Book III "Into the Darkness" Chapter X "Routine Mission" "Hello. I am Uatu, a member of the race which mortal humans call Watchers. For countless millennia, I have observed your world, Earth. Occasionally, I like to look in on other realities, alternate universes. It is again time to look in on this universe that is so much different from our own. Where just over four million years ago, a shuttle from a distant planet crashed into the base of a volcano." "Since our last check on this universe, Optimus Prime has dealt with the death of Elita One, and it seems that all is going well. But, an event approaches that will change the face of Earth and Cybertron forever." It was Saturday, and Optimus Prime was doing what he did every Saturday. At least what he did when there was not a crisis, or some event to attend. He was going to see Elita. Optimus rolled up to the foot of the grassy hill on which Elita was buried. He transformed and walked up to where her statue was. He sat down on the ground, as he did every week. Whenever he had something on his mind, he would talk to Elita about it. He knew that everyone would think he was crazy, sitting there talking to a statue. He had had enough time to come to terms with Elita's death, but he still missed her. He missed her more than he could have ever imagined. On this day, he was bothered by the debate in the United Nations to dismantle the Omega Contingency System. Optimus was against the dismantling, and had stated so at many United Nations meetings. The Omega Contingency had been created in 1990. The purpose of the Omega Contingency was as a back up. A fall back plan in the event of a catastrophe. The specific catastrophe it was created for was a Decepticon takeover of Earth. The Omega Contingency would evacuate the Earth's population. It was necessary when it was built. World leaders were worried that if the Autobots retook Cybertron, they might not be able to hold Earth, and the Decepticons would try to take it. The Omega Contingency could never have been built without help from the Autobots. The necessary ships were constructed and put in bunkers around the world. Optimus had hoped they would never have to use the Omega Contingency, but it was better to be safe than sorry. Earth was only at risk because the Autobot shuttle crashed here. Unfortunately, the world leaders now felt that these ships and bunkers could be put to better use. With The Autobots in control of both Earth and Cybertron, and the Decepticons army in shambles, there seemed to be only a small possibility that the Decepticons could launch an attack on earth, much less win. Optimus had argued that the Decepticon threat was not gone, and that it might never be completely gone. He also made strong arguments for it's use in case of a planetary natural disaster. Unfortunately, it seemed his arguments fell on deaf ears, and it looked like the United Nations had other plans. He was at least relieved to hear that a final vote was still several months away. He would have some time to try and gain support. "So Elita, what do you think." He was only met by silence, but somehow, he knew she would agree, and even in silence, he found some comfort. Elsewhere, a makeshift repair job was underway. "Hold still Starscream." "That hurts", said Starscream. "I don't care", returned the monotone voice. "I always thought Megatron should have had your personality circuits adjusted", said Starscream. "Come on Stalker, be careful, I am in a lot of pain." "I'll increase the pain if you don't hold still, and I'll kill you if you call me Stalker again." "Very well Soundwave", responded Starscream. "We need to get to Charr, and take command of the army", said Soundwave. "Yes. I will be the leader who brought the Decepticons back from the brink of destruction", said Starscream. "You will lead nothing", said Soundwave. "Who do you think you are to tell me when I will lead", demanded Starscream. "I am the new Leader of the Decepticons. Megatron's death puts me in command", said Soundwave. He continued his work on Starscream. Optimus Prime walked down the corridor towards the Command Center. It had been four months since he had been nearly killed by the explosion at the San Francisco Regional Solar Power Station. Optimus had spent the time, since his recovery on earth overseeing the final repairs to Autobot City after the Battle of Autobot City with the Decepticons. Although he could not understand it, as much as he loved Cybertron, Earth would always be home. He had developed a fondness for the green countryside, that could not be found on Cybertron. The new wing of Autobot city, Metroplex was almost ready to go on line. His final construction was delayed due to the Battle of Autobot city. Metroplex would give Earth an extra measure of protection if the Decepticons returned, or if Megatron tried anything. Back on Cybertron, all was well, and there had been no hint of Decepticon activity since the Destruction of Unicron. Autobot Intelligence had reported that the Decepticons were on Charr, struggling to stay alive. For now, their threat had been neutralized. Megatron was still out there, and although he had not been heard from since Nightbird died in the explosion, Optimus knew that he had not seen the last of his old enemy. Optimus walked into the Command Center. Rodimus, Kup, and Springer were there, monitoring things. Optimus was proud of Rodimus. Rodimus had done very well in command while Optimus was out of action after the explosion. "Status report", said Optimus. "Nothing out of the ordinary", said Kup. "No sign of Megatron. It's like he dropped off the face of the world", said Rodimus. "Not that I'd mind if he stayed there, but this waiting and watching is really boring." "Cheer up Rod. Megatron's probably plotting something that we definitely won't like", said Springer with a chuckle. "Nothing like a little optimism", said Optimus sarcastically. "I doubt he can try anything major without any troops. We are keeping an eye on Charr. If the Decepticons try to leave, we will know about it." "I hear it's pretty bad", said Springer. "Yes it is", said Optimus. "I have been debating whether or not to give them aid. We can't just let them die, but I'd never forgive myself if we enabled them to start their campaign of terror again." "Not an easy decision", said Kup. "No, it's not. But for now, reports are that they are getting enough energeon to survive. At least I have time to weigh all of our options", finished Optimus. Optimus had been wrestling with this problem for days. He couldn't let them die. In spite of millions of years of war, they were still transformers, and if they were not killing and destroying, they had as much right to live as any Autobot, and were deserving of help. But, could he justify endangering the lives of countless Autobots? For now, he'd have to leave that alone. He had other things to attend to. "Rodimus, I have a mission for you." "Great. I can't take anymore sitting around. What's the mission", said Rodimus. "Take Sky Lynx, Kup, and Springer, and deliver a supply of parts to Cybertron", said Optimus. "A supply mission? I was hoping for something exciting", said Rodimus. "Be careful what you wish for lad, you might get it", said Kup. "I can remember many times when I wished I was just on a routine mission." The trip to Cybertron was uneventful. The most exciting thing that happened was a small meteor that passed by them. The supplies were quickly unloaded when they arrived. "This is Rodimus Prime to Cybertron, we have finished unloading, and are heading back to Earth", said Rodimus. "This is Cybertron", came Ultra Magnus's voice. "You are cleared for takeoff. Have an uneventful trip back." "I'm sure we will", responded Rodimus. Rodimus closed the communications channel, and left the cockpit to see the others. In the cargo bay, Kup and Springer were passing time talking about old times. "Well, another boring mission", said Rodimus. "At least we haven't run into any Decepticons", said Kup. "I hate to spoil your conversation lads, but I'm getting a strange energy reading. You'd better get to the cockpit", said Sky Lynx. The three of them rushed to the cockpit. What is it Sky Lynx, asked Rodimus. "I'm not sure. I detected a strange energy reading for a moment, and then it was gone. It didn't seem important, but then I realized where it was coming from." "Where was it Sky Lynx", said Kup. "It was coming from Unicron's head", said Sky Lynx. "Or to be precise, it was close enough to it that I would hesitate to call it's position coincidence. Rodimus felt as if the temperature had just dropped 20 degrees. Unicron's head had been orbiting Cybertron ever since he exploded. It was presumed that he was dead, but no one went near the head. It was a very superstitious thing. Most pilots steered clear of it. "Set course for Unicron's head", said Rodimus. "Rodimus, are you sure that's a good idea", said Sky Lynx? Not that I'm afraid or anything, the great Sky Lynx fears nothing, but..." "That's an order Sky Lynx", said Rodimus. "Of course." "I told you to be careful of what you wished for", said Kup. "Next time, remind me to listen to you", said Rodimus. Rodimus had a bad feeling about this. Sky Lynx came up beside Unicron's head, and the others floated through space over to the head, and went inside. Rodimus felt uneasy. Unicron was dead, but still, he nearly destroyed Cybertron, and now they were walking around in his head. It felt creepy. "Let's stick together", said Rodimus. The three of them looked around, but found nothing of interest. There was no power, everything was completely shut off. "There's nothing here", said Rodimus. "We're wasting out time." At that moment, Rodimus felt something against his leg. He looked own. "What's this", he said pointing down toward a string against the front of his leg. "Tripwire", shouted Kup, as he pushed both Rodimus and Springer to the ground just in time for a missile to pass over there heads, and explode against the wall behind them. Rodimus cursed himself silently. He should have been smarter than that. "You boys okay", asked Kup. "I'll live", said Rodimus. "Thanks to you." "Forget it kid. You'd have done the same", said Kup. "I guess someone does not want any visitors." The three of them got up, and continued to look around, being much more careful now. "Look over there", said Kup, pointing to an area on the ground. Rodimus lit it up with a flashlight. Rodimus looked at Springer and Kup. The flashlight was lighting up some tools, placed neatly in a row, and some pieces of broken metal. "Someone has been repairing themselves", said Springer. "Who could it be", said Kup. "Must have been the Predators. They were the only ones still inside of Unicron when he exploded", said Rodimus. "Maybe it's space rats", said Springer. "This is no time for jokes. Call Cybertron. I want a forensics team to go over this place. I want to know who was here, and where they went, and I want it done ten minutes ago", said Rodimus. He was not looking forward to telling Optimus Prime about this.