Transformers: Of Bots and Men

Roll Out

Deep in the heart of Iacon, hidden behind the city's protective walls, Optimus and his crew prepared for their desperate mission. They were in the process of loading up supplies onto their space cruiser, everyone lending a servo. Massacre struggled under the weight of a particularly heavy crate, trying to get it up the ramp into the ship.

"Let me get that for you." Bulkhead offered, picking up the crate.

Massacre watched as he heaved the crate over one shoulder, carrying one of equal size on the other.

"Showoff!" she accused, making her way down for another, smaller, crate.

"It's called skill!" Bulkhead yelled back. "You have your thing, and I have mine."

"Yeah, yeah, every bot has a purpose." Massacre told him, waving a servo dismissively. "Still, I wish my thing wasn't total destruction."

"That's only true if you believe that." Prowl reminded her, slipping past her with a pair of crates in his arms. "Remember, it's the warrior inside that matters."

Massacre cracked a smile, then resumed loading up the ship.

...

Across the planet at Kaon, the Decepticons were hard at work getting the Nemesis loaded up for their journey. Entire platoons of vehicons brought crates and crates of Energon, weapons, and supplies aboard under the careful eye of Soundwave.

With the loading efforts in capable servos, Megatron was able to focus on gathering his team to accompany him on the mission. He entered Kaon's barracks, where his soldiers were gathered.

"Lord Megatron!" Lugnut, an oversized Decepticon with an even more oversized loyalty streak, called out, bowing respectfully. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your presence?"

"We are embarking on an important mission, Lugnut." Megatron told him. "I require capable warriors to carry it out. Your brutish strength and undying loyalty to our cause will be of great use to me."

"Oh, thank you Lord Megatron!" Lugnut cried out, bowing over and over again.

"Oh give it a rest, lughead!" Black Arachnia, a rare insecticon demanded. "Honestly, you make me want to blow a gasket with your tailpipe kissing."

"You best get used to it, Black Arachnia." Megatron told her. "Your services will be needed as well."

"Oh goodie." She replied dryly.

"I suppose if these two are going, then I will be as well." Blitzwing said with his purple face before switching over to his pixelated one. "After all, someone needs to keep these two from snuffing each other!"

"It's against my better judgment, but yes Blitzwing." Megatron confirmed. "Your 'unique' disposition is needed to best the Autobots."

"Lord Megatron." Starscream began. "If I may be so bold, I would gladly volunteer to stay behind and command the war efforts in your absence."

Megatron just grabbed Starscream by the wind and pulled him in close.

"If I left you in charge, I'd lose all of Cybertron before I got the chance to return!" Megatron yelled, throwing him to the ground. "You will be coming with us, so I can keep a close eye on you and make sure you won't lose any more of my warriors!"

Starscream gulped, then nodded.

"As you wish, Lord Megatron." He declared. "Then perhaps... I can offer you a suggestion for a medical officer for this journey, since you have so wisely elected to leave Shockwave here."