Fandom Transformers: More than Meets the Eye

[Rusty of Shackleford]

For eons, our home has been engulfed in a brutal civil war. Our once prosperous planet has fallen into decay, the very core of our planet ceasing it's production of Energon, our lifeblood. While there are still reserves of it left, we cannot survive much longer. I know not what we must do to survive, but I do know this: Cybertron is too small, and too prescious, for the Autobots and the Decepticons to co-exist.

The Cybertronian Civil War has been raging for eons, most soldiers forgetting what it was like to even live on old Cybertron. In the Autobot ranks, there is a split: one says the only solution is to flee Cybertron, and to seek a way to save it among the stars. Another says to stand and fight, and that the core will fix itself. But hope is slowly fading. No one has heard from Primus since the core was corrupted by Megatron, and hope they ever will is slim. Among the Decepticons, however... we're not so sure. They're up to... something, no one's really sure what, though. They're looking for something, or to do something, and that's about it. But something is coming, something that will propel these two sides into a battle that encompasses the stars, and maybe bring an end to the war itself.

Autobots
Optimus Prime
"Last of the Primes"
Optimus stood in the control room of Autobot City, the large, neon lit room shaking constantly from the fighting outside. He was trying to organize the Autobots counter charge, gathering any and all able-bodied soldiers to do so. The Prime was battle-weary, his paint chipped and worn, his bright blue optics looking tired of conflict. Scouts reported that this was an average Decepticon attack, nothing special. It was meant to slowly wittle them down until they were out manned and out gunned. They only option was to push the Decepticons back, and pray to Primus they did enough damage to keep them back.

He was with Perceptor, planning out the attack. Their current plan was for the Aerialbots to provide air support while the ground troops flanked the enemy. It was the best option they had, seeing as many of their tanks were either wounded or extinguished after the last battle. Optimus sighed, saying, "Alright, Perceptor. Send out the plan to the commanders. All we'll need is some Energon, and a lot of luck..."

Bumblebee and Arcee
"Opposites Attract"
Bumblebee leaned over the bit of metallic rubble him and Arcee were perched on, spotting the Decepticon force making it's way to base. "Man, looks like Megatron really likes this strategy, huh Arcee?" Arcee sighed, saying, "Yeah, but keep your head down, Bee. They'll see us." Bee's optics widened, the diminutive Autobot quickly going prone. The two made a good team, since they were both quick and small enough to hide easily. Bee sighed, saying, "C'mooon. Let's goooo. I think we have enough intel." Arcee shook her head, saying, "We can't go, Bee. Orders say that we're supposed to stick here unt-" As she said this, some Seekers flew over them, Arcee finishing her sentence with, "Until we're put in danger. C'mon!" Bee cheered, the two transforming and getting the scrap back to base.

Windblade
"Last of the Cityspeakers"
Windblade liked new things. Well, new things that were native to her home planet. But this ship? Man, was it weird. The crew was...morally ambiguous at best, but they were nice, at least. Except for the doctor. He gave her the creeps. Chromia was really nice, though. They were getting along pretty nicely so far. In fact, Windblade was currently talking with Chromia in the bar, trying to pass the time until they reached Cybertron. She had yet to divulge why she needed to go there, only saying that she absolutely had to, and presented an ample amount of money to Alita. She didn't know what to think about Alita. She wasn't even sure where the bot came from, and was pretty afraid to ask, honestly. She was just trying to be friendly until they got there. And she had no idea how she was getting home. But she'd cross that bridge when she got there. She always did.

Decepticons

Soundwave
"Operation: Serve Megatron"
Soundwave was smart. He was an excellent espionage specialist, hence his place at Megatron's side. So it was no suprise when Soundwave had snuck Lazerbeak into the Autobot base. The bird had recorded most of Optimus and Perceptor's plan, broadcasting it to Soundwave. The emotionless machine then recalled Lazerbeak, saying in his familiar robotic tone, "Excellent, Lazerbeak. Return." Once Lazerbeak was back at base, Soundwave appeared before Megatron, bowing as he said, "Lord Megatron, Lazerbeak has returned." He turned into his familiar boom box form, plugging into a screen to show the entire exchange to Megatron. He was completely silent, letting his work do the talking.

Onslaught
"Herding Cats"
Onslaught was where he usually was: in the command room. He had no intention of getting his hands dirty, and was planning out what they were doing. Keeping up with all the Decepticons, with all their alterior motives, while also trying to get them to carry out complicated plans that rely on teamwork and efficiency...well, it was like herding cats. He might as well not even try. He'd found plans work best for when he was working with his team, of with someone who could follow orders. Like Soundbarrier. Soundbarrier could follow orders. Starscream, on the other hand, only followed an order when he felt like it. Like most Decepticons, Onslaught hated Starscream, and just wished he was under Megatron's direct control, instead of the snivelling snake known as Starscream.

Soundbarrier
"Just About Done with Starscream"
Soundbarrier stood with his men on top of a ruined building, his arms crossed as he viewed the battlefield. They were to wait here until told otherwise, and order many of his soldiers weren't keen in following. He'd had to put several in their place already, and he was growing impatient himself. At least Slipstream wasn't complaining. Finally, one of the Seekers stood up, saying, "Hey, when are we gonna scrapping attack? In a century?" Soundbarrier frowned, turning to say, "We'll attack when we're ordered to. That's when." The Flier crossed his arms cockily, saying, "Oh yeah? When Starscream tells us? That idiot couldn't give a good order if it meant being king!" Soundbarrier quickly grabbed the dissenter's throat, saying, "My word is final. We wait for out orders. This will be the last time I say this. Do you understand?" The bot nodded, his CO letting him go as Slipstream said, "Oh, Primus. He oiled himself." Soundbarrier scoffed, turning away as he patiently waited.

capMARVELOUS
Crenando
_Exodus_
Phantom Thief of Hearts
@Cicada3301
Tater Tot​

 

[_Exodus_]

Autobots
First Aid
First Aid was in a chaotic lab station. Autobots flooded the station. He had never seen such carnage in his life. He worked quickly with each of them, hoping he could patch them up until he could properly heal them. It was rough and tedious work, but it needed to be done. He had heard something about Optimus’ plan with the aerial bots. He had recently fixed some of them and he fixed them better. Their combined form, Superion, is a major asset, especially at this point in the war.

Cerebros
Cerebros was helping with the war effort and diagnostics with the play by play action. He wanted so badly to get down there and do something, anything to help. He handed off his job to blaster before running towards the battle field. He transformed into his armored truck alternate mode as he headed towards the battle.


Decepticons
Reflector
Reflector was spread across the battlefield. He was the most useful when it came to battle reports and coordination since he could be in three places at once.
“Lord Megatron, the Autobots are pinned down,” viewfinder radios to the big bot himself.
He watched as the ones known as Arcee and Bumble bee fled.
Spyglass and Spectro weren’t getting much of anything. Their side being active, not interesting.

Counterpunch
Counterpunch smirked as he looked at the wasteland they created, such a beautiful scene the Autobots didn’t understand. He caught himself feeling remorse, some good part of his wanting to break free. An illusion of his Autobot self stood next to him.
“Find out what Megatron is doing,” His good self ordered.
“What if I don’t comply? You’ll remove me? Remember I am you, and you are me. I know every though in your head. We’re the same person,” Counterpunch retorts, “But I will find Megtron.”
Counterpunch marches off to find Megatron and be an Autobot spy.​

 

[capMARVELOUS]

AUTOBOTS
Chromedome​

Also present at the planning session with Optimus and Perceptor was Chromedome, who was only half-paying attention. The melancholy 'bot fiddled with a loose piece of his alt-mode kibble as he slowly drifted further and further away from the strategy meeting, and further and further inward. Not for the first time during the course of the war, he wondered exactly why he had bothered to try and contribute something. He was just a lonely mnemosurgeon out for a bit of revenge, a fellow with an incredibly niche set of dubious skills that were only called upon in very specific circumstances. He didn't have as good a strategic mind as his fellow scientist, nor the capacity to command like his leader, nor still the firepower of many of his fellow Autobots; he was just... sort of there. Unsure of how he could help.

Powerglide​

Powerglide was having a blast. Figuratively and literally. The flier was busy darting in between gunshots and explosions, tearing into whatever he could aim his alt-mode's nose Gatling at. Converting back into robot mode, he dropped to the ground, released a bomb from his forearm compartment into his hand, and tossed it at a nearby group of 'Cons who were firing at two retreating 'Bots. The explosion was incredibly satisfying. Cackling gleefully, he returned to plane mode and continued his aerial acrobatics. Here and there, shots grazed him, but it was nothing major. Yet. Out of the corner of his viewfinder, he noticed what looked like a small group of inactive 'Cons standing atop a wrecked building. Time for some extra proactivity, he thought as he changed course, heading for them and preparing two bombs for them.

Fortress Maximus​

Down on the ground, it was a lot less glamorous, as Fortress Maximus led a small platoon toward the Decepticons' command center, approaching it from the side rather than head-on. Unfortunately, the sides of the command center turned out to be a lot more well-defended than the strategy meeting had first let on. The enemy unloaded shot after shot, blast after blast, barrage after barrage at the oncoming Autobots, and most of those shots found hits. On Fort Max. He grunted in pain as each shot met its mark, but still he pushed on, firing back with every piece of integrated weaponry he had at the Decepticons. Deep down, he knew he couldn't keep this up forever. He needed reinforcements. And quickly. In between shots, he tapped his personal beacon, which would show his location to those in the control room and indicate that he needed help. (He'd radio in and ask, but he still hadn't gotten his voice box fixed.)

TITANEERS
Elita One​

Elita One sat in the captain's chair of the Titan, running her hands through the briefcase full of shanix that their new passenger- Windblade, was it?- had offered in exchange for passage to Cybertron. While the Titaneers did not usually take passengers, they had been on their way to Cybertron anyway, only stopping for a brief rest on Caminus, and Windblade had been very adamant about receiving transport there. Elita picked out one particular coin and examined it more closely. It was of fresh Camien mint, only put out into circulation in the last half a cycle. For someone to come into such a large amount of such new coin was rare, and it pointed to the possessor being very important. This intrigued Elita; she'd have to find out more about their new acquaintance soon. But not now. Now, she had a ship to run. She returned the coin to the briefcase, closed it, and returned her attention to the bridge crew.

Chromia​

Chromia poured Windblade a glass of engex and slid it over the counter to her. Despite the "No Smoking" sign that hung next to the counter, she puffed on a lit cigar; it was her bar, she could do whatever she wanted, even if it went against her own bar rules. She liked Windblade, even though it was still a bit odd having passengers; she was friendly and polite enough, which was a good change of pace from the strict, crude, or creepy folks that usually populated the Titan. And she was kinda cute, in all honesty.

"So, Caminus, eh?" she was asking. "What's it like there? Can't say I've spent too much time there m'self, other than that pit stop you found us at."

Trepan​

The shifty doctor Trepan sat at his desk in the medibay, idly toying about with the brain module he kept there as... decoration. Waiting for something to do. Anything at all. As he waited, he thought. The newcomer, Windblade, didn't like him, of that he was sure. But that was to be expected. Not many people did. She wanted passage to Cybertron, which was good for the Titaneers, as they had already been planning to go there anyway. And it was especially good for him. He had... business that he needed to conduct there, that he had been planning for a while. So everything was going according to plan. His plan. He grinned to himself as he felt the familiar patterns on the brain module. Yes...

DECEPTICONS
Swindle​

Swindle sat in the control room next to his boss, Onslaught, spending the time there switching his attention between the command screen and rummaging through his cache of stuff. He had no intention of joining the battle just yet, not while things were still raging outside. He'd risk damaging his stuff, and Primus knew he couldn't afford to have his stuff damaged. Instead, he'd wait until things died down and the Autobots were on the run; then he'd come out and test his new BFG-model rocket launcher. Which he'd then pawn off to the first schmuck that wanted its amazing, totally-not-tampered-with destructive power for himself.

Cyclonus​

Atop the ruined building, Cyclonus stood, arms crossed, surveying the scene with the rest of the Seekers. He didn't appreciate Soundbarrier's reluctance to enter the fray; weren't they supposed to be one of the best platoons in the Decepticon faction? To stand here idly would just be a waste of time, not to mention their lack of action would play a key part in losing the day. If this battle was to be one, something needed to be done. And, far away, he saw something. Two retreating Autobots, one yellow, one pink. Wonderful. He leapt off the building, converted to jet mode, and left the Seekers to fight the oncoming Autobot bomber as he sped off to intercept the two retreaters. Once on top of them, he converted back to robot mode and slammed into the ground, his feet leaving dents in the ground as he drew one of his longswords and hunkered into a ready stance.

"Where do you two think you're going?"

Shrapnel​

Must break free, free... must escape, escape... must feed on delicious metal, metal... kill and eat and then repeat, repeat...
These thoughts cycled through the mind of the beast Shrapnel, as he strained against his bonds, trying to escape Shockwave's underground laboratory and make his way to the surface, and the battle above.

 

[Phantom Thief of Hearts]

THE DECEPTICONS
Rusty of Shackleford capMARVELOUS _Exodus_​

Megatron watched as Soundwave's intel showed him what he already knew... The Autobots are on the defensive with their city in chaos. "Inform Starscream to continue the Assault on Autobot City," Megatron commanded Soundwave, "


Elsewhere...

A Massive Tank rolled over damaged Autobot soldiers that desperately tried to protect Autobot City. The Tank then transformed into the Master of Metallikato, Bludgeon. A small army of Autobots charged at Bludgeon, who in turn drew out his energo-sword, "Fools! Even an army is no match for the Master of Metallikato!" Bludgeon quickly slaughtered the Autobot soldiers with ease, as expected for the skilled martial artist.

Starscream's voice was heard over the Decepticons' comm-link, "Attention, Decepticons! I have received word from Megatron, continue the assault and show no mercy!"

Bludgeon could not help but take delight from the order.

MINERVA
"Courageous Medic"​

Minerva drove through the ruins of Autobot city in search of survivors, until she spotted one. Minerva quickly transformed into her robot mode and ran off to the aid of a damaged Autobot. "Hold still," Minerva whispered to the Autobot as she scanned him. The Autobot Medic checked her readings, "Seems like you've lost a bit of Energon" Minerva's hand transformed into a welding instrument, "I've got to close the wound shut before you lose too much."

"What in the pits are you doing here, Minerva?" The Autobot soldier weakly asked, "Shouldn't you be with Ratchet?"

"You know me, Go-Shooter, I just can't let any of my friends behind," Minerva answered as she carefully welded Go-Shooter's wounds.

"You really didn't change much since Crystal City, huh?"

"Yeah," Minerva smiled as she finished up the last gash, "Well, you're all patched up..."

"Thanks," Go-Shooter nodded as he clutched his side.

Minerva opened her communication device to contact Autobot HQ, "Autobot Command, this is Minerva... I found one of our Junior recruits at the City Outposts, requesting for evac."