Ep0.5 - The Eagle has Landed (Open)

[Deleted]

In the flickering void of space, a single speck, barely visible, drifted in a predetermined course toward the solar system’s blue and green planet. In passing time, the speck grew and discernable features arose to reveal the speck’s identity – a starhopper. The starhopper flew through space unchallenged and undisturbed. The single passenger ship’s pilot stead fully guided it through the system’s asteroid belt with concentration and care. A skilled flyer himself, space flight required different dynamics and skill.

Eventually, the pilot steered past a red dust planet and adjusted his flight path for the final stretch. Settling in a stationary orbit around, the green and blue planet’s moon and activating scanners on the planet below, absorbing the basic data for himself.

The long voyage from his back water garrison was nearly over – several orns long to be more exact. The summons he’d received from the Decepticon flagship certainly shocked the mech at first with little explanation for the reason of the transfer. The flyer had wasted little time preparing before commencing on his journey. Hundreds of vorns had past since he’d served directly under the Warrior Reformer – now Decepticon Leader – and given his oath of allegiance to the mighty Megatronus.

The pilot flickered a switch above his view screen, opening a channel on the Decepticon frequencies.

::Decepticon Flagship Nemesis, this is D-con Starhopper Beta-12. Do you copy me?::

::Decepticon Dreadheart awaiting response::

[Deleted]

On the command deck of the Nemesis, Megatron sent a curt glyph for the Eradicon drone on Communications to leave the transmission. His summons for Dreadheart seemed eons ago now, and with the Warship destroyed and Barricade still missing (Though not dead - still somehow draining energy from him, and if that was enabling his refusal to go to the Well of Sparks, then that was fine.), the stalwart old guard couldn't have arrived at a better time.

It didn't occur to him to reply with his designation. His voice, field and visage were unmistakable - to Decepticons and Autobots alike.

::Welcome back to the front line, Dreadheart.

[Deleted]

::My lord.:: The warrior tilted his helm, acknowledging Megatron’s brief greeting. :: It is indeed a privilege to serve with you once again. ::

Dreadheart schooled his faceplates carefully. Revealing his anticipation to be away from the mundane routines of the garrison was unbecoming, especially upon entering Megatron presence again. He thumbed two switches upward, for portside thrusters, and immediately corrected his orbital flight. The view of the green and blue planet grew in size over the moon’s horizon.

::I am transmitting my coordinates to the Nemesis’s mainframe.:: Navigational keys punched and inputted data streamed across the frequency. :: I shall be able to rendezvous with the flagship in approximately 3 breems::

[Deleted]

::The Nemesis is not currently in fixed orbit around thing planet, and shielded from even your sensors. You will transmit rendezvous co-ordinates in two and a half breems.::

Megatron brushed a talon over the mini-console adjacent to his throne, summoning up the slow flight path of the warship. Much as he trusted Soundwave's abilities to preserve the security of their comm. channels, with Blaster now amidst the Autobots, he was not going to leave anything to chance. Dreadheart would understand as much.

::What is your status, my warrior? As a spark-true Decepticon, I trust that you are keen to visit your presence upon the Autobots huddling on this world. How soon do you anticipate being fit to serve me once more?::

[Deleted]

::As you wish, Megatron::

The fatigue from the long flight weighed down on him and his wings twitched ever so slight from the prolong cramp quarters. Settling in the Nemesis sooner was preferable, but he’d wait upon his Lord’s command. His discipline mind locked away the discomfort. A while longer would make little difference.

::My wings are yours to command, my Lord. As soon as I've selected an appropriate form for this world.::

Dreadheart met Megatron’s gaze unflinching over the holodisplay. His next words, however, came forward more slowly.

::If I may be so bold to inquiry, what’s the current progress of our forces returning to Cybertron?::

[Deleted]

::On hold, until the Prime's last stand is brought to its inevitable end:: Megatron replied, the slick smile of anticipation falling easily across his features. ::Fear not, Dreadheart - the Decepticons will return to Cybertron, and we will ressurect it to be stronger than ever before.::

Be that through Dark Energon, if he could not retrieve the Matrix from Optimus's greying body.

::Dock, refuel if needed, and then report in for a full debriefing. I shall be quite interested in what news you bring from the far reaches.::

[Deleted]

The lone starhopper docked within the landing bay of the Nemesis, its long journey finally over. The single-passenger ship groaned with many creaks and hisses as various systems shut down to standby. Slowly, but surely, after a few kliks of absolute stillness, the cockpit hatch raised with a droning hum. The transformer within appeared to optic view, fierce blood red crimson gleamed from his battle armor contrasting with a dulled matte black protoform underneath. Traces of old scars laced his rigid frame and enhanced his already intimidating appearance.

Vaulting over the side of the cockpit, the warrior landed solidly with an experienced flier’s grace, not a stumble or miss step to be seen. A slight scowl crossed his faceplates, his optic ridges narrowing at the lack of protocol failing to greet him in the hanger. Vehicons pattered along the edges of the bays seeing to their own business and ignoring the new arrival. Well, things would need to be changed and discipline enforced.

Dreadheart spared a moment to subtly ease the kinks out of servos and cramped wings. His afterburners released a quiet swoosh of air in relief. He looked forward to some flying time later after he’d settled. At the moment, he found him waiting indignitly for his assigned greeter.

[starscream]

Watching the fellow Seeker Starscream was pleased to see he had all the balance and skill of a true Seeker had not faded from Dreadheart. The crimson Seeker seemed to be taken back by the small group to greet him. The group was very small as it looked to be none at first. Starscream had wanted to see the Seeker and what he acted like before going to meet him. And as a true Seeker Dreadheart was annoyed by so few there but that would change. After all Starscream was out to meet the new Decepticon.

Moving out and going to meet Dreadheart to talk to him Starscream was sure to walk in a calm and even way, his wings at the normal high and back confident place. He wanted to be sure Dreadheart was on the right side. His. “Dreadheart. So good of you to join up with us. Did Lord Megatron call for you? I hope the ride was as pleasant as could be.”

[Deleted]

The greeting came from his left, Dreadheart narrowed in his attention on the approaching gray seeker. His wings flared out unconsciously, an age old flyer display of challenge of dominance. Dreadheart’s optics narrowed in slight distain. He’d heard rumors of the sleazy Decepticon 2IC and wasn’t without a pang of jealousy that his leader would keep such a Decepticon close at hand while ordering the old guard to maintain a presence either in deep in the front lines or later on the fringes of space. However, he would wait and make a final conclusion of Starscream based on his own observations.

He stood to full attention, arms crossed behind his back, in respect to a superior officer present. Dreadheart addressed the Air Commander curtly, “My journey is irrelevant, simply I’m at here at my lord’s summons, indeed, though his specific reasons were sparse aside from the need for additional *reliable* forces.”

The sentence was carefully phrased, deliberately so in testing the grounds with Starscream.

[starscream]

When Dreadheart’s wings flared out in challenge Starscream’s wings went out as well. Dreadheart had height on Starscream, a number of mechs were higher, but Starscream had always used this to his advantage, letting his speed work for him. And he was fast. As Dreadheart’s wings went back to a rest position Starscream’s wings stayed forward for a long enough time to show his dominance. No one would question his power even if by accident and get away with it.

As Dreadheart come to attention Starscream let his wings go back to rest. All the while Starscream was watching the new Seeker with a close optic. At Dreadheart’s words Starscream hid his disappointment from his faceplate and EM field. It seemed as if this Seeker was of the disloyal ones to the Seekers, Starscream knew Dreadheart would be from what Starscream remembered and from the files, that Dreadheart was loyal to Megatron, but Starscream could hope to have another. Starscream would have to be sure to keep up his ‘Lord Megatron’ with Dreadheart. “Reliable forces are hard to come by for Lord Megatron, Dreadheart. This means it is with relief you are here.”

[Deleted]

“Then I will have my work cut out for me, Commander Starscream,” he nodded.

Stepping out of formation, Dreadheart paced to the side, never quite turning his back on the 2IC, his optics scanning and analyzing all the busy activity around them. He grimaced mildly. The decepticons were far too dependent on fighting drones. Programmed combat abilities could only carry a mechanism so far. In so far from his experiences, drones rarely exceeded their programed limitations. An outcome of a battle could very well depend on it. Dreadheart would tribute grudging respect to the Autobots in this matter. They held out so long against Megatron in part from their determination. They would even surprise him with a worthy foe from time to time.

“I shall not waste thy time, Commander, nor keep thee from thy other duties in serving our lord much longer,” Dreadheart addressed formally, “Though my lord may explain in greater detail, I wish to know recent events and our position upon this world.”

[starscream]

Watching Dreakheart take stock of the drones and take note of the work Starscream was glad all was in working order. While some of the drones seemed to become more and more intelligent and have a much better AI system some seemed to just be as they should. Drones that would take an order and do as told not a thought in their processor. Starscream missed the mindless drones and did not like the more advanced Vehicons even if they did do better against the Autobots. It was just one more, or many more in this case, processors to out think and maneuver.

Why must the mech talk like that? A processor glitch was coming now. “Of course Dreadheart, the situation is interesting to say the least.” There was a look of great dissatisfaction. After all the war ship was gone. Why did Starscream even find himself surprised it was gone? “The short version is we had a great warship and it was lost thanks to the Autobots. Lord Megatron’s…..well our Lord seems to have space madness and Knockout is working to fix the problem as best can be done.”

Starscream let that sink in before continuing on. “I am not sure what to call our position on Earth.” Starscream thought for a short time. “The native inhabitants do not know we exist and as such are easy to study and collect. They have no real use as far as has been noted. However there is one group. They are a danger and should you find them kill all you can and destroy what they have and use. It would be smart if possible to keep the leader of the group alive to question. But after it would be best to off-line him as well.”