Transformers #5 - Part Five

The Transformers #5 {formerly A World Transformed}

Written By Karl V

Plots by Maximus Prime {Bryan S.}

It's a rather desperate time when you ask why you haven't died by the hands of your enemies. For five stalwart robots in disguise, the question of when has been processed every microsecond in their minds.

"I hate to say this bots. But, we're sure in a heap of slag now. " Blaster stated to the rest of the Autobots.

"That goes without saying Blaster." Cosmos waved his arm at the energy bars that held them in the prison cell, "We don't know what is happening with Powerglide and Warpath and what Shockwave is going to do with us."

Perceptor's misery was apparent as he wallowed in the corner of the cell. "I'm afraid they may have met the same fate as Spanner. The fact that our friends don't occupy this cell almost guarantees their demise. Alas, I fear we may be next as soon as Shockwave comes back."

"Well, he's got to want us for something, or else we'd be offline by now." Beachcomber ominously added.

Seaspray nodded in agreement then looked up to see the approaching Shockwave. "Well, I think we're about to find out."

"Greetings Autobots. I hope you appreciate the fact that I have yet to extinguish your laser cores." Shockwave's cyclopean eye glowed with a bright yellow as he sarcastically spoke.

"I'm sure many of you are wondering why I would do such a thing. Well, it seems the atmosphere of this planet increases the rate of decay of Cybertronium. "

Perceptor's mood changed from depressed to intensely curious in a mere microsecond. "My word, that means we will be susceptible to most symbiotic and parasitic life forms."

"Uh, I don't mean to interrupt. But, can someone lay this out in simple terms?" Blaster looked at Perceptor first.

Shockwave answered for the Autobot. "Simple, Autobot. Any number of Techo viruses can inhabit our very bodies without the presence of Cybertronium. Some can result in minor malfunctions up to the loss of all mind processes. Unfortunately, Megatron was not very logical in his thinking when he allowed the Autobots to hold the majority of control over the element. It is another reason why I have gathered my forces here, to usurp his illogical place as leader."

Perceptor thought for a moment then looked at Blaster. "He means to use us as a bargaining tool to get the Cybertronium. And, no doubt to take out any loyal Decepticons who are unfortunate enough not to have a new supply of the element."

"I never heard of a Decepticon who's let any Autobot prisoners go alive." Seaspray spoke with his trademark gargle.

"I assume each of you has some intricate knowledge of Autobot secrets. While I organize my forces, we will obtain such information through any means necessary. It will be rather unfortunate that all of your minds will be wiped...accidentally...during the interrogations, much like your other two friends. I will exchange lifeless shells for the golden Electrum of this planet."

"Why you piece of slaggin..." Blaster clenched his fist in rage.

Shockwave merely stared at the Autobot. "Such an irrational display of emotions. It is a wonder that you Autobots can still function. It is a situation which I will remedy soon."

"What in blazes is going on around here?" Preston yelled at the top of his lungs.

The Private saluted. "Sir, there's been reports of a two mutant teams fighting outside of the perimeter." {See NeoKnights #5}

General Preston grumbled with intense impatience. "Looks like you've got the attention of the muties."

The white robot looked down at the General and frowned. "General, I've had time myself to research your species. I know that mutie is a derogative term. Besides, we recently found out that the X-Men came upon documents concerning Energon and it's effect on your kind. I have a bad feeling that other mutant teams have came upon the same information."

Preston fumed. "Great, your ship seems to be leaking, and we're going to catch royal hell for it."

Prowl motioned for one of his few soldiers left. "General, this is Hound. His alternate configuration is analogous to this base and it's vehicles."

The green robot stepped forward. "I'm pleased to meet you sir."

"Skip the formalities and let's go." He impatiently tapped his foot.

Hound gave a glance at Prowl who nodded in an understood order. Hound quickly transformed into the form of a military jeep. Preston tried to act unimpressed as he unceremoniously plopped himself in the driver's seat and buckled up. Prowl looked down at them once more.

"I've rerouted Jazz to handle the small area where the Seekers landed. {See Bishop #3-KV}. General, I think it best if you handled the mutant teams that are fighting."

The General rolled his eyes. "Fine, let's go you heap of tin."

"Hey, I'm actually made out of..." Hound had started to complain.

"Just do as the General orders, Hound." Prowl interrupted.

Hound revved up his engine. "You got it Prowl. This shouldn't take long."

Hound sped off out of the Ark and Prowl turned his attention to the view screen.

"We now break from our usual programming to bring this late breaking announcement. Greetings, I'm Casey Carothers for WBFX News. Apparently, the dawn of the millennium has provided a different kind of fireworks in the form of mutants who are apparently attacking a giant robot in New York City. It has been unspecified whether or not this attack was staged or not. The mutants in question were the outlaws referred to as the X-Men {See #4-5 for details} with several other unidentified younger mutants by their side. According to eyewitness accounts, a truck had transformed into a thirty-foot tall robot, and began battle with the most known terrorist mutant known as Magneto. Then, the X-Men joined the fray..."

Prowl's jaw dropped at the description of the robot. "Primus, what else could go wrong today."

A resounding beep echoed throughout the ship. Prowl pressed a few buttons as Wheeljack's voice came over the radio.

"We're digging up Grimlock and his troops now. I will report back as soon as the job is done." Wheeljack reported.

"Thank Primus! Use whatever method necessary to get them out safely. And, report back on their status once they are back on-line." Prowl's depression was slowly being replaced by bright optimism. Prowl returned his optics to the view screens to keep tabs on more sightings in New York.

"Brawn, there has been a report of black and red robot in your vicinity, Frenzy from the sound of the report. Prime and the rest are... too busy, so I'm sending you to investigate."

"You got it Prowl. There's nothing that this tough Autobot can't handle."

Wheeljack and Ratchet stood over the boiling, viscous liquid with quizzical optics.

"Well, I suppose we better get started. The Energon signatures are in here." Ratchet transformed to his vehicular mode, an ambulance. He detached the rear section as it transformed into a gun emplacement. Ratchet loaded a projectile into the gun and shot it into the tar.

"Well, this should send out an ultrasonic wave, and tell us exactly how the General and the rest are positioned. At least, I hope it does. Then, we can proceed with rescue operation." Wheeljack explained to Ratchet.

To the surprise of both Ratchet and Wheeljack, the receiving device picked up the signal of the rocket probe. It showed five different forms, one right on top of another. Wheeljack noticed they were in their alternative configurations.

"Strange, it looks as though the Ark chose organic forms for the General and his troops." Wheeljack tried to identify the shapes.

Ratchet ran through his memory banks. He had downloaded every possible organic form, as his position of medic demanded such knowledge in case he encountered any wounded organic creatures.

"I believe these are called Dinosaurs. Since there was no mechanical life present at the time, Teletran One had to choose organic forms."

Wheeljack nodded. "Yeah, fortunately we have that secondary default in our systems. Now, we can proceed with the next phase. I specially rigged this missile with retracting claws. Also, the line is attached to this wheel mechanism, which will reel in the clawed missile and we have Grimlock and the rest."

Ratchet quickly picked up the next projectile that was tethered with a line and loaded it into the gun. As quickly as the projectile was loaded, it prematurely launched directly at Wheeljack. The tip of the projectile hit Wheeljack as the missile sprang three huge claws from its body. They grasped Wheeljack tightly as the line began reeling in its involuntary target. It dragged Wheeljack along the ground, as the inventor squirmed all the way. Wheeljack was pulled up on the gun station as the claws retracted back into the missile.

Ratchet could not help but laugh at the situation. "Well, at least we know it works."

This time Wheeljack picked up the projectile and loaded it himself. "Yeah, now we will see how well it works on Grimlock and his troops."

Ratchet smiled, then turned serious. "Well, I can not tell which one is which since they're in their alternate modes. Maybe except Swoop, I can safely assume he's the winged one. He was the aerial reconnaissance and bombardier specialist. He's also the one on the top of the pile."

Wheeljack launched the missile into the tar. The missile hit the thick liquid with undesired results. The claws swung out from the sides again in a failed attempt to grab the goop. It reeled into the mechanism dragging some of the sticky liquid on the end of its claws.

Wheeljack sighed. "I guess I need to add a magnetic tip to it. Once it latches to metal, it will deploy its claws."

"You know, a sonic barrier might be easier." Ratchet impatiently suggested, as he didn't want to be the next victim in a backfire of the device.

Wheeljack shook his head. "No, sound resounds in liquid. It may damage them further. We have to do this the archaic way."

The medic wondered if it was pride more than logic influencing Wheeljack to get the Elite in such a manner, after all a sonic device was just used to detect their positions. A sonic barrier could easily lift the liquid up and the Elite could be instantly repaired in the pit while the sonic barrier still held the liquid up in the air. Ratchet let Wheeljack continue lest the inventor's depression would create a menagerie of malfunctioning gadgets, and he may have to repair the hapless victims that fell into their path.

Wheeljack finished the modification on the missile and fired it into the tar again. The claws did not extend upon impact this time, and gave the inventor a smile. Thankfully, the weight of the missile was enough to make the thing descend rather quickly through the thick black ooze. The ultrasonic device was still going, giving Wheeljack the proper way to guide the missile down. Wheeljack's attention to the matter was much like a child at a machine trying to grab the reward with the claw hand.

"The claw released. It grabbed Swoop." Ratchet reported.

Wheeljack nodded and switched the gear on the machine. It made a heavy clunking noise as though it was about to give out from the sheer weight of pulling the Elite Autobot warrior from the tar. Finally, a wing had popped out from the dark pool, and reflected a glimmer of hope and light upon Wheeljack and Ratchet. As the wing drew came closer to the Autobots, that hope was quickly crushed as the claw only managed to rip the wing from Swoop's structure. Wheeljack detached the wing and placed it next to Ratchet. He reloaded the missile and fired again. The procedure was repeated with all the Elite squad, and at least one of their body parts torn from them by the claw. After Ratchet fixed the broken appendages, the two Autobots began cleaning the solidifying liquid. After a few hours, they managed to clean every nook and cranny of the Elite. They were now glimmering in their gray metallic organic like forms. Now, something more disturbing had to be done. Ratchet opened Swoop's head to examine the logic circuits. The low grunt of disappointment resounded through the air. Wheeljack bowed his head, and dared to ask the obvious.

"Well, how bad is it?"

Ratchet looked up with some dismay. "The liquid has seeped into their inner structures."

"Well, that doesn't mean anything bad...yet. Let's clean all their processors and inner circuitry. Then, we'll see if there was any damage."

Wheeljack's optimism was contagious as Ratchet fastidiously set about his work on clearing the tar from the inner workings of the Elite.

"Whatever we need to do, we need to do it now." Blaster's impatience was quickly grating on everyone else's circuits.

"Blaster, as I noted before we are at an extreme tactical deficiency." Perceptor retorted.

Blaster nodded in agreement. "I know, but Shockwave is the type of 'Con that keeps his promise. I don't want to end up a mindless bot."

"I do not wish that either Blaster. I have an idea, but first we need to try to pick up any type of signals that these fleshlings send out. Transform into your alternate mode and see if you can pick up anything." Perceptor ordered.

Blaster transfigured into his communication device mode. He quickly went through several types of wave frequencies.

"I've got a lot of radio signals. Some of them have excellent beats to them." Blaster reported.

Perceptor shook his head. "Never mind them. Look for any video frequencies."

"Okay, just watch my monitor for any signs." Blaster turned on the portion of his alternate mode that had a clear screen. A lot of static was shown until a clear, crisp picture of a fleshling program was displayed.

"I think you may have found something Blaster." Perceptor zoomed in his optic sensors to see the small picture.

"It has an audio signal as well. Should I play it?" Blaster queried.

Perceptor shook his head. "No, it's too much of a risk with the Decepticons around. But, find more of these fleshling video programs. I can reconfigure all of you to be more appropriate to this planet's machines. After all, my alternate mode is a portable reconfiguration ray."

"You got it Perceptor." Blaster practically cheered in response.

After several cycles had passed, Perceptor managed to reconfigure the other four Autobots by timing the change between guards. When the next shift changed, Blaster transformed into his new boom box mode and quickly slipped into Cosmo's UFO storage compartment. Perceptor quickly nodded to the others as the Decepticon looked into the cell. The Autobots couldn't have asked for a better guard to be posted at their cell. As the triple changer Blitzwing looked into the cell, he only saw four robots and not five. Not even bothering to be observant about Cosmos' new form, Blitzwing immediately released the energy bars holding the Autobots in the cell.

Cosmos quickly flew out while smacking the triple changer in the face. The Decepticon landed with a thud to the ground. Beachcomber and Seaspray transformed into their earthen forms, a blue sand buggy and a white and blue hovercraft respectively. They rode out of the cell as they ran over the triple changer preventing him from getting up. Cosmos ejected Blaster from his hold, while the laid back robot transformed into his warrior form. The red and yellow Autobot pulled his gun from his sub space compartment. Blaster shot his electro-scrambler at Blitzwing. The shot hit the Decepticon directly as the triple changer helplessly converted from one form to another.

"Some...body...stop...me!" Blitwing's broken request for help fell upon non-receptive audio circuits.

Blaster joined the Autobot Scientist who had run to a nearby corner of the city. Perceptor and Blaster clung to the walls of the city like they were the very metal plates used in the construction of it.

"This seems a bit too easy. I wonder if all the Decepticons went after the others." Blaster remarked as they ran to another corner with no trace of a guard.

Perceptor nodded. "That would be a good hypothesis Blaster. Hopefully it's not...."

Blaster interrupted with a wave of his hand that indicated silence was necessary. Blaster raised his gun in preparation to fire it. As the soft clanking against the rocky ground of the planet came closer and grew louder with each step, the two Autobots laser cores pulsed faster with nervousness and anticipation. Another Decepticon walked right by their location, this one obviously not paying particular attention to his surroundings. Blaster shot the Seeker, as the Decepticon began to jerk and twitch.

"We should get as far from here as possible. The Decepticons will soon notice our absence." Perceptor noted.

The brave Autobot communication specialist put up a front. "Well, I have plenty of more shots for all the Decepticreeps."

Beachcomber skidded quite a few times across the white slick terrain of the planet. He constantly looked back to see if any Decepticons were pursuing him from behind. With no Decepticons behind, he scanned the area ahead of him. A faint Energon signature beeped in his sensor display. His geological knowledge identified the Energon that was already used. Typically, used fuel could be recycled a few times before becoming completely useless. And, Shockwave's logic would not allow waste of such energies. Beachcomber drove slowly in an effort to stop the tires from uselessly spinning. Then, he headed in the direction of the Energon.

Blitzwing finally managed to regain control of his transformation. He tried his communicator, which had been shorted out along with some other minor circuits. He was not too disappointed, as he would have the first crack to get revenge on the Autobot that shot him. Blitzwing converted to his jet mode, which resembled a desert-camouflaged delta wing F-15 fighter in appearance. He soared up as high as he could to observe the escaping Autobots. He swerved around in a circle and spotted a small blue dot against the white snow blanketed plains. This Autobot would be an easy kill since it's vehicular mode was having troubles traversing the slick tundra. Blitzwing made one more circle like a vulture ready to descend on its prey. The targeting systems were still a bit off due to the damage done, again not too much of a disappointment to the Decepticon. Any ammo spent towards the decimation of an Autobot was well worth it, he thought to himself. Blitzwing dove for the kill, making sure to keep his nosecone pointed at the Autobot on the ground.

Beachcomber sighed in growing frustration as he spun out again. The surface tension of the ground was minimal and he had been converted to a form that had wheels. He started slowly again towards the Energon signature, while trying to keep his curiosity in check. His excitement of an unnatural phenomenon made him speed up again in a rather precarious fashion, only the Chronoarchitect knew when the Autobot would lose control and spin out again. Fortunately, for both old robot time and the Autobot, the wait was minimal. The Autobot span out again, this time his impatience saving his life. A bomb had gone off right where he was, making him spin into the air. Beachcomber checked his sensors, and spotted a Decepticon Seeker diving in to make a kill. Beachcomber turned his wheels and hit his accelerator, so his spin was more emphasized. Beachcomber attempted to direct his spin towards the Energon signature.

"Why that piece of slaggin' Autorot." Blitzwing muttered to himself as he took potshots at the Autobot.

The explosions came a bit to close for Beachcomber's comfort. He wondered silently if the Decepticon was toying with him or not. The Autobot counted his blessings to Primus either way, as kinetic force carried him towards the Energon. He could now pick up the screaming dive of the Decepticon on his audio sensors, as he came within a few feet of the Energon. Blitzwing was still effortlessly wasting ammo and constantly missing his mark. He swore he would take the other Autobot off-line as soon as he managed to pick this one off. The space between him and the ground was quickly becoming smaller, as well as his range to the Autobot. At the last moment, the targeting sensors were repaired. The Decepticon locked onto the Autobot and fired. His pride in knowing an Autobot would be destroyed would be his own undoing. Too late, he noticed the pool of Energon where the Autobot had spun over. The Decepticon checked his altitude, which was a bit too close for the impending results of sending a bomb into an explosive material.

Beachcomber transformed into his robot mode as the rocket hit the Energon. The resulting explosion threw up a huge chuck of the soft white frozen dihydric oxygen. The blast flung Beachcomber for a loop. Blitzwing pulled up hard as the top edge of the explosion squarely hit his jet belly. Blitzwing yelped in agony, then he crashed into the hard frozen surface as his systems went off-line. Beachcomber sighed in relief as he only had a bit of carbon scoring and minor plate scratching and dents from the missile fragments. Beachcomber righted himself and picked up the blaring alarms of the Decepticon City on his audio receptors. He saw the big hole that the spent missile and Energon had left, and figured it was his best chance of a hiding place. He could easily burn a tunnel depending upon the depth of the frozen dihydric oxygen. Or, he would have to bury himself while still on-line. He silently hoped for the first option as he jumped into the pit.

"Shockwave, the Autobots have escaped!" The sounds of explosions outside of the Decepticon city limits had confirmed Astrotrain's report.

Shockwave got up from his makeshift throne in the central room of the Decepticon City. "So, I have gathered."

Astrotrain scratched his head. "Aren't we going to go after the Autobots?"

"You are not. You must find the nearest source of Cybertronium. It is no doubt that the Ark dropped some of the substance during its crash into the volcano. A high orbiting sensor sweep should locate what we need." Shockwave's order was replied with a disapproving grunt.

Shockwave moved with the quickness of a serpent. Astrotrain gulped at the sight of Shockwave pointing his gun appendage directly to his forehead.

"Do not question or disapprove of my orders. I will gladly take the Cybertronium from your very structure through force, and use it for my own purposes."

Astrotrain managed a nod of fear. "As you command, Shockwave."

The Decepticon instantly disappeared from the view of Shockwave's optics, as the purple hued dictator sat back down on his command chair.

"Everything is going according to my plans."

As the claxons rang, no one was really in top form to answer the call to arms. The Decepticon's within Trypticon's borders were already having difficulty with the operating systems due to the loss of Cybertronium. Octane, the only triple changer left to answer, was busy breaking out the other two Autobots.

"This is only because I owe you back in my Neutral days, Powerglide. Your other friends have escaped as well. That's why the alarms are sounding." Octane informed the Autobot.

Powerglide nodded, even though he knew Octane was covering something from himself. "I guess we are even. But, your laser core will be extinguished if they think you let us out of your own free will."

"I know. So, my next request will be..."

Octane was interrupted with a shot from Warpath's chest cannon. The Decepticon yelled in agony as he fell to the ground and went off-line. Before Powerglide could question his motives, Warpath began shooting at a group of Decepticons off in the horizon. Powerglide instantly knew that Warpath had to shoot Octane, or else the Autobots would lose the sympathetic Decepticon. Warpath quickly changed into his Cybertronian Hover Tank mode, and began shouting sounds for every shot he took. Powerglide shook his head and transformed into his futuristic Jet Bomber mode. He reconnoitered in an attempt to spot any his fellow friends. He spotted only a big hole on the outside city limits, and one of the Triple Changers producing smoke from crashing to the ground by the hole. He knew that at least one of his friends escaped so far. Powerglide turned his attention two Autobots running on foot from one point to another, and about to run into a wall of Decepticons ready to receive them. Powerglide dove for the Decepticons, shooting all the way.

Blaster and Perceptor's optics enlarged in surprise to see flying Decepticon parts come out from a nearby corner. A reddish brown jet transformed and landed next to the two.

"Powerglide, you're alive! Glad to see you made it back buddy." Blaster gave a thumb's up.

Powerglide gave a confused look. "What's a buddy? And, what's with that gesture?"

Perceptor shook his head. "We had to study some of the fleshling culture to alter our modes. I think Blaster infused too much of the information and it is effecting his logic circuits."

"No way, dude." Blaster sarcastically stated.

Powerglide looked at Perceptor. "We'll have to fix him later. I spotted a big hole outside the city limits, we can all go down the pit."

Perceptor looked at the two Autobots. "Shockwave may have planted any kind of device on all of us. We may be a threat to each other and to the other Autobots that are here on this planet. For now, I suggest we get to that pit with the utmost stealth and guile."

"You got it man." Blaster ran while shooting any oncoming Decepticons.

Powerglide chuckled. "I'll take to the air, just in case any Seekers get their processor bulbs illuminated."

Perceptor nodded in approval. Then, Powerglide transformed to his futuristic Jet mode and took off into the air. The Autobot scientist quickly wondered what had happened to Powerglide's cell partner, Warpath. The answer came with another round of flying Decepticon parts, and a quite numerous use of one syllable words describing the shots and their effects.

Warpath hovered by Perceptor. "POW! I cut a clear line for you. BANG! I'll be happy to be your armed escort! BOOM!"

Perceptor smiled. "Please, by all means. We must go this way." Perceptor pointed toward the direction of the pit.

Even an over enthusiastic warrior like Warpath knew there was serious trouble when Perceptor managed to say things in one sentence. "Well, we better ZOOM!"

Warpath blasted any Decepticon that came in their path as Perceptor and Blaster ran along his side. "Say, where are the others? ZOWIE!"

"Beachcomber probably made that hole. Cosmos flew the coop. Seaspray hovered his way to the nearest harbor. Powerglide is in the wild blue yonder. And, we're the Three Musketeers." Blaster reported.

"POW! What did he just say?"

Perceptor chuckled. "I must check your logic circuits if Warpath can not understand you. No offense, Warpath."

"None taken. THOOM!"

Blaster laughed as well. "Well, I take offense."

The Autobots stuck out like a bullseye in a dartboard on the white plain. The chance to throw any darting missiles was thwarted by Powerglide, who took out Seekers one by one. However, the Decepticons were beginning to get more organized and sending up more Seeker Drones than Powerglide could shoot down.

"It's getting pretty heavy up here. I may need some help." Powerglide radioed to his friends.

A Decepticon Seeker Drone took advantage of Powerglide's distraction and locked onto the Autobot. As the Seeker was about to fire, an explosion tore his rear engines to pieces.

"Ask and you shall receive." Cosmos flew up next to Powerglide.

"Where were you?" Powerglide noted.

"I was taking aerial pictures of the Decepticon base. We might be able to decipher any weaknesses in their defense systems."

Powerglide looped in joy. "Alright, nice going buddy!"

"I see you already talked to Blaster." Cosmos wryly noted.

"Yeah, I guess it is catchy. Our rendezvous is inside that big hole down there. Do you know where Seaspray went?"

"I don't know. He was given an aquatic form. He probably found a sea or lake or something." Cosmos rambled with frustration.

"Don't get your circuits overloaded good buddy. I'll find him. You go meet with the others." Powerglide's offer made Cosmos a less bit agitated.

"Okay, I'll do just that. Good luck Powerglide." The green UFO glided down to the big hole like a small plug attempting to cover a big drain.

Powerglide shot down a couple more Seeker drones to cover Cosmos' escape. As he continued to search for the lost Autobot, Powerglide grew more impatient.

"He's got to be here...somewhere."

The nautical officer in question had been traversing a small stream. He was caught up in the exhilaration of being a boat. Seaspray rarely had the choice to perform his true function, as Cybertron no longer had any bodies of water. For him, the feel of water was pure silk. Seaspray was too caught up in the moment and not paying particular attention to the Decepticon ahead of him.

"I teleport in here to expect trouble in the form of Shockwave, and all I get is some miserable Autobot." Skywarp grunted in disgust.

Seaspray did not reply, but went ahead flank in an effort to ram the Decepticon. Skywarp simply gave a smile and disappeared at the last astrosecond. Seaspray activated all his sensors to spot where the Decepticon would reappear next. The Autobot shouted in surprise as he heard a clunk of metal footsteps right on top of his roof.

"Don't try to evade one who is an expert on the matter." Skywarp ruefully boasted as he pointed his guns at the Autobot.

"Well, my guess is that you don't have your sea legs yet, Decepticreep." Seaspray sharply turned starboard {that's right for you land lubbers KV}, causing the Decepticon to lose his balance and fall off.

Skywarp got up looking like a fusion between a snowman and robot. "You'll pay for that you little runt."

Another roar of engines was heard overhead, as the Autobot jet flew in to rescue his friend.

"Stow it in your afterburners Skywarp!" Powerglide shot the snow around Skywarp.

Skywarp hysterically laughed. "You missed Auto..WHOAAA!"

A big splash was heard as the unstable ice gave way to the heavy Decepticon.

"Nice processing, Powerglide." Seaspray spoke over his communicator.

Powerglide circled around in the air above his friend. "Of course, what else do expect from the best! Now, the rest are meeting in a big pit. Forget him for now, I think the Decepticons are about to start a civil war of their own."

"You got it. Just show me the way." Seaspray followed his friend as fast as he could.

Skywarp jetted out of the icy waters with his rocket boots. "Those Autobots aren't worth the trouble."

The Decepticon looked toward his right and spotted the giant Decepticon City and Seeker Drones flying around its airspace.

"Well, I guess it's not all bad. The Autobots little Energon explosion helped us find the location of the traitorous Shockwave. I better inform Screamer while the Autobots are keeping his troops distracted." The Decepticon vanished in another surge of teleporting energy.

"All present and accounted for Perceptor, except for Beachcomber." Powerglide reported while transforming and landing next to Seaspray.

Perceptor nodded. "It seems that close examination of this tunnel indicates it was burned into the ground before the Great Wars started."

"Well, it only goes one direction. Let's hurry before the Decepticons get the idea that we all have gone down here." Cosmos nervously fidgeted with his fingers.

Warpath broke into the conversation. "I don't mind! POW! I get to blast a few more Decepticons! BOOM!"

"We must try to reserve what ever power we have left. Now, let's see if we can find Beachcomber at the end of this tunnel." Perceptor motioned for the others to follow.

"I'll bring up the rear! So, I can POW! Blast any Decepticons that do come into the tunnel!" Warpath swerved his turret to guard his backside.

"I will too, just to make sure Warpath doesn't get all the action." And, he doesn't bring the whole passage down on top of us, Blaster mentally noted.

The Autobots ran as fast as their robotic legs would allow. The tunnel was gradually slopping downward at an angle.

"I wondered what made this tunnel." Cosmos almost tripped on his own bulky legs while trying to observe the walls.

Perceptor quickly spoke up at the opportunity. "The black charring suggests that the tunnel was made with an energy weapon, much like our own lasers. In fact, there are traces of an Energon signature along the ground of this tunnel."

The other Autobots glared at Cosmos for getting Perceptor started. As Perceptor incoherently babbled in long-worded scientific gobbledygook, the Autobots made their way down the tunnel. The Autobot scientist finished his oration and noticed that he had lost his crowd. He followed their gazes to a bewildered Beachcomber.

"I think I found...something." The Geologist attempted to point at the frozen wall of ice.

All the Autobots gazed forward, and their lower jaw plates almost dropped from their faces. A large red and white futuristic fighter jet was suspended in the ice like a model encased in a transparent display case.

Perceptor reached out his hand and placed it on the cold containing ice. "My word, I do believe we have found the Lost Cybertronian."

"The Lost Cybertronian?" Beachcomber questioned for the rest of the Autobots that were lost on Perceptor's words.

Perceptor turned to the Autobots. "Before the Second Great War, a Neutral Scientist was sent to investigate a planetary explosion in this solar system. Evidently, that planet has become part of the asteroid belt in this solar system. Legend states that he had found traces of Energon on the asteroids and traces of Energon on the Third Planet, with two moons. Those signals we picked up say this planet has only one moon. If this planet had a second one, then there would have been some kind of catastrophic event. That only leads one to assume that the moon had an extremely low density, and no collection of rock that big could have such a low density. That must mean a higher orbit where the moon was propelled out to the asteroid field or..."

Perceptor looked back up for a moment, only to see the Autobots with extremely confused faces.

"The second moon may have been an artificial construct." Perceptor finished with a shrug.

"Remind me to update my main processing unit with a scientist's database." Powerglide whispered to Blaster.

"I wouldn't do that. You may end up like him." Blaster slyly pointed to Perceptor.

"Good point."

Perceptor looked at the ice for a moment. "Frozen dihydric oxide should be easy enough to melt with a high powered heating element. Powerglide, I will have to reconfigure you into one of this planet's mechanized forms. They still have primitive jet engines."

Powerglide tried to hide his disappointment at the news of being downgraded. "Hey, any power to glide me along doesn't make a difference. I'm still the best."

After rolling his optics, Perceptor transformed into a tank like form as he pointed his long barrel at Powerglide. The green ray covered Powerglide from head to toe, as minor changes in his robotic form occurred.

"Well, let me give my new form a whirl." Powerglide looked as though he was a military recruit falling on command to do a push up while the jet parts unfolded around him. As his robotic form was finally tucked into his subspace compartments, his alternate took its final shape: an A-10 Warthog Fighter/Bomber.

"Hey, this isn't all bad. I still look as handsome as ever."

Blaster snickered. "I think the ice will melt just due to the hot air around here."

"Warpath, you're next. Even with Powerglide's breaking system, he still will have need a barrier to prevent lift off."

The green ray hit Warpath, not having any real effect on his outer structure. Warpath transformed and instantly recognized the difference: tank treads.

"Hey, I can roll over the Decepticons now! VROOM!"

Perceptor transformed back to his robot mode. "Now, point your engines at the ice Powerglide. Warpath, you make sure that Powerglide doesn't move forward. Hopefully, this should melt the ice encasing the Cybertronian before the Decepticons discover where we made our escape."

Warpath and Powerglide got into their respective positions, each of them carrying on like they were at some contest of tug of war. The other Autobots keep one optic on the dark tunnel while watching the proceedings. The amount of water was filling the tunnel rather quickly, to the point where it threatened to put out Powerglide's engines.

"I hope we get this guy out soon because I don't want my structure completely rusted." Powerglide lamented like a vain teenager.

"Hey, a little water never hurts anyone." Seaspray retorted.

Warpath was already slipping in the mud created by the water. "And I don't want my gears to get all clogged up."

"Not to fear, we only have a couple more astroseconds before reaching him." Perceptor tapped on the ice.

A few more minutes had passed and the tail end of the jet was exposed. Perceptor halted the procedure right before the waters seeped into Powerglide's engines.

Blaster noticed no Autobot or Decepticon sigil on the jet. "Did any of those history databases state whether this guy was a good guy or a bad guy?"

"Unfortunately, the only records of the report were made by Starscream. It has become more of a Decepticon legend than anything." Perceptor's statement caught everyone off guard.

"You mean I went through all that to free a Decepticon!" Powerglide transformed to his robot mode and stepped up to Perceptor.

Perceptor waved his hands in an attempt to calm Powerglide down. "I do believe that this Cybertronian held only Neutral sentiments at the time."

"So did Starscream and look what he became." Powerglide pointed his finger at Perceptor like a scolding grandmother.

Blaster nodded in agreement. "I think it's to risky to reactivate this guy. He's big enough in his Cybertronian form to get us out of here fast."

Perceptor shook his head. "If you are suggesting to use this Cybertronian like one of the fleshlings lifeless vehicles, I must disagree. As Autobots, we are bound to see that freedom is the right of all sentient beings. An oath quoted by all the Primes that were and will be."

"Well, you better choose fast Perceptor. I'm detecting minor tremors in the ground. The Decepticons are on their way." Beachcomber reported.

Perceptor noticed all optics had turned towards him, as he already processed his decision.

"Let us reactivate this Cybertronian. By the time it is done, my mistake will not matter anyway. But, I have a feeling that it won't be one."

Perceptor's words were acknowledged with proud nods, as the Autobots quickly worked to completely free the Cybertronian.

Transformers #10 - Blitzkrieg

Transformers

The Transformers: powerful warrior robots waging a never-ending battle across space and time. Autobots and Decepticons, fighting a war of long-forgotten ideologies, now trapped in a cycle of violence that threatens to consume them all. They have traveled across the ages from their homeworld of Cybertron to a blue-green orb we know as the Earth. But this is not the Earth we know; it is a world transformed, a place of mutants, superheroes, and villains. It is a world where nothing is as it seems...and these alien robots will soon find that those they thought were allies and enemies are not. They will find that there are greater threats than each other...

Issue #10: The Phalanx Ascension part 3 "Blitzkrieg"

By: Wes A.

**********

The Ark, Mt. St. Hilary "We were hoping that you would arrive to free your comrades. Now all the Autobots will belong to our hive."

Huffer looked up into the face of Optimus Prime. It was not the face of the beloved leader. It was twisted, evil.

All of the Autobots on the Ark were.

The powerful Phalanx-Autobot had Huffer pinned down on the floor, ramming his fist into the immobile Autobot’s torso. With a crack, Huffer could feel and hear his outer armor breaking. He couldn’t be assimilated by the Phalanx, not for as long as his body’s supply of Cybertronium would last. Still, that didn’t mean the Phalanx could rip him apart, piece by piece.

A short ways down the corridor, the remaining Heroes for Hire, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, and Death’s Head, were making one last stand against the hordes of Phalanx drones coming at them.

"Well boys, it’s been real," said Luke Cage as he smashed another drones head with a right cross.

"Not done yet, Luke."

Death’s Head tilted his head towards Iron Fist as he blasted two more drones to atoms with his arm-formed cannon, "Love the optimism, always a sure sign of the doomed hero."

Iron Fist kept his feet and fists flying against the drones, an impenetrable wall, "Just keep fighting."

*** Polyhex, Cybertron A large explosion rocked the large compound on Northern side of Polyhex. All over the city Decepticons and Vehicons alike ran to their battle stations. With a loud whoop, they suddenly found hundreds of Autobot warriors leaping out at them from every direction. Leading the Autobot charge was the powerful Fortress Maximus. Alongside him were the Wreckers.

"Let’s go Wreckers!"

Impactor lead the team straight into the Decepticon ranks. All over, weapons fire pierced Vehicon drones and automated defenses. Darkmount was still not fully repaired from the last Autobot attack* (*once again, read A World Transformed #3 for details) and thus the Space Bridge had been moved to a different location. The Decepticons thought it would be a safer location. They were wrong.

Topspin and Twin Twist, the Jumpstarters, had blocked off a group of Cycler drones from the Wreckers position. Although the drones were only about a third of the size of the standard Autobot, their sheer numbers were their advantage. "Keep it up, don’t give them a second to recover!", barked Twin Twist.

As the two Jumpstarters were laying waste to the Cyclers, three larger Deathtread drones came up behind them and aimed their shoulder cannons. Before they could fire, a barrage of plasma bullets took them out. Having dispatched their targets, the Jumpstarters looked up to see the Autobot twin brothers Rack and Ruin blow the smoke from the barrels of their gattling guns. The twin brothers looked at each other with feral grins and slammed fists together. "Now this is my sort of mission!" exclaimed Rack triumphantly.

As the Wreckers and the other Autobot squads kept the Decepticons at bay outside, Ultra Magnus led Kup’s team through the halls of the Decepticon compound. The team consisted of Ultra Magnus, Springer, Kup, two young Autobot’s named Hot Rod and Blurr, and a light purple colored Autobot female warrior named Arcee. Like Magnus did with the Wreckers, Kup was making these three young Autobots into a well-formed unit for combat.

"Should be just up this hallway," said Magnus. Magnus led the team to a door. Blurr, a young Autobot that was a part of Kup’s team, quickly cracked the lock on the door and gained them access. Magnus went in first to find the Space Bridge.

"There it is. Just the way I remember it. They‘ve even replaced the control system by now."

Just as Magnus had said, the Space Birdge’s control system was indeed replaced. The ceiling had been taken off the room to allow transport for the Space Bridge.

"Blurr," ordered Kup, "see if you can get this piece of scrap to work."

"HeyKupyougotit,nomatterwhatyouneed,you’retheboss."

Springer and Magnus exchanged confused looks as the younger Autobot tech went to work on the Space Bridge’s control panel. Kup caught the exchange. "The kid has some kind of speech virus recurring in his CPU, medic’s can’t seem to wipe it from his system," whispered the older Autobot.

The groups waited for several minutes as Blurr’s hands expertly worked the control panel.

"Come on Blurr, any cycle now," muttered Hot Rod impatiently.

As Blurr began programming Earth’s coordinates into the Space Bridge, the Wreckers Impactor, Whirl, and Roadbuster entered the room. They quickly saluted Ultra Magnus.

"We have secured the compound Magnus," reported Impactor, "but Scorponok will no doubt send reinforcements soon."

Magnus nodded his head. "Don’t worry Impactor, we’ll try to make this as quick as possible. If the Decepticons numbers grow too big and we’re still not back, I want you and Fortress Maximus to evacuate the base. Understood?"

Impactor reluctantly nodded his head. Just then, the Space Bridge’s power core began to power up. Kup’s team began to power up their weapons. Each of them had large rifles, especially made for this mission. Each bullet had a charge of Cybertronium that it would administer on contact with a Transformer.

"All right Autobots," said Ultra Magnus, "let’s get ready to roll out."

*** Trypticon, Siberia "So I take it your plan did not proceed as you intended."

Blaster looked across the cellblock hallway. On the opposite side was Shockwave, the former commander of Trypticon. The purple-hued Decpeticon merely stared at Blaster, his yellow eye emitting its constant glow. "You could say that," said Blaster simply.

Blaster had shared a cell with the Lost Cybertronian and Cosmos, all of whom were bound by energy bonds. The rest of the Autobot unit was scattered in neighboring cells.

"They are an efficient hive," continued Shockwave, "I would like to study a sample of their genetic stock."

"What makes you think you’ll get a shot after this?", asked Blaster.

Shockwave returned his gaze to the blank wall he was facing. "I will."

Blaster decided to not argue the point any further when he felt a rumble from the floor. Cosmos and the Lost Cybertronian looked around. Movement could be heard from the other containment cells.

"What was that?" asked Blitzwing from a cell down the hall.

"They destroying the city? Sounded like a building coming down," said Beachcomber.

Cosmos glanced at Blaster, "Do you think that’s the reinforcements from Cybertron?"

"Dunno, man."

Blaster was trying to get to his feet when a side wall of the containment area was blown open.

"The slag!?!" shouted Blitzwing.

The wall that went down was near Blaster’s cell. He squirmed to get a look at what had happened. With the wall gone there was a large hole leading outside, the sounds of battle seeping in. Metallic footsteps made their way towards Blaster’s cell.

"Well, I didn’t expect to you here."

Blaster’s mouthpiece tightened when he saw the grinning Seeker Starscream looking down at him. The Decepticon commander had several canisters of Cybertronium tucked under his left arm. Starscream’s grin widened at Blaster’s reaction.

"Not happy to see me?"

"I cannot imagine why."

Starscream turned around to see Shockwave glaring him.

"Shockwave! Well, this is a surprise. When I heard about this city I knew it had to be run by someone very clever to keep it from the humans. You were not my first choice, sorry to say."

"Screamer, get us out of here!" yelled Astrotrain. With one fluid motion, Starscream fired at the cell’s control counsel and destroyed it. All the power bands and energy doors went off-line in the cells. Autobots and Decepticons rushed out, unsure of how to regard their liberator. Starscream threw down the Cybertronium canisters.

"Anyone who needs a refill take one now and get outside. My forces will only distract the Phalanx for so long."

"Your forces?" asked Blaster slowly.

"Oh yes, there’s been a slight change in leadership in the Decepticon ranks. Now hurry, Ravage has reported that the virus is attempting to take out the city‘s Cybertronium reserves."

After retrieving their weapons from the containment area storage locker, the liberated prisoners went outside to see none other than Devestator fighting off several dozen Phalanx drones.

With a thick laugh the giant gestalt Decepticon smashed two infected Seeker drones with his right hand. Ground forces were trying to use heavy pulse cannons against the giant, but were swiftly stomped out under Devastator’s feet. Dirge and Thrust were also picking off Phalanx drones from the air.

Starscream immediately took control of the situation.

"As powerful as Devastator is, he will not last forever. Shockwave, I need you to accompany my to the Cybertronium reserves."

"Hold up! You’re not going anywhere without me and my people!" said Blaster.

Starscream shot Blaster a scowl, "Fine, you and one of your lieutenants can accompany us, but we must go now!"

Blaster nodded. "Warpath, you’re with us. The rest of you work with the Decepticons to fight the Phalanx."

As Shockwave led Starscream, Blaster, and Warpath further into the city the remaining Autobots and Decepticons joined the battle. Powerglide, the Lost Cybertronian, and Blitzwing transformed into their aerial fighter forms and took to the sky while the rest attacked the Phalanx ground forces.

"It’s about time we get to blow something up,"

muttered Astrotrain as he opened fire on a infected Decepticon drone.

Powerglide and the lost Cybertronian were blasting a squad of airborne drones. The Lost Cybertronian did a barrel roll, taking out three drones with a missile salvo.

"Good shot, Cybertronian," said Powerglide.

"Thank you," said the Cybertronian with a quiet confidence, "and, please, call me Jetfire."

Powerglide chuckled as he did a loop around a drone, "Better than calling you ‘the Lost Cybertronian’ all the time."

*** Huffer could feel Optimus beginning to tear at his outer armor. Yellow tendrils began to splinter and crack his shell, making their way closer to the diminutive Autobot’s inner circuitry.

"Optimus, please, d-don’t..." pleaded Huffer.

The assimilated Autobot gave no answer.

In the same hallway, a Phalanx drone grabbed Iron Fist by the arm and was attempting to draw him out of the group formation the remaining heroes were in. Luke was about to help his teammate when a blast of fire came down through the ceiling and vaporized the Phalanx drone. The drone didn’t let out so much as a yelp before it was turned into a few wisps of dust.

"What the hell?" asked Iron Fist, looking up.

All eyes went to the ceiling as a wide hole was burned through the Ark. Through the hole came what appeared to be the Ghost Rider. The figure had the flaming skull and chain, but wore a cape, had a yellow diamond decorating its chest, and looked to be made of metal. The new combatant wasted no time in attacking any Phalanx it could find.

"I can smell the deaths of billions from you machines, the deaths of lives and souls. Vengeance will now be brought forth upon you." proclaimed the Ghost Rider as it engulfed its chain in hellfire and smashed away at a cluster of Phalanx.

Optimus withdrew from his attack on Huffer and melded into the wall of the Ark. This new combatant was powerful and was easily destroying any Phalanx it touched. The other Phalanx on the planet needed to be aware of this.

Meanwhile, the Phalanx that were attacking the remaining heroes had focused their attention on the new threat. Sensing the opportunity, they helped Huffer to his feet.

"Can we still get to the Cybertronium?" asked Iron Fist.

"Yes," said Huffer with a crackle in his voice, "We’re very close now."

"Then what’re we waitin’ for?" asked Luke as he dashed down the hall, the others following him.

Ghost Rider sensed the others leaving, but if he cared he showed no sign. More drones came pouring from the walls of the Ark, each being vaporized with a blast of hellfire.

***

After a flash of light, Ultra Magnus and his crew found themselves in a dark room. They each had their weapons powered and at the ready.

"Doesn’t look like they were expecting us," muttered Hot Rod.

Magnus immediately took charge. "Springer, get the door open. Kup, Blur, get ready for any surprises on the other side."

Springer made his way over to the pad on the wall beside the door. Kup and Blur crouched down in the front of the door, weapons ready. Springer hadn’t even touched the pad when the door opened and several Phalanx infected Decepticon Seekers began to walk through. "Fire!"

On Kup’s order, he and Blur blasted off several rounds from their rifles. Each shot made a direct hit. With each hit scored to the drones exterior, a dose of Cybertronium was seeped through into their systems. They were weapons designed to combat techno-virus’s like the Phalanx. The effect took seconds, the Phalanx part of each drone beginning to slowly deteriorate. Ultra Magnus watched the effects with a grin on his face. "Perceptor will be glad to know his design still works."

As the drones began to disinfect, the Autobot team began to make their way out of the room. With hardly a noise they made their way through the main complex of Trypticon. Magnus suddenly gave the halt signal with his left hand.

"You hear that?" he asked Kup.

Kup listened for a second, "Yeah, sounds like gunfire coming from the east end."

"What‘rewewaitingforlet‘scheckitout,boss," said Blur in a rushed whisper.

Still taking are to not attract attention, the group made it’s way closer to the fight. When they reached it they found a large room with the doors blown open, surrounded by a number of Phalanx drones.

"Arcee, Blur, Hot Rod, take them out with a wide pattern," ordered Magnus.

The three Autobots fired their rifles from the cover of the hallway corners. Half of the Phalanx were taken out in the first barrage. The other half were taken out from the same type of firing coming from inside the room.

"What the slag?" mouthed Hot Rod.

"That wasn’t you?" asked Kup.

Hot Rod shook his head. Magnus knew that something was in that room, something with the same weaponry. He was about to give the order to move in when a voice cried out from the room.

"Don’t shoot, we’re not with the yellow fellas!"

"Blaster?"

Magnus poked his head around the corner to see Blaster and Warpath come out of the room with Cybertronium rifles like his team had. The Autbot leader was about to break his cover when he saw Starscream and Shockwave also walk out of the room with rifles. Magnus set his rifle onto Shockwave.

"Blaster, get down!" he barked.

Blaster shot his hand out in a spread fashion,

"Magnus, don’t! It’s cool, they’re with us."

Magnus kept his rifle trained on Shockwave.

"Do not worry Magnus, we’re on the same side," said Starscream impatiently, "Now come along, we have a city to retake."

Magnus lowered his rifle and came out into the hallway. Kup and the other followed suit. The two groups met each other in the middle of the hall.

"Ok," said Magnus warily, "since you seem to have everything under control, what’s the plan?"

*** "Kikt...we must abandon this world."

Inside of the Phalanx hive located at the center of Trypticon, the Phalanx leader assessed the situation. All around him the images from monitors gave an eerie glow that reflected on his obsidian skin. The screens showed the Decepticon/Autobot forces engaging the Phalanx. With the arrival of reinforcements from Cybertron, the Phalanx were beginning to lose ground. With each shot from the Cybertronium weapons fired, the Phalanx’s influence was taken away bit by bit. And with the reports coming from the Ark about an unstoppable threat, the situation was worsening.

"Kikt...give the order to retreat. We will withdraw from this world."

"Yes, you will."

The Phalanx leader turned around to see Shockwave standing before him, a Cybertronium rifle in hand.

"Actually, you will never be coming back."

Shockwave fired a barrage of shots from his rifle, each slamming into the Phalanx. The creature screamed a sound that was like interference from a speaker, its body dissolving away as the Cybertronium was literally eating it away. Shockwave stood and watched every second, never taking his gaze off the sight before him.

***

Finally, when the leader was gone, all of the Phalanx on the planet began to dissolve away. The Decepticon drones at Trypticon returned to their previous state. The Ark, the Autobots, and military base were returned to normal.

Megatron and his Decepticons on the Nemesis found themselves back to the way they were.

***

Mirage, Trailbreaker, and Cliffjumper looked around at the deassimilated Autobots that were attacking them moments ago outside the Ark.

"We just won, right?" asked Trailbreaker.

Ironhide looked around, "What’re we doin’ out here?"

***

Ghost Rider looked around as the Phalanx drones dissolved before his very eyes. He sensed that no more of the Phalanx were at the Ark. With his mission complete, Ghost Rider lowered his head, and in a burst of flame he returned his body back to the Vision.

"What?"

Vision accessed his memory banks and replayed the Ghost Rider’s actions within a few seconds. As he saw the violence and coldness that the Ghost Rider showed, the fluids in his body felt like they were about to freeze.

He took to the air immediately through the hole in the Ark the Ghost Rider make, not wanting to be present when others came looking for his other half.

***

"Well Magnus, it’s been real," said Blaster with a smile.

"Yes...it has," said Magnus, unsure if Blaster meant it as a compliment.

The two Autobots shook hands, ignoring the dozen or so Decepticons that surrounded them in the Space Bridge area.

"I can’t believe Shockwave is letting them go,"

Blitzwing muttered to Octane. "They saved our skid plates. It was the least we owed them."

"Whatever," growled the Triple Changer. As Magnus and his team stepped onto the Space Bridge platform, they made way for Jetfire as well.

"Take care of yourself, Jetfire," said Blaster.

Jetfire smiled, "I will. From what you’ve told me, Cybertron isn’t what it used to be. I just hope I can make a difference there."

Shockwave activated the Space Bridge, and with a flash of light the group on the platform vanished. Dropping his smile, Blaster turned toward Shockwave.

"Well, you still going to keep your word?"

Shockwave nodded, "I will grant you safe passage outside of Siberia, and the use of a shuttle to reach the Ark."

Blaster nodded and turned to leave the room.

"But understand one thing: you will not delay the inevitable."

Blaster turned toward Shockwave and gave the Decepticon an icy stare. He said nothing, simply walked out of the room.

***

As the shuttle made its way out of Trypticon, Shockwave and Starscream watched in an observation room.

"You should have killed them, you know."

"Do not question me, Starscream."

The Seeker chuckled at the comment, "Just like Megatron, blind obedience and nothing more."

"I am not like Megatron."

"Oh, I know," said Starscream vaguely, "That’s why I have a proposition for you."

Shockwave turned from the window towards Starscream. "An alliance?"

Starscream smiled a feral grin, "What else?"

Shockwave pondered for a moment, his yellow eye glowing.

"Perhaps."

The two were interrupted as the observation room door opened. A short, gray colored Transformer entered the room.

"Shockwave, Starscream. I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything."

Shockwave’s demeanor remained neutral while Starscream’s was anything but.

"What are you doing here? You’re not a Decepticon!"

"Yes, he is," replied Shockwave, "He came here some years ago while we were building Trypticon."

The figure stepped towards Starscream and extended his hand, a smile on his faceplate and a purple Depceticon insignia on his chest, "Deceptcion engineer Spanner, at your service."

The End...for now.

The New Face of Marvel Universe: Transformed

We're trying something new here at MUTF. These days everything in our lives are becoming more dynamic. Cell phone are not just portable anymore, they also access the internet and have become our personal boom boxes. Going on a road trip isn't the interesting part of the drive as much as it is playing Playstation in the back seat.

The internet has become even more dynamic and interactive as well. Online radio stations now use podcast technology to send the latest shows to your desktop. Websites now are becoming more forum/blog enabled to link readers. We have decided to try this as well. MUTF will now be using the concept of blogging to post new stories and allow our fans to provide instant feedback to our stories and to other fans. The site is just thrown together right now but we plan to change it as our needs change. Let us know how you like it!

~~
Mop-Boy