EPISODE I: THE BEGINNING
Destruction was always a part of his life. Ever since his creation he had known nothing else. And now, as he stalked about the planet of Cybertron, anticipation and pleasure filled his thoughts.
As he watched the peaceful Autobots, he felt a twinge of sickness. Those damn blasted Autobots! All they cared for was freedom. Even their leader, Optimus Prime, was a friend to each and every one of them. Prime was so powerful, he could be living like a king, but he refused. For this reason alone, Optimus Prime was by far the most sickening, revolting Autobot there was.
They�re all ants. The only thing they ever do is mill around and work. They worked for peace. They worked for prosperity. They worked for freedom. Mindless, pitiful, sickening little ants. As he watched, he realized that he was doing the Autobots a favor by destroying them.
Walking, he passed them by and smiled. It still gave him delight to know that they could never stop him, not this time. How could they stop someone they can�t even see?
Hot Rod shivered. �Did you feel that Kup?�
�Feel what?� Kup asked. �Do you still have a few screws loose?�
Hot Rod shot him a dirty look. �Come on, Kup. I�m talking about that harsh chill that just passed through.�
�Last time I checked, we really weren�t affected by �harsh chills�, especially on Cybertron.�
�Yeah, whatever. I felt something.�
Kup looked at his friend for a second. It had been almost a year since Hot Rod had been involved in the brutal battle with Galvatron that almost left him deactivated. All kidding aside, Kup was worried. During that fight, Hot Rod had received terrible injuries, things even the older war veteran had never sustained. Kup wondered if his younger compatriot was still reeling from that fight.
Hot Rod caught Kup looking at him funny. �Okay, never mind then,� he said. The two walked on.
At that same time, Optimus Prime was consulting Goldbug over recent developments on Earth. Ever since the battle there involving the reemergence of Trypticon, things had become a little uneasy. After their lives had become intertwined with the Transformers, human life had suffered hardships and celebrated victories. Optimus Prime sympathized the most, always hating himself for bringing the battle to their planet. He felt as though it was his fault, so he had always tried his best to protect life on Earth as his sworn duty.
�I don�t know what to say, Optimus,� Goldbug was saying. �It seems like every time Earth is the least bit threatened, the human society becomes more isolationist.�
Optimus thought for a moment. �What�s going on with the EDC?�
The Earth Defense Command, first enacted in 2005, was created to partner the Autobots with humans to combat any foreign threats. From 2006 through 2010, the EDC was downsized, with much protest from Optimus Prime. Earth�s leaders did not believe that the organization was absolutely necessary, so they decreased its power considerably. Slowly, the EDC became increasingly political and biased, far from what it originally was set out to do. Even its commander, Marissa Faireborne, was replaced. The new commander, William Connelly, was more of an accountant than a soldier. He renamed his position �Chief Executive� and cut funds to please his bosses. Now, the EDC was more like a security guard company as opposed to an elite fighting force. Marissa Faireborne herself had been demoted to a recruiting trainer.
�Well, Optimus, it doesn�t look good,� Goldbug answered. �Connelly is saying that Trypticon�s return marks a time for humans to remove ties with the Autobots. Apparently he believes that the Decepticons only wish to attack Earth because of our presence.�
Optimus sighed. �I guess there will always be people who have bad blood against us, no matter how hard we try to rectify any wrongs done to them.�
�Yeah, guess so,� Goldbug said. �What should we do?�
�Don�t worry about it right now,� Optimus said. �All Connelly has right now are empty threats. We still have Marissa in there to fill us in if anything goes sour. I just hope that��uhh!�
Goldbug watched as Optimus Prime doubled over in pain. �Optimus! What�s wrong?�
�I�.I don�t know,� Prime replied, getting up slowly. �It feels like somebody just hit me.�
�Are you going to be all right? Do you think it was a sign from the Matrix?�
�No, Goldbug, I don�t,� Optimus Prime answered, looking around. �The Matrix never gives me any pain like that. This is something different�..�
Ha! Ooh, it seems Optimus was on to him! The cloaked fiend laughed sinisterly. Prime had no clue what was in store. That little shot to his abdomen felt great: it had been a long time coming. This feeling he had, it was so free! Not one of these pathetic morons could see him, and he could do whatever he wanted.
Well, he thought, it seems like two Autobots had a feeling he was here. Of course, Hot Rod had a little more subtle one than Prime. Hopefully, they won�t know what is going on until it is too late. Time to start phase one.
�Optimus! Hey Optimus!!�
The Autobot commander turned around and saw Hot Rod running up. Prime stopped and wondered what he wanted.
�Yes, what is it?� Optimus asked.
�I knew you were the only one I could talk to,� Hot Rod said. �Earlier today, I don�t know why but I felt some sort of cold chill. I�ve mentioned this to a few of the others, but they only shrugged it off as if I was going crazy.�
�A chill? What kind of chill was this?�
�I don�t know, Optimus. It was almost like some kind of presence moved past me.�
Optimus looked intently at his lieutenant. �That is strange, but I don�t think that you�re crazy. Something even stranger happened to me earlier: I was hit by some kind of powerful blow to my abdomen. For some reason, I also sensed a presence. I don�t know what it was, but I do know that it was something evil.�
�What do you suppose it was?�
Looking at Hot Rod, Optimus Prime showed concern in his face. �I don�t know, but it worries me. It�s scary to think that something wicked has once again interrupted our happiness. I just hope that we can figure out what is going on.�
�Hey Kup, how�s life treatin� ya?� Blaster asked.
Kup looked up at his cheery friend. �I�m all right, considering you ask me that same question every day. How great can I be?�
�Why do you say that? I love working the lookout.�
�Well, that�s just you, Blaster,� Kup said. �Frankly I find it very dull. No one comes by to listen to my stories anymore.�
�Oh, Kup my man, you�ve told all your stories,� Blaster said. �You just need to get some musical taste! Lookout�s the best time for me to catch up on my tunes.�
Kup shook his head and smiled. �Well you do know that you�re supposed to be paying attention to the radar.�
�Yeah I know, and I do. If I didn�t have some music though, I�d daydream. Then what good would I do?�
Kup laughed. �I suppose not much of anything.�
Blaster got out of his chair. �Well, I�ll be taking off now. Have a good time.�
As his compatriot left, Kup took his seat and groaned. He began his routine check of all the scanning systems and made sure everything else was in working order. As he finished, he sat back and wondered if anything would actually happen. Kup couldn�t even count the number of times he had been doing this. It was such dull work. Since 2006, the number of times Cybertron was attacked had only jumped recently, but now everything was back to normal. The Decepticons wouldn�t be back.
Suddenly, Kup felt a chill. His mind wandered back to what Hot Rod said before. Then he felt like he was choking, not able to say anything. The last thing he saw was a dark figure materialize and watch him hit the ground�.
The alarm was deafening. Optimus Prime had just seen Goldbug on a shuttle back to Earth when he heard it go off. Things had been so peaceful for the past months, why did something have to happen now?
Prime transformed and sped off toward the lookout console. What could it be? Did Galvatron return? Have some rogue Decepticons left the main army? Ever since Unicron coming back a third time, anything was possible.
As he drove, Optimus began getting anxious. He could not hear any sounds of battle, and worried that somehow it was too late. But as he pulled up to the lookout, Prime noticed all of the Autobots standing around, looking just as puzzled as he was. He transformed and walked up to see what was going on.
�What is it?� he asked. �What�s wrong?�
Ultra Magnus turned around. �Optimus, we don�t have a clue. Kup was on lookout duty and set off the alarm. When we all arrived and noticed nothing was happening, we asked him why he turned on the alarm. He looked at us quizzically, as if he didn�t even know that it went off. Something strange is going on.�
Prime nodded, and walked to where Kup was sitting. He looked down at his old friend and asked, �Kup, what in the world is going on?�
The seasoned veteran looked up. He looked as confused as anyone, and seemed to be in pain. Struggling, he spoke, �Optimus? I don�t have the slightest clue. I remember feeling very cold. Then it felt like I couldn�t speak: almost a choking feeling came over me. The next thing I know, Ultra Magnus is asking me why I set off the alarm. I didn�t do it, I swear! I would never do anything to falsely alarm anyone!�
�I believe you, Kup,� Optimus Prime said. �Still, I suspect something is going on. I think that you should head to the infirmary.�
�Yeah, yeah. That doesn�t seem like such a bad idea.�
�Good. Hot Rod, escort Kup over to the infirmary and make sure he�ll be okay.�
�Yes, Optimus,� Hot Rod said. �Come on Kup, let�s head over there.�
As they walked over, Optimus felt uneasy. Something eerie had happened here, that was for sure. Prime looked around, wondering what could be going on. As he did, he noticed that the gate to the center of Cybertron had been opened.
�So what really did happen over there, Kup?� Hot Rod asked. �I didn�t hear what you told Optimus.�
�Well,� Kup said. �I just felt this cold chill, and a choking feeling. I thought you were nuts earlier when you said that, but I believe you now. Something very wrong is going on here.�
�Yeah, that does sound odd,� Hot Rod said. �And as soon as I get you to the infirmary I�m going to find out what is going on.�
Hot Rod looked back at the scene, and just noticed Optimus Prime head for the tunnels.
At that very moment, the being that was causing the havoc above was already flying down that very same tunnel.
Where is it? he thought. How much longer until I reach it?
He began to fly quicker. This new body that had been given to him was amazing. Even if anyone had noticed he had slipped into the tunnel, which wasn�t likely with the diversion he made, he would still reach his goal before anyone could stop him. In fact it would be impossible, since he was able to cloak himself.
Then he saw it. He had reached Vector Sigma! Now he could carry out his plan. He landed on the ground and walked up to the giant supercomputer. This computer had been responsible for the creation of so many Transformers, and in many ways was the core of the planet. Since the destruction of Unicron at the hands of Optimus Prime, it did not have the ability to grant life, as Primus�s essence and being were drained from the computer and instilled inside the Matrix. Still, Vector Sigma was still vital to the planet of Cybertron: for some reason it maintained the stability of the planet. If Vector Sigma were to become unbalanced, the entire planet of Cybertron would undergo a chain reaction that would ultimately destroy it.
He started operating the controls. Dammit! Why wasn�t this thing working? He knew that the key to Vector Sigma was destroyed, but it must have worked when Prime fought Unicron! Then he realized something: the Matrix was the key. That�s how Prime was able to access the computer! Damn, Prime still had it, though.
At that moment, he heard tires squealing. Oh no! Someone had discovered him! He had begun to cloak himself when he found it was too late. The figure just hid behind the large computer and looked to see who it was. Optimus Prime himself had entered the chamber of Vector Sigma.
Optimus drove in, and then stopped. He knew he had seen something.
�Hello?� Optimus said, transforming. �Who is in here? Come out.�
Prime eyed around the room until he heard hideous laughing. Optimus recognized the voice quickly and he felt a sinking feeling.
�Who are you?� he asked, wondering if he really wanted to know. �Where are you?�
The figure came from behind Vector Sigma and looked at the Autobot commander. He decided not to cloak himself. Smiling, he saw the look on Prime�s face as Optimus realized who he was.
�Oh come now, Prime. You know very well who I am. It�s funny how long it has been since our last meeting. If only I had my old body to fight you with, that would bring back some nostalgia. But just to verify your suspicions, I am the Liege Centuro of the Decepticon Elite. I am the leader of the army you dubbed �the Cybertronians.� I am the disciple of the Liege Maximo, whom you destroyed.�
�Jhiaxus,� Optimus said, feeling disgusted. �Just as smug as ever. How did you obtain a new body? I saw you destroyed by the Swarm, and that was almost 15 years ago!�
�Oh, Prime,� the former Cybertronian answered. �You should know as much as anyone that death does not mean the end. You will have all the answers, once I feel like sharing them. Until next time!�
With that, he fired his weapon at Optimus. Taking cover, Prime waited until Jhiaxus quit firing. Once the shots stopped, he ran out of hiding and charged. Just as he dove at Jhiaxus�s body, though, the Cybertronian disappeared.
Suddenly, a noise came from the tunnel. Someone was approaching. Getting his rifle ready, he saw that Hot Rod had followed him down to the core.
�Optimus! What�s going on?�
Prime looked at Hot Rod, and suddenly felt weary. He could still hear Jhiaxus�s laughter ringing in his mind. Shaking his head, Optimus Prime looked to the ground and spoke.
�It never ends.�
TO BE CONTINUED