Deep in outer space, a million year old being known as Primacron worked tirelessly on a project. This project was an unusual one, something that he came across by accident. Approximately six years ago, a small probe landed on his planet containing a computer and an odd looking item. This item was spherical, with two handles on either end. In the middle was a dark red substance that glowed behind some glass. After Primacron booted the computer he found a program. This program had given him instructions on what he had become obsessed with completing���
�All I am saying is that I don�t think that this is the end,� Optimus Prime replied. The Autobot leader was conferring with Megatron on Cybertron. It had been three months since the final battle with Jhiaxus�s forces on Earth, and the two leaders were meeting in the Great Hall on the planet to discuss diplomatic relations between the Autobots and Decepticons. They had been doing so since the end of the battle and so far the two Transformer factions had maintained a certain respect for each other. Fights had broken out in some areas, but otherwise no major aggression had taken place.
�Jhiaxus has been destroyed,� Megatron insisted. �The Swarm is no longer a threat. How can you say that this is not the end?�
Megatron was becoming a little irritated with Prime�s paranoid antics. Actually, he was actually surprised that he still came to these meetings. A little over three months ago, there was no way he would have ever agreed to peace within the Transformer race. Even so, his troops had insisted upon it, and Megatron, as ruthless as he was, always did as his troops wanted. He possessed a brilliant war mind, and he knew that fighting with an army who wanted to be peaceful was incredibly stupid. So he put up with these peace talks, and then went back to Warworld where he could dream of retaking Cybertron and becoming the dominant force on the world once again. Until the Decepticons could see past this moronic idea that all Transformers were of one race, he was alone and could only dream.
�I�m not concerned with Jhiaxus or the Swarm, Megatron,� Prime said. �I just have a feeling from the Matrix that there is something bigger out there, something that is behind the Cybertronian Empire.�
Prime watched what he said here. Being the wisest of the Autobots, perhaps the wisest of the entire Transformer race, he knew what Megatron�s buttons were and when not to push them. He knew very well that Jhiaxus and his forces were not of any Autobot origin; they were definitely Decepticons. Prime knew he was lucky that they had been hostile to Megatron; otherwise he would have to face off against both old and new enemies. He needed to use every diplomatic circuit in his body at this point to keep up friendly relations between the Transformer factions. The Matrix, which he had held since the destruction of Unicron, had often given Prime inklings of what was to happen in the future. He knew that Jhiaxus was not the leader, only a general in the Cybertronian forces. Someone or something else was behind this.
�Prime, you are a silly worrier,� Megatron said. �That Matrix is good for nothing! The only practical use it has is to build more forces, which we both have agreed to not participate in. So why don�t you just destroy the blasted thing? What is its worth?�
�It still has practical use,� Prime said. �Primus�s essence is within it. It gives us the key to our past.�
�More like gives you the key to rebuild your army,� Megatron snarled. �I�m tired of these talks. Goodbye Prime.�
Megatron left accompanied by Soundwave, leaving Optimus to himself. As the Autobot leader sat there, he wondered if this truce would ever last. The Decepticons were a warlike race and couldn�t stand to stay in one place or not fighting for supremacy. He sighed and called in Jazz to get reports on Autobot whereabouts.
�How�s it hanging Prime?� Jazz said as he came in.
�Not good, Jazz,� Optimus answered. �I think that Megatron is getting ready to call off these talks. How are the other Autobots holding out?�
�Well, Grimlock is still out on patrol with his Dinobots, like you ordered. He hasn�t reported anything unusual in reference to this �Liege Maximo� that Jhiaxus spoke of. Ultra Magnus, Kup, and the others are on Earth, maintaining relations with the humans there. The rest are here, just doing whatever needs to be done.�
�Thank you, Jazz,� Optimus said. �Let�s go and see if anyone needs help with the work out there.�
Meanwhile, in a place known as the Hub, the monumental titan known as the Liege Maximo debated on what he was going to do about the Autobot-Decepticon alliance. It had proved to be more stable than he had thought, so his all out war with them proved to be more than difficult to start. His troops were ready and willing to go into battle with their new leader, Rook. Jhiaxus had proved to be an inept warrior, not even powerful enough to destroy Megatron or Optimus Prime. Rook was not as powerful a warrior as Jhiaxus but would have to do. Actually, the Liege Maximo really would rather handle the matter personally.
Bumblebee milled about Cybertron. He had been having a rough time with his new Decepticon �friends.� As one of the smallest of the Autobots, he was picked on a lot by his neighbors. He fought back often, even though Optimus Prime told him not to. Oh well. Easy for Prime to say, no one ever said anything to him, except maybe Megatron.
BOOM!! The explosion was so loud that even the other side of the planet could hear it. Bumblebee looked up as he saw the Energon Storage Depot vaporized. His first thought was that the Decepticons had decided to retake Cybertron. He was only half right.
�Decepticons! Attack all throwbacks!�
The cry was a confusing one to hear. Bumblebee looked up as legions of warriors began firing on the helpless Transformers below. All of the weapons had been stored in a silo to maintain peaceful relations, so there was no way to fight back against such firepower. Even Warworld was rendered helpless. Or so he thought.
�Megatron, problems have arisen,� Soundwave�s voice cut through the air. �The Cybertronians have chosen to attack.�
�What?� Megatron looked out the window in his throne room. �Prime was right! They have returned!�
�Lord Megatron! We need to raise our defenses!� Starscream cried as he ran into the room. �We need to fire, or something!�
�All Decepticons!� Megatron ordered, hoping to whet his appetite for destruction. �Attack!!�
�Prime! What do we do?� Jazz said. He wasn�t in a good mood anymore.
�First, try and contact Megatron aboard Warworld. Second, find Grimlock! I�m heading to the weapons silo to dispatch the guns.�
Prime was taken aback. He had known that something would happen, but not this soon. He quickly ran outside and transformed into his semi truck mode. He drove, outrunning all weapons fired in his direction. Being the only one with the key to the weapons silo, he knew he had to get there or all was lost.
When he arrived, he quickly transformed and pulled out the key. After inserting it in the keyhole, a door opened and a siren went off. All other Autobots and the few Decepticons on Cybertron ran over to pick up their weapons to fight back.
�Prowl! You, Inferno and Ratchet come with me! Protectobots and Aerialbots transform and create Defensor and Superion! The rest of you, take positions and fight for Primus�s sake!�
�Seekers, follow me!� Starscream called aboard Warworld. Skywarp, Thundercracker, and the others flew out into the battle to stop the Cybertronians from annihilating the Autobots below. Bringing his team into the fray was necessary if Starscream was going to show Megatron that he was still worthy. It was surprising to him that he was still functioning in the first place after he sided with Jhiaxus for a brief period and used the Matrix against Prime and Megatron.
As the battle raged, Megatron came down from Warworld to stand next to Optimus Prime. The two leaders inspired their soldiers to put everything they had to hold off against the Cybertronians. Many of the other Decepticons left the battle station as well, while others worked from the interior.
The combined efforts of the Autobots and Decepticons eventually worked. Grimlock and the Dinobots finally showed up and stacked the odds a little more. Many of the second generation Transformers fled; the so-called �throwbacks� were too much for them to handle. Optimus Prime and Megatron surprisingly worked well as a team and always proved too much for them.
�Let�s follow them!� Starscream said. �Lord Megatron, Optimus Prime, we can destroy them once and for all if we follow!�
�For once, Starscream is right,� Megatron said. �We need to find where they are coming from, so we can end the fighting right now.�
Megatron was telling a half-truth actually. True, they could end the fighting, but he wanted to take revenge upon the forces that had caused all of this. He also wanted to make his Decepticon warriors get back into battle, so they could get the taste for it again.
�I don�t know, Megatron,� Prime replied. �This looks like they want us to follow them. They retreated a little too quickly.�
�That is IT, Prime!� Megatron retorted. �You have done nothing about this problem. Why are you always so paranoid?� He turned to the troops. �Decepticons! Autobots! Optimus Prime says we shouldn�t follow those rust-ridden pieces of junk back to their hiding place! What do we say to that?�
All of the Decepticons rallied behind their leader. The Autobots, although wanting to pursue their enemies, knew that Prime had his reasons. They knew that their leader would never back down if there wasn�t a good reason. Yet the Decepticons� cries were incredible. They had not seen action in three months and were hungry for the chance to fight.
�Okay, fine,� Prime said, against his better judgment. �Autobots, board the shuttles to pursue!� He turned to Megatron. �Are you following in Warworld?�
�We sure are,� Megatron responded, hungry for the fight. �Decepticons, board Warworld and follow those second-rate Transformers!�
As they followed the Cybertronians, Optimus Prime began having horrible visions, visions that resembled what he had been having in the days when he battled Jhiaxus. A darkness surrounded him. He could hear the cries of his fellow Autobots outside, but he could not get to them. Sinister laughing. A feeling of hopelessness. And then a blinding flash of light����..
�Aah!� Prime awoke from his daydream. As a Transformer, he never slept, but sometimes the Matrix brought on certain visions. He knew something bad was going to happen when they found the location of the Cybertronian Empire�s headquarters. For one of the few times in his life, Optimus Prime, the fearless, selfless leader of the Autobots, was scared.
Jazz came in and broke the silence. �Ultra Magnus and the Earth Autobots say they are sorry they could not join in the fight, Prime.�
�That�s all right, Jazz,� Prime said, keeping his thoughts to himself. �Have we found out where the forces have been heading?�
�As a matter of fact, Prime, we have had a lot of ease trailing the Cybertronians,� Jazz stated. �Do you get the feeling that I�m getting?�
�Yes,� Prime said. �The feeling that we�re being set up.�
TO BE CONTINUED