Chapter Text
Episode: Project Predacon/Chain of Command
One the Nemesis the trio returned with the fossil in hand. Megatron was waiting for them in Shockwave’s lab. “I am glad to see the mission was a success.” Megatron said with his back to his subordinates.
“But, Shockwave….” Megatron began getting the scientist’s attention, “I understand you specifically engaged Optimus in the field…?”
“Yes, Lord Megatron. It was paramount that I retrieve the specimen. As my partner was nowhere near my location…” Shockwave glared at Airachnid, or at least what Shockwave would call a glare.
“I found something just as valuable that tore me away from Shockwave’s side.” Airachnid smiled, as she produced a Cybertronian data cylinder.
“A data cylinder? How did you procure this?” Shockwave asked, Airachnid smirked at the scientist who was keen on knowing its contents.
“Give the data cylinder to Knock Out to analyze.” Megatron ordered as Soundwave nodded and took the canister to Knock Out. “Shockwave…I believe you perished once already. I would find it more adequate to keep you where your work can be uninterrupted.” Megatron was hinting at the fact that if he loses his prized scientist he would be very displeased. Thankfully Shockwave was able to pick up on the warlord’s meaning… “I understand. I leave the fetching of Predacon bones to Dreadwing and Slipstream. And confine myself to my lab to continue working on Project Predacon.”
“Speaking of…Where is Dreadwing?” Airachnid asked curiously,
“Dreadwing and Shadow Striker were sent to a country known as Scotland to retrieve more bones. “ Megatron looked over the huntress who was covered in dirt and scratches, “In fact once you get looked over by Knock Out and given approval…I would like you and Slipstream to go to the secondary location Shockwave has provided…”
Airachnid smiled as she was pleased with her mission and that Megatron wanted to send her on another. But Shockwave turned to her as Megatron began to walk out of the room. “I hope the information on that data cylinder is worth nearly losing a Predacon bone.” Shockwave said to her, catching her off guard and slightly insulted.
“Does it matter? A data cylinder buried here on Earth could be very useful. The last one we found had the formula for synthetic energon on it…unfortunately due to…others… incompetence…we only possess a small amount of information on the formula.” Airachnid explained to the scientist.
Shockwave’s weird little antennas almost stood at attention at the mention of synthetic energon. “Synthetic energon? This is the first I am hearing of this.”
Airachnid smirked, “I’m surprised Lord Megatron doesn’t prioritize that more than making an army of unruly beasts…”
“The Predacon was not unruly. It was fully under my control. And having an army made up of powerful Predacons could be useful to turn the tides of the war.” Shockwave argued, turning towards Airachnid.
“I guess so…” Airachnid shrugged,
“You disagree?” Shockwave asked, now a bit curious at her disagreement with their master’s choices. “Oh come on Shockwave…you are a smart mech. He has an army, Pits technically two since he stole my hive…how many more soldiers does he need to keep failing at killing a small group of Autobots?”
“Your point is…logical. But Predacons are different from Insecticons and Vehicons…” Shockwave rebuttled, and Airachnid rolled her optics as her spider legs twitched behind her in annoyance. Airachnid could see that Shockwave despite his brilliance was a stubborn mech. Airachnid decided to cut her losses and walk out. “Why are all the brilliant mechs I meet so blind by their own creations?” She muttered to herself. Shockwave picked up her muttering but decided it would be illogical to argue with Airachnid about such petty manners.
—---
Meanwhile in the arctic tundra…frozen in a block of ice after a massive blizzard is the Predacon. It stands in a mighty roaring pose as the sun rises over the icy terrain. The Predacon had been frozen for quite some time but.. The heat of the rising sun almost ignited something within the frozen beast.
The sunlight almost…woke up the frozen monster. The Predacon began to generate heat within itself. The Predacon’s optics began to glow a bright yellow as it began to return to life. The ice began to melt and crack as the heat from its frame was causing it to break. With a quick thrust of its claws, it shattered the ice on its left. With a thrash of its wings, it crumpled the ice on its right. And with that its claws gripped the side of the icy ledge it was stuck upon for so long and its claws cut into the ice. The permafrost lining its previous frozen form melted off.
The Predacon shook its helm as it regained consciousness. It reeled back and roared extremely loudly as it did so as it got ready to take flight. It flew off in a direction towards where its home was, where the Nemesis could possibly be.
—----
On the Nemesis, most of the Decepticon high command stood in Shockwave’s lab a few hours later. “Is it really wise for Shockwave to spawn an army of Predacon here aboard the Nemesis?” Slipstream said as Shockwave was scanning the Predacon bone’s CNA.
Airachnid and Flamewar looked curiously at the seeker. ‘Maybe I’m not the only one who sees the flaw in this plan…’ Airachnid thought with a smirk now on her face. Megatron looked curiously at her. “I’m just stating an obvious fact that even when we had the previous one, it was too large to go through the corridors.”
“Boss…you do realize we are doing it off-site right?” Flamewar noted Slipstream turned to look at her and Airachnid. ‘Never mind she’s as obtuse as Starscream…guess they are related after all.’ Airachnid thought again now that she realized. “Well I was unaware of that…but it does make sense.”
“By the way Shockwave sorry about the loss of your…original prototype…” Slipstream said with fake empathy. Shockwave was unphased by Slipstream’s fake sympathy or teasing.
“Yeah we can’t even find the poor beastie,” Flamewar added, at least her condolences seemed somewhat more genuine than Slipstream’s.
Then suddenly the ship began to shake violently. The Nemesis didn’t land anywhere…so either they were under attack or… “Lord Megatron!” A Vehicon yelled through the comms. “You are needed on the flight deck.”
“Are we under attack?!” Slipstream asked nervously,
“No, the Vehicon sounded too calm. Maybe Shockwave’s beastie found its way home…” Airachnid guessed,
“Preposterous!” Slipstream shouted, Flamewar looked at Slipstream and back at Airachnid…she could sense some tension already and the two were due to go to Easter Island soon. Great, glad Flamewar decided to stay back this time around.
The group along with several Vehicons went to investigate the large mass on the flight deck. As they opened the door they were greeted with the visage of a very much alive Predacon. Its tail lazily sways behind it as it slowly growls as a form of acknowledgment of its masters. It steps forward making loud beastial noises almost like it was happy to be home.
“How in blazes did this thing find the ship?” Slipstream asked with a mixture of curiosity and a hint of annoyance. Airachnid and Flamewar turned to Shockwave expecting the scientist to explain how this was possible.
“Predacons possess sophisticated homing instincts.” Shockwave explained to the group,
“And a very high level of resilience.” Megatron added, looking over the beast. “Slipstream…until Dreadwing returns from his mission, assume control of the Predacon.” Megatron ordered as he went back into the ship.
Airachnid held back a laugh as she saw the look on Slipstream’s face. “What?! Bu-But master, why would I assume control when Shockwave is right here?”
“You and Dreadwing work side by side on military and day-to-day operations. With Dreadwing not here it would be logical for you to assume command in his absence.” Shockwave stated as he followed Megatron back into the ship, “Besides my priority is to work on Project Predacon.”
Slipstream grimaced at the thought of having to spend time with a mindless beast. Airachnid bit her lip as she tried to not smirk. Slipstream angrily turned to Flamewar. “Handle this for now. Airachnid and I are off to Easter Island.”
“What?! No way! Megatron asked you, boss. Not me. So…logically…” She did a bit of an impression of Shockwave, “Logically speaking I and Airachnid should go off to Easter Island while you play Predacon trainer.” Flamewar smirked at her boss.
“Absolutely not! I am not an animal handler!” Slipstream yelled back, Airachnid and the Predacon’s attention went between the two as they argued. Back and forth, back and forth, it was almost comical how neither of them wanted to deal with it. But Airachnid realized what both idiots these two were. If she had it her way she would claim to be the trainer…A beast like this Predacon under her control? They are all stupid for trying to hand off responsibility. But Megatron already ordered her to Easter Island and with this stupid collar around her neck, she cannot afford to disobey orders.
After about 10 minutes of arguing, Flamewar was going with Airachnid to Easter Island. Slipstream was left with the beast on the flight deck… Airachnid cannot wait to see the surveillance footage of this trainwreck….