Starscream lay sprawled on the ground, sparks flying from his damaged wing, his optics narrowed in frustration. Knockout wasn’t in much better shape, leaning heavily against a shattered pillar outside the temple, wiping away the energon trickling from a gash in his side. The battle had been fierce, and the Autobots had bested them again.
“I’m tired of this,” Starscream groaned, struggling to stand. “Every time we get close, those meddlesome Autobots ruin everything!”
Knockout smirked, though it was laced with bitterness. “Oh, don’t be so dramatic. You’re still in one piece, aren’t you? Besides, it’s not like Megatron was here to lead us to glory.”
Starscream’s optics flared, and he whirled on Knockout, energon dripping from his mouth. “Don’t you dare mention Megatron’s name! He abandoned us! We would’ve been victorious if not for him siding with those accursed Autobots!”
Knockout shrugged, inspecting the damage on his frame. “I don’t know, Screamer, he didn't exactly side with the autobots. Maybe the big guy saw something we didn’t. Maybe the fight wasn’t worth it.”
Before Starscream could fire off a retort, a low hum echoed through the air. Both Decepticons froze, turning toward the sound. Emerging from the shadows of the temple entrance, Shockwave appeared, his one unblinking optic cold and calculating.
“What is this?” Starscream spat, his voice laced with contempt. “Come to witness our failure, Shockwave? Or perhaps to remind us how logical it is to lose to Autobots?”
Shockwave didn’t respond immediately, his optic focused on the crumbling temple behind them. "Your defeat is… regrettable," he said in his typically emotionless tone. "But predictable."
Knockout snorted, limping closer. “What brings you here, Shockwave? Don’t tell me you have some grand scheme cooked up that’ll turn this around.”
Shockwave’s optic flickered. “In fact, I do.”
Starscream’s wings flared in frustration. “If this is one of your cryptic riddles, Shockwave—”
“I have been working on a project,” Shockwave cut him off, his voice cold. "An asset that could tip the balance in our favor.”
Starscream’s optics narrowed. “What kind of ‘asset’? Don’t play games with me, Shockwave.”
Shockwave took a step forward, unperturbed by Starscream’s anger. “During my time on Cybertron, I discovered remnants of a powerful race. My research has advanced significantly, and I’ve cultivated a new force, lying dormant—unhatched. They await activation. But they require a specific source of energy to complete their transformation.”
Knockout’s optics widened. “And you’re just telling us this now? What exactly have you been working on?”
Starscream snarled, stepping forward. “So, what? You expect us to help you raise a bunch of something to fight the Autobots? Is that your grand plan?”
Shockwave’s optic gleamed coldly. “Incorrect. These creatures are not ordinary. They are highly advanced, designed for battle, and capable of great destruction. But without the energy needed to bring them to life, they remain incomplete.”
Knockout’s smirk faded as he exchanged a wary glance with Starscream. “And I suppose you know exactly where to find this energy?”
Shockwave’s voice was steady, unwavering. “The energy contained within the Fourteenth Prime’s temple can provide the spark required to bring them to life. Once activated, these warriors will follow my command—and the Autobots will be powerless to stop us.”
Starscream crossed his arms, wings twitching. “You’re proposing we awaken these creatures… and use them to crush the Autobots once and for all.”
Shockwave nodded. “It is the most logical course of action. The Autobots are distracted, their focus entirely on the Fourteenth Prime. We strike now, while they are vulnerable.”
Knockout sighed, still nursing his injuries. “Why do I get the feeling this is going to go horribly wrong?”
Ignoring him, Starscream’s optics gleamed with renewed excitement. “Finally, something to tip the balance back in our favor. Let’s not waste any more time.”
Shockwave began walking away from the temple, leading them toward his hidden laboratory on Cybertron. As they moved through the dim halls of the ancient structure, Knockout’s nervous energy grew more palpable.
“So… how exactly did you manage to keep this little experiment hidden from Megatron for so long?” Knockout asked, his optics narrowing in suspicion.
Shockwave didn’t slow his pace. “Megatron’s focus has always been elsewhere. My work required secrecy, as it is delicate and requires precise execution.”
Starscream huffed, following closely behind. “I don’t care how you kept it hidden, as long as it works. If these creatures are as powerful as you claim, we’ll tear the Autobots apart.”
Shockwave said nothing, his optic glinting in the dim light. The group descended into the depths of Cybertron, the air growing colder and the machinery older as they reached Shockwave’s lab.
Inside, the room was filled with intricate equipment, containment pods lining the walls. In the center of the room, massive sealed chambers hummed with dormant energy, their contents hidden behind thick glass. They were floating in some sort of green colour substance.
Knockout gasped as he recognized the substance. "Cyber nucleic acid?"
"The building blocks of all Cybertronian life," Shockwave confirmed. "This hails from a specimen I excavated upon our planet and has yielded promising results."
"The Autobots continue to evade us. What makes you think we can afford to wait for the answer to our prayers to birthed in some Petri dish?" Starscream said with annoyance, narrowing his optics.
"You misunderstand," Shockwave said blankly. "The subject has been fully cultivated."
"Okay then show us already!" Knockout exclaimed impatiently. Shockwave nodded.
"I present to you, the ultimate Autobot hunter."
With a flick of a switch, the room filled with light, illuminating a dormant creature inside the chambers. Its massive forms were unmistakable, their sharp claws and teeth designed for destruction. Starscream took a step back, his optics widening in recognition.
“A Predacon?” he whispered in disbelief, his voice barely a hiss.
The Predacon let out a loud road.
YOU ARE READING
Transformers Prime: Fractured Futures (#3)
FanfictionAfter the events of the second book, Erin and her friends, Raf, Jack and Miko are left to pickup the pieces of the Autobot's departure. But as she tries to move forward, she realises that her actions in her part while saving Cybertron set off a chai...
