Phoenix

Kaon

It was the fifth day in a row of successful runs. Andromeda's spark soared. Not one of her Escorts had been wounded under her guard, and not one soldier was left to suffer with Ratchet there.

The Front was moving again, and the massacre had finally eased. It was time once again to go into the heart of the battle.

Andromeda was sure this run would be no less of a victory than the others.

xxx

The group arrived at Kaon in minutes. The epicenter of the most vicious battle yet.

Andromeda's spark was suddenly heavy.

She descended, transforming to her biped mode. Behind her, the others did the same.

There was silence.

Smoke poured into the sky from red flames that flickered at the edges of the battlefield. There was Energon everywhere.

"By the Allspark... " whispered one of the younger Escorts. A low murmur went through the group.

Without a word, Andromeda picked her way through the destruction. Lifeless husks were scattered along the ground, some Decepticons, many Autobots.

Reality flooded back in like a wave of blood.

The war was far from over.

"Captain... "

It was Surefire, followed by Ratchet. Both were in a daze. Ratchet didn't look at her. His own war had just taken a brutal turn.

Death had made its move.

"Stay here." Andromeda told the Lieutenant. "Look for survivors, but stay on your guard. I'll go on ahead."

"I'm coming, too." Ratchet said. Andromeda didn't argue with him.

Surefire hesitated a moment, then nodded, turning back to join the group. Andromeda and Ratchet began making their way in the opposite direction.

xxx

Kaon. Megatron's doorstep. Andromeda shivered when she saw his statue above the gate. A sickening feeling numbed her spark as she remembered the warlord's ruthlessness.

She stumbled. Ratchet snapped to attention,

"Captain!"

"I'm fine."

But she wasn't fine. Her head was spinning. Her spark was pounding, and this time it refused to slow. She straightened up with a grimace.

"I'm fine." She repeated quietly. "Let's keep looking."

Ratchet nodded, stopping to scan another victim. Meanwhile, Andromeda continued ahead, following a faint sound that had caught her attention.

She rounded a corner, and froze.

No...

It was him.

Megatron, the warlord himself, stood above a pile of bodies, holding the form of an Autobot by the neck.

Andromeda crouched, staying out of sight. Suddenly, she realized that the body he held was no corpse.

The soldier was alive.

xxx

Megatron flashed an evil grin as his fingers constricted tighter around the Autobot's throat. The young mech groaned, clawing, trying pitifully to escape. The warlord gripped harder, and the scout's arms fell limp, optics flickering.

"No!"

Megatron looked to see a femme sprinting towards him, blasters drawn.

He released the limp mech, staring at her as she approached. Though she looked much different than last they met, he knew exactly who she was.