Transformers: Eradication

Part 13: The Last Straw

A day has passed since Optimus and the others have left. Everything is going rather quietly until Mirage finally speaks up.

Mirage: "I know this is a difficult matter for us all, but I do believe it's necessary to appoint a second-in-command."

Airraid: "You'll obviously pic me because of my good looks and style."

Mirage: (dryly) "You were never considered an option."

Break: (delighted) "That's the best news I've heard all day."

Mirage: "Honestly none of the Aerialbots are qualified in my eyes.

Skydive and Stratosphere give an offended look at Mirage.

Mirage: "It's not that I do not believe you to be competent, it's that I need some more vocal. Sorry Skydive and Stratosphere."

Skydive opens his mouth to speak, but some bickering between Jetfire and Airraid interrupts him. Skydive shakes his fists into the air,and he is on his knees now. Stratosphere pats him on the back to console him. No slaps were given that day.

Mirage: "I can't give it to the Wreckers, they're too reckless and hot tempered."

Topspin: "That's fair."

Mirage: "Not the Dinobots because they don't have enough experience."

Grimlock: "Who needs experience when you can smash stuff."

Slag: "Me Slag didn't want your stupid job anyway!"

Swoop: "It's not like we're job material anyway. I like flying better."

Mirage: "Well there are only two possible candidates, but only one truly stands out."

Side: "It's got to be me right? Everybody digs the swipe."

Mirage: "No, my decision is none other than Bumblebee."

Bee: (surprised) "M-me? Why?"

Mirage: "Because you are the only one who is not corrupted by something. We all have our voice, but not you. You are humble, kind, generous, and all around dedicated to the cause. Your tenacity has made me grow jealous of you. You are a much better soldier and person than I will ever be."

Bee: "Mirage, I can't do this."

Mirage: "Believe in yourself the way Optimus believes in me. I know you can do this."

Bee: "Alright then, I'll try."

Mirage: "Excellent, I will focus on the more seasoned warriors like the Aerialbots, and you will take the lesser experienced Autobots like the Dinobots."

Tomahawk: "So fearless stand-in leader, what are your orders?"

Mirage: "We have to wait, it's all we can do. When the Decepticons make another move on the planet we will be ready."

Meanwhile Ace invite Tyrone and Fowler to his house for an important issue.

Fowler: "So why'd you bring us here so urgently? This isn't poker night."

Ace: "I've been meaning to show you this for quite some time.""

Tyrone: "I already got those websites if that's what you're talking about."

Ace: "No! This is serious."

Ace brings them to a private room, and displayed on one of the walls is one of those conspiracy theorist boards that links together different events. Ace's has his focusing entirely on MECH and it's mysterious background.

Tyrone: "Well you've gone nuts."

Ace: "Just look at this. There was never an official declaration of MECH or K.S.I's arrival to the government ranks. Then there's Alan's death, it's not even in the records."

Fowler: "That is strange I will give you that."

Ace: "And you saw what that prototype could have done. They aren't some peace loving branch."

Tyrone: "It's some good evidence, but what exactly are we supposed to do with this. I'm sure the higher ups are in on this."

Fowler: "You're right. It's a shame I work for an untrustworthy system. I'll look into this myself. I'll report back to you when I'm done. Don't get in trouble while I'm gone ok?"

Ace: "You're going alone? That's suicide."

Fowler: "We can't draw any attention to this. Besides I can take the heat. I'll see you very soon."

Ace: "You don't know how much I appreciate this. Thank you."

Fowler: "You have no need to thank me. I owe you big time for not believing your story."

Ace: "I didn't exactly have any evidence."

Fowler: "True, but I had a feeling in my gut that something was amiss and I ignored it. I'm not making that mistake again.

Tyrone: "Good luck you crazy fool. You're going to need it."

Fowler: "When I get back I'm going to make sure MECH doesn't hurt anyone else ever again."

Speaking of MECH, they've been rather busy as of late. Silas shows Attinger the Synthetic Energon that he had taken from Perceptor. Su is studying it, but is not able to understand it. Attinger is not pleased and starts berating him.

Attinger: (scolding) "Is it me, or does it looks like my lead scientist doesn't seem to be qualified for his job? I give you the greatest honors and this is how repay me? Disgraceful!"

Su: (nervously) "I'm sorry Mr. Attinger, the wife left me. I haven't had my head in the game and I'll try harder."

Attinger: "Do I have to dock your pay again to motivate you?"

Emmett: (barging in) "At this rate it'll be volunteer work on his end.":

Attinger: "This better be good Emmett."

Emett: "Not good, great. Our boys found this on Easter Island after one the statues mysteriously fell apart."

Emmett opens up a crate full of Red Energon.

Silas: "Another?"

Attinger: "It looks like you have your work cut out for you Su."

Emmett puts the crate next to the regular and Synthetic Energon. As they all leave to go for a coffee break they miss something crucial. The three Energons in close proximity pulse once.

Deep in space Optimus, Ironhide, and Jazz are adjusting to their new situation in the ship. Jazz is driving while Optimus and Ironhide sit in the background seats chatting.

Prime: "We're almost there. It should be less than a day."

Ironhide: "I can't believe we just got up and left like that."

Prime: "We weren't needed on Earth, you saw how the population feels about us."

Ironhide: "But what about our men on Earth? We left them without a second though. Who cares about the humans' opinion when our family is on is back there?"

Prime:"We also have family on Cybertron. It is not fair to shut out one just to defend another?"

Ironhide: "We can't defend both, not like this."

Jazz: (piping up) "I hear an awful lot of conflict back there!"

Ironhide: "Can you tell him this mission is flawed?"

Jazz: "Yeah you're putting me between a rock and an Optimus place. Sure it seems out of the blue, but at the same time Optimus is the boss. He hasn't steered us wrong yet."

Ironhide: "But this was an emotional decision."

Jazz: "We're all vulnerable to that man. Look I don't want to take sides, what's done is done. Hey, Blaster upgraded the sound system before we left. Anyone up for some sweet space beats?"

Both: "Pass."

Jazz: "More for me then."

Jazz puts in his headphones and bobs his head to the music. He's clearly having fun. Back on Earth, there is about to be a major change among the Decepticons ranks. Though there are a few small events that need to be covered first. Crowbar is nervously walking through the halls looking for Crankcase. He finds him by one of the terminals.

Crank: "You seem distressed, spit it out."

Crowbar: "Well you see, I got some news... and..."

Crank: -growls- "Do I have to tear the very words from the inner recesses of your throat?"

Crowbar: (croaking) "It's about Fracture!"

Crank: "Is he finally dead?"

Crowbar: "No.... he killed the bounty hunter."

Crank: "That's the third one this week."

Crowbar: "I think we should let him be, facing him is like facing ten Splicers at once."

Crankcase slams his fists down on the terminal in frustration.

Crank: "Ever since that arrogant fool left The Shadow Core he's been on a rampage, killing any and everyone who does as much as look at him funny. Do you have his location?"

Crowbar: "Yes... he never left his hideout."

Crank: "What?"

Crowbar: "He wants us to find him. I received this from someone he spared."

Crowbar plugs in a hard drive. On the screen shows a bunch of heads on pikes. In the middle is purple Decepticon, presumably Fracture sitting back in a reclining chair and drinking a soda. He grins and holds a sign that says "Next?" and the video ends.

Crank: "I have a call to make, I think there is someone who can handle this."

Sideways comes in to join the party.

Sideways: "Must be something real important huh?"

Crank: "Silence yourself, worm."

Sideways: "Well aren't you friendly?"

Crank: "I don't remember you ever joining our ranks. I don't trust you. You're up to something, and I can smell it. I know a rat when I see one."

Sideways: "I think you've been hanging out in the sewers too much."

Crankcase is about to strike Sideways for the insult, but something stops him. He can sense a thickening in the air.

Crank: "Something big is about to happen, let's go. I'll deal with you later."

All the Decepticons are now in the main lobby with Megatron discussing their plans.

Megatron: "Tomorrow we strike. We have everything ready for the invasion."

Starscream of course voices his opinion, but is unaware that on this occasion he really oversteps his boundaries.

Scream: "If we're ready now then we should just do it."

Megatron: "We aren't prepared yet Starscream. Go bother someone else."

Scream: "But you just said we have everything ready! What kind of hypocrite are you?"

Megatron: "You are an idiot Starscream. Just because we have everything set up doesn't mean we are coordinated to strike."

Scream: "If I was in charge I would have lead them to victory already!"

Megatron: "And here we go again with your delusions. You never will be in charge."

Scream: "I should be, the current leader is nothing but a coward who wants to Optimus Prime to return just so he can repeat the same string of failures since the first time he led us!"

Megatron gets incredibly pissed, and he goes to Starscream and uppercuts him, knocking him down. Starscream is about to say something, but Laserbeak poops on his shoulder. Everyone laughs at his misery. Megatron however doesn't seem to be in a laughing mood as he continues to get angry with Starscream.

Megatron: "You've finally done it Starscream, that was the last straw. You've had more chances than anyone in Decepticon history, and you threw it all away."

Scream: (boldly) "You're a fool Megatron."

Megatron: "You're right, I am a fool. A fool that actually believed you had any real value to the cause. All you do is get in the way and bring everyone else down. And you want to know the funny part? I never asked why you kept trying to takeover."

Scream: (gritting his teeth) "Do you really want to know why?"

Megatron: "No, not really. No reason will ever be enough in my eyes, and even if they were completely justified I still wouldn't care to listen. So I'm going to give you a once in a lifetime opportunity. If you can best me in a fight right now I will give you the job, but you better make sure it counts."

Starscream is now face to face with Megatron. They just stand there for a minute, and finally Starscream looks away and turns around. Skywarp breaths a sigh of relief for his friend's situation. But Megatron being the gloater still can't help one last taunt.

Megatron: (condescending) "That's what I thought. You've been nothing but all bark and no bite. You're still the worthless coward I found a long time ago."

Megatron really should have kept his mouth shut. Maybe if he didn't say that then maybe everything from this point on could have ended differently. But the words that triggered Starscream's response. He turns around and slashes Megatron in the face, making the tyrant stagger back. Everyone gasps in complete shock. Beastbox and Squawktalk drop their food.

Astro: (whispering) "Pay up Thundercracker, I told you he'd do it."

Thunder: "Fine."

Sideways: "This is so not ending well."

Megatron touches his face and sees the blood gushing down from it. He clenches his fist, and is just oozing pure rage. Nobody has ever seen him so angry, but of course it would have to be Starscream to be the one to make it happen. He charges at Starscream and decks him, knocking him down. He starts viciously beating on Starscream, each punch beginning to bring his life to a close. Starscream manages to muster enough strength and grab Megatron's hands. He stabs Megatron in the knee with his stiletto heel, and then shoots him right in the face with his Null Ray. The smoke from Megatron's face clears, and he takes out his gun made from the fuel tank from his tanker truck form and shoots at Starscream. Starscream leaps out of the way and kicks the gun out of his hands. Using the thrusters on his ankles, Starscream slams Megatron into the wall. Megatron kicks Starscream in the chest and throws him across the floor. He charges at the Seeker, but he fires several Null Ray shots into his chest. Now the disoriented Megatron failed to see the two missiles fire into his chest by Starscream, and he goes down. The lights fade as Starscream triumphantly claims victory.

Scream: (unstable) "Does anyone else want to share his fate?"

Buzzsaw: (screaming) "I'll kill you for this Starscream!"

Scrapper: "It looks like you won't have to, look."

Megatron slowly gets back up, unbeknownst to Starscream. He starts to laugh uncontrollably.

Megatron: "You know Starscream, I must say you have a talent for digging holes."

Scream: "What?"

Megatron: "Because you've just dug yourself the biggest hole of all!"

Megatron takes out his Fusion Shotgun, something Starscream wasn't prepared for. He shoots Starscream directly in the chest, and now a big hole is where the shot was fired. Starscream just falls to the ground limp. It looks like he's dead. Everyone just lets it sink in for a moment.

Soundwave: "It's finally over."

High: "Whoa..."

Overload: "Overload hates electric telephone nazis."

Rampage: "Don't we all, brother?"

Skywarp goes to Starscream's body, and holds his hand. A tear streams down his face.

Skywarp: (shaking) "I tried warning you so many times, and now you're gone. I just hope wherever you are now is a much better place than this. Goodbye my friend."

Splicer: "He's gone... I can't believe it."

Longhaul: "Well that's one down."

Wasp: "Maybe Waspinator can get more attention now."

Scavenge: "Don't bet on it."

Oil: (grim) Another life is lost before my eyes, and I still do not shed a single tear."

Mix: "Farewell Starscream, hopefully you're at peace now."

Buzzsaw: "Lord Megatron, may I volunteer my services to rid yourself of this trash?"

Megatron: "Very well."

Buzzsaw: "Soundwave, I need a groundbridge. Laserbeak, Ratbat, Squawktalk, you're with me."

The three birds and Ratbat pick up Starscream's body and travels through the groundbridge to a remote island on Earth They dump the body and prepare to leave, but something makes Buzzsaw take something from Starscreams chest.

Laser -squawk- (Isn't that disrespectful to the dead?)

Buzzsaw: "Yes, but call it a hunch. We should get going now. Megatron's vision for Earth and Cybertron awaits."

And with that, the four return to base to carry out Megatron's scheme. But they failed to realize is that it would never be that simple, especially when it comes to getting rid of Starscream. That was a mistake that they would all learn soon enough.