Transformers: Fall from Grace

A Fanfiction by Triceratron

(Attention reader: in this story I have made several assumptions about the history of Cybertron, many are most likely inaccurate or incorrect. Please forgive the inaccuracies, as I only know so much. This was done more to get a point across, so if you read it for enjoyment, please remember that I don’t know everything.)

It was a bar, plain and simple…nothing too interesting, although a refueling depot may have been a better title. On Cybertron, bars only served liquid energon, though in varying flavors and strengths. It’s enough to call it a bar because it served a similar purpose as those on that little mud-ball called Earth. Truthfully, I shouldn’t go on like that since I’ve never been there. I haven't left Cybertron in over ten million stellar cycles at least. I would introduce myself, if I were even sure of who I am or what I’ve become. You get that way when you’ve seen what I’ve seen and done what I’ve done.

Two youngsters came in, and sat down next to me. Oddly enough, one carried the insignia of a Maximal and the other of a Predacon, and they were talking as if old friends. Perhaps they are…I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. The old ways were tossed away three centuries ago, allowing for the new ‘factions’ to actually socialize for once. Reminds me of my youth, actually.

"Frag this, those Vehicons are getting especially nasty, and word says they’re taking over Cybertron. This virus doesn't help matters any, either. Did you heard about the raid on the moon base? Took out three platoons of Maximals and one of Predacons before it could be turned back," the Maximal said.

"Doesn’t surprise me. Maximals have always been the weaker side," the Predacon gloated. The Maximal was unfazed and chuckled at the remark.

"Oh yeah. I’m sure that because you guys arm yourselves to the teeth before just walking out on the street has nothing to do with it."

"Yes, you do have a point. Of course, we’re more well versed in the art of battle!" the Predacon shot back.

"That and blowing things up."

I couldn’t help but laugh. The two looked at me, more curious than anything else, as if they knew I have my own stories to tell, or possibly because my own Autobot insignia caught their attention. I know I’m one of the few that have yet to be found. I ventured a comment.

"You both remind me of my youth. Things were different in those days."

"I bet this old timer could reel off a good war story or two," the Maximal observed to his friend.

"Oh, not really. I’m not a warrior…I’ve been in hiding ever since the last Great War began. I can tell you how it started, though, if you’d care to listen."

Both looked at me in surprise. Youngsters have a tendency to do that when they learn how old I am…at least, the oldest one I know of. Who knows what ancients still exist on the planet? They practically begged me to start, not realizing that they may hear something they didn’t wish to know. I began to tell the tale of the day when Cybertron fell from grace, and how I went with it.

* * * * *

Before the last Great War, there was peace on Cybertron. There had been for centuries, but factions were as much in use as they ever were. It was a matter of politics more than it was anything else, however, nothing from the previous conflicts remained. Autobots believed in keeping Cybertron to itself, while Decepticons favored expanding its influence to uninhabited worlds. Fair enough, and as was the law, everyone voted for whom was to become leader. It went back and forth quite a bit, and the two factions were able to compromise a great deal, and Cybertron steadily grew. I was just an apprentice, learning the ins and outs of politics, and my mentor was a Decepticon named Raxxon. He also was rising in power, and soon became a front runner in the race to become elected leader of the Cybertronian council. I guess I was lucky enough to have the ear of a candidate, and we were becoming rather close friends. One day, he called me up to his office in one of the spires of Iacon.

I walked into the room as he was dictating to his computer. "The debates will be at 340 today, then my campaign speech at Recron City at 590. Plan for the colonization of Exos 3 at 820. End today’s schedule. Close log," he said, noticing my approach. "Well, prompt as usual. You’ll make a good politician yet," Raxxon smirked. "Take this file to the broadcast center. It’s got important footage of the Great Energon Festival, and is some excellent publicity of my speech there. Don’t lose it—it took a lot of work to put it together."

"Have I ever failed you, sir?" I grinned.

"Not yet, but there’s always a first time. Now get going, they’re waiting for it."

I got to work quickly. Once I was on street level, I transformed into hovercraft mode and, stowing the file in my cargo bay, hit the accelerator. The broadcast center was some distance, so I began to think. Something that hit my mind was his comment about Exos 3…I didn’t know much about that world. I decided to do a little research about it at the archives later. It slipped to the back of my priority list somehow, but it really didn’t seem important at the time as colonies were being made all the time under Decepticon leaders. I went on with the task at hand. I delivered the file, and then I decided a little downtime was in order, so I headed over to a fueling depot. My friends were all there—Orion Pax and Ariel were working there that day, so I sat down and had some friendly discussion. Somehow Exos 3 came up.

"Exos 3? Haven’t heard of it," Orion noted.

"Oh, yeah, if you’d get your head out of that fuel filter pipe every once in a while, you might know some of this stuff," Ariel retorted, giving him a shove.

"Hey, is it my fault this job takes such effort?"

"Maybe it is." I said jokingly. "You never wanted to be bothered so much with details before. Take action kind of guy you said you were, if I remember correctly."

Ariel laughed. Orion looked fairly amused as well. "Well, I’m off. I can’t spend so much time in this joint, or you’ll have me losing track of the details, and I can’t have that." With that I headed back to Iacon.

When I got to the office, Raxxon was discussing something with his chief military advisor, a fairly experienced fellow by the name of Megatron. It always amused me how his name was the same as one character out of the "Covenant of Primus". I never really understood that book…it seemed to just appear after the Quintessons were overthrown, or so it was told. Whether it was true or not was beyond my meager knowledge. The only thing I knew is that Megatron was older, smarter, and more knowledgeable than I was…perhaps a bit pushy for my tastes, but I figured it was all that time he spent in the military. He often acted like I was his rival, though I had no real quarrel with him. I just did my job, like everyone else. He finished his conversation and strode off, glancing at me shortly as he did.

"I completed the task as you requested," I reported. Raxxon turned on the monitor to the news frequency and saw his footage as headlining news.

"Good work. You’re dismissed for today, just be back early tomorrow."

"Yes sir!" I eagerly replied.

For whatever reason I chose to hang around a few minutes collecting myself right outside the doors of his office…Megatron returned, and I happened to hear some whispering…but I was only able to make out a little bit. "The Autobots don’t know about it, try your best to keep them from finding out," said Raxxon. It didn’t hit me until later what that statement meant.

* * * * *

It was nearing election time, so I was preoccupied with many tasks. It took me some time to actually research Exos 3. It was 2 days before the election when it reached the top of my priority list, and I headed to the archives to search for information. Starting in the basic archives, I searched for it only to come up empty handed. Every search I ran failed. Undaunted, I moved forward into the complex archives.

After about thirty cycles, I found an entry for Exos 3. It had a computer-generated picture of the planetary terrain, the basic information about the planet, and its location in the Exos system. For the planetary survey, it only listed "No life present". I took note that it was in a good location for life to form, and it was a good size, but some planets just never develop life forms. I uploaded the file into my data tracks and, since I was due at a meeting shortly, I left the archives for Raxxon’s offices.

I arrived a little late, so I tried to be as inconspicuous as possible as I took my seat. Megatron sat across the table at me, and glared as I sat down. Several Decepticon Senators had been invited, and they were, for the most part, discussing colonization. The holoprojector was displaying worlds that had been acquired previously, so I noted each one: Omega Centauri, Accleadies Alpha, Horus 2. Suddenly, one planet caught my eye—Eltauri 7. I wasn’t sure, so I paid careful attention to the scan; I didn’t want to confront Raxxon until I was certain. At the end of the meeting, I mentioned Exos 3.

"What do you know of Exos 3?" he asked, in an odd, almost suspicious tone. All the other Decepticons at the table just looked at me…I had an odd feeling.

"Well, all I’ve been able to find out is that it’s lifeless and scheduled for colonization," I said, attempting to sound sure of myself.

"Yes, that’s correct. If I’m elected, I am going to personally head the colonization committee. Anything else you wanted to know about it?" Raxxon asked in a friendly tone.

"N-no sir," I stuttered. Everyone except Megatron turned their attention back to Raxxon. Megatron’s continued stare almost seemed to cut through me. I began to feel as if I had done something seriously wrong…but there was no time to figure out what.

"If that’s all for today, this meeting is adjourned," Raxxon announced. We all filed out of the room, while Megatron approached Raxxon. I hid around the corner to see if I could find out anything at all.

"The Autobot is getting nosy. I think he may know too much," said Megatron.

"Nonsense. We made certain that wasn’t possible," replied Raxxon. They began to leave the room, so I ducked into a storage room until they were away. Now I was certain something was going on.

* * * * *

I returned to the archives when I had finished my tasks for the day. I quickly pulled up the file on Eltauri 7, and then input my Exos 3 data. "Computer, compare planet scans," I said.

"Planet scans match 99.9% probability."

Slag, I thought. One of the files was false. There was something they were hiding from me—from everyone. No one knew about Exos 3, nothing had been publicly released. I had no hard evidence, though, nothing I could use. If they were hiding something it would be extremely difficult to prove. With one day before the election remaining, I had to come up with evidence soon. They would begin colonizing the planet almost immediately if he won, and would disavow any knowledge if he lost. I left the archives empty-handed.

Early the next day, I was in transit to Raxxon’s office. Suddenly I heard something in an alley. "Psst. Hey you," whispered someone in the shadows.

"Yes?" I asked him.

"I believe you’re looking for information on Exos 3. Well, I’ve got some."

He handed me a data cube. "Who are you?" I asked.

"Let’s just say this is for you, with complements from Restor," he said and seemed to disappear into the shadows. It figured, I thought. Restor was one of Raxxon’s Decepticon political opponents. He was one of the more devious characters in the High Council, and seemed to constantly be working his own agenda. Most Decepticons were fairly honorable beings to those who they are loyal to. Of course, when their loyalties lay elsewhere, there were those who would not hesitate to turn the tables. It’s just one of the hazards of politics. I still had duties to attend to, however, and the data cube had to wait.

I went to the archives as soon as I went off time, and placed it into a computer. As soon as I read it, my worst suspicions were confirmed—not only did Exos 3 have life, it had a primitive sentient civilization. They had intentionally covered it up because they knew that the Autobots would never agree with it. The laws of the High Council forbid attempting to colonize a life-supporting planet, and anyone involved in such a scheme would have been tried for crimes against the life forms on the planet. For as much loyalty as I had for Raxxon, I could not in conscience let this pass.

* * * * *

"The tally is in and Raxxon has been elected by a landslide," the broadcast monitor reported. "75% of the votes submitted before polls closed were for Raxxon, the new leader of the High Council. We shall now go to outside of his headquarters on the top of Grace Spire, one of the great spires of Iacon for his acceptance speech. A large crowd has accumulated around the spire’s base and are awaiting their new leader’s first words." If there were a more appropriate time, I wouldn’t have known about it. I calmly entered the room; being the apprentice, no one tried to stop me. There were no cameras present inside, as the event was to be watched from outside. I didn’t want Raxxon to lose everything he had gained, so it was just as well. This would be private, an attempt to change his mind…unfortunately, I was too naïve to realize the attempt was futile.

I stepped up behind him as he gave me an acknowledging glance. "Is it true?" I asked.

He gave me a confused look. "Is what true?"

"You know what I mean—does Exos 3 support life?"

"How did you—?" he asked.

"Answer the question!" I interrupted, beginning to get angry.

"Yes."

"You lied to me," I said.

"I had to. No Autobots were supposed to know."

"If they find out…" I trailed off.

"My career would be over. I know."

"Don’t do it!" I begged, desperately. "You can still lead!"

"It’s too important a planet not to. It is vital to control of the sector."

The words ‘control of the sector’ resonated a deeper tone in my mind. Control? Cybertronians weren’t meant to control any sectors…anywhere. I shook it off and continued. "There are sentient life forms on that planet. If you begin cyberforming its surface, they will be destroyed!"

"Sentient? Hardly. More likely they stepped out of the primordial ooze not more than 3 centuries ago," he argued. "You and I differ greatly on what we consider sentient."

"My definition of sentience is no different than that of the Autobot Council. If I give them my information, you will be ruined!" I said, becoming infuriated.

"That is why they shall never know!" he yelled. "Guards! Take him to the detention center!" I turned to find my path blocked by Megatron and a full complement of hulking guards. Two of the guards grabbed me and began to drag me away.

"You’re not the Cybertronian I thought I knew," I said.

"And you’re every bit the Autobot I knew you were," he replied spitefully.

I looked around. It was too much to believe. If I didn’t get out of this predicament, I would disappear, possibly to a prison facility or worse. Raxxon would never allow me to be released while he was alive, lest I reveal him for what he was. Then, I thought of Exos 3. The planet was going to fall to him, then the sector. Almost instinctually I felt the need to protect these lifeforms. The need became a shriek, an inescapable urge to prevent the slaughter—no matter the cost. I knew what I had to do.

I wrestled my arms from the grasp of the guards and knocked them both out in a surge of energy. Megatron came forward brandishing a weapon, but I kicked it out of his hands and threw him against a wall. I ran as they all gave chase. I ran through the hall, and straight into Raxxon’s office. Raxxon looked out over the balcony and said to the crowd below, "For the glory of Cybertron!"

"Nooooooooooooo!" I yelled. He turned and tried to stop me, but he couldn’t. I grabbed his wrists, and then we both went over the edge of the balcony.

* * * * *

My life flashed in front of me as we plummeted for the 2 kilometers from the top of the spire. I clutched Raxxon’s wrists, but strangely he didn’t resist. He glanced into my eyes and asked, "Why?"

"You always told me to fight for my beliefs!" I growled at him. "I can’t allow you to destroy the life on that planet!" He gasped at the realization that dawned on him. Suddenly everything was clear to us both—as if something had shot out of the matrix itself, Primus’s mission, his very being, came through our sparks. For one shining moment, we saw it all. "I’m sorry," I said.

Then we saw nothing.

* * * * *

When I came to, I saw the stars. I wondered for a moment if I had died, and indeed I hoped I had. As I blinked, however, the outline of Grace Spire towered into view and realized I was alive. I glanced to the side for a moment, almost hoping Raxxon had done the same, but before I saw I stopped myself; Raxxon had suffered the brunt of the fall, something I myself barely survived. I didn’t need to see to know; I had destroyed my friend, mentor, and leader of Cybertron for the sake of my beliefs, and I wasn’t sure whether one constituted the other. I should have died with him…but I hadn’t. I realized that I had to get away if I had any chance of getting my message to the Autobots. The Decepticon senators knew of Exos 3, and had probably been conspiring to commit these crimes. They wouldn’t hesitate to stop me. I stood up and found my arm was shattered, hanging limply by my side. I quickly released and discarded it from its socket. Suddenly, Megatron appeared at the entrance of Grace Spire. He spotted me.

"GET HIM!!!!" he yelled to the guards. They began to chase me. I found that my leg refused to work, and sparked wildly. I transformed as well as I could and sped away. As I did so, Megatron walked to where Raxxon had landed. He picked up the dead leader’s limp arm and clutched it in his hand. He sneered angrily, and then screamed at the sky. "I’ll get the one that did this to you. He shall pay! If I have to fight every Autobot to do it, I’ll avenge you, my leader!"

* * * * *

The guards weren’t able to catch up to me, even in my weakened state. I finally stopped at the refueling depot and managed to limp in. Orion Pax and Ariel helped me in and then looked around to make sure no one had followed.

"You’d better have a good explaination for what just happened," scolded Ariel. "We saw everything on the monitor."

"Here," I said, handing her the data cube which had somehow survived the fall. "This will explain everything." She stuck it into her computer, and the data about Exos 3 appeared.

"Oh…my," she said, reading it. "And they were going to…?"

"Yes, they were going to colonize it. I had no other choice. He was going to silence me."

"Primus," said Orion. "When the Autobots find out about this, there might be war."

"I think that’s assured," said Ariel. Megatron had appeared on the monitor.

"The Autobot that committed this crime will be punished severely. Anyone found aiding him shall suffer his fate. As of now, I have taken command of the Decepticon army on Cybertron and we are initiating marshal law."

"We have to do something," I said.

"They’ll kill you on the spot if you go out," said Ariel. "You’ll have to get fixed up first anyway," she continued, pulling a new arm out of a spare part room. She returned with a new arm, which latched right into the socket. Its generic form molded to my design parameters instantly.

Orion chimed in. "I think I know how to get to the broadcast center from here. There’s a catacomb of chambers beneath this building, from one of the older sections of Cybertron. I think I’m the only one that knows about it. We should be safe for a time under there."

Soon, we were wondering through the dank caves that remained from Cybertron’s older days. It didn’t take long to find the broadcast center, and there was a ladder up to it. The entrance was locked, so Orion used all his strength to pull it open. We got in and found ourselves in a storage room. Upon leaving, we went to find the newsroom, only to see two Decepticon guards standing just offstage. We searched for another transmitter, and found our way into a control room that wasn’t being used. It took some time, but Ariel was able to block the newsfeed and we were on the air.

"Autobots of Cybertron, I have a message for you. I was the apprentice to Raxxon, and under his service, I learned a great many things. I also discovered a great conspiracy. I am now transmitting information from the planet of Exos 3. As you can see, it supports life and a primitive civilization. The Decepticon senators were working with my former mentor in an attempt to colonize this world, an act that is in violation of Cybertronian law. What’s more, they tried to gain control of this sector with this planet. I almost did not get away to tell this story, and I fear my time is brief." Someone began pounding on the door, trying to open it. "I realize my actions in this matter may not have been right, and that I may have to pay for my own atrocity in the end, but the millions I am trying to save are more important than my own life. Stop this from happening, I beg of you all!"

The door broke down as two Decepticon guards entered, pointing their weapons and preparing to fire. Suddenly, their heads came together and smashed, knocking them cold. A small yet strong Autobot reporter had disabled them from behind. "Come on," he said, "let’s get you guys out of here."

As we made our way back to the catacombs, I asked him, "Will I go to prison?"

"It doesn’t look like it. We just got a call from the High Council giving you a full pardon. You’re a hero to the Autobots." Hero. That word probably disturbed me most of all.

* * * * *

"And so I was a hero. The fact that I wasn’t punished for my actions probably did more damage to my psyche than any weapon could do to my body. I couldn’t show my face on the surface of Cybertron, or else I’d be either shot by a Decepticon, or face an Autobot…I couldn’t figure which was worse. The Decepticons and Autobots broke the alliance and began the last Great War because of me. I’ve spent all this time hiding like a rat in those catacombs. It only got worse some time later when Megatron figured out who had been hiding me and attacked the refueling center, injuring Orion Pax and Ariel. When they were repaired and became Optimus Prime and Elita-One, they were totally different from the ‘bots I knew. They were better than I was. Only now I’ve come up to see what had happened in my absence, and I realized my actions carried a heavy price on this world. I started that which ended a civilization."

The Maximal and Predacon looked at me with heavy consideration in their eyes. "Wait, I don’t remember any of this on the history tapes…is this even real? I can’t tell," said the Maximal.

"Who’s to say what is or isn’t real. I’ve even asked myself that in all the years I’ve been underground…I’m not even sure myself."

The two began talking to each other. "Wait," the Maximal started, "what did you say your name was?" He turned to look for the storyteller, but found himself looking at an empty seat, as he seemed to have dissolved into the air.

The End.