Darkest Hour

by Phantom

Chapter Thirteen

Megatron stomped down the corridor, not caring who he disturbed. Any who confronted him in this state of mind would not live long to regret it. His thoughts were clouded as his mind raced. His path was aimless, or so he thought until he found himself at the door of the prison block. 'Very well,' he thought to himself. 'I'll pay those fools a visit and see how they're spending their last hours alive.' That thought brought a smile to his face, but it was lacking in any real joy. He ignored the nagging feeling in his head and stepped through the doorway.

He had to confess that he was a bit disappointed in the sight that greeted him. He had hoped to see the Autobots crying, shouting, plotting, despairing, anything but what they were doing now. Sleeping. How pathetic. What a useless way to pass the time. They would be dead in a few hours, so what was the point of recharging? He strongly suspected that the recharge was brought on by sheer exhaustion, after they had worn themselves out with the aforementioned crying and plotting. Also, it was a way to make the time pass faster. While wasting the last hours of life by being unconscious was foolish, it also cut back on hours spent in enervated helplessness, with nothing to do but await death.

Apparently not all of the Autobots were wasting their time in such a manner. He realized that those in Optimus Prime's cell were fully online and were talking in hushed voices. About what? A possible escape attempt? Such a plan would be foolhardy, but they just might be desperate enough to try. They might feel that they had nothing to lose, and Megatron had to confess that they would be right.

As he drew closer, he could make out snatches of the conversation. "Where did you get that name from?" Prime demanded sharply, a bit more so than he had intended. But he couldn't help it; he was shook up by Hot Rod's knowledge of the situation.

Hot Rod looked bewildered. "I have no idea," he answered, sounding a bit lost. "It just -- came to me."

Prime questioned him further. "What else do you know about this?"

Hot Rod paused, thinking it over. "Not much. I just have this feeling. You know, like we're all in terrible danger, and not just from the 'Cons. This thing has the power to destroy us all."

Optimus looked at Hot Rod as if seeing him for the first time. "I see," he murmured slowly. Hot Rod cringed at the words, thinking that his leader was writing him off as a hothead who was just trying to get attention.

A chill went through Megatron. The topic of conversation was a bit too close to home for comfort. He could easily fix that. "How touching," he said snidely as he approached the cell. "Listening to your last words brings a tear to my eye." His mouth curled into a sneer as he caught sight of Crystal. "I hope the whorebot has made herself comfortable. Enjoy it while you can, bitch."

Crystal drew herself up defiantly. While she didn't understand Megatron's words, she knew an insult when she heard one. "Do your worst," she hissed. "It can't be much worse than what I've experienced in my nightmares. Every night on every mission I'd torture myself, imagining the worst things that could possibly be done to me. It would be a relief to finally know for sure. In a way, the reality probably will be more tame."

In spite of himself, Megatron was almost impressed. Very few females, or males for that matter, dared to stand up to him in such a manner. Perhaps it was her impending death that gave her such bravado, but Megatron had always admired her for her strong spirit. She knew her own mind and wasn't afraid to work for what she wanted, although what she had truly been after during their time together, Megatron never would have guessed. It was a shame that she had turned out to be an Autobot spy. She was what he had been looking for in a woman -- not for a serious relationship, certainly, but for an occasional fling. She, like him, had accepted their trysts at face value, instead of getting all sappy on him like some femmes had, or even worse, demanding and expecting something in return other than the pleasure of his company. Yes, he regretted the turn of events, but not enough to spare her. On the contrary, she would suffer all the more.

"Megatron," Prime spoke urgently. "We face a grave danger. Both Autobot and Decepticon alike are threatened. We must--"

"Work together to save ourselves?" Megatron broke in. "I know all about the threat of the monster planet, but if you think that will stop me from killing you all--" He stopped short abruptly, realizing that he had let slip far more than he intended.

Prime gaped at his enemy. "You've had a vision too?" he asked. He couldn't believe it. Megatron was bent only on destruction. What use would a vision be to him? The Decepticons had only been hindered by his Autobots, and now that that obstacle was gone, nothing stood in their way. So what was the purpose of sending Megatron such a warning? In a way, Prime was a bit insulted. He alone had been the recipient of such foreboding premonitions in the past.

Megatron replied scornfully, "Visions are for Autobot cowards! I had a traumatic nocturnal episode, nothing more. Never fear, you will die in due time." Despite his biting remarks, he was quite shaken. It appeared that the both of them had had similar dreams -- he refused to acknowledge them as premonitions or visions -- which foretold of an approaching danger to Cybertron. He shrugged mentally, trying to banish such disturbing thoughts from his mind. Stranger things had happened. Perhaps his mind would be more at ease once his foe was dead, and the reminder of the creepy dream laid to rest along with him.

Hot Rod felt a strong urge compelling him to speak, to try to convince Megatron of the seriousness of the situation. The critical nature of what was about to happen overrode all common sense, prompting him to make himself the center of attention of the most powerful Decepticon. "Megatron, you must listen to Prime, if not to me. We are on the brink of eradication! Unicron has been tearing his way through the galaxy, and at long last has learned where Cybertron is located. I know that you are trying to convince yourself that there is no threat, that your premonition is nothing of the sort. Such thinking will only lead to our insured destruction. For the sake of your Decepticons, for the sake of Cybertron itself, we must all work together, or we are doomed!"

Megatron was taken aback by the words. How could one so young and insignificant have such a grasp of the situation? He seemed to understand the danger perfectly, and not only that, Megatron's own viewpoint as well.

He was spared from replying as everyone's attention was directed elsewhere. Crystal cried out softly and crumpled to the floor, drained of energy. Megatron stared at her, aghast. It seemed as if this pregnancy thing was catching.

Chapter Fourteen

Crystal was escorted back to her cozy cell after her examination. She was immediately surrounded by the occupants once she staggered in, overwhelmed by the recent events. She shoved them away and curled up in the corner.

"Leave me alone!" she cried. "Haven't you done enough already?"

Optimus hung his head in shame. Alita, however, would not be so easily put off. "Oh, come off it," she said sharply. "We just want to help. What were the test results?"

"They didn't tell me," Crystal said morosely.

Alita didn't know what it was about this femme that brought out the worst in her, but she could barely stop the acid words that rose to her lips. "You're acting like you're the only one who's going to bear child. Well, in case you haven't noticed, you're not the only one in this position."

That got a reaction, at least. Crystal stood and whirled on her, optics ablaze with rage. "How dare you!" she hissed. "I wouldn't be in this position now if you hadn't sent be out to be a whoring spy! At least you know who the father is. That's more than I can say. There's no doubt in my mind that I'm bearing a Decepticon baby."

Alita felt most of her anger drain away at those words. "Do you have any idea who the father could be?" she asked.

Crystal folded her arms and stared at the floor miserably. "It's hard to know, since I've been with a few of them. Megatron has been the most frequent recipient," she said with a touch of sarcasm. "Perhaps he'll let me live if he's the father. I think I'd rather die. I actually didn't mind him that much -- at least he didn't treat me like I was lucky to be in his presence -- but I don't want to carry his child. What am I going to do?" She burst into a fresh bout of tears.

"You don't have to worry about that," a gentle voice spoke. "It's not Megatron's child."

Startled, Crystal looked up into the red optics of Thundercracker. "Thunder, I'm so glad you're here!" she exclaimed, hurrying over to the cell door. Catching sight of his prominent Decepticon symbol, she hung her head. "I'm so sorry that it had to work out this way. I never wanted to hurt you."

"Never mind that," he replied, shaking his head. "We have more important things to think about."

Staring at his face, which wore a kind and understanding expression, Crystal suddenly knew who had fathered her child. "Oh, Thundy," she breathed, "I'm so glad the baby's yours. You're the only one who ever seemed to genuinely care for me. But now I won't live to make it up to you." She cried out in panic when she saw an intimidating silver figure approach from behind Thundercracker.

"Unfortunately, you will," Megatron replied sourly. "The Decepticons do not turn their backs on their offspring, even if they are spawned by treacherous Autobots. I would rather let you carry the baby to term and then dispose of you, but Thundercracker has pleaded for your life." He turned to his warrior. "Thundercracker, you may not have the fervor for our cause that many others do, but you have been loyal and hardworking. I will grant your request, but under one condition: I will not have any Autobots moving freely in my base. If she stays she must be guarded at all times. And the child must be raised to become a proper Decepticon."

Thundercracker nodded in agreement. "Your demands are fair. I must, however, discuss them with Crystal."

Megatron frowned. "Very well," he growled. "Take her to a secure area. And don't take your optics off her!"

'That last command shouldn't be a problem,' he realized as the blue Decepticon escorted the new mother from the cell. 'Thundercracker has been with many women before, and I've never seen him look at any of them that way.' Once again he cursed her allegiance.

"So, what brings you here again, Megatron?" Optimus asked in a conversational manner. Several hours had passed since his last visit, but Prime could not think of any reason for his return.

"To see how you're spending the last few hours of your miserable life," he growled.

Something in his enemy's voice made Prime think otherwise. Megatron could just as easily observe him from the monitors. Of course, that took away the element of intimidation and gloating, but there was something else at work here. "You're worried about Unicron," he announced.

The way Megatron's features twisted confirmed his hunch. "Don't tell me what I'm worried about!" he roared. "The only thing I'm worried about is that you won't suffer enough before you die!"

"Megatron." The voice was quiet in its monotony, but it worked like a charm. Megatron forced himself to calm down.

"What is it, Soundwave? Can't you see I'm busy?"

"It is urgent, I assure you."

Megatron studied his officer's impassive face, then reluctantly agreed. "Oh, all right."

Soundwave waited until they were outside the cell block before he spoke. "I have been sensing something unusual."

"Unusual how?"

Soundwave folded his arms. "It's just barely at the edge of my conscious mind, but its presence is vast. There is something infinitely ancient out there, and it's getting closer every moment. Its thoughts --" his voice rose slightly in pitch. He paused and continued. "Its thoughts are malevolent. Whatever it is, it's very powerful and intent on destroying Cybertron."

Megatron opened his mouth to ask, "Are you sure?", and then shut it abruptly. Soundwave never voiced his concerns unless he was absolutely convinced that they were valid. He hated to even give the thought credence, but perhaps they would be needing the Autobots after all.

He grimaced in the direction of the cell block. "I have other matters to pursue. Please escort our *guest*, Optimus Prime, to the briefing room. It seems that we have much to discuss."

Chapter Fifteen

Thundercracker passed Megatron on his way from the prison block, where he had been forced to leave Crystal until the details of her release were decided.

"What have you decided?" Megatron asked, curiosity creeping into his voice.

Thundercracker looked worn out. "We really haven't decided very much yet. I think we need a while to let the situation sink in. All we could decide was that we would do what was best for the infant."

Megatron shrugged. At least it was a start.

"Where was Soundwave taking Optimus Prime? Is Prime going to be killed before the other wake up?"

'I wish,' Megatron thought grumpily. "No, I've got a briefing with him soon. Could you give Soundwave a hand until I finish up some business? Old Orion Pax is sneakier than he looks."

Thundercracker choked. "Orion Pax? Where did you get that name?"

Megatron laughed. "Yes, it is a rather strange name, isn't it? Optimus Prime's private log has made for magnificent bedtime reading. I've learned that he used to be a dockworker for a warehouse until he was nearly killed by yours truly. Too bad I didn't finish the job!" He continued down the corridor, chuckling to himself.

Thundercracker stood rooted to the spot. Orion Pax was a name that he hadn't heard for nine million years, and he had thought never to hear it again. He thought he would have been pleased to learn differently, but under these circumstances, he would have preferred that his old friend remained dead.

end of Chapters 13-15

go to Chapters 16-18
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