Month: December 2024

The fleet arrived outside the enemy’s combined sensor range. “They’re within targeting range,” reported Hiroki.

“All ships, report,” Emily said to the entire fleet. “Virginia, standing by.”

“Ark, standing by,” said Jazz.

“Nemesis, standing by,” reported Galvatron.

“Enterprise, standing by,” replied Sonic.

“Endeavor, standing by,” said Arsha.

“Glanthelantir, standing by,” reported Glanthel.

“Dominion, standing by,” said Hiro.

“Scorpion, standing by,” reported Dr. Borg. This went on until the entire fleet was ready.

“Hail the enemy flagship,” said Megumi.

“Belay that!” interjected Kaede. “Mom, you sure that’s a good idea? We can be stealthier than that.”

“Maybe, but stealth wasn’t exactly part of the plan, remember?” reminded Megumi. “Besides, I don’t want to. I want that former kill-happy squid to know I’m coming for her! Hail the Relentless!”

“Do as she says,” Emily directed Flora. Flora nodded and began sending a transmission.

---

“…I wonder what the Daleks will do once the Doctor is gone?” mused Metaltron to herself. Speaking of which, a Dalek approached her.

“Alert! Alert! Transmission being received! Relentless awaits orders concerning it!”

“A transmission? Given the panic, I’d say it’s not according to our usual frequencies. …Ah, what the hey? Tell the Relentless to open a channel both to the ship and to us.”

“I obey!” The Dalek sent the necessary commands. …That’s when the smug look on Metaltron’s face vanished.

“Metaltron, give it up!” barked Megumi’s voice. “Your fleet will be destroyed, your ground forces will be pushed back, and your plans will be undone! Surrender while you can!”

“How did she get here?!” demanded Metaltron. “Find the source of that transmission!”

“Triangulating!” replied the Dalek. “…Source located! Starship Virginia detected with 300 strong fleet!”

“WHAT?!” Metaltron could see that, yes, there WERE 300 ships just entering their sensor range! “Route the call to me!”

“I obey!” The Dalek routed the call and Metaltron spoke.

“You’ve got a lot of nerve, coming here!” she said.

“And YOU have a lot of nerve thinking I would just accept this!” replied Megumi. “You WILL fail one way or the other!”

“No, what will happen is you will be erased like the vermin you are! You’re on MY time, you skunk!” Metaltron ended the call and contacted the Rift Controller. “Megumi brought a fleet here! Begin the reset!”

“I cannot begin now!” replied the Rift Controller. “I still need thirty minutes to warm things up!”

“You don’t HAVE thirty minutes! Begin!”

“I cannot change the laws of physics! I’ve got to have thirty minutes!” Metaltron growled in annoyance at what the Rift Controller said.

“…Fine, we’ll hold them off as long as we can,” she finally said, “but you MUST start if and when the enemy breaks through our fleet!”

“…Very well,” replied the Rift Controller.

---

The Dominion and Virginia flew towards the Relentless. They began their attack with their standard laser weapons. Aboard the Relentless, Metaltron coordinated the action. “Status of hyperdrive,” she demanded.

“Hyperdrive still operating at peak efficiency!” replied a Combatman.

“Status of weapons.”

“All weapons primed!” reported the Dalek on Tactical.

“Fire standard weapons on the Virginia. I want Megumi to fall into the Sea of Ideas and be nothing more than a thought.”

“Firing standard weapons!” The Relentless fired.

---

The Virginia rocked. “Report!” called Emily.

“Shields down by 7%,” replied Hiroki.

“Enemy shields?” asked Emily.

“Getting a call,” said Michael. “Hiro’s transmitting the prefix code and instructions for the enemy to lower their shields.”

---

“Alert! Alert!” warned the Tactical Dalek. “Shields failing! Prefix code transmitted from Dominion!” Metaltron goggled at the idea that Hiro DID memorize the Relentless’ prefix code!

“Restore shields!” she ordered.

“Unable to obey! Shields failed!” The ship then rocked thanks to enemy fire.

“SEND BAZOOKA JOE OUT THERE!” shouted Metaltron. The Tactical Dalek looked at Metaltron.

“The Special Weapons Dalek, you dope!” snapped a Combatman.

“Deploying Special Weapons Dalek onto topside!”

---

“Hiro-sama!” called a Combatman aboard the Dominion. “The enemy-!”

“I have eyes, Harada!” snapped Hiro. “Target the Special Weapons Dalek. The enemy doesn’t need a 360⁰ cannon on top.”

“Yes, Hiro-sama!” Harada targeted the Special Weapons Dalek. “Target locked!”

“FIRE!”

---

The Special Weapons Dalek was destroyed quickly. “Nice work, Hiro,” said Megumi aboard the Virginia.

“As I anticipated,” replied Hiro.

---

“Hull integrity fallen to 22%!” reported the Tactical Dalek. “Hyperdrive failing!”

“…Abandon ship!” ordered Metaltron as she fastened her belt. “All hands, abandon ship!” She then began her transformation sequence. “Henshin!”

---

There were flashes of light from the windows of the rapidly falling Relentless. “We have survivors,” Hiro said to Megumi. “I’ll give the order to pursue.”

“Extermination is NOT the goal here,” replied Megumi. “Join with us as we assist with the destruction of the Imperium.”

---

“Understood, Metaltron,” said Nemesis Prime on the Hellfire. “We’re going to change our prefix code now.” Nemesis ended the call. “Terrorcons, Hiro and Dr. Borg knew the Relentless’ prefix code and helped our enemies learn its weaknesses. We’ve been ordered not to let that happen. Makeshift, erase the old prefix code and put in a new one.”

“Yes, Sir,” replied Makeshift. He got to work on the prefix code…but…

“Access denied,” said the computer.

“Huh?” Makeshift tried again.

“Access denied,” repeated the computer.

“Nemesis, I’m locked out!” called Makeshift.

“That’s not possible,” replied Nemesis. “That thing must be faulty.” A face then appeared on the screen, a rather cartoony face of… “DR. BORG?!” yelped Nemesis. He then realized what Dr. Borg did a while ago! “Engage override! Code 10-Tango-Nemesis!” Makeshift tried, then pounded uselessly on the console.

“I can’t!” he reported.

“Shields are dropping!” warned Crystal Widow. “They’re targeting the cannon!”

“FIRE!” ordered Nemesis. Crystal Widow moved to fire but…

---

The Scorpion fired its stinger as the Ark and Nemesis fired torpedoes directly into the Hellfire’s cannon, bringing heavy damage to the enemy vessel. Dr. Borg arched an eyebrow in approval. She called Galvatron. “The new Nemesis seems to know where to place her shots like the original,” she said. “And the skill of her Captain’s as good as the original.”

“I’m the son of the original Nemesis’ Captain,” replied Galvatron. “Had to learn something from him.”

“You learned well. Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to show why I named this vessel the Scorpion. Scorpo!”

“Ooh, I always loved this bit!” chuckled Scorpo. The ship’s claws then tore into the Hellfire, bringing pieces of it into the cargo hold on the bow for scrapping operations.

---

“FIRE!” ordered Nemesis Prime as fires sprang up all over the bridge. “FIRE, DAMN YOU!”

“WE CAN’T!” replied Straxus. “THERE’S NO POWER TO THE WEAPONS AND OUR WARP DRIVE IS OUT! WE MUST EVACUATE!”

“NO, DAMMIT! NO!”

“NEMESIS, LISTEN TO REASON!” argued Crystal Widow as she grabbed his shoulders. “This ship is totaled! We have to get out of here and assist in shoring up our ground defenses! We still have the Lords to act as a final wave of ships!” Nemesis growled, then sighed.

“Abandon ship,” he ordered.

It was all hands on deck aboard the Virginia, the personal universe-travelling starship of the F.N.S. Emily was in command again with Megumi on deck, her eyes blazing with righteous fury at the injustices Metaltron and her team committed. Her mind raced with the plan she and the others came up with. Emily then approached her. “We’re ready to go,” she reported.

“Let’s get started,” replied Megumi. Emily turned to the bridge crew.

“Helm, take us out,” she ordered. Michael took the position of Helmsman and keyed in various commands. The Virginia then took off and opened a rift.

---

The Virginia met with a whole fleet of ships that their allies could spare. The Chizarans, the Cybertronians, Realmfleet, the TARDIS, and the Tarlaxians all leant ships to the effort. Megumi got on the horn with all the ship commanders. “Ladies and gentlemen, for those of you not in the know, let me explain,” she said. “A former human known as Khan the Author was going to alter all universes to his design, but he was betrayed and turned into a Dalek slave under the command of Metaltron, a former Dalek herself. She has allied with the resurrected Nemesis Prime, Adachi Hiro, Dr. C. Y. Borg, and Intrag the Conqueror.” Several Captains whispered to one another, knowing the history of those villains. “However, Metaltron further betrayed Hiro, Dr. Borg, and their families, so they’re joining us on this assault. Pulling them up now.” Hiro and Dr. Borg appeared.

“Hiro!” hissed a Tarlaxian Captain.

“Calm yourself, Captain,” soothed Scorpainia.

“Now, the reason this fleet is assembled is to counter Metaltron’s fleet,” explained Megumi. “Hiro, Dr. Borg, the floor is yours concerning the enemy command vessels.” A purple saucer then appeared.

“This is Shocker Umbra’s flagship, the Relentless,” said Hiro. “A Predator-class command saucer, its intended use is planetary bombardment, so its heavier weapons are on its keel. However, its shields are stronger around the upper hull, so we’ll need to use heavy weapons to make any significant progress.” A red ship then took the Relentless’ place. It looked like a bottle with sickles pointing towards the bow.

“This is the Hellfire,” explained Dr. Borg, “a Genocide-class destroyer. Originally from Sonic and the Transformers’ home universe, it was built by a creature named Primacron.”

“Primacron?” asked Galvatron. “Dad and Uncle Optimus fought him when existence itself was at stake.”

“I’ve heard that name before,” said Megumi. “Who was Primacron?”

“He’s the one who pretty much made the Transformers, then he split himself into Primus and Unicron for some experiment to decide whether light or darkness should be dominant.”

“And this ship,” interjected Dr. Borg, “is a prototype Unicron. The cannon at the bow is designed to destroy planets. However, the cannon is also its weakness. Once enough firepower breaches its shields, a few well-placed torpedoes will destroy it.” A Borg Cube appeared. “This is the Juggernaut, a standard Borg Cube, but its assimilation capabilities are toned down thanks to it being the Lords’ service.”

“So the Lords stayed with Metaltron,” remarked Jazz aboard the Ark.

“Yes,” confirmed Dr. Borg. “Right now, the ship is under the command of Ziddet, a female Cardassian Lord. Standard Borg Cube weaknesses apply to this ship.” One more ship appeared. It looked like eight pyramids with their bases stuck together at the sides, but it had distinctive Borg design aesthetics.

“You’ve seen this ship before during the occupation of Beyond City,” said Hiro. “The Imperium. It’s a new command vessel and with the Author deposed, Sonavok is in command. It’s going to take more firepower to scratch it or even get past its shields.”

“We have Boulton,” replied Megumi. “He served aboard that ship. He can tell us its weaknesses. Hiro, do those ships have prefix codes?”

“…Prefix codes?” Dr. Borg asked Arsha.

“First I’ve heard about them,” replied Arsha.

“They’re combination codes that would allow an allied vessel to prevent an enemy from taking over another vessel through remote control,” explained Jazz. “I remember that during a Star Trek movie night with Optimus.”

“Ah, you mean compromise-counter codes,” said Dr. Borg.

“Whatever terminology you use,” said Hiro, “the Hellfire and Relentless have them, but the Lord Ships have too many for us to memorize without being assimilated.”

“All right then, Hiro, you’re with the Virginia,” decided Megumi. “We’ll take care of the Relentless. Jazz, Galvatron, once you have the prefix code, you take care of the Hellfire. Then we join the rest of the fleet in taking out the Imperium and Juggernaut. Once that’s done, we begin our ground assault. Thanks to the maps Hiro and Dr. Borg gave us, we have a clear path to where our enemies will begin their plan. I say this with no exaggeration, we only have one shot at this. We…cannot…fail!”

---

The villains had gathered on Foundation Prime where the Foundation Element Pedestals stood. This time, they built their own base, not wanting to waste the energy in constructing things like Vortech did. “Report,” Metaltron ordered the Rift Controller.

“All required elements now being arranged!” replied the Rift Controller. “We shall become the supreme beings of the universe!” An image of the Dalek Emperor then appeared in the gateway on its dome.

“I’m not running the risk of us messing anything up,” said Metaltron. “Continue with Source installation, then proceed to Prize installation. Keep checking as you go.”

“I obey!” Metaltron headed off as the Rift Controller continued its work. As it did, the rift inside its dome’s gateway showed an image of Khan Noonien Singh during the second Star Trek movie. “Do you know the Klingon proverb that tells us revenge is a dish best served cold? …It is very cold…in space!”

Death, Megumi, Arsha, Amy, Blackarachnia, Megatron, Galvatron, Firestorm, Sky Runner, Glyph, Arcee, and Goldbug were outside the OR they gave Emily and Ratchet. Megumi was pacing worriedly. “I’m scared for him too, Megumi,” said Arsha, “but pacing won’t help.”

“It’s the only chance I got of burning off the nervous energy I have,” replied Megumi. “How long have they been in there?!”

“Two hours,” said Goldbug. “But these things take time.” The door to the OR opened…and Emily and Ratchet’s faces were downcast.

“…No!” whispered Megumi.

“There…there was nothing more we could do,” replied Emily.

“Optimus Prime is…beyond recovery,” sighed Ratchet. “He’s only got a couple of minutes to live.” Amy was the first to rush into the room. Everyone surrounded Optimus as the machines he was hooked up to beeped slowly.

“Optimus, please!” begged Amy as tears rolled down her pink cheeks. “You can’t die!” Optimus slowly switched his optics on.

“…Do not…grieve,” he whispered. “…Soon…I shall be one…with the Matrix.” He then slowly turned his head to his left. “…M…Megatron…”

“I’m here, brother,” said Megatron as he knelt by Optimus and held his hand.

“It is…to you…I give…stewardship…of the Matrix.”

“Optimus, after what I’ve done? I’m not worthy of stewardship.”

“…And I…was not worthy…of Primehood…once. …But…one day…a Transformer…will rise from our ranks…and use the power of the Matrix…to once again…light our darkest hour.” Optimus released Megatron’s hand and his chest opened. The Matrix filled the room with calm, soothing light as Optimus slowly took the Matrix out of his chest. He then slowly held it out to Megatron. “Until…that day…’til all…are one…” His fingers unfurled and the Matrix tumbled to the floor. Megatron and Glyph both reached out to grab it. Glyph caught it, then gave it to Megatron. A chain formed around the handles so Megatron could just wear it around his neck, a symbol of Megatron being a steward, not a full Prime. The instant the Matrix was draped over Megatron’s neck, Optimus’ optics faded, his labored breathing stopped, the life-support machines flatlined, and Optimus’ body faded to gunmetal gray. Optimus Prime…was dead and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room, not even Death as she performed her duty.

---

This was a first for Megumi. To say she wasn’t handling it well…that would be an understatement. She spent a lot of time staring at her hands. Arsha approached her. “…Megumi?” she asked.

“…He died,” mumbled Megumi. “…He died…and I can’t. …That’s just…” Megumi wept again. Arsha sat next to Megumi and hugged her.

“…Perhaps it isn’t fair,” she said, “…but I’d say you more than earned your immortality.”

“And how, pray tell, did you arrive at THAT conclusion?!”

“Because you still have humanity. Metaltron and her ilk, they don’t. Someone was not careful in giving them immortality. But you, Megumi Hishikawa, one of my greatest friends, you never sacrificed your humanity. …I can’t say it gets easier, seeing a friend die. Take it from someone who had to fight in a war, it doesn’t. …But it’s how we remember them that matters. …Failing that, there’s always a chance he could end up here.”

“…That’s no guarantee,” said Megumi. “For one thing, you’d have to really impress the Horsemen. For another, you’d have to choose to live here knowing that your old universe is no longer your home universe, but one you can only visit for moments at a time. The best you can do is hope those you left behind honor your wishes.”

“…Well, you know what he always said,” remarked Arsha.

“…Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.”

“So we continue to fight for freedom and live in his name.” By then, a fire was lit in Megumi’s eyes.

“…Metaltron MUST fail!” she declared. “…Arsha, you’re right. Optimus wouldn’t want us to wallow in despair. He’d want us to grieve, then fight!”

“Exactly. Galvatron’s rallying his Decepticons right now.”

“What about the Autobots?”

---

Optimus’ body was taken back to Cybertron for the funeral. His Rigor Morphis had him assume his robot mode. Thankfully, as his parents had already passed on, there was no one to grieve the loss of their child. …It still stung that two brothers were burying their baby brother. Ultra Magnus arrived in time for the funeral and led the whole thing. Optimus’ body was placed in between the prongs of the usual vaporization tech. When he was alive, Optimus had granted permission for his vital components to be donated, so the scars were there. “…Optimus and I…we butted heads often,” Ultra Magnus addressed the mourners. “But we always figured out how to help one another. And we both admitted that we needed a kick in the pants; Optimus for letting power go to his head and myself for my raging Decepti-phobia. He made friends that he helped keep on the straight and narrow and those friends did the same for him as he fought to prove that freedom is the right of all sentient beings, whether they be code, flesh and blood, or robots. …The universe is a little darker without him, but we’re all obligated to carry out his mission in his memory and name.” The Transformers attending each held out a phial of innermost Energon and laid it at the memorial that would be switched on. “When a Spark goes online, there is great joy. When one is extinguished, the universe weeps.”

“You flare. You flicker. You fade,” said the crowd.

“You won’t be forgotten, Optimus Prime,” promised Ultra Magnus. “Let your Spark join the Matrix, the greatest treasure of Cybertron.” He pressed a button on the controls and Optimus’ body was vaporized respectfully.

---

After the funeral, Galvatron stepped up onto a stage in Kaon, the Decepticon capital of Cybertron. He had his particle cannon affixed to his right forearm like his father with his old fusion cannon. He turned to address the crowd. “…Decepticons, I must open this with a personal question,” he began. “How many of you are Empties?” A few raised their hands. “…Quite a few. Then my uncle’s programs didn’t reach you?”

“We just applied for them,” said a mech called Needlenose. “I just got my new hands.” He showed off his hands, looking more pristine than the rest of his body. “Thanks to that, I was able to find a job and, already, I have more Shanix to help me fix up my lifestyle. …And now there’s someone wearing Optimus’ face that has wicked thoughts, thoughts that would put me back to square one!”

“Yeah!” called a femme, Shadow Striker. “I just got out of poverty and someone wants to put me back in it because I look freakish!” The sentiment was taken up by the crowd.

“Well, there’s an opportunity for you all to voice your complaints to him!” called Galvatron. “The Cybertronian High Council has asked for naval help from our allies and colonies. Even the Galactic Council is giving us help! Tomorrow night, the Nemesis and Ark will join that fleet as we merge with a combined fleet from outside our universe to take down Nemesis Prime and his allies! And I want all of you with me! We will not rest until the pelt of that evil version of Tails is mounted on a wall! DECEPTICONS, COMMENCE HUNTING SEASON!” Galvatron fired his particle cannon into the sky! The crowd followed suit and fired their weapons into the air.