Transformers Beyond: Legendarium (OLD)

Chapter XIV: The Great War Part I

After ano-cycles of military buildup, recruitment, and accumulation, all that war needs is one single spark to ignite it into an undying inferno. And with the failed assassination attempt on Sentinel Prime and the New Senate, the Third Cybertronian Civil War (which would be forever known in the annals of Transformer history as simply the Great War) begins.  

Approx. 9.0 million stellar cycles ago:

Megatron holds Declaration Day at the abandoned Nova Point Mine in his home city Tarn, declaring open warfare on the Autobots. The Decepticons easily secure control of their territory as they route out the small force of Autobots who had been stationed alongside the Badlands' borders to monitor their activity. The New Senate is riven by indecision and conflict at this turn of events, preventing them from coming to a reasonable response as the Decepticons begin their expansion.

With Kaon, Tarn, Vos, Helex, and Tesarus already under their control, the Decepticons begin annexing the remaining city-states in the Badlands under their banner, with some of them willingly defecting to Megatron's cause like Kolkular, Arken, Lef, Blaster City, and Slaughter City. Those who do not bend their knees find themselves devastated by the swelling ranks of the Decepticon armies.

Many Titans are killed during the Great War's opening salvo: destroyed in pre-emptive strikes to prevent their strength from being utilized by the enemy, making them among the war's earliest casualties. This results in the destruction of all known Titans on Cybertron and the subspecies becoming exceedingly rare.

Approx. 8.9 million stellar cycles ago:

The final generation of Cybertronians created by the AllSpark suddenly emerge from the Well of All Sparks in an unusual burst of activity, most of whom join the ranks of the Autobots, after which the Well falls largely silent. Only a handful of new sparks will emerge in the eons between this mass emergence and the loss of the AllSpark. Among the final generation of Transformers who join the Autobots is a young scout from Iacon under the mentorship of Goldbug designated B-127, who later goes by the name Bumblebee.

Following his creation, Bumblebee enrolls in the Autobot Academy and, with the help of his fellow cadets including energon farmer Bulkhead, makes a name for himself as he uncovers a Decepticon spy named Wheel Rampager in their midst. This leads to him and his friends gaining the attention of Orion Pax, who allows them to join his personal military squadron codenamed "Team Pax."

Peptex, Carpessa, and Triax fall to the Decepticons, securing their control of all major population centers south of the Sonic Canyons in the southwestern quadrant.  

Battle for the Yuss Straits: The first major battle of the Great War occurs when a Decepticon attack battalion led by Megatron and Gelgastorm themselves attack the Maxilla, seven heavily-armed military fortresses--Fort Scyk, Fort Zreb, Fort Xern, Fort Wenx, Fort Briv, Fort Myvh, and Fort Qalt--near the minor city-state of Yuss, in the hopes of gaining control of the Yuss Naval Batteries. However, they have some trouble getting through the base's defensive barriers. Thanks to an aerial bombing run led by Starscream that destroys the barriers, the Decepticons easily storm in and take control of all seven forts, absolutely annihilating the Autobot garrison stationed there. General Orion Pax didn't participate in the battle as he was busy organizing his existing forces and converting neutral bots. He would learn from his old friend Dion after the Maxilla's capture that he would have to learn to not mourn every soldier.

The Siege of Hydrax: Both sides fight for control of the Hydrax Plateau as it holds the planet's primary spaceport, making it a key importance in the war effort as each faction gives it their all. Magnum participates in the battle, his Elite Guard forces holding back Decepticon advances from the east, while Orion Pax holds off the southern advance in his first true battle. During the battle, Orion takes his first Decepticon kill in the Great War: a former manual worker named Drixco. Despite the Autobots seemingly having the upper hand in the battle's initial stages, they have limited support as Hydrax is surrounded by the hazardous Sea of Rust. Eventually, they are forced to retreat and ultimately, the Decepticons win.