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Transformers: Parallax

Pre-dawn

Chapter 2 ? Vanishing Point

Location: Polyhex; The Decepticon Crypt

A shadowed being can be seen shuffling from statue to statue, placing his hands upon the visage of Decepticon Warriors that have long since departed.

?Bah, none of them have stayed here?? the massive bot says to his companion who sternly stares at him with disdain ??it?s as if they don?t vant to return?

?Why is it every time you ssay there is Ssomething you NEED to sshow me it is always these blassted sstatues?? Ratbat spat the words to Mindwipe as if he was going to add Mindwipe to the collection.

Turning back to the statues of the Decepticons Mindwipe pleads ?These are our forefathers our generals our inspiration for the future, if ve could communicate vith them ve could..?

?I ssugest you get to your point before I join you with them.? with that Ratbat swooped down from his perch and took new ground on Mindwipe?s chest


Now with undivided attention Mindwipe ?Well Lord Straxus here lead an assault on a group by changing his faction signet, and Megatron wishes to make an example out of one of the Autobot prefectures? vell I vas thinking?



Ratbat ? You ssimpleton? Ssecurity is too high for ssuch a juvenile russe! I sshould rip out your opticss for wassting my time>?



Stumbling backward knowing the validity of Ratbat?s threat Mindwipe now lies on the ground as his salvation steps forward from the shadows, an Autobot, his sleek design and posture give away his purpose, he is a warrior. Ratbat swoops towards him with intent to destroy, but it doesn?t go as planned, the Autobot catches him in midair and using his arm as a brace pins Ratbat to a wall.



?Foolish Autobot, you shall sserve me!? Ratbat begins his sonic control, but nothing happens



?Uh. That von?t vork on him? heh you see he is already.. under my control? Mindwipe now picking himself up off the ground and walks over and behind Vanishing Point ?see if you vere patient? I vas going to explain that the inspiration I got from those that came before us, see VE send in Vanishing Point here to disengage those annoying alarms and early varning systems distract the guards... Who?s gonna expect that from a fine upstanding Autobot citizen of Nova Point visiting Praxus??? Mindwipe looks on at Ratbat for approval, "Da?"



Ratbat contemplates the reaction that Megatron may have with such a plan ?Interessting proposition.. Now release me!?



Mindwipe nods and Vanishing Point releases Ratbat



Ratbat ?I am not sso ssure Megatron would use ssuch a cerebral plan, he iss one to wreck and rule if you follow me.?



Mindwipe ?Vat of his lieutenants, Shockwave, Starscream or Soundwave? Surely one of them could be persuaded to aid our case?



Ratbat ?Ssoundwave or Sshockwave maybe? Sstarsscream would try to blast him on ssight that narrow minded twit?


Mindwipe ? Then vy don?t we make him our example? Vanishing Point? Mission: Assault ? Proxy Target: Megatron? Primary Target: Starscream?



Mindwipe turns to Ratbat ? if he succeeds then... ve have our agent, if he fails? he?s just an Autobot?



Ratbat ?Let uss leave this place and observe our instrument of destruction?



Mindwipe transforms and flees off following Ratbat



Vanishing Point transforms into a Cybertronian speeder and drives off into the darkness to face his targets













Location: Megatron?s Fortress; Thrown Room



Megatron sits in his thrown contemplating which prefecture shall fall before him, which city will bare the scars of war and carry his name into infamy. In his chambers stand his lieutenants Shockwave, Soundwave and Starscream. Each going over aspects of previous raids and battles to further their cause. Soundwave sends Laserbeak off for another Recon mission as Ratbat flies in and pays respect to Megatron and Soundwave.



Starscream ?we really SHOULD have our pest problems looked into? throwing a sharp glance to Ratbat



Soundwave ?Ratbat returns with a plan to assault Iacon?



Starscream ?I thinks he?s got a screw loose if he THINKS we have the man power to launch a full scale ASSAULT on Iacon right now?



Megatron is no more annoyed or tempted by the bickering of his troops at this point, but before he can speak Mindwipe enters the chamber.



Mindwipe ?Oh but I think you should hear him out, Starscream?



Starscream ?LOOK who?s decided to come out of HIS crypt? Starscream turns away from Mindwipe and glances back at Ratbat, ?WHAT do you travel in PACKS now??



Megtron tired of the bickering stands and addresses Starscream ?Silence or you may be the one returning to that crypt, permanently.?



Without warning the crystal dome of the chamber shatters as a Cybertronian speeder falls to the floor of the thrown room, everyone in the room springs to action, the speeder transforms and rushes to the rooms blast door and shoots the control panel, making the room sealed until manually opened again transforming into his speeder mode Vanishing point rushes Shockwave ramming him into his control station and fitting him with one of the very restraining bolts he was working on, then turning his attention to Soundwave only this time dodging Soundwave to allow Starscream's Null ray to do his work for him.



Megatron enraged with the onslaught that one Autobot is doing in his very chambers and the incompetence of his troops, observing the seemingly unconscious Mindwipe, a restrained Shockwave, a panic ridden Starscream and a now disabled Soundwave ?I shall crush you, Autobot?



Vanishing Point continued his attack now centering on Starscream, knowing full and well due to the restricted space, the Decepticon could not make use of his alt. mode. Using hit and run tactics and full use of placement both Megatron and Starscream for the majority of the fight were firing on each other As smoke filled the room Vanishing Point blasted all the lights filling the room with shadows, by now the ruckus had attracted the attention of the Decepticon guards and they were about to open the blast door a single voice rang out above the chaos



Mindwipe ? Vanishing Point STAND DOWN?



With that he stopped his attack and took his place behind his master



?YOU traitorous VERMIN!? Starscream draws his arm cannons down on both the Autobot and Mindwipe



?QUIET FOOL? Megatron shoves Starscream to the side



Starscream ?Whaat, Why? Do you not see he has CONSPIRED to assassinate you and your officers??



Megatron ?Mindwipe, I will give you this one chance to explain yourself, if I so much as think you are lying to me there won?t be enough of you left to put in your crypt?



Mindwipe ?Mighty Megatron, this Autobot, as you can see is totally under my control, imagine if you vill, vould or could an Autobot under any circumstances be able to infiltrate your thrown room? No not even the bravest of Autobots would even consider such a feat, not even a Prime?



Megatron ?You are not proving your case, merely digging your own grave?



Mindwipe ?See if I can make this Autobot do this suicide mission vy can?t I have him do something closer to his design, say infiltrate an Autobot base, or disengage security protocols so that ve, uh oh sorry I mean You may lay siege upon them?



Megatron approaches Mindwipe and grasps him by the throat lifting him



Megatron ?I will use this Autobot for now, if you ever even consider doing something like THIS again there will be no mercy, I will atomize you?



Megatron drops Mindwipe and turns his attention to the Autobot, ?what prefect is he from??



Before Mindwipe could answer Vanishing Point does ?Nova Point?
Mindwipe with a confused complimentary shrug nods the information


Megatron ?Hmm that means he would have security access to Tyrest, Vos and..?



Mindwipe ?and?Praxus?



Megatron ?YES, Praxus will do nicely, STARSCREAM! Clean this mess up, there is much planning that needs to be done?


Location: Praxus; Helix Gardens



A female Autobot approaches an Autobot Protector and buys for his attention ?They really are beautiful aren?t they?



?hmmn? Oh yes-yes they are? heh? the stoic Autobot infirmed



?Prowl, why do you come here, every first cycle? Is it the first light infracting through the methane crystals? the warm bask of the thermal radiance or is it something closer?? the white and red female asked with a coy smile



?Well? my reason is somewhat illogical, you see I well? the Autobot stammered



?Yes...? the female Autobot baited



?Well I? I like the colors! They make me feel ?special,? he blurted out



These were not the word she had been hoping for from the protector, who had without falter been present for each and every one of her care taking sessions for the last 50 astro-cycles



?really..? she said dropping all her enthusiasm



?Hey Sis, will you quit pestering Prowl he?s gotta be in chambers at Iacon in half a cycle? an always cheerful Bluestreak



?Whoa.. uh heh.. if I don?t go now I?ll be late? BYE? with that Prowl speeds off



?Don?t worry Sis, he?s crazy about you? says Bluestreak as his friend disappears from sight



?Really? ? How would you know? ? Did he tell you? ? What? ? What did he tell you?? she began a barrage of questioning upon her brother



?We're best friends, almost like brothers... Did he stammer?? he said while glancing over his shoulder


?well yes? he ? always.. Does?? and as if someone had suddenly rerouted her laser core she lit up


?Next time you see him ask him what those favorite colors are, betcha he says red and.. white? Bluestreak says with a Cheshire smile


Unnoticed above them sat Laserbeak, observing the entire series of events; he then flew off to present his findings to Megatron.

Just beyond the horizon Praxus could be seen, there at the edge was Megatron and his troops, among them Soundwave awaits his faithful scout. Without avail Laserbeak returns, and presents several ?Candidates? to Megatron.



?That ONE, the blue red and gray protector CALLED Bluestreak, without a doubt HE would spread news of the MIGHT of MEGATRON, you SEE how he already spreads such nonsense WITHOUT provocation.? Starscream said with his characteristic sneer



?What you say is true, Starscream, but I like neither your tone nor implication.? Megatron glared back at the seeker ?He shall be our Witness? make sure not to damage him, now send in our visitor?



With that order Mindwipe beckons forth for the Autobot Vanishing Point to go forth and set into motion the events that nightmares are made of?.



Location: Praxus Checkpoint Terminal 218

Vanishing Point approaches the terminal and enters his security access codes. The terminal screen lights up and requests his destination and business.


?Guardian station? security protocol upgrade? Vanish stares at the terminal awaiting clearance

The terminal flashes over to the Autobot within the security center. Seen on the screen is Chase, who scrambles from his seat once he recognizes Vanishing Point


?Vanish? That you bub? Where?ve ya been? It?s been ages!? the red scout begins prattling off in such a way that Vanishing Point is unable to even respond. ?No prob. Bub, swing by sometime you?re not on the job? we?ll catch up and stuff, anyway, anyway I gotta make a run to Kalis, man o man Searchlights gonna flip, well not flip he?ll probably just do his ?heh, that so?? bit? as Chase continues to barrage Vanishing Point with his banter as he drops the entry way energy shield. ?I?ll let you go man, Later!?



The terminal resets to its default screen and Vanish makes his way into Praxus, just in view is the entrance to the Helix Gardens, just on the other side is the Guardian station?his target. Vanishing Point enters the gardens, unwaivered by the splendor of the crystals suspended within the methane vapor, he passes several Autobots and Unaligned bots, but his stride is stopped when a single individual enters his field of vision, Bluestreak, Megatron?s hand picked survivor. Bluestreak stood talking with his sister Ardor. Just before exiting the gardens he turned around and looked back, Vanishing Point?s gaze fell upon the ill-fated siblings, as a cold surge went through his cerebral core, knowing something was not right, none of this was right, what was he doing here? It had felt as if he had just cycled on, awaking from a dream, when he suddenly heard a voice, faint at first but slowly it became louder and clearer, it beckoned for him to do his deeds set forth for him by his masters, it was Mindwipe?s program once again taking root control of Vanishing Point, and once again Vanishing Point was lost to Decepticon control.



Vanishing Point?s optics once again grew cold as he came upon the Guardian of Praxus. Orion Supreme. Orion Supreme turned to Vanishing Point, acknowledging his presence.



Vanishing Point walks up to the guardian and removes a purple and black data-tablet ?Orion Supreme, I?ve been dispatched to upload these security upgrades to your data core?



?You?re request has been received, and verified with Security station 218? Orion Supreme?s thunderous voice ran out in compliance ?Upload to begin momentarily?



With that, Orion Supreme transformed into his security outpost form, Vanishing Point walked over to Orion Supreme?s tank module, where the data core his located, and inserted the data-tablet, Orion Supreme began a full stream download of the data, however this was no ordinary data-tablet, it was Ratbat, now with full control of the giant sentry, Orion Supreme transformed back into his Robot mode and this time Ratbat?s voice ran out ?Let the Ssslaughter begin!!!? Orion supreme raised his ion cannon to the sky and blasted the Praxus dome generator, and as the shield dissipates the sky is clouded with Decepticons, swooping in taking targets. Megatron, Shockwave and Starscream all converge upon the puppets, Orion Supreme and Vanishing Point.



Starscream triumphantly announced, ?This NIGHT will forever be remembered REVERED and feared, as the CROWNING jewel of the Decepticon RULE of Cybertron?



Megatron ?For once we agree, Starscream? Megatron turns to his amber eyed general ?Shockwave, our VIP is somewhere in the garden, would you so kind as to escort him to his place in history?



?Yes, as you wish, Mighty Megatron? the violet Decepticon acknowledged his orders while gunning down two fleeing Autobots.



Megatron looks up to see an Autobot falling to his doom as Mindwipe releases him ?Rest in pieces, may your mortal coil be shed and become one with all creation?



?There are timessss when you disssturb even me, Mindwipe? Ratbat?s voice bellowed from Orion Supreme as he leveled a building with a ion blast, Ratbat looks around ?where is the puppet??





Within the cover of the Helix Gardens Ardor and Bluestreak scramble for cover, as they watch the terror unfold, through the haze of the methane they see a massive frame emerge from the chaos within the city, it is Shockwave, and he is coming for Bluestreak.



?This can?t be happening.? Bluestreak tried to make sense of the situation, but in war sense is an often, rare commodity.



?We?ve got to get out of here, get help, do something,? Ardor pleaded to her brother.



They could hear Shockwave drawing ever closer to them, suddenly they are both pulled back, and to the side into a methane vent, there their mouths are covered by the gray Autobot, Vanishing Point, ?If you want to live, follow me? the two nodded understanding as he removed his hands from their faces.



?THERE you are you insignificant data stream,? Shockwave yelled as he fired into the vent, barely missing Bluestreak



?RUN!!? Vanishing Point?s outburst would be the last thing Ardor would hear, as she turned to make her escape, Shockwave fired, Vanishing Point dove to take the blast but he was not fast enough, the blast tore through his right arm, incinerating it, had the blast hit him in center mass she might have escaped, but that was not the case, the blast continued on, made contact with her, tearing her in two.



The hushed screams of agony coming from Vanishing Point and the mind shattering still silence of his sister?s form taxed too much for the young Autobot, Bluestreak fell to despair, beckoning on for the Decepticon to silence this all too real nightmare. Shockwave picked up Bluestreak by his neck, lifting him so that he stood eye to eye with the Decepticon. His sorrow was once again replaced with fear Bluestreak clawed at Shockwave?s chest and gripped at his throat to try and break free, this angered the already agitated Shockwave, he drew his arm cannon up to Bluestreak?s face, in desperation Bluestreak pushed away at the cannon, when he had given up hope, it was renewed, another hand had joined the struggle it was that of Vanishing Point.



?You cannot? harm him? Megatron wants him remember?? Vanishing Point?s words echoed through Bluestreak?s mind



Shockwave and Vanishing Point emerged from the Helix Gardens with their target. Shockwave still had Bluestreak in hand; Soundwave had already joined Megatron and Starscream awaiting the moment of triumph.



?Ratbat? Return? Soundwave ordered his companion to return so that the guardian could take his place among the victims.



Ratbat took his place on Soundwave?s shoulder as Megatron Transformed and blasted a hole in the chest of Orion Supreme sending him stumbling backwards into the entrance of the Helix Garden. Bluestreak looked on unable to do anything as he was passed on to Soundwave and Mindwipe to hold while Shockwave transformed into his gun mode, he and Megatron drew down on the shattered visage of Orion Supreme and fired upon him, as his laser core went critical it ignited the methane within the garden. The destruction of Praxus was complete.



Megatron turned to the weary Autobot ?Remember this, I am Megatron, Lord of the Decepticons, the fate of Praxus will be shared with all those who oppose me.? A sinister grin enveloped Megatron?s face as he ordered his troops to return to base ?We?re done here?



Mindwipe collected Vanishing Point who was still carrying the remnants of his arm, as they flew off, Vanishing Point could see Autobot rescue teams and troops on the horizon.







Location: Praxus one half cycle after the Decepticons departure



Prowl is one of the first on the scene, he searches desperately for Ardor and Bluestreak. His worst fear are realized when he comes upon the ruins of the Helix Gardens. He makes his way past the body of Orion Supreme. Bluestreak is found sitting approximately where He and Ardor encountered Shockwave. Prowl walks up to him as if he had seen a ghost, Bluestreak looks up to him with a hysterical tremor to his voice ?He said his name was Megatron, he did this, that gray bastard did this, that? that monster? as Prowl approached Bluestreak to try to offer his help he saw what was left of Ardor, as prepared as he was for the worst, seeing her cold lifeless shell was too much for him, Prowl fell to his knees, Together they had lost their home, Bluestreak had lost his sister, Prowl his love, there they promised each other they would see this to it?s end, they would make the Decepticons pay for what they did.