Chapter Text
Earth
Location: The ruins of Los Angeles
Date: 26th October 2030
Ten years.
That's how long peace on this world had lasted.
Ten all too brief years.
And now Arcee once again found herself surrounded by rubble and the dead.
It hadn't taken any convincing to get her to come out here when the first images had begun to leak out. Shaky cell phone footage mostly. It had quickly caught GI Joe's attention and they in turn had alerted Windblade who had come to her. Specifically she had come to her because of one image in particular. An image that shouldn't have been possible and yet there it was. Stood there, laughing amidst the devastation his followers had caused was Galvatron. Her brother. Her supposedly dead brother.
Alongside Arcee were Jazz, Jetfire, Chromia, Stardrive and Fix-It. Jazz had been one of the first to volunteer to come with her which had surprised her. She had thought that he was done with this sort of thing. But as he had noted, with a terrible sadness in his voice as he did so: "Looks like this kinda thing isn't done with us"
She understood his sadness. Not long ago she wouldn't have been able to. It wasn't that she craved violence but it had simply been her natural state for so long. Hunting and killing Jhiaxus and his allies. Fighting Decepticons. Fighting Junkions. Fighting Maximals. But after having the chance to experience peace, true peace for the first time in a very long life, she understood just how much it hurt Jazz and the others to have it ripped away from them. All they had worked for and now it was threatened once again. And the fact it was her own brother threatening it only made the feeling worse.
Galvatron. She had mourned him, in her way. He had been a monster but a monster who she had fought beside. A monster who was her only link to the past left. Now she found herself facing the possibility that somehow he had been restored. Which should have been utterly impossible. Optimus had shot him point blank in the spark. All Cybertronian medical science said that should be that. And yet here they were.
"Scans confirm that the energy used in the attack DOES indicate one of them was armed with a plasma particle cannon. Which was the weapon Galvatron favoured before his demise" Jetfire noted, tapping away on a datapad as he did so.
"He's hardly the only one though, right? I mean it's not unique to him" Chromia said and Jetfire nodded.
"But the images we received are a little harder to discount"
"It's someone trying to look like him. Or...or someone remote piloting his body. Like those drones you said the EDC whipped up..." Chromia insisted. It was clear that she was finding the situation as strange as the others were. While not a scientist like Jetfire she still knew the finality with which Galvatron had been dispatched. Wrapping her processor around how he could possibly be back was as hard for her as for the others.
"It was him" Arcee muttered.
She couldn't explain how she knew. She could...sense it, for lack of a better word. It was as if his madness had contaminated everything around them.
"Turns out Galvatron's head went missing from the storage bunker where it had been placed ten years ago. The people in charge hushed it up...didn't want the headache of having to explain things to their superiors. But even with Galvatron's head and brain module, bringing him back online shouldn't be possible. He was dead. Not even the tiniest flicker of spark energy left" Jetfire said, clearly thinking aloud to himself more than anything else.
"So they kept it a secret that they LOST Galvatron's head? 'Cause humans getting their hands on Cybertronian tech has never gone bad before..." Jazz offered sarcastically. Arcee gave him a Look that conveyed that she was not in the mood for levity right now. She understood why Jazz was trying to ease the tension...and she was under no illusions that Jazz was taking this any less seriously than she was. But right now she wasn't in the mood for gallows humour. And her mood only darkened further with the news Fix-It brought.
"We've swept the whole city. There...there weren't any other survivors.
I'm sorry..."
Arcee's hands had balled into fists. And the grief she'd felt was quickly being replaced by an emotion she was far more familiar with. One that was an old friend by this point in her life.
Rage.
"Sorry...is what Galvatron is going to be when we find him" she hissed out before turning and walking away without another word.
***
Earth
Location: Scorponok's Laboratory, within the nation of Kalistan
Date: 26th October 2030
Scorponok grinned to himself as the footage played out across the monitor bank.
All in all, not a bad start. Not a bad start at all.
The Decepticons were as dependable as ever. Point them at a target and give them free rein to do what came naturally and the results were never anything short of brutally efficient. And Galvatron seemed, if anything, even more deranged and bloodthirsty than Megatron at his most excessive had been. And most importantly they had accomplished the task of planting the first of his little surprises...now only one remained and things would be ready to advance to the second phase. And the Autobots and the humans alike had no idea what was there, waiting beneath the ruins of that primitive little city...waiting for his signal.
So many setbacks. Millions of years of his genius going unappreciated by Decepticon high command. And now at long last he was poised to achieve more with the push of a button than Megatron or Shockwave or Gigatron had achieved in their entire existence.
Granted this wasn't quite how he'd imagined his ultimate triumph...but he'd always been adataptable. It was what had kept him alive while the fools who called him mad met their ends.
"It certainly seems that we have our enemies attention"
The sound of a voice with a slight Scottish accent informed him who his visitor was before he turned around. Destro had apparently deigned to "Grace" him with his presence.
"Wiping out a city does accomplish that, in my experience. Especially when it comes to the Autobots. They have a strange...fondness for these frail creaures.
Present company excluded, of course" Scorponok said. If Destro had taken offence it was impossible to tell. He did, after all, have the ultimate poker face.
"Of course. Odd though...given your current circumstances"
Scorponok supposed that was true. While he still thought of himself as a Decepticon through and through, his exterior now certainly gave no indication of it. The mostly organic body he now occupied was, to any given observer, the body of Abraham Dante. It had taken some getting used to for him as well. While he had been bonded with Dante before, this new situation was very different from when he had been a Headmaster. Then he'd had access to his body, his true body. But that form was long gone. Sliced in two and doubtless floating in space somewhere at this point. And while this body might lack the raw physical might and power his old one had, it was his mind that was what mattered. And the Autobots would learn that to their dismay.
"Appearances can be deceiving. I'd think you of all people understood that my dear Destro...after all, you look more Cybertronian than I do with that shiny exterior" Scorponok replied. This time he could tell Destro had taken offence.
"Perhaps. But what's underneath is still a man, Scorponok. A man who doesn't appreciate being made fun of by you or anyone else"
"No insult intended. After all...you've helped make all of this possible with your MARS contacts" he said, his tone radiating an oily charm that repelled Destro. But he simply gave a curt nod at that, turning his attention back to the monitors.
"You're sure the devices will work?
You're sure this will be worth it?"
Now it was Scorponok's turn to feel offended. And he did a far less efficient job at hiding it than Destro did.
"I'm more than sure of that.
And so is your commander, as the time and money she's invested in this project should prove"
"Speaking of which...here. The files on the two most promising subjects for the process" Destro said, tossing two files onto the desk in front of Scorponok. One was marked with a large letter M and the other with a G. Flipping through them Scorponok quickly read through the results of the tests on the subjects. Two new-ish recruits to Cobra...the woman resembled a kind of demented victorian nanny while the man was smartly dressed with a goatee beard and a cruel smirk upon his face. The psych profiles and physical and genetic testing had demonstrated that they were what the project called for. The ones with a 94.9% chance of surviving and accomplishing the ultimate evolution of his Headmaster technology.
"They're ready for this?" he asked.
"Ready and eager. Extremely eager, I would say" Destro replied. He didn't add what he really thought of the two of them, which was that they were both far TOO eager as far as he was concerned. The pair of them made Crystal Ball seem rational by comparison. And the thought of them having access to the kind of power that they were thinking of putting them in control of here...Destro couldn't say he liked the thought of it in the slightest. Though he liked the thought of telling the Baroness that even less.
"Then let's get the second device in place, shall we?"
"You realise that they'll be ready for us this time. GI Joe...the Autobots...they'll be on the alert so soon after the last attack". Destro's warning only served to make Scorponok grin even wider.
"On the alert, certainly.
But ready for us?
I don't think so. I think it's time we rolled out the fruits of our labour"
***
Deep Space
Location: Sanctuary Base 4, a station developed by the Cybertronian/Solstar Order Alliance
Local Date: 133456
Earth Date: October 24th 2030
"I just don't think it's a problem"
The tone in Tailgate's voice made Cyclonus believe he was trying to convince someone though he was not certain if it was him or themselves. Either way from the way his eyes were glowing that little bit brighter it was clear that he was doing what Whirl had once described as "The impressive feat of pouting like a puppy dog even without a mouth" ovet the fact that Cyclonus's mind was made up about this.
"After what happened you don't think being unable to Transform is a problem?" Cyclonus asked, in the most withering tone of voice possible. Tailgate fidgeted as they made there way towards the bases medical bay.
"It's probably just some grit in my T-cog. Or...or too much Nucleon. Ratchet always used to say too much of that stuff can make your T-cog malfunction..."
"Which would be a believable explanation were it not for the fact one glass of Nucleon is all it takes to have you passing out..." Cyclonus growled in reply, clearly not in the mood for excuses.
"Look I just...I'm not crazy about medical bays and doctors okay? I mean don't get me wrong Ratchet is lovely and First Aid? Great guy! It's just..."
The words hung in the air. Cyclonus could understand where this reluctance was coming from. The first medical check up Tailgate had ever received had brought with it the news he was dying. He'd survived that by what Drift would call a miracle and what Cyclonus would call pure luck. Then when he'd spent time on the Necrobots world to have yet another ominous medical condition treated he'd wound up buried alive and teleported to a cosmic euthanasia clinic. To say that he hadn't had a great history with hospitals would be a very large understatement.
But Cyclonus wasn't going to take the risk of this being nothing to worry about. If it turned out to be something minor all well and good. But he wanted to now for sure. And he was certain that deep down Tailgate would feel better for knowing as well.
They'd arrived at the medical bay and as the doors hissed open both were greeted by a most unexpected sight. For stood beside a 'bot they didn't recognise was one they knew quite well. The familiar red and white form of First Aid was busying himself this way and that about the place, excitedly looking over the technology on offer.
"First Aid?!" Tailgate exclaimed, surprise and excitement clear in his voice. Cyclonus allowed himself a small smile. It was clear that a familiar faceplate had done some good in calming Tailgate's nervousness at being here and the little bot rushed into the room he had only moments ago been dreading entering.
"Primus it's been...it's been AGES! What are you doing here? Is Rodimus here? Ratchet? Brainstorm?" Tailgate asked. First Aid's own surprise was obvious as well and he motioned for a moment of silence to get a chance to reply as Cyclonus followed Tailgate into the room.
"Just me...well, Mainframe is here too. Oh and a couple of the security crew...though Backstreet seems to have gotten himself lost somehow..."
"What are you doing here? Do you work here?" Tailgate asked looking about the place. The 'bot beside them a polite but firm noise to interrupt.
"Ah, no. That would be me. Minerva. Pleased to meet you" she said, extending a hand to Tailgate.
"I'm just visiting while our ship is docked here. I'm with Aileron's crew these days and we had a passenger to drop off here...thought I'd see if this new med-bay was all I'd heard it was" First Aid explained.
"Passenger? " Cyclonus asked curiously. First Aid nodded and from his body language Cyclonus could tell the subject was one he wasn't altogether comfortable talking about.
"Someone we rescued. He...he's around somewhere" he said and Cyclonus's curiosity grew larger at the obvious discomfort and unease that First Aid felt about them.
"A former Decepticon?" he guessed, assuming this to be the likeliest reason for the awkwardness. But Minerva answered before First Aid could.
"Not a Cybertronian at all. Not as far as we can tell. Mechanical though. Well...probably mechanical. Quite the mystery. Especially the way all the Cybertronians onboard react to him". There was a hint of glee in her voice and it was clear that whoever this passenger was she was excited by the strange way people were reacting to him.
"How do you mean?" Tailgate asked. First Aid fidgeted, obviously unsure of how to respond to the question.
"It's hard to describe. He just has...an effect on people. He seems perfectly lovely. Or...they seem perfectly lovely. I'm not sure how many of "Him" there are..."
From the look on Cyclonus's face and the way Tailgate cocked his head to the side he must have realised how odd that sounded without context.
"Oh he's...they've...well they've got extra faces. Extra faces that he or they talk through"
"Extra faces?!" Tailgate asked. Their surprise was warranted. Even in a species with as many varied shapes and forms as Cybertronians had, that was still a fairly unusual feature.
"Five of them"
Cyclonus stared at First Aid. He felt like he'd just been stabbed through the spark. His hands had clenched into fists.
"Five faces?" he asked. The tone he said it in was akin to a reporter confirming that yes, there were indeed no survivors in the aftermath of a tragic natural disaster. First Aid nodded and Cyclonus leaned forward.
"Show me what they look like"
First Aid glanced at Minerva who shrugged and nodded.
"Sure. Not like this is a MEDICAL BAY or anything. I have nothing more important to do"
With that she punched in a few commands on one of the consoles, bringing up the ships security footage logs. Scrolling back to the day before when Aileron's ship had arrived she brought up and image of all of them, including Venitas, disembarking from the vessel. Cyclonus stared at the image and on his face Tailgate saw a look of horror and revulsion he'd never seen before.
"It can't be..." Cyclonus muttered softly.
"Wait, do you know them?" Tailgate asked.
Before Cyclonus had a chance to respond the lights went out.
Not just in the med bay. But across the whole station.
***
Earth
Location: Miami Beach
Date: 26th October 2030
They'd thought it was a joke at first. Someone had yelled the word "Shark!" and no one had taken it seriously. Not until it had emerged from the sea. Not until it had taken the form of a fifty foot tall robot and declared its murderous intent. Then the people gathered in this place had known with dread certainty that the Seacons had arrived. And the screaming had begun.
Laser fire and explosive shells had turned the sand to glass or ash. And done far worse to those it had struck. The call had gone out. This time the terrified populace had been allowed to broadcast a desperate call for help. As Galvatron strode across the he reflected on how it would come far, far too late.
"Are you sure it's wise to let them summon help? The Autobots have the numbers" Seawing pointed out as they watched the chaos going on around them. Galvatron did not even turn to look at him, his optics fixed on where the Seacons, now joined by two of the Predacons who were tearing their way through the surrounding hotels and houses of this human dwelling.
"Do not question me fish. Not if you wish to keep your vocal processor" Galvatron hissed, his eyes glowing a little brighter. Seawing didn't press the issue. Getting on Galvatron's bad side seemed thoroughly unwise. Galvatron however didn't seem to need further provoking
"Let the Autobots come. You think I fear them? You think I fear Autobots!?"
As he raged he transformed into his newly rebuilt alt mode. The cannon like shape he formed took aim at a distant target. A beam of terrible energy shot forth and as Seawing watched, the building and much of the surounding street was all but atomised in a second, torn apart by the terrible power unleashed.
"LET THEM COME!
Bring them! Bring them all! Galvatron, slayer of Primes!
Galvatron the undying!
Galvatron the reborn!" he raved as he transformed once more, raising his fists to the sky as if challenging the Autobots to drop from it.
"Galvatrong the "Needs to shut the hell up" if you ask me"
The voice was flippant but full of anger. Galvatron twisted his head around to its source. It wasn't hard to spot.
Striding across the war zone that the area had become was the Autbot known as Jazz. And from the look on his face he was not pleased with what he saw. Galvatron on the other hand looked positively delighted.
"Ha! So, the Autobots finally come scurrying to protect their pets.
They send one of you, little warrior? Do these cringing creatures mean so little to my dear sister?" Galvatron asked.
"Actually they sent me because I asked. So I can make this offer, one time only. Give up. Lay down the weapons. Surrender. We can end this with no one else dying"
Galvatron grinned as if he had heard the funniest joke in his life.
"No one else dying?
Where would the fun in THAT be?" he asked.
Jazz let out a weary sigh. To Seawing's optics it looked as if the Autobot had genuinely been hoping for a different answer.
"Yeah, I figured.
Okay boss lady. Hit it"
The sky blazed with the energy of an orbital bounce. And from it the forms of thirty Autobots stepped through, each of them armed and clearly prepared to end this situation however they needed to do so. Galvatron's maniacal grin widened as he saw who was leading them.
"Sister.
It's been too long
It's good to find you like this, even in...peace time...leading an army" he hissed, spitting the words "Peace time" out as if they left a bad taste in his mouth. Arcee kept her expression as neutral as possible. She'd told herself she wasn't going to be baited by him. Told herself that she had her anger under control. Her hand clenched a little tighter around the hilt of her sword. She'd worried she would feel clumsy and unfamiliar with it. Instead it felt like an old friend. She wasn't sure that this was better.
"It's really you" she said. Galvatron nodded, his optics seeming to blaze as if the inside of his head was on fire.
"Surprised?
Surprised your would-be Prime couldn't finish the job?"
"Surprised you didn't have the sense to get off this world when you had the chance. And this isn't an army. These are just 'bots who want to live in a world where things like THIS don't happen" she replied, getsuring at the carnage around them. Galvatron chuckled to himself. The other Autobots had their weapons trained on him carefully, fingers on triggers. All of them knew that even though they outnumbered the Decepticons here that there were at least a few heavy hitters among them.
"Not sure what your laughing about pal. Last time we beat you when you had two combiners on your side. I already checked...there aren't enough of the Predacons here for them to do that "Predaking" trick they learned" Jazz said, trying to sound more certain than he felt. All of this felt, if anything, too easy. The small force Galvatron had brought with him...it would have made sense if he was just out to get some sick thrills terrorising defenceless humans. But he'd done nothing to stop them calling for help. Galvatron was crazy for sure, but stupid?
The sound of jets overhead made some of the Autobots gathered look up. Arcee narrowed her optics as she saw them approaching. Perhaps two dozen, flying in formation. They didn't scan as Cybertronian. She knew Windblade had convinced their allies among the humans to hold off for now, that a GI Joe presence on a battlefield like this should be held off unless absolutely necessary. So who?
And then as she watched the planes began to dive.
Dive and transform.
Each and every one of them undergoing a transformation into an identical blue and red form, glowing red visors flickering to life. Each one had a sigil upon its chest. The Decepticon badge combined with something else. Something like a serpent.
"Allow me to introduce you to the Vipers, Autobots
Not to worry
There's more than enough for all of you"
And in the distance there was the sound of more and more approaching.
Arcee activated her comms immediately. Around her the others were staring at the advancing machines or staring up at the ones inbound. But Arcee had just one thing on her mind right now.
"Jetfire. We have a situation. We have..."
"Hostiles inbound. Yes, I can very much see that"
"How many?" Arcee asked. From the tone in his voice she already knew she wouldn't like the answer.
"There's...there's hundreds"
"Arcee...Arcee what do we do?"
The question came from a smaller Autobot, Seawatch she thought his name was. She could hear the tremble in his voice.
The question hung in the air as more and more of the Vipers descended and the hysterical laughter of Galvatron rang out over the field of battle.