Book V
     "Dark Times, Part II"

     Chapter XIX
     "Decepticons Forever"


     "I can't believe it", said
Spike.  Spike clicked the control
turning off the television.
     Carly stood next to Spike's
hospital bed.  "It must be a
mistake", said Carly.
     "I've got to get out of here",
said Spike.  He climbed out of bed,
slowly, and went to the closet to get
his clothes.
     "Spike, you aren't going
anywhere.  You may not have been hurt
badly, but you still need some rest."
     "Carly...", Spike paused.  "The
Doctor says Daniel will be alright. 
You and Daniel have to get off this
planet.  The Omega Contingency calls
for Hospitals to have priority
clearance, you and Daniel will be on
Cybertron within 24 hours."
     "Come with us Spike", said
Carly, blinking back the tears.
     Spike walked over to his wife,
and put his arms around her.  He
kissed her.  "Carly, I have to go.  I
am a human, but I am as much an
Autobot as Optimus Prime.  I need to
be here now."
     Carly hugged Spike.  "I know
Spike.  Just promise me you'll get to
Cybertron as soon as you can."
     "I promise", said Spike.


     Optimus Prime drove slowly down
the road.  He knew there were ten
other places he should be, doing ten
different things, but right now,
there was only one thing he was going
to do.  The very thought that he had
lost Earth to the Decepticons was
tearing him apart.  Optimus had never
forgiven himself for bringing the
Decepticons to Earth.  And now, the
people of Earth would pay the
ultimate price.  They were losing
their planet.  Optimus tried to tell
himself that he had no other choice. 
If they tried to fight, the death
toll would be staggering.  It was
that thought alone in which Optimus
could take comfort.
     Optimus transformed, and walked
up the small hill to where Elita
One's statue was.
     "Sorry I haven't visited in a
while Elita.  A lot has happened
lately."  Optimus sat on the ground,
and looked up at the statue of Elita
One.  The sun was setting, and it was
beautiful.
     "Elita...I failed.  I swore to
protect this planet that I
endangered, and I failed.  The Omega
Contingency has been put into effect. 
Megatron has Earth."  Optimus stood
there for a long while.  The guilt he
felt ate at him.
     Optimus took a small device out
of subspace, and attached it to the
side of Elita's monument.
     "Activate", said Optimus.
     The statue shimmered for a
moment, and then vanished, invisible. 
Percepter had put this little device
together for him.  It would mask
Elita's statue from every form of
sensor.  Megatron might have Earth,
but at least Elita would be safe
here, undisturbed.
     Optimus went back to the road,
and transformed.  It was time to put
his guilt and personal feelings aside
and get back to doing his job.  As
terrible as the situation looked,
Optimus still had one ace up his
sleeve.  But was it a wise course of
action?  Might it only cost more
lives?  Only time would tell.


     In northern Canada at the
Decepticons current base of
operations, a celebration was taking
place.  Megatron, Nightbird, and the
Xformers were celebrating their
victory over the Autobots.
     "The Earth is ours", bellowed
Megatron, as he took another drink of
energeon.  They were all a little
over energized.  "Decepticons
forever!"
     The others cheered him on as he
went on to boast about his brilliant
plan.  Then, the door chimed.
     "Come in", said Megatron.
     The door opened, and in came
Soundwave and Skyquake.
     "Soundwave, my loyal friend, it
is good to see you", said Megatron,
slightly slurring his words.
     "It is good to see you again
almighty Megatron.  It is your finest
hour", said Soundwave.
     "Why don't you just get down on
all four's and kiss his ass
literally", said Skyquake.
     Soundwave moved toward Skyquake,
with every intention of tearing out
his throat, but Megatron stepped
between them.  "Soundwave, don't let
this poor excuse for a Decepticon
bother you.  He's just jealous of
what has been accomplished without
him", said Megatron.
     "Megatron, you are not fit to
lead the Decepticons", said Skyquake. 
"Optimus Prime killed you, defeated
you.  You lost your authority to lead
the Decepticons."
     "Watch what you say Starscream. 
I was disappointed when I thought you
were dead.  I thought I had been
denied the pleasure of destroying
you.  Perhaps now, I'll get my
chance."
     "Megatron, you don't have nearly
the power you believe you do.  Even
now, a portion of your army has
agreed to follow me.  And don't call
me Starscream", finished Skyquake.
     "Who in their right mind would
follow you", said Megatron, confident
that Skyquake was bluffing.
     "The Combaticons,
Constructicons, Triple Changers, and
the Cassettes have all agreed to
follow me", said Skyquake.
     "Never", said Soundwave.  "The
Cassettes would never follow you."
     "In case you haven't noticed",
began Skyquake, "You're not a tape
deck anymore."
     Megatron began to move toward
Skyquake, but Skyquake pulled out his
weapon.  "That's close enough
Megatron.  I've got to get going, my
army and I have much to do."  With
that, Skyquake turned and headed out
the door.
     Soundwave moved to go after him,
but Megatron stopped him.  "Let him
go", said Megatron.
     "But Megatron, we can't let him
escape", said Soundwave.
     "On the contrary, that's exactly
what we'll do.  Starscream is a
brilliant scientist, superb fighter
and strategist, and decent commander,
but he has one flaw that will prevent
him from succeeding in his plans."
     "What would that be", asked
Nightbird.
     "He needs to beat me", said
Megatron.  "Sure, he took command of
the Decepticons after my death, but
he needs to stand over my dead body
and declare that he has defeated me,
and is the new leader of the
Decepticons."
     "I see", said Soundwave.  "His
determination to defeat you clouds
his judgement, and that is to our
advantage."
     "Exactly", said Megatron.
     This whole time, the five
Xformers had been gathered on the
other side of the room.  Soundwave
had noticed them, but had not thought
much about them.  "I take it those
are the Xformers you told me about",
said Soundwave.
     "Yes", said Megatron.  "They
don't say much, they mostly keep to
themselves, but they are absolutely
loyal to me, and in a fight, they are
our greatest asset."
     Megatron introduced Soundwave to
Wolverine, Spider, Storm, and
Cyclops.  Thing wanted no part of
meeting anyone.
     "When are we going to attack",
said Thing.
     "Soon", said Megatron, "soon."
     "Single minded, isn't he", said
Soundwave.
     "Yes, he is.  He didn't turn out
exactly as I had predicted, but his
power, and destructive abilities are
tremendous.  Come Soundwave, I'll
show you how I created them."