Transformers: Eradication

Part 11: Nemesis Prime

The next day Attinger goes to the captive Rollbar to gloat.

Rollbar: (bitter) "What do you want?"

Attinger: "I just thought you wanted to know that the end is near for your leader."

Rollbar: "What do you mean?"

Attinger: "Today is going to be his last day on Earth. Our technology has evolved into a means of defending ourselves from your kind. You'll see it soon enough."

At the Decepticon base Megatron is conversing with Shockwave about the final steps.

Megatron: "Make sure you have everything ready for the invasion. Everything must be perfect."

Shockwave: "It will be done Lord Megatron."

Splicer takes advantage of the opportunity to talk with Knockout,

Splicer: "Knockout what's up?"

Knockout: "Oh you know the usual running about the place. Does this paintjob make me look look fat?"

Splicer: "I didn't know paint can do that."

Knockout: "You have no idea. Someone as fabulous as myself should never be seen as robust."

Splicer: "Well it doesn't."

Knockout: "Splendid! I need a vacation, I'll find a way to visit this Earth and see what the big fuss about. I should be the big fuss!"

Splicer: "You got that right."

Knockout: "Well I better get going, I don't want to have the two buzzkills hovering over my shoulder."

Splicer: "Alright see you later."

Megatron pulls Soundwave aside, and they are unaware that Overload is eavesdropping.

Soundwave: "Something is on your mind. There is an 80% chance it has to do with your nightmare."

Megatron: "Yes, you and Splicer were pulled into the abyss, and I met Thunderwing."

Soundwave: "Unicron's zealot? Fascinating."

Megatron: 'He said that I now belong to his master but I don't believe it."

Soundwave: "Anything else?"

Megatron: "Several other strange occurrences, but the only other one that stood was a man with a galaxy in his chest."

Overload is surprised to hear those words mentioned. He has a look of concern on his face when Rampage comes to check on him.

"You seem shaken Overload, that is a rare sight to see."

"Overload was just in deep thought."

"It looked like it was more than that."

"It is nothing."

"Overload we are brothers, and brothers look out for one another. You can always share your thoughts with me."

"Overload appreciates your help, but this is a matter on he can solver."

"If you ever need me I will be there."

"You are a good brother Rampage, the best. Overload will catch you later."

Back at The Ark Sludge is strangely confused with all the recent events.
Sludge: "Grimlock, what happened?"

Grimlock: "What are you talking about?"

Sludge: "Me Sludge blinked and missed everything."

Grimlock: "Did you not open your eyes?"

Sludge: "No."

Grimlock: 'Why are you so stupid Sludge?"

Sludge: "Why are you a dumbass?"

Swoop: "Now that's funny, Grimlock being called a dumbass by Sludge of all people."

Sludge: "Me Sludge dead on the inside."

Optimus is still trying to come to terms with the damage he has done to the school. It isn't very easy considering the media has been labeling him as a domestic terrorist.

Fowler: "Don't worry Optimus, these situations always go away soon enough. It usually needs an equally devastating story to put it down."

Prime: "I feel like I'm not wanted here by humanity."

Fowler: "From what I've seen the universe will always need a man like you."

Prime: "I certainly hope so."

Little did they know that at this very moment a cargo plane is flying over California carrying some very specific cargo; a black tanker truck. The plane lands and the truck exits the back of it to do something heinous. Three hours later at Spike's school it's time for dismissal. The three hang their heads over Optimus's plight.

Spike: "I can't believe it."

Chip: "Those poor people."

Carly: "They know Optimus would never do that."

Spike: "I just hope they know that."

Chip: "People's minds are hard to change."

Carly: "Especially when facts are involved."

In the background Spike hears what sounds like the screeching of tires. It draws closer, a little too close for his liking. His worries are confirmed when he sees the tanker truck crash through the school gates.

Spike: "Look out!"

Spike pulls Carly and Chip out of the rampaging truck, which swerves it's way outside the main entrance. Their terror magnifies when the truck starts to transform, but rather slowly. The back of the tanker splits in half, making it stand up to become legs. The very bottom of the legs slide up to become feet. The front half of the truck splits in half to make arms. A head emerges from the top of the chest... it looks like a black Optimus Prime.

Chip: "What the hell is that?"

Carly: "It looks like Optimus."

Spike: "But more evil."

The black Optimus scans the area, and it transitions back to MECH headquarters where Rollbar sees Savoy in the motion suit.

Rollbar: (pleading) "Don't do this!"

Attinger: "It must be done. Alright Savoy, use the missile pods to draw him out."

Savoy presses one of the buttons on the gauntlets, and Nemesis Prime's shoulders open up with these hidden spherical pods. They shoot out and his the school structures. People run and scream in a mad frenzy trying to get to safety. Emmett seems concerned for the people's well being.

Emmett: "Are you sure about this Mr. Attinger? They're innocent people."

Attinger: (uncaring) "Innocent people die all the time. Continue your assault to the maximum level."

Rollbar: (horrified) "This is terrible."

Nemesis Prime continues firing, and some of the blasts get close to people, blasting them back. The situation worsens when it picks up cars and throws it into the buildings. A groundbridge opens behind him, and Optimus Prime walks out to face his demented doppelganger.

Spike: "Thank god Optimus is here."

Chip: "We better get some distance."

Prime: "Whoever you are this ends now."

Nemesis copies Savoy's movements of cracking his knuckles. He then stands in a fighting stance to show Optimus that it's going down.

Su: "Mr. Attinger, are you sure we should do this? This is Nemesis's first time in deployment."

Attinger: "Then we better do this in one shot. Put that dog down Savoy."

Nemesis engages Optimus by attempting to tackle him, but Optimus dodges as Nemesis falls. It struggles to get up, but it swipes at Optimus, who leans to evade the attacks. Savoy and Mr. Attinger are growing frustrated with Optimus's tactics.

Attinger: (impatient) "This isn't working Savoy."

Rollbar: (taunting) "Did you really think you had a chance against Optimus Prime? He's been fighting before either of you were born!"

Attinger: "Savoy has had special ops training. He was born a warrior unlike your leader, who I heard started out as a librarian. It's about time he hits the books in hell. Savoy, use the humans."

Savoy: "Affirmative."

Savoy directs Nemesis to fire at some humans. Optimus swoops in to save them, but the ends of the blasts send him rolling back. Nemesis reaches out to grab a human, but Optimus shoots him in the forearm. Nemesis picks up a car and throws it at Optimus. Optimus catches it while Nemesis sprints toward him. Optimus tries to swing the car into his face but Nemesis catches it. Nemesis overpowers Optimus, bringing him to his knees. He jabs his elbow into Optimus's face, and then uses the car to smash his head down. He kicks Optimus while he's down, picks him up, and throws him into a wall of a building. Optimus gets stuck, unable to move. Nemesis punches him through the wall and then drags him out by his foot. He throws him onto some cars and fires a flurry of missile pods at the Prime. Optimus quickly gets up and starts shooting them up. He successfully destroys them all, or so he thinks. All the smoke that was created obscures his view of the last pod, and that hits him straight in the chest, knocking him back. Optimus is fed up and puts his mouthplate on. He takes out both of his guns and relentlessly pelts Nemesis with his guns, and the machine falls over, presumably offline.

Chip: "You should have just opened with that Optimus!"

Carly: "It really could saved us the trouble."

Spike: "It wouldn't have been as exciting though."

Carly: "I guess you're right."

Prime: "It's safe now, I'll meet you with you soon enough. Right now I want to observe this strange double of mine."

Optimus is now standing above the fallen Nemesis, who appears offline. Optimus kneels down, which proves to be a mistake. Nemesis kickstarts and tackles Optimus. Optimus however is through with holding back. He uses the momentum to pin him down. He grabs Nemesis by the shoulder and slams him down hard three times. He starts beating on his face, and Nemesis headbutts him in retaliation. He uppercuts Optimus and kicks him back. He tries to punch him again but Optimus has a jumping roundhouse kick waiting for him. After getting knocked back he tries a left hook, but Optimus ducks and punches him right in the stomach, making it crack. Nemesis takes out his sword, which is made of various bits of metal and Megatron's first arm blade from Beginnings that he lost in the fight on the dam. Optimist sees that and freezes in confusion. Where could that have come from? Savoy uses the opportunity to direct Nemesis to stab Optimus in the stomach. Optimus pushes the sword out and breaks it, and then slashes Nemesis across the the face with the broken blade. He stabs him with both of his words. Seeing that Nemesis is just a lifeless shell it feels no pain. It clocks Optimus and knees him the the gut. He starts pounding on Optimus, but that's when the inferior human technology rears it's ugly head.

Remember when Optimus shot him in the forearm earlier? Each time that arm has been used it's been putting stress on it. Now it just tore off from excess use. Optimus uses the opportunity to kick him off. He grabs the other arm and tears it off, smacking him the face with it. Optimus ends the fight by stabbing Nemesis in both eyes with his swords, finally shutting him down. Attinger goes into a nuclear meltdown over the loss of his prized asset.

Attinger: (beyond pissed) "GOD DAMMIT THAT FUCKING SHIT! HOW DID HE BEAT OUR CREATION?!?! i'LL KILL EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO!"

Su: "Sir calm down. you're frightening the others!"

Attinger: (insane) "YOU'RE NEXT!"

Attinger attacks Su, strangling him.

Attinger: "You think you can make a machine that malfunctions on the first day on the job under my watch? I'll show you what happens!"

Attinger increases his grip on Su, and Savoy and Emmett both have to pry him away. Rollbar is still laughing it up.

Rollbar: "That hunk of junk never stood a chance against Optimus. You're nuts!"

Attinger angrily grabs a machine gun and opens the top hatch of the containment cell to shoot Rollbar in the face. The bullets just bounce off. He then resorts to hitting in the head with the end of the gun, but for Rollbar it only feels like he is getting tapped lightly on the head.

Emmett: "Sir I don't think that's working."

Attinger: (calming down) "You're right, but I know what will."

Attinger goes to the control panel and uses it to torture Rollbar for a few minutes. After working through his therapy Attinger is getting ready to board a plane.

Savoy: "Why are you leaving?"

Attinger: "I need to go to California."

Su: "For what?"

Attinger: "Damage control."

A day after the fight Optimus drags Nemesis into the base. He had stayed behind to help find any missing or wounded humans that may have been under the rubble. He is clutching his stomach with his other hand to relieve pressure from the wound.

Grimlock: "Good to have you back Optimus.

Swoop: "Now that was a battle!"

Wheel: "You showed that copy who's boss!"

Ratchet: "I can't leave you alone for five minutes without getting yourself in trouble."

Tailgate: (inspecting) "Hmm, what a disasterpiece this is. Amateur at best."

Tomahawk: "I guess you would know since you're the artist."

Jazz: "So what happened back there Prime? You just froze at one point."

Prime: "I recognized the blade, it had belonged to Megatron."

Break: "So what? He has a bunch of those."

Ironhide: "No point in freezing over a blade by a bad Decepticon copy."

Prime: "This was not done by Decepticons."

Silver: "How do you know?"

Side: "Because he's Optimus, duh."

Snarl: "Good point."

Prime: "It wasn't as stable as previous copies, and it wasn't a clone in my colors or vehicle mode. Perceptor, how about you see for yourself."

Perceptor transforms into his microscope form to observe the body. After about a minute he gives him the analysis.

Perce: "Yes, this is interesting indeed. The subject is mainly comprised of Earth metals. Seeing that Megatron has access to Cybertronian metals via spacebridge, it would not make sense for him to build a machine from Earth metals."

Silver: "But if they didn't who did?"

?: "It was made by us."

Harold Attinger stands near the hanger's entrance.

Silas: "Mr. Attinger, what are you doing here?"

Ace: "You know this guy?"

Silas: "He's my boss that I told you about."

Topspin: "What the bloody hell is that thing?"

Leadfoot: "Smells like shit I can tell ya that much."
Attinger: (unamused) "Cute, now if you'll excuse me I have to explain myself for Nemesis Prime's deployment."

Ratchet: "You mean your death trap that almost killed our human friends?"

Attinger: "It can't be any worse than the mindless destruction your war constantly brings to our soil."

Fowler: "Your little toy did far more damage than the one in Washington. The injuries are far worse."

Attinger: "Ah Agent Fowler. I know all about you, a true patriot at heart. However your bravado is misplaced by trusting these alien menaces."

Fowler: "These menaces have done a far better job of protecting the world instead of your knockoff."

Bee: "I hate cheaps knockoffs."

Attinger: "Just like San Francisco, London, and now Sidwell Friends. If their job was ruining the lives of families everywhere then I'd say you're doing a fine job."

Ratchet: "We've sacrificed our own men's lives defending you!"

Attinger: (snapping) "And e lost our own helping you! We never asked for your war, and if isn't wasn't for you coming here all those lives wouldn't have been lost."

Silas: "Sir, why did you deploy Nemesis so soon?"

Ace: (angrily) "You knew about that thing?"

Silas: "Of course, but it was never meant to be used like that."

Ace punches Silas in the face, knocking him down.

Ace: (furious) "It could have killed Spike, Carly, Chip, and any other bystander that was there!"

Silas: (getting up) "It was supposed to be used as a defense mechanism."

Prime: "You put your own species at risk for the sake of defense."

Blaster: "Who in their right mind would name a defense mechanism Nemesis?"

Tyrone: "That's like some toy company bull shit."

Attinger: "You miss the point, we can't always rely on on you. What if a fight breaks out from either faction and the people have no way to defend themselves. That's where we come in. We study you, and make you better than you were before."

Mirage: (sharply) "I do not like being seen as some experiment on a petri dish that you can do whatever you please with."

Attinger: (icy) "You're just machines, spare parts that can be interchanged."

Prime: (angrily) "We are not just machines! We have souls just like you."

Attinger; "No you don't. Now listen closely because you might learn something. We don't need you here anymore. We never wanted you in the first place. If you care so much about our planet then you'll leave it."

Road: "Fine by me, I never really liked it here anyway."

Attinger: "Come Silas, your job here is done."

Silas: "Yes Mr. Attinger. Look Ace I'm sorry. I was just doing my job-"

Ace: "Save it, you obviously picked your side. You chose the wrong one."

Mr. Attinger and Silas leave the Autobots and humans in a huff. Sludge finally breaks the silence.

Sludge: "Me Sludge thinks he likes us."

Slag: "Wow you're ******ed."

Tyrone: "Man I hate to say this but that one dude was kinda right."

Ace: "You're joking right?"

Tyrone: "I mean look at it this way man. I mean we can't always be able to rely on the Autobots. It's not like the whole planet is here. We need a fighting chance too."

Ace: "You saw what that thing did! Somebody could of died!"

Tyrone: "I know it's just that I see where they're coming from."

Optimus looks off in the distance outside and takes a deep breath.

Prime: (depressed) "It's obvious I'm not needed here."

Wheel:' Don't say that Optimus."

Jetfire: "It was just one jerk."

Prime: "One of many who share that viewpoint. What's the point of me being here if I'm not truly needed?"

Teletran-1 starts blinking, and it catches Wheeljack's attention.

Wheel: "That's odd."

Chip: "What is it Wheeljack?"

Wheel: "An incoming distress signal from Cybertron.... it's an Autobot frequency."

Jazz: "Not many Autobots know this frequency, it must be from a higher-up."

Wheeljack plays the message, and a screen pops up. There is heavy gunfire in the background and some explosions creating light for brief moments. In the center of the screen is a head that appears to be shaped like a star. A strong female voice is heard.

?: (distressed) "Optimus, if you're out there we need you. Shockwave is hunting us down one by one. Our resources are limited. I need you more than ever, you're our only chance. Please Orion, save us!"

Optimus's emotional state has taken a nosedive. Any and all logic has been transferred to responding to that message.

Prime: "It can't be."

Ace: "Who was that?"

Road: "That was his lady love Elita-1."

Spike: "A robot ladie's man, I dig it."

Prime: "She needs help."

Optimus looks at a certain part of The Ark and walks toward it. Ratchet knows what's going on and tries to reason with his leader.

Ratchet: "I know that look, you can't be serious."

Prime: "Wreckers, Wheeljack, Perceptor, prepare the spare ship."

Ratchet: (pleading) "Optimus be reasonable. You don't know what's going on."

Prime: "I made up my mind Ratchet."

Ratchet: "You're really going to do this aren't you?"

Prime: "Yes, I'm going back to Cybertron."