The red light of the star peeked over a distant mountain top. The light of the strange dawn flung out and reflected off of a large group of buildings in a clearing in the giant rainforest. In the wind there arose a number of animal sounds, tree leaves rustling, and a noise that seemed altogether misplaced for the setting: an engine of a semi-truck. The light suddenly struck a red symbol painted on one of the buildings that looked like the face of an animal, somewhat like a fox. Beneath it, in large lettering, were painted the words: Cybertronian Autobase 112-3489.

"How are our projects progressing Perceptor?"

"As well as can be expected Optimus Prime. The Go-Bots are the fastest ground vehicles anyone could make without liquid- or solid-fuel rockets which can explode unexpectedly and the plan to incorporate pre-existing minds into Go-Bots is coming along fine, although a few complain about the reduced size and fire power. Ironhide thinks that he cannot cause as much destruction as he could by plowing through enemies, and Bumblebee's function of espionage is hindered by his larger size. Soundwave and Frenzy prefer their old forms, but Frenzy's original form was destroyed by a battle with the swarm. I believe that they will make do, after all. We cannot exploit this planet's resources so our power is limited to solar, wind, fusion, and those sources obtained from asteroid mining. Also, the representatives of animal species we transplanted from earth are thriving in their new eco-systems. This planet provides excellent habitats for earth creatures."

It was three centuries after the last battle fought on earth ended. The combined forces of the transformer army proved victorious against two overwhelming enemies that, alone, would have destroyed them but instead were both triumphed over because one decimated the other and the one that remained was suddenly changed drastically from a force of death to a force of life due to the power contained inside the matrix. Optimus Prime and Megatron, the dual leaders of the Autobot-Decpticon alliance kept peace between the factions of the new alliance. Although the war seemed to be over (unknown to them, the Cybertronian army still existed at 100 times the force of those destroyed in the last battle and still led by the Liege Maximo), the Alliance was potentially unstable and the primary mission Primus, the creator, gave them so many eons ago remained--to be a powerful peacekeeping force throughout the galaxy. First, they tried to return to Cybertron and exsist as they had once exsisted, but it turned out to be near impossible due to the amount of time they had been away. Also, there was now an influx of newly built transformers populating the planet (part of the mechanical changes in these new robots were some of the same that the swarm incorporated into Optimus Prime; these made them superior to the other transformers). Their purpose had changed from war to deep-space exploration. Without a war to fight, these newcomers needed no form other than their robot forms, so they remained as protoform robots, with the choice to make a new form if wanted or needed. They thought of themselves as naturalists, merely exploring, and with so many differences from the original group they took on new names: the Maximals and the Predacons. When they did take on alternate forms, they generally chose robotic animal forms. The Predacons did this too but they didn't believe in the Maximal's "be good to everybody" policy. Because of this, the Maximals never really trusted them. The armies took on the new names and symbols (although they didn't accept it completely and still called themselves Autobots and Decepticons), but as the great war started to fade to a memory, the armies found they did not have the patience for the long periods of time required for exploration missions. They left Cybertron to settle somewhere else and work on creating new technology to aid their race.

The only form any transformer could not perfectly replicate was a real animal. Ever since the change into a peaceful race, the Cybertronian Maximals and Predacons worked on doing that, but they had no time and the replicated matter in the cloned tissue had a flaw that only allowed it to exist for up to a few hours at most. They sent the problem with the Autobot/Decepticon army to find a planet to perfect the process where they could use real animals to aid their genetic research.

An M-class jungle planet populated only by earth-like plants 16 light years away from earth provided for that purpose and became the new Autobase, not to be exploited for resources like Megatron once tried to do to earth. They brought a few species of earth animals for study, but they focused mainly on developing vehicle forms. The new technology came gradually, as it should have if there were no wars. This method always proved better results than the rush that came during war. In what seemed almost no time, (for immortal beings, that is) centuries had past. But, eventually, the work of studying native and earth animals, advancing technology, and providing energy would blend together in the next stage of a form of evolution into truly biomechanic beings.

In another building on the other side of the compound, the discussion going on was less than innocent.

"I tire of the forced peace this alliance created, Starscream. I continually feel the need to fight. I told Optimus Prime that this was temporary when I agreed to this, I followed along until Jhiaxus was defeated and then he gave a speech about how we should be united and, not wanting to be impolite (although I have never been polite before), I followed him to yet another useless rock in another part of the galaxy."

"Maybe fighting is not the answer," said Starscream. "It doesn't seem to make sense. Fighting would not make a difference on this planet. What would we acheive anyway? Dominion of this rock in the middle of nowhere? We no longer have a reason to fight, not to mention the fact that we were created to make peace."

"What is your problem Starscream?" Megatron shot back. "You can't tell me that your short connection with the matrix changed you that much. I don't care about peace and I don't believe that I was created to preserve it. Even though a few of the rotor force and laser rods have formally stated that they would remain on the Autobot side if the alliance were to be broken due to Optimus Prime's so- called superior leadership, I wouldn't have thought that you of all Decepticons would ever be able to change this much."

"Apparently I have."

"Well, I still don't understand the animals. I should not have to concern myself with them."

"May I make a suggestion why, Lord Megatron," came a voice from the doorway.

"Yes, speak Soundwave. Give me your report."

"I have retreived information on the subject. They may not be as worthless as you think. A secret project is being conducted in the Autobot building close to the northern border of the compound. This is what I saw."

He slipped a tape (Buzzsaw) into the computer. The picture on the screen revealed a room filled with computers and equipment with a few inactive protoform robots.

"Interesting, but why would this be secret?" asked Megatron.

"Watch and listen."

The picture panned to a computer with the picture of the familiar DNA double- helix on it. A winged robot came into veiw and Perceptor's image appeared. "Begin coating process." The robot was lifted up into a large glass tube filled with a goopy brown liquid. It was lowered and the liquid immediately moved around it, coating the robot frame, changing form and composition. When it was lifted out, the coating resembled a pale, white skin. Small tunnels inside filled with a red substance but were hidden suddenly covered with a thick, grey-blue hair. It was moved to a table where Perceptor examined it and said, "Coating process complete. Begin transferrence."

Two electrodes were lowered into the newly formed ears of the creature- robot. Light flashed as it started twitching on the table. It screeched and Megatron realized it as resembling one of the species of bat that was from earth, although many times larger. It then began moving strangely for a bat, and, accompanied by a light whirring noise, it became a robot amazingly quickly. It had a familiar face, although slightly different than the original form of the owner. It only took a few words for Megatron to recognize who was transferred into the body.

"How well did it work?"

"That's Optimus Prime!" said Megatron. He stared transfixed and said nothing else until the recording was finished.

"Perfectly. I believe our plan to use energy contained in plant material as energy by using the methods that earth animals utilize will work. This form, codenamed Optimus Primal 1 is testing quite well. Our Cybertronian counterparts will be happy about this and these will be useful on planets with energy fields harmful to robotic bodies. We can incorporate this into the reformation chambers. Unfortunately, the new name is all too true. The animal brain and nerve tissue will make you more vicious in battle. In that state of mind, you may not be able to control yourself."

"I only hope I will never have to fight the Decpticons again," said Optimus Primal.

The recording ended and Megatron whispered "But you will, old friend, you will." He stood up quickly and said, "Soundwave, assemble a strikeforce; Starscream, get my gun. I have had a plan for years about the end of the Alliance. At last, my chance to get free of this alliance with an advantage. Soon, everything will return to normal."

"Yes, Lord Megatron," said Soundwave.

"Oh, no. Not again," Starscream groaned.

In the building near the border of the compound, Perceptor was still performing tests on Optimus Primal when an explosion shook the building. They looked over to see a large, still smoldering hole in the wall. A giant tank rolled in and fired again, blowing a hole through Perceptor, leaving him unconscious and badly damaged. A message was instantly transmitted to all Autobots in the compound. Hot Rod was racing the Go-Bots in the racetrack at the center of the compound when he received the message. The detection systems told them what they were up against: ten pretenders, three cyberjets, Dreadwing, Soundwave, Road Pig, and the laser rods.

"Geez, they were well prepared. Contact the Dinobots, Road Rocket, and the Arialbots. We're going to need all the help we can get."

Meanwhile, the Decepticons were winning (with Perceptor damaged, Optimus Primal was left to defend himself against Megatron and the other Decepticons until help arrived). The mission was forced retrieval and destruction. They did everything possible to wipe out the technology. The four inactive prototypes were smashed, samples of the cloned genetic material were stolen and the glass tubes blown up. Soundwave snuck in behind them and accessed the computer. Optimus Primal found himself outmatched and sent out a radio signal and was answered by a large petroleum truck. The trailer became an arsenal and the truck became Optimus Prime. "At least I took the precautions of only loading a copy of my personality into this form," said Optimus Primal. Outside a fight was raging between several groups. Hot Rod, the Go-Bots, and the Dinobots were having a firefight with the pretenders and the laser rods. The two laser cycles were locked in hand-to-hand combat. The Arialbots took on the combined forces of Dreadwing and the cyber jets. Reinforcements for both sides were coming. Laser Optimus Prime was able to match Megatron, fighting sword and gun. All Autobots were distracted as Soundwave broke through password after password, and removed every file of genetic research and every blueprint. After he located a file marked Decepticons and downloaded it he realized the real plan the Autobots had. They weren't going to hide it forever, but were planning to share it when they had perfected it! Unfortunately, it was too late to stop the attack and Megatron didn't care in any case. He certainly wanted war at any cost. He drained the computer into his 80 tetrabyte storage capacity and promptly destroyed the computer. The final touch was reached when Megatron loaded a canister with a biohazard symbol painted on it and fired it into the room. Inside, it contained a reverse enzyme that instantly broke down amino acids. All traces of the coating substance left in the room instantly disentegrated. The next scene horrified the Autobots that entered after the Decepticons fled--Optimus Primal stood in the room, his outer coating simply melting away from his robot frame. Laser Optimus Prime stepped forward and deactivated his newest form. "Don't worry, I'm okay. I wish I could say the same about Perceptor. Can you repair him?" he asked Ratchet.

"I think so, but it will take a while. The project will have to be put on hold."

"What exactly was the project, Optimus?" asked Hot Rod.

"It was an attempt to combine the genetic structure of animals with that of the Transformers'. I thought that it would be risky to reveal it immediately, but it would provide energy from all previous sources and more efficiently from respiration. It would suit us well on this planet and would aid our fight against evil. The Cybertronian Maximals asked for it so that they could observe the natural wildlife on many of the worlds they want to explore. We would also learn about carbon-based life-forms to better defend them."

"It looks like the Decepticons didn't share your view," said Hot Rod.

At the main building, every computer was searched for viruses. None were found. "It appears that this was a sudden attack, for one purpose--to steal the technology that took months to research and fabricate and keep us from being able to fight them on their terms," said Optimus Prime.

"Search of the compound revealed only one Decepticon--Starscream," said Hot Rod.

He stepped in surrounded by two Dinobots and bound by glowing chains. Optimus Prime looked slightly stunned for a minute and then remembered the matrix. "I guess I've changed more than I first thought," said Starscream. "I decided to stick around and see what I could do. Soundwave spied on your building only minutes before the attack. Megatron thought that this was a good opportunity to attack and break the Alliance--it was only a temporary truse. He didn't give me any information about his plans. Even with the changes, he still doesn't trust me."

"Why did he want to break the Alliance?" asked Optimus Prime.

"He hasn't changed a bit. He only wanted war. It's the only reason he still exists."

"I thought as much," he said. He understood Megatron better than he understood himself. "Well, he will be up to his old tricks. He will be running from this planet to locate a source of energy. Transport Starscream to the brig. Something else--this was mainly designed for the Cybertronian factions so Megatron could pick from a large number of Predacons. This will be rough."

Megatron and his army were fleeing as quickly as they could go. "I haven't fought like that for years, and what a fight. A small, outmatched enemy, a quick strike, and moving off to a camoflaged stronghold with technology they will have a hard time redeveloping. It was amazing. And there is more fighting to come, for my plan is to warp to Cybertron and steal the golden disk. That artifact has a time and location of a tremendous source of energon. Nothing will be able to stop me."

"Lord Megatron! I must speak to you!"

"Yes, Soundwave. I know that they would share it eventually, I know they had plans for Decepticon designs in the computer. This is not news, but they would not allow us to have the power I need because of the lack of trust created from years of war. They are such sentimental fools. It is a brilliant plan, however; they will be able to camoflage themselves on any planet they land on by blending with the native animals. In fact, I can't wait for the next battle. Now, contact the constructicons and the auto-rollers. I want that ship up and running when we get there. We will have to run before they can send reconnisance missions for the area." His plan was ingenious. He had every aspect covered. His Alliance disscussions allowed him to think systematically like Optimus Prime, to search every possiblity and, for him, the battle became predictable, almost pre-planned. He now saw fighting as a game, something he would always survive, unless the enemy was new, like the second generation Cybertronian empire, and then it became serious. He would not make the same mistake twice. If the scenario arose again, he would simply ally himself with the Autobots or their new faction--the Maximals. At least the threat of an unwinnable war seemed non-existant (or did it)?

At a certain point in time, he would renew his quest for domination of the galaxy, (possibly assuming control of the Cybertronian army if there was one left) but he realized that being mechanical, he could never truly die.

Soon, construction began on the new army. The blueprints stolen from the Autobots proved adequate for the task ahead, with a few modifications. The protoform robots would require more energy and weaponry than the Maximals provided.

Later, Megatron chose his exploration team from Cybertron. They had been on a mission when he called and jumped at the chance to finally do what they felt the instinct to do. It consisted of five Predacons. Megatron tried out his prototype body in front of them. "When we get there, if we have a good reason, you will choose an animal body like this. To transform simply say 'Terrorize' and to return say 'beast mode'," he quickly transformed from an alligator to a robot and back. "You can also think these commands. You will choose names based on your alternate forms. Now prepare yourselves for the trip. And get me a new protoform, Soundwave, this is way too small and underpowered for my tastes."

The recovery of Perceptor came lightning quick as several medics worked around the clock to restore him to his previous condition. Seeing as he was the only real casualty in the fight and their survival rested fully on his shoulders, because he could anticipate the next move, aided his rebuilding. The Decepticons' fight had destoyed every bit of information stored in the building. A second team salvaged the wreckage of the inactive prototypes. They had been utterly destroyed but parts could still be used in the making of other robots. Within days both Perceptor was restored and the Autobots were prepared for battle. He knew that it was the one thing that would force the next battle: they had the information, and they were ready to leave in search of energon. When they found a large enough source, they would be unstoppable.

The Arialbots searched the countryside until they discovered a large ship in a clearing with dampening field that was as strong as anything the Autobots had. The images retrieved showed an insect-like face painted on the side.

"That's it, let's head back," Silverbolt transmitted.

As soon as that was said, a loud rumbling started and the ship took off and shot out of the atmosphere. At the same time a barrage of fire came from the ground as every Decepticon except Megatron fired at them.

"We'll have to teleport out of here before we're blown out of the sky," yelled Skydive, and the five planes disappeared in a flash of light.

At the base, Perceptor looked worriedly at the planetary sensors. It was taking a direct route to Cybertron at maximum warp. They also read the crew's life signs.

"Report," said Optimus Prime.

"Not good. They are heading for Cybertron. I'm not sure now but I believe they are searching for the golden disk," he said. "With that they can locate enough energon to become invincible."

The artifact known as the golden disk was discovered 400 years before on an earth probe with the name "Voyager". It had fallen into a time warp and was badly damaged. When an anlysis was conducted, the golden disk contained traces of energon signatures that could have only come from eons of exposure to gigantic amounts of the substance. It also showed that it had mysteriously dissappated several thousand years before it was launched. This information was closely guarded due to it's seriousness--if it fell into the wrong hands the enemy would become invincible. Megatron's spies eventually discovered it. Optimus was deactivated during the discovery and only he and a few of his highest ranked warriors were told when they returned to Cybertron.

"I'm afraid that the only ship that can track Megatron's is an underweaponed exploration ship," said Perceptor. "It has a crew of about 30 Maximals, three active, the rest in stasis and all unformatted protoforms."

"That will have to do. I need it refitted with more powerful weapons; I also need a larger and more powerful protoform body. You and Grimlock will be in charge until I get back," said Optimus.

"Yes sir."

And so it began, as Optimus Primal and his Maximal crew chased the Predacons across space and time to crash on the earth in the distant past. The battles that raged would be called Beast Wars to later generations and life would never be the same for those of Cybertronian descent. However, for the rest of the old army, a new war was to come. For them, the Battles for Cybertron had just begun and any peace that could possibly have remained was soon crushed under the Decepticon abuse of new technology.