!"

"Ratchet, fire with all you have! This is your time to shine!" Ironhide grabs one of the metal plates on the wall, and rips it off. He uses it for cover, as he reloads his weapons.

"Ratchet, fire at anything that moves. We can't let them through!" Ironhide reloads his cannons, and rolls out from behind the metal plate.

"This is for Sentinel you traitors! Burn in the fires of the pit!"

 

[ScarletVenom25]

PROWL

Prowl saw his enemy join the other Decepticons on the Ark.

"BARRICADE!" Prowl screamed. The Decepticon only had a moment's glance before Prowl lurched at him. The two tumbled away from their respective teammates before they finally reached a halt. Prowl quickly drew his blaster and aimed at Barricade's chest. "Don't make me shoot, brother."

 

[LibrarianThorne]

(IC: Ironhide)

Ironhide nods back to Ratchet. He takes cover and holds his cannons aimed at the door.

"Hold steady, Ratchet. Shoot once you see their traitorous eyes."

Suddenly, the blast door opens, and all is silent. Ironhide holds his arms steady, ready to fire. As they focus on the open door, they only see black. All that can be heard is the creaking of the ship, and the humming of Ironhide's guns.

"Steady, boy." he whispers to Ratchet. "Steady."

"Decepticons, engage!"

"Fire!"

Ironhide begins his assault, as the enemy begins to fire through the dark hallway beyond the door. He fires the missles from his cannons, each flying through the small hallway, and into the on coming enemy. Suddenly, the enemy bursts through the darkness, and into view. Ironhide watches as the Decepticons begin to ambush them. To his astonishment, he sees an old nemisis from battles before.

"Soundwave..."

"Decepticons, fire at their chests. Extinguish their sparks, for the glory of our leader!"

"Ratchet, fire with all you have! This is your time to shine!" Ironhide grabs one of the metal plates on the wall, and rips it off. He uses it for cover, as he reloads his weapons.

"Ratchet, fire at anything that moves. We can't let them through!" Ironhide reloads his cannons, and rolls out from behind the metal plate.

"This is for Sentinel you traitors! Burn in the fires of the pit!"

Megatron turned as Soundwave landed behind him and began engaging the Autobots. He didn't recognize the two that opposed them, but that was no longer a new feeling for the master of the Decepticons. He simply raised his enormous arm cannon and fired a cautionary blast that sizzled past the Autobot with a muted red and yellow chassis.

"Opposing us is futile, Autobots. Bring me Sentinel Prime and I will spare your sparks."

He spoke with the calm surety of a being who regarded his opponents as so far beneath him they were barely worth his notice.

 

[Spider-Man9X17]

Megatron turned as Soundwave landed behind him and began engaging the Autobots. He didn't recognize the two that opposed them, but that was no longer a new feeling for the master of the Decepticons. He simply raised his enormous arm cannon and fired a cautionary blast that sizzled past the Autobot with a muted red and yellow chassis.

"Opposing us is futile, Autobots. Bring me Sentinel Prime and I will spare your sparks."

He spoke with the calm surety of a being who regarded his opponents as so far beneath him they were barely worth his notice.

"Sentinel Prime is no more, Megatron. He is one with the Matrix," Optimus Prime spoke from behind his old friend.

"The Autobots are under my command, Cybertron under my protection."

 

[LibrarianThorne]

"Sentinel Prime is no more, Megatron. He is one with the Matrix," Optimus Prime spoke from behind his old friend.

"The Autobots are under my command, Cybertron under my protection."

Megatron turned at the sound of the strange voice. His optics widened in recognition. "Optimus?" he said in a half-whisper. Then his steel face changed into what would, on the face of a human, be considered a smile. "Sentinel Prime is dead. Excellent!" The Decepticon laughed, realizing that his bomb, though failing in destroying the Ark itself, had finally rid him of the meddlesome Autobot leader. "And what are you now, Optimus? The new Prime?"

Megatron charged forward suddenly and slammed into Optimus with all his considerable weight. His old friend crashed through the steel wall of the hallway, landing in a heap in an adjoining room. Megatron followed, stepping through the hole with his plasma blaster held forward. Dark green energy crackled within it, begging release. "In the name of our old friendship, Optimus, I will give you a chance to surrender here and now. Sentinel may not have told you, but the Autobots are in rout all across the galaxies. This little spat is nothing more than a formality. You can save your life and the sparks of all those you lead if you surrender now. Resist me and you will find that your remaining options will be markedly less.... pleasant."

 

[Eddie Brock]

Red Alert watches as the Ark leaves - a successful launch. Suddenly, a second ship begins pursuit. Red Alert scans it, and sees an all-too-familiar symbol.

"Decepticons!"

Red Alert hurries over to the anti-spacecraft cannon, but the Decepticon ship is out of range. Red Alert suddenly feels helpless...and alone.

"Well, well, lookie here," a sinister voice hisses. Red Alert turns to face him, and sees that it's a Decepticon drone. "What's the matter? Miss the Ark's final boarding call?"

Red Alert transforms his right arm into a cannon. "The same could be said of you and your ship."

"Oh no...we're doing our job," the Decepticon assures Red Alert. Then three more Decepticons come crawling out of the woodwork. "Our job is to finish off the remaining Autobots - such as yourself. That way, when Lord Megatron returns with energon...there will be no pesky Autobots to stand in his way."

The Decepticons close in, and Red Alert transforms his left arm into a cannon. "Go ahead. Bring your worst."

"I've been dying for a good fight."
​

 

[Spike_x1]

Through the loud rumblings of the onslaught, another shot rang out that was no different in noise than any other, yet it meant the world to the Autobot known as Jazz. Appearing through the hole in the Ark's hull, Jazz flipped through the air, raining a hail of blaster fire onto Skywarp, who was standing in his way. The force of the blasts hammered the Decepticon onto his back, allowing Jazz to run right over him, stepping on the Seeker's face along the way.

"Ironhide, I have to get to the bridge!" Jazz yelled above the commotion.

 

[Saved]

Through the loud rumblings of the onslaught, another shot rang out that was no different in noise than any other, yet it meant the world to the Autobot known as Jazz. Appearing through the hole in the Ark's hull, Jazz flipped through the air, raining a hail of blaster fire onto Skywarp, who was standing in his way. The force of the blasts hammered the Decepticon onto his back, allowing Jazz to run right over him, stepping on the Seeker's face along the way.

"Ironhide, I have to get to the bridge!" Jazz yelled above the commotion.

(IC: Ironhide)

Ironhide heard a voice calling out to him through the hail of blaster and missle fire. He saw a familiar face running as fast as he could through the Decepticon lines.

"...Jazz?"

Ironhide turns on his infared optics, and sees the outline of his comrad and fellow soldier Jazz. He turns to Ratchet, and puts his arm on the blaster, lowering it so his shot misses.

"Ratchet, don't shoot Jazz." Ironhide turns away and aims his guns. He thinks for a nanoclick, and turns back to Ratchet. "The shiny silver guy running for us. Give him coverfire, now!"

***​

Soundwave continues his barrage against the Autobot soldiers. Each missile he fires blares down the hallway, and narrowly misses the Autobots. Suddenly, he hears the sound of blaster fire behind him. He turns around and watches as Skywarp falls on his back, the holes in his chest smoking and burning.

"Skywarp! Decepticon down." Soundwave quickly scans the area. He watches as a small figure moves through their lines, and inward toward the Ark. "Autobot intruder! Fire! Kill him! Do not let him make it inside!"

 

[MaskedManJRK]

​

"Hold steady, Ratchet. Shoot once you see their traitorous eyes."

I drop one of the blasters next to me and hold one with both hands, pointed directly towards where the Decepticons will be.

The Decepticons. They are the enemy. They do not matter. You can blast them into frying pieces of scrap metal and it won't mean a damn thing to you.

I hope I can believe that.

Silence, going on for moments upon moments of forever. Suddenly, they scream out, blasts of energy reaching towards us, greeting us so they can turn us into scrap.

"Fire!"

I put my finger over the trigger, I aim towards them and get a bead on one of them. My finger flexes, but the trigger won't give. I think it might be jammed or I have a safety feature on and then I realize that it's just me. My finger won't give.

I can't do it. I can't take another life. Not again.

"Ratchet, fire with all you have! This is your time to shine! Ratchet, fire at anything that moves. We can't let them through! This is for Sentinel you traitors! Burn in the fires of the pit!"

I glance at Ironhide. He's in his element, moving as if he was assembled for the sole purpose for war and I realize that is probably the exact reason. I feel that I should not let him down--he could have just as simply sold me out when it is so easy to assume I have sabatoged the ship and Sentinel, but he didn't and I probably owe my life to him--but how can I tell him that I have been programmed to heal instead of kill?

I close my eyes. I put everything to the back of my mind. I open them, and my vision is clear.

I fire.

I hit a Decepticon square in the eyes, just as Ironhide told me to do. He drops to the ground and I don't know if he's dead but I fire again and again and again.

It's true. The second time isn't so bad. Primus, what have I done?​

 

[Spider-Man9X17]

Megatron turned at the sound of the strange voice. His optics widened in recognition. "Optimus?" he said in a half-whisper. Then his steel face changed into what would, on the face of a human, be considered a smile. "Sentinel Prime is dead. Excellent!" The Decepticon laughed, realizing that his bomb, though failing in destroying the Ark itself, had finally rid him of the meddlesome Autobot leader. "And what are you now, Optimus? The new Prime?"

Megatron charged forward suddenly and slammed into Optimus with all his considerable weight. His old friend crashed through the steel wall of the hallway, landing in a heap in an adjoining room. Megatron followed, stepping through the hole with his plasma blaster held forward. Dark green energy crackled within it, begging release. "In the name of our old friendship, Optimus, I will give you a chance to surrender here and now. Sentinel may not have told you, but the Autobots are in rout all across the galaxies. This little spat is nothing more than a formality. You can save your life and the sparks of all those you lead if you surrender now. Resist me and you will find that your remaining options will be markedly less.... pleasant."

Megatron was strong, stronger than Prime had ever known him to be.

Luckily, Optimus had had an upgrade or so himself.

He raised his proton cannon and fired, blasting Megatron's chest and sending him crashing to the ground.

"Those who surrender to you are led into damnation, not salvation. The Autobots have but one mission: To replenish the Energon and rebuild Cybertron. I trust Sentinel's wisdom."

"Now, dispense with your 'options', tyrant. They mean nothing to me. I alone forge the path to my own destiny, despite your threats."