Megatron smiled. "Well done. What's your plan to keep me from
being able to board Nemesis before it launches?"

Starscream laughed at the question. "If I had one, what makes
you think I'd tell you?"

"Eternal optimism," Megatron growled as he turned back
to his console to study the most recent reports on the condition of
Cybertron.

Shaking his head in amusement, Starscream replied, "Dealing
with the current crisis is too important; the Decepticons can't
afford the confusion my ascension to your position could cause."

"I should make a note of this. We've finally found something
you consider more important than replacing me."

"Yes, they're called the Decepticons, and as far as I'm
concerned anyone who tries to take advantage of this situation for
his own gain is a traitor who should be cast out and left to fend for
himself."

Megatron smiled coldly at that. "Then you'll understand if I
keep an optic on you for signs of such treason."

"Are you sure you're not getting me confused with Shockwave or
Galvatron? They're far more likely to attack you outright than I am."

"Which is why I've stationed them elsewhere. You may not be
likely to shoot me in the back, but you would definitely set me up to
suffer that fate. Which is why I'm keeping you close enough to
watch."

Before Starscream could respond, Soundwave broke in, saying,
"Megatron, intercepted transmissions indicate Optimus Prime has
ordered an Autobot evacuation of Cybertron. The first ship has
already launched from the Arkasha outpost, shortly before the
collapse of a nearby column destroyed it."

Starscream crossed to another console and pulled up a map of the
area. "The column in question was only a few microquads from
the Military Operations Command Center for level two. Soundwave, see
if you can reach Shockwave."

"His report is already coming in. The collapse was triggered
by a patrol under the command of Shadow Striker while in pursuit of
Optimus Prime. Shadow Striker did not survive the collapse."

"What about the rest of the patrol?" Megatron demanded,
his anger obvious.

"All surviving members who took an active role in the assault
have been executed."

Starscream chuckled grimly when he heard that. "Sounds like
Shockwave wrote the report personally, and took great care in
choosing his words."

"Agreed," Megatron snarled in annoyance. "Which
means we'll never be able to pick it apart to learn what he's trying
to hide."

"I'm not entirely sure that matters now, anyway. The collapse
of a second column can only serve to accelerate the destruction."

"I know. Soundwave, transmit planetary evacuation orders to
all Decepticon outposts, then report to Nemesis. Starscream,
start the countdown. We launch in five cycles."

* * *

As Ark settled into its orbit, Optimus pulled up sensor
readings on his console and monitored the condition of Cybertron. He
was amazed at how peaceful it seemed as he looked at it from a dozen
quads up. The full effects of two column collapses had yet to ripple
out to most of the planet, but as more time passed, he knew more and
more of the world below would be affected.

He looked up as Sideswipe said, "Incoming transmission from
Metroplex. Ultra Magnus needs to speak to you."

"Get Cerebros for me as well, then put them both through."
Optimus replaced the sensor readings with a star chart, and started
studying the reports on systems that were suitable for his evacuation
plans. As soon as the City Commanders appeared on one of the other
screens, he looked up from the charts.

"You said you needed to speak with me, Magnus?" Prime
asked, deciding to get that out of the way first.

"Yes, I wanted to let you know that the Decepticons have also
issued evacuation orders, and we're picking up readings from Kaon
that indicate preparations for at least one launch."

Optimus nodded. "Probably Megatron's flagship."

"Agreed. It would make more sense for him to direct things
from up here given the situation planetside."

Cerebros looked away from the screen for a moment. "Especially
since Kaon's not too far from areas affected by the collapses
already. Which reminds me, has anyone heard anything about
Shockwave?"

Optimus shook his head. "Last I heard of him, Prowl had just
launched a missile into the barrel of his gun mode."

Magnus winced. "That must have hurt him."

"Agreed, but I'm not sure it hurt him severely enough. The
attack on the column while we were in the tube feels like one of his
plans."

"Not under these circumstances, it doesn't," Cerebros
countered. "Given the damage done by the collapse of the first
column, Shockwave wouldn't have risked an attack on one."

"That assumes he knew about the collapse of the first column,"
Optimus replied. "He was in the field a couple of megacycles
after that collapse, and may not have been in a position to learn of
it until after his attack on my group."

Magnus shrugged. "I'm not sure it matters now. The damage is
done, regardless of who was responsible for the attack. What we have
to do now is deal with the aftermath."

"Agreed, which is why I wanted to speak with both of you. We
need to find a place to regroup, and decide how to recover from this
disaster. To that end I'm going to take Ark and scout out a
few potential Bridge-systems. I want the two of you to stay behind
and aid in the evacuation."

Magnus shook his head. "Absolutely not, Prime. You're needed
here."

"Metroplex and Fortress Maximus are needed here. They're they
largest orbital complexes we have, and they'll be needed to hold
evacuees who don't have access to large ships, especially those from
the lower levels of Cybertron, who may not have any other way off the
planet."

Cerebros chuckled grimly. "Even with both of our cities and
all the ships in the Autobot fleet, there's no way we can rescue all
the Autobots on Cybertron."

"Especially if we don't have a staging area where we can
gather and organize. The sooner Ark can leave and scout out a
location, the better our chances of being able to rescue the largest
number of survivors possible. It will take time for either of you to
prepare a ship and crew, while Ark is ready now. My decision
is final."

Both of the City Commanders nodded their understanding. "We'll
bring aboard as many evacuees as we can," Cerebros promised.

"When we find a place to gather, I'll send you the
coordinates, and you can start sending the evacuees."

Closing out the channel, Optimus touched a few control. "Hound,
I'm forwarding a set of systems to your station. Plot a course and
execute it. Push the engines as far as you can without burning them
out."

* * *

As Nemesis settled into orbit, Soundwave monitored the
transmissions of both Autobots and Decepticons in an effort to help
coordinate Decepticon efforts at evacuation. "What are the
Autobots up to?" he heard Megatron ask softly.

Knowing no one else on the command deck could have heard the
question, he felt a sense of pride at being able to answer.
"Transmissions indicate Optimus Prime is leaving to scout out a
staging area within Bridge-range for Autobot evacuees."

"He's going personally?" The shock in Megatron's voice
was obvious.

"Apparently his ship is the only one the Autobots have
currently available. Though Autobot evacuation efforts are
proceeding, they were not able to make advance preparations like we
were."

"Sounds like he's going to give us the perfect opportunity to
cripple the Autobots, then."

"From your tone of voice," Starscream said from the
operations station at the base of Megatron's command platform, "I
take it you're planning to pursue him personally?"

"Of course. We may have more ships ready to launch, but we're
the only ship currently in position to pursue."

"Shouldn't one of us remain behind?"

Megatron smiled. "Not necessary, Starscream. I've already
given the necessary evacuation orders to our orbital stations."

"I'm more concerned with our command structure. If we both go
into battle and something goes wrong, we risk crippling the
Decepticons."

"If we were going up against the Autobot flagship, I'd agree,
but that was destroyed with the spaceport above Iacon. Nothing else
the Autobots possess should be a one on one match for Nemesis."

"That kind of overconfidence is what leads to mistakes,
Megatron."

"My decision is made, Starscream!" Megatron snapped.
"This is an unprecedented opportunity, and we cannot afford to
pass it up. We'll follow them discreetly and ambush them when the
opportunity presents itself."

Starscream nodded his understanding, and turned to face the
navigation position. "Navigation, pursuit course."

"Pursuit course, plotted," Thundercracker replied. On
the main screen, Cybertron slipped to the side as the ship left
orbit, following the Autobots.

* * *

As Ark
approached the system from above, Huffer scanned the system from the
ship's situation room. "Doesn't look promising, does it."
Huffer commented to Hightower, one of the other engineers in the
room.

"Not really, no," Hightower replied. "Still, we do
have ten candidates. Let's see if any of them will surprise us."

Huffer chuckled at that. "It's only the first system we've
checked inside the Range. There's no way it's going to work out.
Nothing in my life has ever worked out that well."

Shaking his head at the other engineer's attitude, Hightower
wondered briefly how the other Autobot had survived as long as he
had. Shrugging it off, he moved off as Huffer activated the intercom.
"Huffer to navigation, I'm sending you a chart of the potential
sites. We'll need to get closer to each of them for a more in depth
analysis."

"Confirmed, Huffer," came Hound's reply a moment later.
"I'll start with the one closest to the star and work out from
there."

As he waited for confirmation of their approach to the first
candidate, Huffer pulled up information on the Space Bridge,
checking, again, the environmental conditions that needed to be met.

* * *

Megatron and Starscream studied the image of the system on the
screen, watching as Ark flew towards the star. "It looks
like they're planning to check the system from the inside out,"
Starscream remarked.

"Agreed," Megatron replied. "Thundercracker, keep
that star between us and the Autobots. Gearshift, analyze the system,
and find me a good spot for an ambush."

"Already doing so, Megatron," came the reply from the
sensor station. As Thundercracker made adjustments to keep the
warship hidden, Gearshift turned to face the command platform. "I've
managed to identify ten potential planets or moons that might suit
the Autobot's needs, including all five of the major bodies inside
the orbit of the asteroid field."

"So we could lie in wait for them, and ambush them on the way
out of the system?"

"That's one option. There's also a binary planet system that
might be worth checking out."

"Show me," Megatron ordered, turning to look at a screen
to one side of his seat. Studying the image he asked, "What can
you tell me about it?"

"Not much from this distance. It's currently on the far side
of the star from the planet the Autobots are currently
investigating."

Megatron fell silent for a moment, then activated the intercom.
"Starscream, send one of your Seekers to investigate that
double planet. Have him use booster gear instead of a shuttle.
Thundercracker, take us into the asteroid field, and position us near
the outer inner edge of the field."

* * *

As Nightshade inspected the booster gear, she listened to
Starscream's briefing. Considering the requirements of the mission,
she dismounted the weapons mounted on her upper arms, and replaced
them with sensor gear, then grabbed a tight-beam transmitter so she
could send the report in time for the ship to follow before the
Autobots showed up.

Mounting the transmitter between the pods of the boosters, she then
turned around and stepped into them. After running a diagnostic check
on her own systems, confirming that they'd linked with the new
attachments, she opened the external door and stepped into space.

Transforming, she watched as Nemesis settled itself into
orbit, hidden from easy view by the asteroid field. She made a note
of the ship's location, then activated the boosters mounted above her
wings, and launched herself out of the field.

* * *

Huffer studied the screen and compared the readings on the planet
below to the requirements of the Space Bridge. Shaking his head as he
saw the temperature readings, he called the bridge. "This
planet isn't going to work, Hound. It's too close to the star. Take
us to the next one."

* * *

Nightshade approached the double planet system, keeping watch for
the Autobot ship as she did so, and began scanning. She didn't know
how long it would take them to travel between the planets of this
system, but she did know it would take time for them to scan them,
and that gave her some comfort. With Nemesis as far away as it
was, she didn't relish running into an enemy ship.

Finishing her scan of the smaller member of the pair, she moved
toward the larger member. She was about to enter orbit around the
larger planet when an alert from the sensor units warned her to keep
a safe distance. Slowing to a relative stop, she studied the readings
more closely, and quickly coded a message for the laser transmitter.

* * *

Soundwave studied the incoming message and quickly decoded it as
Megatron watched from his command platform. Turning to Megatron he
said, "Our scout reports the larger member of the binary planet
is undergoing a geomagnetic reversal. Magnetic flux around the planet
should provide cover for ambush."

Megatron smiled and turned to give the order, and saw Thundercracker
already plotting the course. "Take us in, Thundercracker, and
make sure we get there before the Autobots. Gearshift, keep a careful
watch for the Autobots. If the magnetic flux will hide us from them,
it may well work in reverse. I don't want to miss our chance."

* * *

Optimus studied Huffer's reports on the first two planets, and hoped
one of the members of the binary system would meet the requirements.
As calm as he tried to appear, he couldn't help feeling that, despite
his order to push the engines to the limit, they were still wasting
time with this search. Every cycle they spent searching was another
cycle Cybertron continued to fall apart. The sooner they got the
Space Bridge set up, the sooner they could start evacuating the
system, making room for more survivors aboard the orbital outposts.

Forcing his attention from his own thoughts, he accessed the status
reports from the navigation console and studied their course. Their
approach from the system's second planet brought them close to the
larger member of the double planet. Looking at the blue and green
sphere they were approaching, he wondered if the clouds he could see
in its atmosphere would be as much of an obstacle as the ones in the
atmosphere of the previous planet.

As they entered orbit, he was thrown from his chair by a sudden
explosion. "Report," he ordered over the alarms.

Pushing himself up from the floor, Prowl grabbed onto his console.
"We've been hit, Prime. One of the engines has taken critical
damage and has gone offline."

"What hit us?" Optimus asked. As he moved back to his
console, waiting for Prowl's answer, he tried not to wonder whether
his order to Hound had contributed to the engine's failure.

Before Prowl could respond, the ship shook again. "Fusion
blasts," Prowl finally said, seeing the results of the second
impact as they came in. "We're under attack. That second hit
damaged the shield generators."

"Give us what shields you can, Prowl," Optimus ordered.
"Bring the weapons online and prepare to return fire."

Prowl touched several controls on his panel and said, "Targeting
sensors can't find anything. Magnetic flux from the planet is
interfering." The ship shook again as Prowl worked his
controls. "It's going to have to be done manually," he
said.

"Are we under attack from Decepticons or natives?"
Optimus asked, not really expecting an answer. As Prowl shook his
head, Optimus said, "Hound, take us away from this planet. If
it's the Decepticons we'll need room to maneuver. If it's not, then
maybe leaving will pacify them."

As Prowl called weapons control, Optimus watched the planet fall
away behind them.

* * *

"It looks like they're leaving orbit," Gearshift
reported as Nemesis was took its first hits. "I can't be
sure if they were hit, but we sure got their attention."

"Thundercracker, pursue them," Megatron commanded. As
Megatron watched, the screen began to clear, showing more fusion
blasts heading for the ship. Touching one of the controls next to his
seat, Megatron zoomed in to look at the Autobot ship. Seeing the
evidence of damage to the engines, he smiled. "Soundwave, tell
Rumble and Frenzy I approve of their selected target."

Skywarp looked up from the weapons console. "Does that mean
you're going to continue with manual targeting?"

Megatron studied one of the screens next to him. "No, it
doesn't. They chose the targets well, but their ability to aim leaves
much to be desired. Finish off their engines, Skywarp."

* * *

"It's the Decepticons, Prime," Prowl announced. "Nemesis
just emerged from the planet's magnetosphere."

"Megatron's flagship," Optimus muttered softly.

"Ark's no match for them," Prowl pointed out.
"They have us outgunned, and with one of our engines down we
can't out run them."

"Maybe not, but maybe we can even the odds." Optimus
activated the intercom. "Target their weapons, see if we can
take out some of their guns. Hound, evasive maneuvers."

Prowl focused his attention on his console, and began to return
fire.

* * *

Skywarp watched his screen, smiling, as the missiles swarmed from
the ship at his command. As they flew he felt the ship shake as the
Autobots hit them hard, taking out the missile bank he'd just
utilized, and detonating the missiles he'd not yet launched.

He barely listened as Starscream read off the damage report, but
could tell they'd just been weakened by the fact that several cannons
no longer registered on his console. He quickly studied the firing
arcs for the remaining weapons and fired the cannons with the best
chance of hitting the Autobot ship.

He heard Starscream issue an order to Thundercracker as the missiles
he'd launched destroyed two more of the Autobot's engines. Ignoring
the order, he watched his display as the ship turned bringing another
bank of missiles to bear on the enemy.

* * *

Hound pulled himself back to his console as the ship stopped
shaking. Looking over his displays, he groaned. "We're not
going anywhere fast, Prime," he reported. "We've lost two
more engines, which leaves us with only two remaining."

"Targeting systems are also gone," Prowl reported.
"We're stuck with manual now." he added as he activated
the intercom.

Sideswipe shook his head as he saw Optimus look at him. "Damage
control teams are doing the best they can, but they're overwhelmed.
The Decepticons seem to know just where to hit us."

Optimus studied his console for a moment. "Hound, take us into
the planet's magnetosphere. It hid the Decepticons from us, maybe it
will hide us from them, at least long enough for the gunners to
disarm the Decepticons."

Hound smiled as Prowl nodded his approval of the plan, and began
moving the ship closer to the planet instead of away from it.

* * *

Starscream watched the screen as Ark turned, both moving
closer to the planet and maneuvering to get away from the still
functional weapons. "Amazing, they actually believe they can
escape."

Megatron chuckled at that, studying the sensor reading on the
Autobot ship. "A futile effort, Prime."

"I'm not so sure it is," Gearshift said. "It looks
like they may be trying to hide from us like we hid from them."

Another swarm of missile appeared on the screens as Skywarp said,
"No, it is a futile attempt. Those missiles should take out--"
Skywarp was cut off as another explosion rocked the ship, taking out
the weapons console Skywarp occupied.

"They've taken out the main fusion reactor for the cannons,"
Starscream reported. "All fusion cannons are off line.
Targeting systems destroyed."

* * *

Bluestreak was unusually silent as he aimed carefully, eager to do
the most damage possible to the Decepticon ship with each shot in the
hope that the battle would end soon. With his aim focused on a
surviving missile bank, he fired his cannons again. Smiling in
satisfaction, he saw his shots hit, detonating the missiles that had
yet to be launched.

As be began looking for another target, the room around him
exploded, throwing him from his cannons. Pushing himself to his feet,
he saw his fellow gunners shattered hulls lying throughout the
demolished room, and their cannons destroyed. Even his own cannons,
the ones with the least damage, no longer appeared operable.

Bluestreak shook his head sadly and turned to leave the room, the
sight reminding him of his home city. "Bluestreak to Tactical,"
he said, stopping at an intercom panel in the corridor. "Cannon
station ten has been destroyed."

* * *

Megatron smiled as he watched the last missiles Skywarp had fired
hit the bridge of Optimus Prime's ship. "Well done, Skywarp.
The Autobots shouldn't be able to go anywhere now."

"Unfortunately, Megatron," Starscream said as he studied
his readouts, "the last hits we took finished off our weapons,
among other things. They may not be able to go anywhere, but we can't
finish them off."

Gearshift shook his head. "Wrong, they've still got engines,
meaning they can go somewhere."

"No!" Megatron roared. "Optimus Prime must not be
allowed to escape."

"How do you propose to stop them, Megatron?" Starscream
asked. "We don't have any weapons, and by the time we can make
repairs they'll be long gone."

Ignoring his second in command, Megatron stared at the wounded
Autobot vessel. "Thundercracker," he began, prompting an
alarmed look from both Soundwave and Starscream. "Ramming
speed."

Seeing Thundercracker turn away from his console in shock, looking
to his commanders for confirmation, Starscream used his station to
lock the navigation controls. "Forget it, Megatron," he
said as he worked. "I have no objection to you committing
suicide, but I will not allow you to sacrifice the stability of the
Decepticons by doing so.

"No sacrifice is involved here, Starscream. We ram the Autobot
ship and our shields will take the impact."

"Assuming our shields last long enough," Starscream
added, "and have enough power to absorb the impact without
collapsing completely. You might want to examine the damage report
before settling on that course of action."

"I never figured you for a coward, Starscream,"
Gearshift said, throwing his support to Megatron.

"Cowardice has nothing to do with it, Autobot,"
Starscream sneered as Skywarp and Thundercracker turned angry glares
on Gearshift. "I'm more concerned with the survival of the
Decepticons during this time of crisis."

"You worry too much, Starscream," Megatron laughed
amused by the exchange. "The Decepticons will survive."

"Agreed," Starscream replied, "because I will not
let you ram this ship into the Autobots and risk a civil war between
Shockwave and Galvatron, not to mention anyone else who may decide to
try for your vacancy."

"You will not let me?" Megatron roared, suddenly
enraged. "Who are you to tell me what I am permitted to do?"

"It's amazing how you latch onto the irrelevant point and
ignore the important one. You're so focused on the war with the
Autobots that you continue to ignore the peril our own side is in."

Megatron snarled and aimed his particle cannon at Starscream. "You
go too far, Starscream!"

"Maybe so, Megatron, but if I have to, I'll go farther still."

"No," Megatron growled, firing his cannon at his second
in command. The blast threw Starscream through his own console,
unlocking the navigation controls. "You'll stop right where you
are. Thundercracker, you heard my order."

* * *

Optimus entered the situation room with Prowl and activated the main
screen as Prowl scanned Nemesis. "Why are they just
sitting there?" he asked quietly.

"Well, they don't have many options" Prowl said, looking
up from his chosen screen. "We've managed to disarm them, so
there's nothing more they can do to us. Logically, they should
retreat and leave us alone."

"What other options do they have?"

Before Prowl could respond, Nemesis began moving again,
turning so as to head straight for the Ark. "I'd say
they're either going to try to board us, fry us with their engines,
or ram us."

Optimus hit the intercom. "Optimus to engineering. Hound get
us out of here, best speed possible."

"They're too fast for us, Prime," Prowl said, calmly
accepting the situation.

"What weapons do we have available?"

"We've got some surviving fusion cannons," Prowl said,
quickly understanding Prime's plan. Putting a tactical display on the
main screen, Prowl used the intercom to direct the gunners.

As Nemesis closed on the Ark, the Autobots' weapons
began firing continuously. Optimus watched as the Decepticons' shield
flared with each shot, gradually growing dimmer. By the time the
shields collapsed, Nemesis was committed, unable to turn away,
even had its commander wanted to.

Nemesis rammed the Ark, its inertia carrying the front end of the warship through the hull of the Autobot vessel, impaling
the smaller ship. Systems on both ships failed as the two ships began
an uncontrolled descent into the atmosphere of the planet which had
hidden Nemesis, and friction heated the hulls of both ships
causing Nemesis to break in two, one piece becoming fused to
the Ark.

The last thing anyone aboard either ship knew, both vessels were
crashing into the surface of the planet, leaving the survivors on
Cybertron to fend for themselves.