Transformers: Eradication

Part 10: Framed

The next morning Spike, Chip, and Cary, Ace, and Tyrone are just waiting around as it is still a few hours away until Prime's big speech.

Spike: "I wish he did it at our school."

Carly: "It would sure put some life into that funeral."

Ace: "You kids get all the cool stuff."

Chip: "If you call being in a wheelchair cool then yeah."

Tyrone: "Oh come on man don't be like that. At least you get to go to it, we have to stay here."

The Dinobots and Wreckers are doing some small talk.

Grimlock: (jealous) "Why does Optimus get to go? It should be me Grimlock."

Sludge: "Me Sludge should go...."

Road: "I don't think that's a good idea."

Topspin: "Pft, shows what you know."

Road: "Which is more than you."

Swoop: "I sure felt that one."

Leadfoot: "I felt it right in ma belly."

Topspin: "You're so fat you can have your own zip code."

Slag: "Me Slag want to kill you both."

Leadfoot: "That's nice."

Snarl: "Is this really how you guys treat each other?"

Road: "Yep, better get used to it."

Topspin: "It's how we show people that we care."

Blaster and Jazz are discussing the state of affairs with Silverbolt and Fireflight.

Jazz: "So how are you guys liking it here?"

Blaster: "This place is a blast. It's great to see some old friends and make new ones."

Silver: "Yeah the people here are so nice."

Fire: "It's a real pleasure."

Silver: "If only the rest of our little team was like that."

Fire: "They're all good guys, though Airraid is a mystery."

Silver: "Even Slingshot?"

Fire: "I don't know if you noticed this, but Slingshot is insecure."

Silver: "Him? Really?"

Fire: "Think about it, he's the smallest and youngest member out of everyone here, and he's born into a war that's scary. He's basically a Seacon out of water."

Silver: "I never thought of it like that."

Blaster: "We seriously need to pump up the volume in this place."

Jazz: "I'd be a little hesitant if I were you. Humans can't take high frequencies like we do. Plus you know Prime hates loud music."

Blaster: (scratching his chin) "Good point, I'd hate to be on that guy's bad side."

Soundwave is monitoring Blaster from the feed. Finally finding another one of his species alive and joining the Autobots is a major blow to his psyche. How is he going to handle this when the time comes? Ravage and Laserbeak are there to comfort him.

Ravage -meows- (What will you Soundwave?)

Soundwave: "Unknown, I wish to help our fellow survival, but his allegiance presents a conflict of interest."

Laser: -caw- (Is he really worth saving?)

Ravage: -roar- (You never did get along)

Soundwave: "It is worth a try, and if he stands in our way he will have to perish. I am more than content with Reflector and I being the last survivors."

Ravage: -growls- (A wise policy) -sniffs- (Do you smell that?)

Laser -caws in disgust- (Slugfest pooped on the floor again!)

Slugfest: (in the background) "Yay!"

Meanwhile Longhaul is still recovering from the Overload adventure. Sideways is with him to help with the recovery.

"Man my head still spins after that."

"It was that bad huh?"

"Yes, but in a way it was necessary. Even with all the crap he does Overload is still a great guy. He saved our lives, that should mean something right?"

"I suppose you're right. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I could have met such wonderful people like you and the others."

"Wonderful huh? Those are words I'd thought I'd hear to describe us.'

"Funny how it all works out huh? I never thought it would be this hard."

"What do you mean by it?"

(looking away) "It's a... complicated story."

"Say no more, I totally understand. Anyway I better help Rampage out with the Spacebridge. I'll catch you later."

Longhaul leaves Sideways alone to himself, and after about a minute of solitude he angrily slams his fist on the wall, grabbing his face and yelling in a lone room. He sits shaking violently. It seems like all of inner struggles have finally come to a head.

(unstable) "Damn it! Damn it all! Why is this happening to me? This was was supposed to be a simple inside job, but instead I'm being pulled in every direction at once! I would have never imagined the majority of the Decepticons to be such good people. They all have their own beliefs and senses of justice, they really aren't all that different than the Autobots, it's just that the Decepticons go to far more extreme measures to get what they want. Two sides of the same coin, so similar and different at the same time. And yet here I am, a Herald of Unicron playing both as a mere distraction to buy him time to destroy Primus. But why do I feel so guilty? I'm doing this for my people, but the people of Cybertron don't deserve this fate either? Is it truly justified to send one race into oblivion in order to save my own? Are my people worth saving, or can I do what I was never able to do and save Cybertron. (bitter) It doesn't seem to matter anymore, I'm just going to be forever going toe controlled like some marionette."

A small, flashing light flickers on Sideway's arm. It's as if someone is trying to page him. Sideways reluctantly taps the light, and he seems to be communicating with someone.

-sigh- "Yes Mindwipe, I'm here. Everything is going according to plan."

Meanwhile Starscream is up to his old tricks. He keeps wanting to stir the pot in his favor, but to what end is still a mystery. Fate must be giving him a rare opportunity, because all the scientists are elsewhere. Starscream takes the Red Energon, Synthetic Energon, and the devices that make them useful to everyone. he puts them all inside the portable pocket dimension in his chest, albeit with some minor struggling to stuff the larger objects inside.

Scream: -grinning- "Don't mind if I do."

About five minutes later after he leaves the others return to their work only to find it missing.

Mix: (hands on hips) "Now which one of you scamps took our stuff?"

Oil: "It was not me."

Skywarp: "Why would either of steal the work that all of us are working on?"

Mix: "Hmm, good point. Looks like we'll need to alert the others."

Scrapper's voice echoes from the intercom to inform the others of a thief.

Scrapper: "Alright maggots one of you has been sneaking around the lab and other areas in the base stealing various items. Normally I wouldn't care but there are only so many tools that can go missing until someone loses a hand! I should know because one of my hands is a mace, and let me tell you that sucks."

Mix: "Great work Scrapper, that oughta teach em!"

Scrapper: "Whatever."

Skywarp: "Well with that project out of the way it looks like I must take part in the next phase. Hopefully this will work."

Splicer is walking down the hall and sees Beastbox and Squawktalk in a serious debate over food.

Squawk: "He Splicer, think you can help us with a mystery?"

Splicer: "Sure what kind?"

Squawk: "We were having Buffalo Wings and we got confused."

Splicer: "About what?"

Beastbox: "Well we were eating it and we noticed that it tasted like chicken."

Squawk: "And it's called Buffalo Wings."

Beastbox: "I said hey man this tastes like chicken."

Squawk: "But it should be made of Buffalo."

Splicer: 'I don't know guys you're the food experts."

Squawk: "Good point. If it says buffalo I'll take their word."

Splicer finds Waspinator alone leaning against a wall. On the wall is a gun that is on a holder. It belonged to the late Payload.

"Hey Waspinator, what's up?"

"Waspinator doesn't even know what to do anymore."

"I get it, not feeling relevant?"

"Yah."

"I understand, it's hard to feel important with so many people added to the roster. So you're hanging around Payload's place huh?"

"Yeah. Paybot may not have been the most useful guy, but he didn't deserve to die."

"If anyone deserves a second chance it's him."

"So what is Splicer doing?"

"Preparing for the next part of the plan. I have no idea what it is, want to come with me?"

"Might as well."

Splicer and Waspinator meet Skywarp in his personal lab to see what he has in store.

Skywarp: "Are you ready for your new upgrade?"

Splicer: "Wow another?"

Skywarp: "Yes."

Splicer: "Well you gave me a sniper rifle with grenade bullets and a magnetic knife gun, so I'm totally ready for whatever you have next."

Skywarp: "Well this one is a bit of a rehash but it still does the job. I'm giving you two additional sniper rifles for a new combative edge."

Wasp: "He has three now?"

Skywarp: "Yes Waspinator Though these are not meant for sniping like the first one. These two smaller ones are for raw combat. They can automatically lock onto targets and simultaneously assist your main rifle in aiming without scoping. They fire the same ammunition, but it's smaller and does less damage. Though a triple strike is more than enough to take out any normal Autobot. Let's get downloading shall we?"

Skywarp downloads the weapon into Splicer's system, and he also injects a needle inside him.

Splicer: "What was that needle for?"
Skywarp: "You'll find out soon enough. Give your weapon a try."

Splicer tests out his new guns, and all three come out in a triangular pattern with the main rifle on top.

Wasp: "Splicer is getting overpowered."

Skywarp: "I'm running out of creative ideas anyway. Megatron will see you now, I'll catch up in just a minute."

Splicer and Waspinator meet with Megatron, who discusses the next phase of the plan.

Megatron: "Splicer, your part is the most important. Without you this whole operation can be for nothing?"

Splicer: "Tell me what to do I'm ready!"

Megatron: (smiles) "Your enthusiasm is always refreshing. I want you to put a bullet in Optimus Prime's head. And then we will witness the carnage he creates."

Splicer: (overjoyed) "Oh yeah I get the honor of putting that bully down! This is so cool that I get to kill- wait can elaborate that last sentence?"

Megatron: "You won't be killing him, that honor is reserved to me."

Scream: (under his breath) "We'll see about that."

Megatron: "This is not an assassination. Do you remember when I fought the Insecticons?"

Splicer: "Yeah that totally awesome fight that I missed out on."

Megatron: "A certain Insecticon by the name of Bombshell attempted to control my mind with his cerebro shell, but I caught it. It's been preserved ever since."

Splicer: "But I thought only he can use them."

Skywarp: "That's where I come in. You see when I scanned them on their first arrival to the base I studied their data, and I learned their biological secrets. The needle I injected you with contained some of Bombshell's DNA. Not only are you immune to his shells, but you can also fire them from your rifle."

Splicer: "Awesome!"

Megatron: "I shall control Prime remotely. So get ready to make history, the Autobot's future is about to get rather bleak."

Back at The Ark, Bumblebee and a few of the younger members return from watching a strange movie.

Bee: "Whoa what a movie!"

Jolt: "I know right?"

Side: "Who would of thought that the husband was actually a man?"

Ratchet: "I don't know what kind of movie you guys were watching."

Fowler: "Chop chop Optimus, it's time."

Ace: "Good luck Optimus."

Fowler: "We'll be watching from here. Knock it out of the park."

Optimus goes through the groundbridge to inspire the youth. Sidwell friends Middle School was it's name. It was this place that changed the course of history forever. All the students are out doors awaiting the Autobot leader's arrival. This event is also being televised nationally considering Optimus's status as a public figure. Optimus is getting ready to make his speech, unaware that Splicer is lying flat on his stomach a few buildings away in a perfect sniper spot.

Splicer: "This is going to be a great day. I can tell already."

Prime: "Today I have the honor of speaking to you about the future. And for all of you the future is bright. I know many people have told you that each of you are unique and special, and you truly are. But I must tell you that not all of you will be able reach your dreams, and some of you may take a darker path. But I want you to know that there will always be a light in the dark. There always be hope for all of you. While some of you may not achieve the greatness you had hoped for, you still play an important part whether it's big or small. Remember that you are limited only by your imagination."

Spike: "Who gave him those lines?"

Ratchet: "He makes it up as he goes along."

Perce: "It's really quite impressive."

Splicer is preparing to take the shot.

Splicer: "Well that sure inspired me to plant one right in between your eyes. Then again if I used a real bullet then Megatron would be mad at me. Then again when will I ever get an opportunity like this? What do you think Payload in the sky? What's that? You think I'm crazy for talking to someone that isn't there? You're probably right. Wanton chaos it is!"

Splicer aims at Optimus and almost shoots. But he remembers something crucial.

Splicer: -facepalm- "I'm such dummy, I almost forgot the silencer!"

Splicer puts the silencer on his rifle and aims again with a green light aimed at Optimus's head. Back at The Ark Ratchet sees the light, but unfortunately it was just a moment too late. Splicer fires the shell, and all the little drills dig a microscopic hole into Optimus's head, and he goes blank.

Splicer: "Let the show begin."

Ratchet: "Grimlock, Snarl, Ironhide, Optimus is in trouble! Stop him before he hurts anybody!"

Ironhide: "On it!"

Megatron grabs the remote and begins his work.

Megatron: (satisfied) "And here you are in your natural state Optimus; my puppet to do with as I please."

Megatron controls Optimus to point his gun at the crowd, charging it as the people's faces turn from excited to panicked. Before Optimus can shoot Ironhide and Snarl tackle him in slow motion. The shots misses and hits a building instead, causing all the humans to run in panic.

Splicer: "If I knew it was going to be this exciting I would have brought some popcorn!"

Megatron instructs Optimus to get up and kick Ironhide away. Snarl tackles him again while Grimlock jumps out of the groundbridge.

Snarl: (struggling) "Grimlock, find the guy who did this!"

Grimlock: "Are you sure you don't need help?"

Snarl: "We'll be fine just hurry!"

Grimlock transforms into his dinosaur form to help track down Splicer. An undocumented perk of being in a dinosaur form is a heightened sense of smell and hearing. And he definitely smells Decepticon, but it's a rather clean one. Splicer sees Grimlock and tries to retreat, but after accidentally knocking a brick over he is spotted by Grimlock, who blasts a fireball that makes Splicer fall to the ground.

Grimlock: "You've got some nerve Splicer."

Splicer: "I'll have you know it's gumption and a love for hating Optimus!"

Grimlock: "Regardless me Grimlock can't let you leave."

Splicer: "That's how it's going to be huh? Bring it you big gecko!"

While Grimlock takes on Splicer it cuts back to Snarl and Ironhide trying to thwart the controlled Optimus. He keeps firing at the people, and he does injure a few. He ends up exchanging punches with Snarl while Ironhide grabs him by the neck. Optimus kicks Snarl back and slams Ironhide on the ground. Their situation is getting worse as Optimus's shots draw nearer and nearer to the scrambling people. Splicer is dodging all of Grimlock's fire blasts. Grimlock tries to hit him with his tail but Splicer runs along it and stabs Grimlock in the back with his elbow blades. He is now steering Grimlock to attack building so he stays out of his way. Eventually Grimlock shakes him off and throws Splicer across the street. He charges at the Decepticon with a mighty slash from his sword. Splicer uses all of his blades to block the attack, but he barely holds it together as he keeps getting pushed back. Grimlock eventually breaks his defenses, uppercuts him, and then uses his shield to bash him into a car. Splicer thinks fast and shoots his shards and knives at Grimlock, but they just bounce off of him and his shield. He manages to shoot Grimlock's shield out of his hand, and in a last ditch effort shoots Grimlock with all three of his grenade sniper rifles, and the explosion is enough to knock the Dinobot leader down.

Splicer: (out of breath) "Guys I really need that groundbridge now!"

Splicer jumps through the portal, leaving the damaged Grimlock alone.

Grimlock: (getting up) "Optimus... I better hurry."

Ironhide and Snarl are losing the fight as Optimus is beating them into submission. They're only barely keeping his rampage at bay as he's firing at the humans. He knocks Snarl out cold with a punch to the jaw. Ironhide uppercuts him before Optimus punches him hards in the stomach, making him crumple to his knees. He's about to finish the weapon specialist off but something knocks him back. It's Grimlock to the rescue as he turns Optimus around.

Grimlock: (sincere) "Sorry Optimus!"

With one might punch Grimlock knocks Optimus out cold. He helps Ironhide to his feet. Ironhide takes the shell out of Optimus's head and angrily breaks it.

Ironhide: (fuming) "Megatron will pay for this."

Grimlock: "Looks like i got here in the nick of time."

Ironhide: "Yeah thanks for that."

Grimlock: "Is Snarl ok?"

Ironhide: "He'll be fine, it's the humans I'm more worried about. Let's get him back to base."

It cuts back to the Ark where it's pitch black. There are muffled sounds that start to become clearer. It's in a first person perspective from Optimus's point of view as regains consciousness.

Perce: "He's waking up!"

Ratchet: (relieved) "Thank the Matrix!"

Wheel: "You alright big O?"

Optimus is now fully awake and sees all the petrified faces of his friends. He looks at the news to see footage of the attacks.

Prime: (horrified) "What have I done?"

Fowler: "Thankfully nothing fatal. A few cuts and bruises here and there but everyone made it out. But knowing the media and the people who hate the Autobots this is going to to stir up a huge storm."

Fire: (shaking his head) "This isn't good baby."

Silver: "Not one bit."

Break: "At least nobody died."

Prime: "How did this happen?"

Leadfoot: "Splicer, that little bastard somehow used Bombshell's shell to control you."

Slag: "Me Slag should crush him!"

Swoop: "So do we get to panic yet or what?"

Fowler: "We just need to keep a low profile, play things smart."

Blaster: "Probably a good idea."

Mirage: "I fear the repercussions this will surely hold."

Fowler: "It's not your fault Optimus, don't beat yourself up over it."

Prime: (looking away) "Easy for you to say."

Back at the Decepticon base everyone cheers Splicer and Megatron on for a job well done.

Rampage: "Excellent show Splicer."

Buzzsaw: "You had me at the edge of my perch."

Splicer: "Thanks guys, but nobody died."

Megatron: "It matters not, the damage in itself is more than enough."

Scream: "Oh really? Care to elaborate?"

Megatron: "Humans are stupid Starscream, they see as much as they choose to. As far as they're concerned this was Optimus and Optimus alone."

Astro: "Those losers didn't know what hit them!"

Dirge: (dreamily) "Ah such chaos, how I've missed you."

Megatron: "Of course this couldn't have been done without the brilliant mind of Skywarp."

Skywarp: "Oh you're too kind."

Megatron: "Now we wait for the penultimate part of our plan, the final nail in Optimus Prime's coffin."

Back at MECH headquarters everyone sees the news footage. In Attinger's perspective it appears like all his fears have come to fruition. He goes down to the lab to get Su's attention.

Attinger: "Su, it's time to deploy it."

Su: "But we haven't completely debugged it yet."

Attinger: (coldly) "I don't care! It's time for the ultimate test, deploy Nemesis Prime."