"Skygnaw, are we really going in there?"
Starscream had already turned and headed back toward the depths of the warship. Blackarachnia remained hesitant, still unsure of the Seeker's true play.
"Of course," Skygnaw nodded, stepping forward. Blackarachnia didn't know who was waiting for them, but he did. Even from orbit, he had spotted the ruined hull of the ship and the unmarked Cybertronian guards surrounding the crater. He didn't need a sensor sweep to know this was the Fallen's vessel.
Once inside, Starscream dismissed his personal guard. The four of them—Skygnaw, Blackarachnia, Soundwave, and Starscream—walked through the corridors. The only sound was the rhythmic thud of heavy tal pedes echoing off the bulkheads.
Suddenly, Starscream broke the silence, his voice dripping with smugness. "Skygnaw, you're about to witness it. I am to be appointed the new Leader of the Decepticons by the Master himself."
"Is that so?" Skygnaw's tone was flat. "Then congratulations in advance, Lord Starscream."
Soundwave's optics flickered at the exchange, while Blackarachnia's curiosity deepened.
"Don't worry," Starscream sneered. "You'll see soon enough."
Skygnaw smiled internally. In the original history, Starscream never officially led the Decepticons. He doubted his presence would change the mind of a million-year-old Pri he hadn't even t yet.
They turned into a guarded corridor and entered the dical bay. Starscream's voice rose with excitent. "Allow to introduce an ancient and powerful sovereign. He is the founder of our race—The Fallen!"
As the words fell, a massive figure sitting upon a treatnt chair ca into view.
"Skygnaw, this..." Blackarachnia's voice trailed off into a whisper of dread. She didn't know who the Fallen was, but the sheer aura and energy signature radiating from the figure were undeniable.
Skygnaw said nothing, his eyes locked on the ancient being. Knotted joints, a deep-black tallic endoskeleton, and long, claw-like fingers. The feet were split into three distinct talons. It was the Fallen, without a doubt. And from his energy readings, he had recovered to a level far exceeding any Commander-class warrior.
"Lord Fallen, they have arrived," Starscream said, his previous arrogance replaced by a fawning, oily tone.
For the first ti in six days, the Fallen lifted his head. He scanned the four Decepticons for a long beat before his raspy voice filled the room. "You... serve well."
Skygnaw, Blackarachnia, and Soundwave bowed slightly, showing the respect due to an original Pri.
"You may not know who I am," the Fallen began, his torso leaning forward as he gripped the armrests of his chair. "But it matters not. Know only that I created the Decepticons. A million years ago, I founded the Seekers to scour the stars for suns that t my criteria. They traveled the cosmos to find fuel for , and I arrived to harvest them—to destroy them! Those were glorious cycles."
The Fallen fell silent for a mont, lost in the mory of a dead era.
"Later, I renad the Seekers to the Decepticons. A million years ago, a great war left broken, forced to recover on this rock. Ten thousand years ago, during a brief awakening, I t gatron. He was a general then, commanding the military hardware of Cybertron. I took him in. I showed him how to be a true Leader."
The listeners felt a surge of realization. Even Skygnaw now understood the full lineage connecting the ancient Seekers to the modern army.
"However," the Fallen's voice grew cold and sharp. "gatron was murdered on that planet. The very planet that nearly cost my life! I want you to avenge him. Exterminate the Autobots and the humans who stand with them!"
Skygnaw, Soundwave, and Blackarachnia exchanged silent glances. The Autobots had Optimus Pri. What did they have? More infighting?
"Starscream, take them. Begin the assault."
"Yes, Lord Fallen!" Starscream replied instantly, then paused. "Lord Fallen... did you... forget sothing?"
"What is it, Starscream?"
The dangerous glint in the Fallen's optics made Starscream's words die in his throat. He didn't dare bring up his "appointnt" as Leader again.
"Your will be done, Lord Fallen," Starscream said, bowing low. "I will lead the Decepticons to victory."
"Good. Leave . I must rest." The dismissal was absolute.
Outside the d-bay, Starscream's eyes darted toward Skygnaw. "Skygnaw, I hear you have a transport ship exchanged from the Autobots. We'll use it as bait to draw out the NEST forces—"
"No. I refuse."
Skygnaw didn't even let him finish. Starscream's face darkened, but he said nothing more. They hurried out of the ship, and Skygnaw and Blackarachnia headed straight back to their own transport.
"My Lord, you and Lady Blackarachnia...?" Onslaught asked as the ship ascended.
"We have new orders, Onslaught," Skygnaw said. "There is a Master in that ship—the founder of our race. We answer to him now."
Several Days Later: Shanghai, Earth.
[Local ti: 10:14 PM. A major leak has occurred at a factory in Shanghai. Workers and residents are being evacuated. We will continue to follow this developing situation...]
Outside a factory on the outskirts of Shanghai, a reporter in a gas mask delivered her report while thick yellow smoke billowed from the vents behind her. Cordon lines were up, and workers were being rushed away.
anwhile, at the NEST command center in the Pentagon...
"Status?" a middle-aged officer in a crisp uniform asked, walking into the war room.
"Sir, evacuation will be complete in three minutes."
After the disaster three months ago, NEST's command had been split with the Pentagon to ensure better strategic oversight.
"Sir, the airspace is locked down for ten miles."
"Good." The officer checked his watch. "Everything is ready. NEST, move in."
[Copy that. Black Hawk is approaching target, preparing to land.]
Since the secret of the Cybertronians had beco public knowledge, the US had been negotiating with other nations for permission to conduct military operations against Decepticons globally.
Inside the empty factory, a white-and-red ice cream truck rolled slowly through the loading docks. A pointed chanical face insignia was painted on its front.
"Listen up, Decepticons! Prepare to get your tailpipes kicked!"
The truck took a sharp turn, its roof speakers blaring the sa boast on loop. Above, Black Hawk helicopters descended.
"Don't get nervous, boys," Lennox said, patting the shoulders of the soldiers beside him. Robert sat next to him, silent. "The news says it's a leak, but we all know the score. We've done this six tis. Aside from that one hiccup on the second run, we've taken out sixty of these things."
As Lennox cald the rookies, a convoy consisting of three motorcycles, a silver sports car, and a heavy pickup truck sped toward the factory gates.
"Alright, everyone out!" Lennox shouted as the helicopters touched down.
The special forces team hit the ground and gathered at the factory entrance, eting the vehicle convoy.
"Ironhide," Lennox said as the black pickup pulled up. "This factory is divided into Zones A through E. We aren't sure how many are hiding in there. I need you to hold the periter here."
"You got it, Lennox."
The pickup shifted, its chassis expanding until a massive warrior stood before them. Ironhide deployed his heavy cannons and sniffed the air. "I sll Decepticons. They're in there."
"Sideswipe, take the zone at two o'clock," Lennox commanded, looking at the silver sports car.
"Consider it done, Lennox," Sideswipe replied, his tires screeching as he sped toward his assigned position.
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