"A Decepticon always keeps his word," Megatron, G.I.Joe # 139.
"Megatron. How many times must we dance the dance? The Oblivion Shuffle, each step taking us closer to the edge? How long can we forestall the inevitability of our complete and utter mutually assured destruction? The dance. How long it has been, how drawn out. An epic tragicomedy; a cosmic opera played out across the millenia. Each of us with his assigned role...Hero--Villain, Conqueror--Patriot. They have no meaning now, these titles, if they ever did! Our stage, stretching from Cybertron to earth and beyond, was merely the backdrop to our own extinction. How many times did we both die...only to live again? A vicious cycle from which there seemed no escape. It had to end, somehow it had to end. I wondered why, then when I had the chance to finally say 'enough,' that I chose instead to save you? It seemed little short of madness to risk once more unleashing you upon the universe. But I see now that our course was set. This new era we have entered, this new breed of Transformer we face..their existence finally gives us the chance to put right whatever went wrong with our creator's grand plan. Together, as one. As we were meant to be!"--Optimus Prime, TFG2 #7
It was 300 years after the third great Cybertronian war. The Autobots and Decepticons had been voluntarily relocated to an M-class planet 16 light years from the planet earth, and, using DNA obtained from earth creatures, they perfected the construction of beast form robots. Then, disaster struck; the peace that had existed was shattered by the Predacons' inherited thirst for power. It was the beginning of the Fourth Great War, the war where everything was changed.
The red giant star blazed down on the planet in the edge of one of the spiral arms in the milky way galaxy. This is the planet known to natives as Autobase 112-3489. It would soon become known as the first battleground in the Machine Wars. It had been just two days after Optimus Primal chased the Predacon ship to earth and crashed. The Decepticons, most of which had been stationed on outposts thoughout the galaxy, suddenly knew the thirst for battle they once did. Fighting had broken out in several, most of it had been contained. The one Decepticon that prevented an all out war was Megatron himself. He had learned that another war would have been disasterous, for under the treaty he downloaded when the war ended, any further conflict that the Autobots won would result in immediate reprogramming of the aggressor Decepticons. He was also extremely angered at the amature Predacon that stole his personality chip and fled to take over the galaxy before he had a chance to. When that usurper returned in chains, he would take delight in scrapping him messily via hypervelocity cannon blast, he thought.
"He never had this much firepower before," said Grimlock. "With Dreadwing, the Laser Rods, the Autorollers,the Cyberjets, and the Rotor Force, he's better equipped than he ever was before."
Optimus Prime looked gravely at the situation. On ten outposts fighting had broken out, five had been taken over by Decepticons. Luckily, none of it was started under Megatron's orders. "He won't attack us. He knows the consequences and he doesn't believe in the Predacons' cause. He wants to destroy the Predacon that stole his personality chip."
"Still, let's not make guesses on what he's going to do next. He's too unpredictable. He may suddenly strike if he sees a reason. At least most of his army is here under his command instead of on one of those other bases. Dreadwing or some of the others could potentially devastate some of those more poorly guarded outposts, and without Megatron preventing it, they certainly would attack," said Perceptor.
"I don't care what Megatron says, I say attack, and before they are ready!" Skywarp exclaimed. "I haven't fought in 300 years, and that's much too long for my taste. Let's kick some Auto-butt!"
"Ours is not to reason why, my aggressive friend. I believe our wise leader has our best interests in his sights. If the Autobots do win, as they have before, the treaty they have will give them the right to reprogram all of us into Autobots. I, for one, don't wish that fate for me or any of us," said Sky-Jack, the Cyberjet commander. "However, I feel there is a loophole in the treaty that we have all overlooked, how I'll never discover. Basically, it was made with Megatron, but if we take over, we don't have to recognize it. Of course, we need the perfect leader before we strike. Starscream would be the likely candidate, if he hadn't changed so much during the last battles of the second generation Cybertronian wars. We could elect Soundwave, except for his extreme loyalty to Megatron. Who's left?"
"Dreadwing," said Thundercracker, "you maybe, unlikely though. The leader needs power and weapons and Dreadwing has plenty. I think we just need to depose Megatron and Soundwave will come around."
"If not, I'll rip out his loyalty chip and replace it," jumped Hooligan.
"Of course, but you've gotten in enough trouble with authority figures, since you put sugar in Megatron's gas tank. You let us take care of Soundwave, Hooligan. We'll tell you when we need you," said Sky-Jack. "So, it's settled--we give Dreadwing leadership under the premise that if someone better suited comes along, he'll gladly step down to become a high-ranking officer. As for Megatron, I want him alive and demoted at least in size and power. He might as well remain a figure-head with no real commanding power--I couldn't think of a better torture."
Well, Megatron thought, these fools on these outposts believe that since someone has taken my place among the Predacons and declared war, that I was the one that gave the order. I can't say I'm not impressed, but I certainly don't approve. To attack the Maximals and Autobots now would be suicide, and certainly would not be the intelligent move. Of course, I still haven't found the right moment to strike. Perhaps I'm getting soft, maybe I've actually started listening to Optimus's inane babble about the creator and his plan. Maybe--
BOOOOM!!!! An explosion shook the wall behind him. When the dust cleared, Dreadwing and a group of jets stood with guns pointed at him. "We've come to take over," said Dreadwing, "you will cede your leadership to me!"
"You know, there is a door over there. Was that really necessary?" asked Megatron.
"Shut up, fool. Drop your weapons and put your hands in the air."
"You really think you can defeat me?"
"I have already. Very few Decepticons will still follow you, and those that do won't for much longer. You have outlived your usefulness, now prepare to be replaced!" he shouted.
Megatron turned around to close the program he had been working on, then turned toward Dreadwing and fired his cannon, but Dreadwing was prepared and ducked and counterattacked with repeated gattling gun blasts, stunning Megatron and knocking him several meters back, shattering the computer screen. "You're just too predictable, Megatron," said Dreadwing, securing his hands and feet in energon chains, and then carrying him down the hall to the reconfiguration chamber.
Starscream was walking down the hallway on level 31C of the Decepticon complex. The call came out over the intercom system, "Attention Decepticons, your leader has been overthrown and I, Dreadwing, was nominated to take his place. Any opposers will be reprogrammed and reconfigured to a weaker form. Message ends." Starscream had been expecting this since the end of the war, and had a plan.
"Computer," he said, "execute escape plan Alpha Omega on my mark." He ran to the hoverlift and said, "Now, computer." The hoverlift opened as he ran in, then it quickly went to the ground floor. "Part two, now!" he said, and all the hoverlift shafts sealed just above the ground level and all the bulkheads began to close on the ground level, except for those creating a path to the exit door. As he ran, a Decepticon saw him from under the closing bulkhead. He began to follow, but was blocked by the now closed bulkhead. He turned and hit a button on his wrist, activating his communicator.
"Dreadwing, Starscream is escaping, and has activated most of the ground floor bulkheads. I'm blocked off."
"We'll see about that," he said. He hit the main intercom button and said, "Alert, Starscream is escaping, all jets on the dock level will report and follow."
Starscream had now exited and transformed. He flew in the direction of the Autobot base. The docking bay doors were opening and four jets flew out. "Part three, now!" he said. The docking doors slammed closed again, and the next group of jets that were taking off hit the door and exploded. Starscream sped up as the four followed closer and closer. "Part four, now!" he said, and the defenses were activated. The Auto guns began firing and the four jets were soon falling out of the sky in flames. He roared away with a sonic boom that shook the entire base.
"HOW?!?!" Dreadwing shouted at Skywarp, Thundercracker, Sky-Jack, and Hooligan. They were all assembled in the docking bay, surveying the damage as the repair crews were still salvaging the Decepticons that were nearly destroyed. "How did he do this? Why weren't you four able to stop him?" he yelled furiously.
"We've located his means of escape. There was a hidden escape routine in the main computer, keyed to go off on his command. He planned everything, down to the triggering of the defenses. He had been working on this for a long time, and, unfortunately, his plans included joining the Autobots," replied Sky-Jack.
"Well, there goes the element of surprise. We still have the cache of weapons and should be able to overpower the Autobots," said Dreadwing, in an unsure voice.
"We've got a Decepticon on the scanner!" yelled Hot Rod. Optimus walked forward and looked, examining the data.
"Don't fire unless he fires. Remember we still have an alliance and there's nothing to suggest otherwise," he said. "I want an ident, now."
"Perimeter cameras read that it's Starscream."
"Blaster, hail him," said Optimus, "and open a channel."
"He's responding."
"Starscream, what's going on?" asked Optimus.
"Dreadwing took over, the Decepticons are preparing to attack, asking permission to land on your base and be granted asylum."
"Permission granted. Autobots, power up defenses and turn on shields after he lands. Starscream, we have a lot to discuss," he said, "over and out."
Dreadwing walked down the hallway. He came to the door and put his finger inside a socket in the middle of the door. Inside, a hole opened on his fingertip and a metal projection slid out and made contact with an electrode and electricity shot through it. "Confirm identity code," a computerized voice said.
"Voice-code Dreadwing alpha-alpha-omega-epsilon," Dreadwing said.
"Access granted. Welcome esteemed leader," the feelingless voice said.
He walked in and three Constructicons were tending the machines, and one other was building a new one, with the two Auto-Rollers. "How's our reconfiguration project going?" asked Dreadwing, "Is our most important patient ready?"
"In a few minutes, Heheheeee, he'll be ready!" Dirtbag jerked excitedly, from behind his work.
"Good, I want to be the first thing he sees," said Dreadwing.
He walked to a container bed and looked into the clear aluminum window. "I think he's had enough, open him up," commanded Dreadwing. The top was automatically propelled upward and white gas came out as it moved. A small transformer with jet-shaped parts was revealed. His head began to move and his optical circuits snapped to life.
"Dreadwing you traitor, I'll blow your command-module out!" He concentrated, only to get an error message. "What--have--you--done--to me?!?!" he asked, as the horrible realization came on him. "My gun, my power, MY BODY--GONE!!!! NOOOOOOO!!" he screamed furiously.
"Yes, they are, Megatron. You are now too weak to defend yourself, your weapons negligable, and your power over any of your former troops is nonexistent. You have been overthrown."
"You won't get away with this!"
"I already have. My ascension was not only of my doing. I was...'voted' in. I therefore cannot take total credit for your downfall."
"So, what is my 'new position' in this 'great empire'? he asked spitefully.
"Why leader, of course. But a figurehead with no real power. It will be known to all that I command--including the Autobots. You will sit on your throne and watch helplessly as your troops go to war under someone else's orders. Of course, I've given you an even bigger insult yet. Open the next one," he yelled to the Constructicons.
"Yes sir," Hook said.
It opened and the same white gas streamed out. The body underneath had the exact same shape as Megatron. "Meet Megaplex, your clone."
"What's he for?" asked Megatron.
"Since you've never been a jet, I don't think you have many skills. Megaplex was created to keep you from getting shot down by confusing the enemy. Of course, he has more commanding power than you--naturally. I thought, 'We have a perfectly good clone here, he has different programming, why not let him command the new jet force, why waste him just as a decoy for the Autobots?' So that's what I decided," said Dreadwing, "and you can't tell him what to do. Simply, if you go out, he'll be with you, watching your back."
"Dreadwing, I should have given you more credit. All this time, and who knew there was actually a brain under that helmet? When I get back into power, and I reprogram you, I'll promote you," Megatron said.
"Don't you mean if?"
"No."
"This is what we have from Starscream. Dreadwing has taken over the Decepticons; he reconfigured Megatron to look like this," Optimus said, pointing to the computer screen showing a wire-frame model of Megatron's new plane and robot mode. "He created a clone named Megaplex to serve as a decoy, but we shouldn't think of Megatron as a total enemy. This clone may cause problems for we may mistake him for Megatron and he may take us by surprise. Spy cameras also picked up this," the screen changed, "a few more alterations. After scanning the radio modulations, we think that this missile tank is Soundwave and these two identically designed planes are Skywarp and Thundercracker. Dreadwing must have changed them to increase efficiency and firepower. These seem to be the major changes, but, as Dreadwing is a tactical specialist, you should watch yourselves in battle. The computer has projected our odds for winning a well-placed attack as low, so we will need all the help we can get. Everyone needs to prepare--we don't know when they'll strike."
Suddenly blasts came from outside. The base shook. "That'd be them," said Prowl, "it's time to fry some 'cons."
"Let's move!" commanded Optimus.
The first wave of Autobots ran outside in minutes. They began to fire at the intruders, but they didn't do enough damage to slow the tide of Decepticons pouring in from all directions. The main fighting force consisted of four combiners: Devastator, Bruticus, Predaking, and Monstructor; there were also the Cyberjets, the four newly reconfigured jets, Soundwave, Dreadwing, the two Decepticon Rotorforces, the two Decepticon Laser Rods, Road Pig, and many others. Bombs fell, hitting the ground and sending several Autobots flying. The automatic defenses came on, systematically targeting and disabling the Decepticons, set to target their powersources and disable them in one shot. Once these accurate machines were activated, the Decepticons began to realize that the battle on the Autobot's territory was a bad idea, with nothing to block their fire in the open. Dreadwing's plan, however, wasn't an all-out battle on the base but a quick, devastating strike. When he saw Optimus Prime, Starscream, and five Autobots standing in one place, he saw his chance.
"Now Soundwave, fire!" he yelled, "fire at Optimus Prime!"
Soundwave's new configuation was chosen by Dreadwing specifically for this battle. He turned into a giant missile tank and let loose a photo-warhead missile directly at the group. Optimus was unprepared and didn't even see it coming; four jets had provided a distraction by firing at the group but missing, confusing the Autobots. The giant missile slammed into the ground, ripping the molecules themselves apart. A blinding light flashed as a mushroom cloud rose out of the ground and those that were standing on the spot, were no longer there. The other Autobots looked in horror at the destruction: the blast had created a hole in the front of the base 100 feet wide. It wasn't extremely powerful, just concentrated and powerful enough to turn all those in the blast into scrap.
It was a long time before many Autobots said anything. They waited to find out if those in the blast survived, or could be rebuilt. Fortunately, the photon missile wasn't strong enough to penetrate the strongest armor surrounding the most vital circuits. The Decepticons had retreated before the Autobots had time to retaliate, but strangely enough one jet had hung back and was brought down easily. It was Megatron, and when he came to he surrendered and explained that he wanted to help, for personal reasons. The next few hours they all waited to see who would make it.
The message finally came over the intercom, there was enough left to partially reconstruct their bodies, with very little loss of vital circuits and memory. The casualties were Optimus, Hoist, Hubcap, Sandstorm, Mirage, Prowl, and Starscream. The only thing they could do to fully reconstuct them was to rebuild from scap and reconfigure the forms to something else.
"Welcome back Optimus," said Ratchet as the fallen leader woke up from repair mode.
"Report," he said.
"Well, the damage was extensive. Your configuration circuits have been fused; the sealed off areas of your earlier forms have bonded with your Laser form. You should brace yourself because the changes will take effect any second."
He suddenly shook and energy bolts danced across his skin. "Aggggghhhh!!!" he yelled as his form melted and shifted; it only lasted a few seconds and when it was over he was very different. His face shield had gone, most of the rest of his face was different. An Autobot symbol had appeared on his chest and wings came out of it.
"Yes, I expected some variation; those circuits are designed to adapt to every change. This may be a little more drastic than I expected, but it's fine. If you would step over to the Transformation room, I'll scan and catalog both your forms," Ratchet said. They walked to a huge adjacent room and Ratchet stepped over to the control panel. An energy beam shot from a fixture on one wall. This happened three more times as all sides were scanned. "Now transform," Ratchet said. He changed into an armored flat-nosed semi-truck with rocket launching trailer jet engines and machine guns on the cab. The entire process repeated. "Now, transform your trailer section." His trailer transformed into a giant tripodal laser cannon base with a sight platform. "Interesting. That design may be extremely helpful in the future. I'll have to program an emergency protocal against any more of Soundwave's missiles. The others that I've reconstructed had their form circuits destroyed. There was a problem; the main computer was damaged in the attack and had lost many of its design specs. Three designs remained intact and with six injured, I've had to duplicate a towtruck, an F-1 racecar, and a helicopter. We were finishing the Autobots when we discovered design specs for a stealth bomber in Starscream's memory. We downloaded it into the computer and he has been changed into a giant stealth jet with huge engines," Ratchet finished.
"Is he awake?" asked Optimus, "I want to speak to him."
"He's about to wake up." They walked over to Starscream's table. His circuits charged up and he looked up at the two standing above him.
"How are you feeling, Starscream?" asked Optimus.
"Okay," he said weakly.
"I would like to ask you what you were doing with that jet design in your memory."
"A long time ago, during the war with the second generation Cybertronians, before the change, I made that design as a backup plan if I never got the matrix. I would build or steal a reconfiguration chamber and make that my new form. After the change, I didn't think I would ever use it but I just couldn't erase it. I thought that there might be a case like this that it could be useful."
"Yes, I see. The only other design that would be suitable for you would have been the helicopter design that we used for Sandstorm. I'm just glad you're on our side now. Come on. The others are about to wake up and I have a speech to deliver," said Optimus. "Megatron has let himself get captured. He's given us some information and wants to discuss some things with you."
"Oh?"
Starscream was led to Megatron by a guard. He stood outside the door to the cell while they talked. Megatron started, "Starscream, I don't know what to think. You used to be gunning for command, now you're helping Optimus Prime."
"The matrix rearranged my circuits. What's your excuse?"
"Well, this new war just isn't right. It's not the war I want to be fighting. Maybe it's the alliance, maybe it's that the Predacons that actually started it. It just didn't make any sense to start it to begin with. Then they took my command and I don't want any of my soldiers to be destroyed without any reason."
"You sound like you're getting soft," said Starscream.
"Yeah, Prime has gotten to me over the years. Especially after he proved his point that we were made to protect the younger races, not to fight amongst ourselves," said Megatron. "I'll have to take a smashing later so Dreadwing will think they forced it out of me. I need to be able to carry information here, and this is the only way to do that so they don't lock me up."
The warriors were soon reactivated and woke to the cheers of the Autobot army. As the new Optimus stood in front of them, his face barely recognizable as the same leader yet no less distinguished, he gave them the plan.
"We have started a new chapter in history. The Decepticons have restarted the great war, and everything has changed. It seems Megatron no longer has control, and wishes to help us. He has given us invaluable information about the base and he will be released to the Decepticons with the appearance of a brutal interrogation so they don't suspect he gave it up willingly. Starscream has proved to be a worthy ally and with him we have planned an air bombing strike on the Decepticon base. The Machine Wars have begun and the Decepticons will not be allowed to win this time or any other!" he said, and the army let out a tremendous cheer, not knowing that the change had yet to be completed.