The New Boss

Scorcher silently piloted the ship, focusing on getting to his destination. Celina, A.M.Y. and Trouble sat quietly in the passenger compartment, trying not to say anything. Scorcher said that the Wardens were supposed to be the ancient guardians of Cybertron, and even if they had become nothing more than mercenaries, they would have thought they were more like them and less like Savages. Celina could tell that something was off, a deeper feeling of concern filling her. She got up and slowly made her way to the cockpit, looking through the small threshold that separated Scorcher from his team.

Scorcher could hear Celina coming and let out a sigh, turning his head slightly to look at her. "Come in and close the airlock." was all he said to her. She followed his command, stepping into the cockpit fully and closing the door behind her, leaving only the two there. Scorcher tapped a few commands and the vessel began piloting itself, allowing him to turn in his seat. "What do you need?"

Celina took a seat in the co-pilot's chair and composed herself. "So could you explain to me what happened to the Wardens? When I pictured them in my mind, I thought they would be more like you and less like..." She stopped, looking away sheepishly.

"Like Blade? Like Savages?" Scorcher finished her thought, his voice cutting through the space between them. She nodded, focusing her attention back onto him. "Well, it's thanks to my brother, Warlord. We were both in line for succession, but I was out doing my own thing before the Head Warden, our progenitor, ceased operating. Since I was not there to take his place, Warlord took it, and that's when our group began its descent." Scorcher explained. Celina sat quietly, listening to Scorcher. "The reason our path was so guided when we went in there is because behind those doors are the true Wardens that didn't particularly care for Warlord's rule. They're either shut down or in the process of shutting down. Those 'Wardens' that came to get us are little more than Savages. I'm surprised the Autobots even dealt with him." Scorcher turned in his seat, facing the world that they were passing. Celina looked forward as well, unsure of what to say to her friend. She looked forward and became shocked. She tapped Scorcher on his shoulder, causing him to look up as well. They were both captivated by the city's beauty.

Iacon City, the Golden city of Cybertron.

Well, most of it. The border of the city was seeing some action with Decepticon drones poking at its defenses, trying to break through. The valiant warriors of the Autobots fought back the horde of Decepticons, using their personal weapons or one of the many cannons lining the border wall. Spotting some turrets behind the wall, Scorcher sighed and took control once more. "Either strap yourself in or go back there and do so. It may get rough." Scorcher said, hearing the safety restraints locking around Celina. He opened the door remotely and told the two back there to buckle up, which they did.

The surface turrets began to unload streams of plasma up towards Scorcher's ship, trying to knock the unidentified vessel out of the air. Scorcher maneuvered chaotically, making it harder for the bots to track him easily. Unfortunately, during his unique form of dodging, he flew right into one of the paths, knocking out his engines. Scorcher gripped tightly, trying to control where exactly they crashed.

Which just so happened to be the command center for the entire city.

"Well, I guess we won't have to walk far." Scorcher said, groaning as the controls fought against his grip. "Hold on!"

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Bumblebee and Cliff Jumper were walking side by side, the two scouts looking identical save for their paint jobs. They were casually heading for the Chamber of the Primes when something crashed in their path, destroying the massive window and blocking the way. Both Bots pulled their rifles out, slowly approaching the ship.

"Is it a Con?" Cliff Jumper asked, staying behind Bumblebee slightly.

Bee leaned closer to the ship, trying to look into the cockpit with no success. "Not sure. Don't see any markings." Suddenly there was pounding against the hull and Bee backed away, raising his rifle. Cliff did the same, backing up a little more so Bee could stand next to him.

Cliff Jumper probably should have stood farther apart, for the hull that was being beaten flew off, slamming right into Cliff Jumper and knocking him to the floor. Bee looked back and saw Cliff getting pinned under that section of the hull before turning around to see a massive hammer. He waited to see the ugly Con who was holding the weapon, but when a sleek and slim bot walked out, her arm shrinking back to normal size, he lowered his weapon. The next person out was someone Bee could've pinned as a con, but since there were no markings he kept his weapon lowered. Another slim bot, then a larger red bot. When the red bot came out, Bee immediately raised his weapon once more. "Scorcher?!"

Scorcher raised his revolver as well, putting the two in a little standoff. "In the metal." Scorcher smiled, but then his attention was past Bee, onto the large Bot easily picking the hull plating off of Cliff Jumper. The Bot looked over and was stunned as well for a moment before slowly approaching the group.

"Scorcher?" The bot asked, moving next to Bee and lowering his weapon. Bee threw it back up, aiming straight for Scorcher's face plate.

"He's a Con, Train Trek!" Bee shouted, keeping his eyes on Scorcher.

"Was a Con. Now I'm working for you guys." Scorcher corrected, holstering his weapon. Bee's face simply became confused, tilting his head.

"He's a merc. So was I before his brother took over our group." Train Trek said, walking up to Scorcher. Train Trek was a large Bot, a head taller than Scorcher and almost two times his size. The behemoth extended his hand to Scorcher, who looked back at Train and took it.

"It's been a long time. So, where's Sentinel Prime?" Scorcher asked, letting go of Train Trek's hand.

"Missing, so you'll be meeting with his successor." Train said, walking past Scorcher and putting his hands on the ship Scorcher and his team just crashed. With a mighty heave, Train pushed the wreck out of the way, sending it falling to the surface. Revealing the rest of the path, the group saw three Bots standing in their path, one bulky red Bot, one sleek and lithe bot, and one red and blue Bot standing between the two. The middle bot crossed his arms, glaring at Scorcher.

"Hey, Optimus." Scorcher rubbed the back of his head.

Optimus continued to glare at Scorcher, his face plate moving to reveal his mouth. "You do know you could have just radioed in, right?"