Chapter 15: Building Tension

In a darkened room, which in the light would have been shown to be bare except for a few pieces of furniture, a cyborg Echidna sat facing the only source of light in the room. The item in question was a hologram generator, which displayed two different figures. One was a robot, his body all one color and ancient despite his unmarked appearance. The other was a Hedgehog, who wore a pistol at his side and a scowl on his face.

"Do you accept my terms?"

In response to the cyborg's query, the Hedgehog nodded. "We'll help you, as long as you give us what we want."

"All is satisfactory; let us proceed," the robot droned.

Moritori Rex gulped as he looked into Dimitri's visage. The Grand Master's face was always terrifying to witness, but especially so when he was angry. Such was the case now, with his plot to destroy the Cybertronians ruined and his forces now pitted against the armies of Robotropolis and its new ruler, A.D.A.M..

Taking a deep breath, Moritori began. "Lord Dimitri, I have good news and bad news. The good news is that the SWATbot army has withdrawn from attacking us. However, I must admit that they were not driven off by our forces; they were recalled."

Dimitri's eyes shone with red light. "Blast Deathstreak! Not only has he betrayed me, the one who gave him life, he has joined forces with an enemy that even the Legion cannot defeat and is toying with my army! To what lengths must I go to rid myself of incompetence?"

"Perhaps you could start by purging the Legion hierarchy," Kommisar said, fixing a glare on Moritori Rex. Moritori recognized her hatred for him; until his return, she had been second in command of the Legion. He matched her stare with one that was just as venomous, both expressing who they wanted out of the way.

Dimitri chuckled slightly. "I think not, Kommisar. Family is important to me, and I will not destroy one relative in favor of another. We simply have to revise our strategies and find a way to destroy those accursed Transformers."

Suddenly, the muffled sound of a laser gun sounded from the other side of the large door to the command chamber. Xenin, standing behind Dimitri's chair, turned and spoke calmly. "It would seem that we have an intruder, my lord."

Before Dimitri could reply, the door fell inward, the frame completely melted by energy blasts. Into the room walked a gold colored robot, the same height as an average Mobian. In one hand he clutched a powerful laser gun, still smoking from use. Moritori, having made it his business to know more about forces outside the Legion, recognized the automaton. He was Mobius' oldest inhabitant, a being so ancient he was only predated by the Maximals and Predacons. His designation was unknown to Moritori, but he was known by all as Isaac.

"Attention Dark Legionnaires," Isaac droned. "I have come to secure leadership of the Dark Legion, and I will not tolerate interference."

"Shoot him!" Moritori ordered. Complying, a number of soldiers drew their weapons and opened fire. Lasers bounced harmlessly off Isaac's armor as he stalked up onto Dimitri's command platform. He then pointed his weapon at Moritori, who froze as he stared into the barrel. A humming sound filled his ears as the laser prepared for firing.

"Unless you surrender, I will terminate his life processes," Isaac said, talking to Dimitri.

To Moritori's shock, Dimitri just laughed. "Go ahead and shoot him if you must. Just be aware that if you kill him, it gives me time to activate any of the various weapons I have on my person."

Suddenly, there came a sharp click as a gun was cocked, and Kommisar spoke in a frightened voice. "Ancestor..."

Dimitri turned slowly to find another assailant with the barrel of his weapon between Kommisar's eyes. Instantly recognizing the Hedgehog's black fur, red streaks, and white patch on his chest, Dimitri was momentarily caught off guard. However, he quickly recovered. "So Shadow, it seems that you've decided to join the party. I wondered when you'd show up."

"Give up or I send her to see her brother," Shadow growled.

Leaning back in his chair, the Grand Master smiled. "Go ahead and shoot. By the time you turn your weapon on me, two dozen others will be opening fire on you. Neither of you stands a chance, and as long as I'm unthreatened, my troops will not listen to anyone else."

The ancient cyborg's confidence faded as he heard the sound of another weapon powering up. However, there were two things that made him more apprehensive about this one. First, the hum was that of a Dark Legion blaster pistol. And second, the sound was accompanied by the pressing of a barrel to the back of his head. For a moment, Dimitri tried to deny the unthinkable, imagining that something was horribly wrong. His hopes faded as the voice of his latest enemy spoke.

"I think that they'll listen to me," Xenin said.

"What are you doing? You can't betray me like this!"

"This isn't treachery; this is procedure. When a military commander or group of commanders is rendered incapable of continuing their duty with the best interests of the unit, then it is the responsibility of the next in command to depose them."

"On what charges?" Moritori hissed.

"Many, but I'll only name a few: misuse of Legion resources. Endangerment of Legion personnel. Fraternizing with dangerous enemies. Kidnapping of innocent civilians-"

"Since when has that bothered you?" Kommisar interrupted.

"And insanity," Xenin finished. "I hereby strip you three of rank and power and place you under arrest by the authority vested in me as warrior elite of the Dark Legion."

"Enough of this; shoot this traitor!" Dimitri roared. To his shock, his soldiers lowered their weapons and saluted Xenin. Seeing his former master's confusion, Xenin spoke.

"We're all tired of your senseless crusades, Dimitri. Now, as my first official act as Grand Master of the Dark Legion, I issue your sentence. The three of you shall be delivered to Albion; I'm sure Councilor Gala-Na will see to any further justice, once your cybernetics have been disabled."

Crowded into Rotor's laboratory, the group of Freedom Fighters, Chaotix, and Maximals all looked glum. Knucklehead held his head in his hands, distraught at the second loss of Speedbat to the Predacons. Twinbrush spoke soothingly to him, stroking his back in an effort to comfort him. Dinobot made no sound, trying to formulate how to best deal with the situation.

Finally, Vector spoke. "What are we going to do about our missing Maximal?"

"That's what we're tryin' to find out, sugah," replied Bunnie.

"It iz quite the conundrum," Antoine put in.

"But one that we have to solve," Charmy said.

Knucklehead lifted his gaze, looking around at his friends and comrades. Before he could speak, however, a beeping sound came from Rotor's computer. Hurrying over to it, Rotor raised an eyebrow. "We're getting a holographic transmission."

"What's so weird about that? That's how we normally talk to you guys," Mighty said.

Tails looked over Rotor's shoulder, and his eyes widened. "Maybe, but this one is addressed from the Dark Legion."

Everyone's attention was drawn by that. Finally, Sally nodded. "Put it through Nicole."

Sally's handheld computer shot out a beam of light, which expanded to project Xenin. Recognizing the elite Legion warrior, Twinbrush growled. "What do you want?"

"No hostility, I beg of you. I am calling only to talk."

"We don't want to hear anything from you!" Espio hissed.

"You'll want to hear this. I wish to inform you all that the House of Dimitri has been toppled from its place at the head of the Legion. You are now looking at the new Grand Master."

"Forgive us if we don't bow," Sonic muttered.

"I understand your animosity; we've never been friends. However, if we want to win this war, then we shall have to be allies."

"What do you mean?" Julie-Su asked, uncertain about dealing with a former comrade of hers.

Xenin smiled humorlessly. "We now have a mutual enemy in Deathstreak. He has joined forces with A.D.A.M., the computer virus that Dr. Eggman inadvertently created. Using his nanites, A.D.A.M. has repaired and possessed Knucklehead's original body. Together with Deathstreak, the two are dangerous. Judging by the fact that one of your number is missing, am I correct in presuming that Speedbat is once again a Predacon?"

"Why do you care?" Dinobot rumbled.

"I cannot defeat three Predacons, and you cannot combat the hordes of Robotropolis. Much as we hate to admit it, we need each other, you and I. Only by working together can we hope to succeed where we have failed."

Everyone turned to Knuckles. "You've had the most dealings with Xenin, Knuckles. What is your suggestion?" Knucklehead inquired.

Knuckles frowned, thinking. "I don't like the guy, but I admit that what he's saying makes sense. Not only that, but I'd rather work with him than Dimitri."

As the group sat mulling it over, two more figures stepped into the hologram. "Pardon the interruption, but would you feel more comfortable cooperating with us?"

"It's Isaac and Shadow!" Ray exclaimed.

"Thanks for stating the obvious, Squirrel. We're in this too. I won't have some two-bit robot running around looking like me.” Shadow paused. “Either you're with us or you're against us," he warned.

Everyone looked to Knucklehead. "It's your decision, my love," Twinbrush said. Knucklehead smiled at her, then turned to the trio of holograms.

"As of this moment, the Maximals, Chaotix, and Freedom Fighters will fight alongside the Dark Legion, until such time as we no longer require the aid of each other."

Deathstreak lay strapped to a long table in Robotropolis command. Over him stood A.D.A.M., holding a syringe full of what appeared to be silver liquid. However, a closer examination would have revealed a swarm of nanites. Wearing the face of Knucklehead, A.D.A.M. looked down at his ally apprehensively.

"Have you modified the nanites?" Speedbat asked.

"Yes," A.D.A.M. replied coldly. "They have been modified to evolve Deathstreak from his current stage to that of a Transmetal 2. However, I have not had time to make certain that there will be no negative side effects."

"I don't care!" Deathstreak yelled. "Just inject me!"

With a sigh of resignation, A.D.A.M. did as instructed. Deathstreak began to writhe and scream in pain as the nanites spread throughout his body, changing his very being as they went. Speedbat watched uncertainly, leery of what was happening to the powerful Predacon. "Is it working?"

A.D.A.M. nodded. "His body is being reconfigured. Before the hour is up our friend will be a Transmetal 2."

Suddenly, red lights started flashing on the command console. Rushing over to it, A.D.A.M. examined the readouts. He turned to Speedbat, his expression bleak. "We are under attack."

"By who or what?"

"A large army, composed of equal parts machine and organic."

To be continued...