Transformers: Eradication

Part 4: Decepticon Africa

The next day Tailgate is giving an art lesson to Bumblebee, Sideswipe, the Dinobots, Jolt, and Tomahawk. Jetfire is sleeping in a hammock nearby that he set up.

Tailgate: "Remember to let your art become a part of your soul. Let your emotions paint the picture for you."

Tomahawk: "I don't know if I'm doing this right."

Tailgate: (dryly) "You're not."

Tomahawk: "Well that sucks."

Bee: "This is too hard."

Side: (boasting) "My work is beautiful!"

Tailgate: "That's a stick figure."

Side: "B-but it's a nice stick figure!"

Jolt: "I drew Sonic!"

Tailgate: "Why"

Jolt: "Why not?"

Swoop: "I think this looks good."

Tailgate: "Ah the sky, a typical picture for the flying type."

Swoop: (under his breath) "I'll show you typical."

Slag: "Me Slag hate art!" (eats paintbrush)

Grimlock: "Me Grimlock draw self portrait."

Tailgate: "Why do you have a crown?"

Grimlock: "Because me Grimlock king. Duh."

Tailgate: "I wasn't aware I was in the presence of royalty. (kneels) "I am not worthy!"

Grimlock: "Me Grimlock can get used to this."

Tomahawk: "He's not real royalty Tailgate."

Tailgate: "He isn't?"

Grimlock: "No, but I should be."

Sludge: "Me Sludge draw masterpiece."

Sludge shows them the back of the painting, which has his name and a smiley face.

Snarl: "That's the back of the painting Sludge."

Sludge: "Oops wrong way."

Sludge turns it around, and to everyone's astonishment he draws a masterpiece. It's a sun setting on the beach, but his use of red and orange to represent the sunset and the the sparkles in the ocean give it a life-like persona. Tailgate's cigar falls

Grimlock: "Wow Sludge that's pretty good."

Tomahawk: "Looks like you got some competition Tailgate."

Tailgate: "Beginners luck."

Slingshot sneaks around and spots Jetfire. He carefully takes Jetfire's goggles and stretches it out until he lets go, and it recoils onto his face.

Jetfire: "Ow!"

Sling: "Haha you suck!"

Jetfire: "No wonder Silverbolt hates his job so much. You're impossible!"

Sling: "You mad bro?"

Jetfire: "You're lucky I'm too lazy to do anything."

Sling: (mocking) "I'm so scared!"

Snarl: "Hey can you guys keep it down some of us are trying to work."

Sling: "Whatever Snarl."

Swoop: "He sure told you Snarl."

Snarl: "Who's side are you guys on anyway?"

Slag: "His."

Snarl: -sigh- "Anyway I have my painting. What do you think?"

When Snarl goes to retrieve it he sees that someone has spray painted a phallic symbol on his work.

Grimlock: "So that's what you paint in your spare time huh?"

Snarl: "I swear that wasn't me!"

Grimlock: "Now you see why Stegosaurus are the lamest dinosaurs."

Snarl: (cries) "You hate me! Everyone hates me!"

Swoop: "Nobody hates you."

Snarl: "Yes you do!"

Snarl transforms and runs away for the time being, but knowing him he'll be back soon enough.

Grimlock: "Me Grimlock hate that guy."

Slag: "Me too."

Slingshot is laughing with them, but accidently drops something. It's a can of spray paint.

Bee: "So it was you who ruined Snarl's painting."

Tomahawk: "It really wasn't funny."

Sling: "Sure it is. You know that art is just one letter away from fart right?"

Side: "Huh, it really is."

Sling: "And do you want to know what they both have in common? They stink."

Tailgate: -gasp- "None of my art smells!"

Jetfire: (getting up) "Nice picture you got there Slingshot. I never knew you were that kind of guy."

Sling: 'What do you mean?"

Jetfire: "Surely you drew what you love right?"

Sling: (embarrassed) "I did not!"

Jetfire: "Uh huh, sure."

Sling: "You're a jerk! I hate you!" (runs away)

Tomahawk: "Well that solved that problem."

Jetfire: "There are two things I hate: People who interrupt my nap time and morons. Sometimes they're one in the same."

Optimus is outside looking up in the sky when he is greeted by Ironhide.

"You've been like this for the last few days. What's on your mind?"

"Was I right to leave Cybertron?"

"What do you mean?"

"Ever since we left Cybertron Shockwave has taken over most of it.'

""How do you know that?"

"Spike and Carly told me when they were warped there. I wonder if all the Autobots are safe...if she's safe."

"Knowing her she's still fighting strong. They all follow after you well."

"I hope you're right. She's the last defense for Cybertron. If she falls then the war is as good as over."

Now the perspective changes over to Africa, the one place nobody will ever look for you, especially with all that Ebola craze. Fearswoop and Terradive teleport to the savannahs, and are patiently waiting for something to happen.

Fear: "We're finally here."

Terra: "We would have been here half an hour ago if you didn't make all those stops."

Fear: "You're the one who wanted to stop by the orphanage and make fun the kids for not having parents."

Terra: (stiffly) "Orphan mocking is my way of building self confidence!"

Fear: "Whatever, Megatron should be coming soon. He's been doing these solo Energon scouting missions himself."

Terra: "Are you sure this is right place? I don't see the other Decepticons."

Fear: "He should be coming right about....now."

Off in the distance there is something driving. It gets closer and revealed to be some sort of rusty tanker truck. It has a tarp covering the back of it and there are some sharp pieces of metal sticking out of the grill. It transforms into a figure with a cloak over his head and a shotgun behind his back. Believe it or not this is Megatron. Even the economy hit the Decepticons hard, well that and the whole base exploding certainly didn't help either. He walks towards one of the grassy areas, and after he walks a short distance something unexpected happens. He seems to walk into some sort of invisible barrier, because on the other side a bunch of the other Decepticons are there sitting around. There are also some tents, hammocks, and small work stations all around. On the edge of the areas are these metal poles that seem to be emitting some sort of signal. The twins are by a campfire they made trying to get warm. Skywarp is busy tinkering with some parts. He needs to keep going or else he will go crazy. Splicer and Waspinator are sitting next to one lone telephone. Ravage and Laserbeak are resting under a tree and perk up when they see Megatron. Beastbox and Squawktalk are being themselves while fighting over a coconut they found on another undocumented adventure. Beastbox is trying to pry the coconut from Squawktalk, who has it firmly in his beak. Soundwave Starscream, Thundercracker, and Sideways are all missing.

Beastbox: "Give me that coconut!"

Squawk: "No!"

Megatron: "Decepticons I have returned."

A familiar flapping of wings is heard as Buzzsaw comes and perches himself on Megatron's arm.

Buzzsaw: (bows) "Lord Megatron, I am pleased as always to see you return."

Frenzy: "Dude he was gone for half an hour."

Buzzsaw: (snarls) "Silence! Any moment without Megatron is dark time for us all!"

Some noises are heard and a green Stegosaurus with purple spikes is wrestling with a blue and white Ceratosaur over the corpse of a hyena. This is Slugfest and Overkill. Overkill easily overpowers Slugfest, and kicks him down. He puts his foot on Slugfest and leans down to speak to him.

Overkill: (cruel) "I want you to beg for mercy. I want to hear it in my sleep."

Slugfest: "Fine have mercy on me."

Overkill: "Good good."

Buzzsaw: "Excuse me one moment Megatron. (flies over) So Overkill you think that getting a new blue and white paintjob along with a risky experiment makes you on top?"

Overkill: "Indeed it does. Now I have the power."

Buzzsaw: "It messed with your brain, and Slugfest's as well."

Slugfest: "Card games on motorcycles!"

Overkill: "I don't see your point, now go fly off. I'm in charge of the ten of now."

Buzzsaw: "Then stop me."

Overkill charges at Buzzsaw, who uses his tail to wrap itself around Overkill's leg and yanks him down. He has Overkill pinned to the ground, but he just smiles.

Overkill: -grins- "What are you going to do? Kill me? I know Megatron wouldn't allow that."

Slugfest: "Kill him he's a dick!"

Buzzsaw: "Oh Overkill I'm not going to kill you, that would be wrong. (stabs him in the leg) But I can hurt you."

Overkill: (in pain) "Is that all you got?"

Buzzsaw: (twisting deeper) "No. Just remember this is only a momentary discomfort until you give up."

Overkill: (begrudgingly) "I give up."

Buzzsaw: "Excellent. Now you all should learn respect."

?: "What about meeeeeee?"

The voice comes from the tree that Ravage and Laserbeak is resting at. A figure hangs upside down in the shadows and stretches out what looks like a large wingspan. The figure flies towards Buzzsaw, it's Rabat, the bat Decepticons who is also a triple-jointed contortionist. His white face has the expression of a hardcore sadist.

Buzzsaw: "You are deemed worthy in my eyes Rabat, but this poser is not."

Ratbat: (chuckles) "Heheh. I like watching them squirm."

Frenzy: "You guys are nuts."

Ratbat: "Why don't you transform into your real forms."

Slugfest: "Huh?"

Overkill: "These are our true forms. Unless you mean our alternate modes."

Buzzsaw: "Very well then, do that."

Slugfest and Overkill both transform into their robot forms. Slugfest looks exactly like AOE Snarl. Overkill on the other hand has a crown shape to his head and a chest model that looks like a skull, and there are two giant red lights where the eyes would be.

Slugfest: "I feel naked.... yay!"

Overkill: "I feel uncomfortable."

Squawk: "And I thought Ratbat was weird."

Megatron walks over to Skywarp, who is tinkering with Reflector, who is still in his camera form.

Megatron: "Your technical prowess has served me well Skywarp."

Skywarp: "It's what I do best."

Megatron: "Are you sure these barriers can continually shield us?"

Skywarp: "Old friend I once made a monitor out of nothing but toothpicks, a freeze ray out of some icecream and a lawnmower, and a functioning surveillance drone out of spare parts I found in my old junkyard. So if you wanted me to create some poles that sends out a projected illusion of this area that shrouds us on the inside while simultaneously giving out slight subliminal messages to any human that may pass by to stay away then your answer is yes."

Megatron: "Always with the long explanations."

Skywarp: (smiles) "It's one of my more charming features."

Megatron: "But how is Reflector? Do you think you can save him?"

Skywarp: "That's the difficult part. While he is stuck in his camera form he's safe. Seeing that's he's so small any mistake I make could potentially kill him. The risk is far too great."

Megatron: "A tragedy indeed."

Splicer and Waspinator are still by the phone, but Waspinator has his back turned to Splicer.

Splicer: "I miss Payload."

Wasp: "Uh huh."

Splicer: "Oh come on you can't be like that all the time."

Wasp: "Watch me."

Splicer: "You need friends Waspinator."

Wasp: "Waspinator needs to be alone."

Terra: "Oh the dear boy. It's a shame that we have to watch him grow up in the background."

Fear: "Yeah what a drag. Anyway I'm bored."

Terra: "As am I."

Fear: "Want to... go find some more orphans?"

Terra: "And maybe pretend to set them on fire?"

Both: "......Yeah!" (highfives)

Fearswoop and Terradive both leave to accomplish their own ghost agendas and will not return until the final act. But for right now Megatron and the Decepticons are the main focus.

Rumble: "So uh, what now Megatron?"

Megatron: "Our first order of business is to contact the other Decepticons."

Ratbat: "Oh a little family reunion, how charming."

Wasp: "Waspinator will get the phone."

Waspinator tries to dial with the phone, but because his hands are just four pincers he has difficulty with just picking it up.

Splicer: "I'll get it Waspinator."

Splicer dials the phone and calls the other Decepticons. The first one to arrive comes in these flying liquid metal spheres that fuse together to make a body. This is Soundwave's newest ability. And based off his smaller body and the different parts he has scanned a Citrogen GT, an incredible sportscar that should definitely be looked up after reading.

Soundwave: "Soundwave reporting Lord Megatron."

Megatron: "I see you acquired a new body since last time."

Soundwave: "Indeed. This new form shall make my efforts much faster than before."

Megatron: "Excellent to hear."

A silver and black Audi R8 drives in and transforms into what appears to be a new Decepticons. Believe it or not this is Sideways in his new body that Splicer had reconstructed for him.

Sideways: "You called?"

Splicer: "Looking good Sideways."

Sideways: "Couldn't have done it without your work doctor, you have my gratitude."

Splicer: "It was nothing really."

Sideways: "If you say so."

A roar in the sky is heard as Thundercracker arrives on the scene.

Thunder: "This better be good I was busy."

Rumble: "Busy? Yeah right."

Megatron: "Ah Thundercracker. How nice of you to finally show up."

Thunder: "Yeah it really is."

Megatron: (dryly) "Not really."

Thunder: "Oh.... (quietly) whatever you fat ox."

Megatron: "What did you say?"

Thunder: (nervous) "Uh I said I was busy playing Xbox!"

Megatron: (unamused) "Right."

Finally one last jet is heard in the air. It's Starscream. He spins and lands on the ground with one hand in a fist like how some anime characters do when they want to look cool. He gets up and meets with the other Decepticons.

Thunder: "I'm surprised you actually showed up."

Scream: "And how could I miss whatever important information Megatron has for us?"

Thunder: "You're playing me and I love it."

Sideways: "Starscream still is as subtle as a rhino."

Scream: "I do not need your lip Sideways."

Sideways: (subtle snark) "My apologies."

Thunder: "What are we even doing here? I hate being poor."

Splicer: 'It's not so bad once you learn the ropes. Knockout and I had to survive with just our wits."

Thunder: "Well good for you kid."

Rumble: "We can't even be inside Soundwave."

Squawk: "That sounds so wrong when you put it in perspective."

Frenzy: "We got to freeze all night because he's too small to have us all."

Scream: "So why exactly have you summoned us? Surely there is a reason outside of saying hello."

Megatron: "Indeed there is Starscream. I grow tired of this constant struggle with the Autobots, which is why I plan to have a full scale Decepticon invasion."

Scream: "Congratulations you finally came up with the plan that we should have done in the first place."

Megatron: "We did not have the means necessary back then, but now we do."

Thunder: "Except we still have no Shockwave, Constructicons, faith, and of course a base."

Rumble: "Then what's that over there?"

Off in the distance there is a large cloud of dust approaching them. It is recognized as the Constructicons driving to them.

Megatron: "Did you call them Splicer?"

Splicer: "No, just the guys you asked for."

Megatron: "They better have a good reason for being here."

The Constructicons transform to make an announcement, and Scavenger has another sack with him this time.

Mix: (jumping up) "Here's mixy!"

Scrapper: "I told you not to do that but you did it anyway."

Megatron: "You better have a good reason to be here."

Mix: "Oh we do trust me."

Thunder: "You sound different."

Mix: "What do you mean?"

Thunder: "You sound like that billionaire from that one show."

Mix: "No way I've always sounded like this."

Scavenge: "Yeah man get with the program."

Overload: "The wait is finally over. Overload has returned."

Megatron: "I told you to not return unless the base is finished, or else I will have your heads."

Mix: "Well it is done.... sort of."

Megatron: "Explain."

Mix: "It's been built and is ready to be used, but the electricity is still being calibrated. It still needs at least ten hours to activate. So we decided to pay our favorite leader a visit."

Scavenge: "Plus Mixmaster always wanted to do camping."

Scrapper: "I told him it was stupid."

Scream: "It is."

Megatron: "Very well you can stay."

Mix: "Yay!"

Sideways: "It's nice to see you again Longhaul."

Longhaul: (confused) "Do I know you?"

Sideways: "You don't remember the guy who trained you?"

Longhaul: "Sideways? You looks different."

Sideways: "That's putting it lightly."

Overload: "Overload has many stories to tell."

Rumble: "Lay it on me."

Overload: "Overload got into the fast food business."

A flashback occurs because apparently this actually happened. Overload has taken a job at an IHOP, which is trying out an experimental drive thru and he is the one taking orders and giving food out. Because of his enormous size he stays outside to deliver the food to the customer. After a certain order is placed Overload gives the human a bag that is dripping blood. It is heavily implied that it is a head of a human. Either Overload messed up the order or IHOP finally has a decent menu. Either way it cuts back with Rumble and Frenzy with their jaws dropped.

Frenzy: "Anything....less gruesome?"

Overload: "Yes. In Overload's boredom he decided to learn a new language. He is now a master at Spanish."

Squawk: "Sorry buddy I already beat you to it. I know every language."

Frenzy: "Nobody likes a showoff Squawktalk!"

Rumble: "Well let's hear it."

Overload: "Overload likes el tacos."

Squawk: "That's not how it works."

Overload: "Look at all those el-ephants."

Rumble: "Don't you mean elephants?"

Overload: "That's what Overload said, el-ephants.'

Frenzy: "Well ok then."

The phone mysteriously rings, which surprises everyone but Splicer, who picks it up.

Splicer: "Hello? Yeah? Really? Oh my gosh this is so exciting! Thank you!"

Scream: "What exactly is going on here?"

Splicer: "Mixmaster we got the gig!"

Mix: "Huzzah! This calls for a celebration."

Scrapper: "No it doesn't."

Thunder: "I can't imagine Rampage getting a gig seeing how he can't talk. Pretty lame if you ask me-"

Rampage grabs Thundercracker by the neck with his treads and pulls him near to his face. he then does the unimaginable....he speaks.

Rampage: (in a snarling voice) "It is not a question of whether I can speak, but rather if I choose to speak. And if I choose to speak you will listen. Disrespect me again and I will tear you apart from the inside out."

Thunder: (choking) "You got it!"

Rampage: (letting go) "Good boy."

Skywarp: "So that's what he sounds like."

Rampage: "Yes this charade of silence is over."

Mix: "Glad to have you as a more active participant again Rampage."

Sideways: "I'd hate to interrupt, but what do we do now?"

Megatron: "It appears we're all staying the night in preparation for the new base's activation."

Thunder: -groans- "Aww I hate sleeping on the ground!"

High: "Tough."

Soundwave: "I only have room for seven, but I can't fit the twins. Who will make the sacrifice to stay outside?"

Ratbat: "I will, I prefer to stretch my wings."

Overkill: "It's a shame, I was just starting to enjoy being free once more."

Slugfest: "Yay back inside!"

All of the others go back inside Soundwave, and the others start preparing as it begins to get get dark.

Longhaul: "Hey Sideways can I rest with you tonight?"

Sideways: "Certainly."

Longhaul: "I wouldn't normally ask that, but I left my metal teddy bear at home."

Scavenge: "You have a teddy bear?"

Longhau: "Who's asking?"

Scavenge: "Me I guess, but I would like to stay by you guys, I get insecure when I sleep alone."

Longhaul: "Fine."

Megatron: "Mixmaster you never told us what is inside that bag."

Mix: "I almost forgot! Scavenger quick do the thing!"

While Scavenger goes to find the bag Mixmaster explains why he has it."

Mix: "You see I decided we needed a nice family roadtrip. Then Scrapper said-"

Scrapper: "I hate camping."

Mix: "Then Hightower said-"

High: "I hate everything."

Mix: "Then Overload said-"

Overload: "Overload's thyroid cancer has herpes."

Mix: "Then Rampage implied he like the idea, and so it was settled. So on the way Scavenger's metal detector starts going off out of nowhere. So he starts digging and we found this."

Scavenger dumps the bag and there are these black crystals that come out.

Mix: "Black Energon!"

Skywarp: "How is this possible?"

Megatron: "One of the many mysteries of this planet."

Mix: "We're rich! We can buy this whole planet with just three shards!"

Scream: "It's useless here."

Skywarp: "We could also use it to make special weapons."

Mix: "Sure, but that's not as fun."

Mixmaster brings one of the shards to Megatron, but that's when something strange happens. The Black Energon and the Dark Energon in Megatron's chest begins to glow, and Megatron starts writhing around in pain, screaming in the process. An image of something briefly flashes in his vision, but it leaves as quickly as

Soundwave: (panicked) "Megatron!"

Splicer: (freaking out) "Is he ok?!"

Skywarp: "What's going on?!"

Everyone is concerned with what is going on except for Starscream, who is loving it, and Thundercracker, who is reaching around his chest compartment and takes out some sort of cellular device. He logs on to Spacebook, and posts a picture of Megatron suffering. The text underneath says "#this dood is dying!" Starscream of course likes it. After pulling Megatron away he starts to become his normal self again.

Mix: "We told you to watch your weight Megatron."

Scrapper: "I doubt that was what it is."

Soundwave: (scanning) "Vital signs are normal, you should be fine."

Megatron: (sarcastic) "How encouraging."

Skywarp: "It appears Black Energon has an effect on Dark Energon, perhaps it needs to be as far away as possible from Megatron."

Scavenge: "Done and done."

So later it finally becomes night time, and the Decepticons all tell stories and have a few campfire songs, much to Scrapper's disapproval. They eventually decide to call it a night have a peaceful sleep. They do just that..... that is until it happened.