TRANSFORMERS – BOOK THREE –THE DEVIL'S GAMBIT

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Death's Head - Usual disclaimer thingy time. I do not own Transformers. That honour belongs to Takara Industries, Marvel Entertainment, Hasbro and anyone else associated with the Transformers logo, likeness and such.

However, I do own a few characters which appear in this story (as well as the two prequels to this story.). They are mine as I created them, they were spawned from the depths of my dark, twisted and somewhat insane imagination. If you want to use them in your stories, please send me an email asking.

Also, please, please, PLEASE, read my first two Transformers Generation One stories (Transformers : Book One : Death's Head and Transformers : Book Two : Megatron's Revenge), as they have all the basic groundwork laid down which is carried over into this story. If you could leave a review of those two stories as well, it'd be greatly and gratefully appreciated.

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On Earth :

In America, specifically Washington DC, the day was just like any normal day. A construction site had just received six new vehicles to help with the building of a new skyscraper. At a nearby air field, six new fighter jets had landed and were being ferried into spare hangar bays. At the Pentagon, while officials were busy gathering information for the President, in regards to the Decepticon attacks in Australia, the Secret Service had some new recruits who had just been issued their sidearms and assigned to sentry duty in the White House. The President had ordered contact to be established with the Autobots. However, even though numerous messages had been sent to Autobot City, located in the mountainous region of Oregon, there had been no replies from the Autobots.

Unfortunately, that was the good news. Inside the President's office, he had just been told of three large objects, undoubtedly of Transformer origin, entering the planet's atmosphere. One heading towards South America, another heading towards Thailand and the other...

NASA, as well as the SETI installations across the country, had been tracking one of them, but it disappeared somewhere in the Midwest. Local authorities had been given warnings and told to be on the look out for anything out of the ordinary, as numerous military bases were brought to standby alert.

Outside the White House, a blue cassette deck had been left against the wall. However, whenever someone tried to pick it up, it emitted a sonic frequency, causing the person to back off quickly. Along the nearby street, three sports cars and a semi trailer parked to a stop, as if they were waiting for a signal. A signal which was soon to arrive.

One of the sports cars, spoke on a certain frequency to the nearby semi.

"Come on Motormaster, let's rumble!"

The semi sighed. Wildrider was always the most impatient member of the Stunticons. Breakdown, Drag Strip and Dead End only put up with his impatience for the simple reason he was needed to form the gestalt, Menasor. Even Motormaster found himself wishing for the opportunity to blast Wildrider. Unfortunately, Wildrider did have his moments which he brought his own... 'style' to an operation. That was why Megatron wanted the Stunticons nearby.

"We wait for the signal from Soundwave. We do nothing until then."

Wildrider muttered softly.

"Damn... I can't wait around forever..."

Before Motormaster could respond, he noticed the airline tanker form of the Triplechanger, Octane pull up across the street. He knew that at the train station, Astrotrain was in position. Somewhere overhead, utilising it's cloaking device, was the Nemesis II. Before they had left the fight against the Autobots near the former Decepticon mausoleum shuttle, Scorpononk had started to work on building another ship. However, it wasn't until the Decepticons reached the dark side of the moon, when the Nemesis II was complete. With Galvatron taking command of Scorpononk, Megatron took the new ship and was impressed with the new technology. Technology which was going to hand the Earth to the Decepticons. Inside, were all the other Decepticons under Megatron's command. Megatron himself, Motomaster had no idea where he was. All the Stunticon leader knew, was that Megatron had decided to work alongside Galvatron for some reason or the other.

Galvatron, was somewhere else on the planet, no doubt about to cause more trouble, Motormaster thought to himself. Motormaster was about to respond to Wildrider comments, he received a communiqué from Soundwave.

"Go ahead Soundwave."

Soundwave paused.

"Motormaster, have your team ready to proceed with the plan."

Motormaster's response was curt.

"We're ready to go Soundwave. Just give us the word."

Soundwave chuckled as he transformed, in front of the White House and ejected the army within him. Buzzsaw, Ratbat, Ravage, Rumble, Frenzy, Overkill, Slugfest, Sqwarktalk, Beastbox and Slugfest, transformed from their cassette forms and proceeded to attack not just the White House, but any vehicle and fleshling around. Soundwave turned and fired upon a nearby police car, causing the police officers and civilians to scramble for their lives. As the car exploded, Soundwave smiled behind his facemask, as he spoke into the comm. device.

"Motormaster... the word... is given."

Motormaster smiled.

"STUNTICONS! TRANSFORM AND ATTACK!!"

Breakdown, Wildrider and Dead-End transformed into robot mode, as the rear doors of Motormaster's trailer opened and Dragstrip rolled out, transforming. Afterwards, Motormaster transformed himself and fired his cannon into a nearby building, smiling as the building collapsed.

At the airfield, the six jets burst out from the hangar bays they were in, transforming into the Decepticon Seekers – Starscream, Skywarp, Thundercracker, Thrust, Dirge and Ramjet. The six deadly Decepticons started to open fire around the airfield, razing the place to the ground.

At the construction site, where a skyscraper was in the process of being built, the six new vehicles, transformed into the Constructicons, who merged into the Devastator. The powerful Decepticon destroyed the foundation of the skyscraper, before levelling it's blaster cannon and reducing the nearby buildings into rubble.

Soundwave's cassettes had entered the White House and were doing their job well. The flying cassettes terrorised numerous tourists and office workers, as did the other animal cassettes. Rumble and Frenzy activated their piledrivers, cracking the ground around the building. Inside, Secret Service agents gathered the First family and led them away from the marauding robots. Unfortunately, they only managed to get outside when a husky, metallic voice spoke.

"You fleshlings really think you're so superior... and yet, when faced against those who ARE your superiors..."

Two of the new agents cried out as their sidearms flew from their holsters and then transformed into two of the most deadly and dangerous Decepticons ever – the cold and logical Shockwave and the evil and maniacal Megatron.

Megatron smirked.

"You flesh creatures scurry about like the insignifcant creatures you are. In preparation to be trode into the ground!"

The President tried to stand in front of his family, the secret service agents surrounding them. The President glared at the two robots.

"What is the purpose of this attack? Do you know who I am? I'm the President of the United States!"

Megatron looked at Shockwave, a look of shock on his face.

"Do you think we're in trouble now Shockwave? The President of the United States is before us. Why, my internal sensors are about to short out."

Shockwave chuckled to himself, as Megatron smirked as he reached down and plucked the most powerful man in America off the ground and brought him level with his optics.

"Do you know what YOU are to me? A miserable flesh creature who deserves nothing but death."

The President paled considerably as Megatron shook his hand, causing the man to cry out.

"Y... You can... kill me, but that... won't change a thing!"

Megatron smiled.

"I could easily destroy you, and as a matter of fact I may still do so." He paused "However, I want you to die knowing one thing. Your country will be destroyed and it's people made into slaves, as punishment for aiding our enemies. And you only have yourselves to blame for it."

Shockwave added.

"If you creatures had accepted your fate and joined us, this could have been avoided. However, you decided to join the Autobots. You sealed your own fate."

Megatron nodded.

"So true Shockwave, so true. And now Mr. President, it is time for you to die."

Megatron, in an act of true terror, threw the President into the air and fired his fusion cannon. The blast of fusion energy was more than adequate in destroying the frail human. As the screams of outrage and fear came from the small group of humans, he noticed a nearby TV News van, his own sensors telling him that the whole scene had been broadcast live to all the people watching around the country. He smiled and pointed at the van.

"Soundwave, jam that transmission!"

Soundwave issued the command to Ravage and Overkill. The black panther and brown dinosaur tore the van apart, and the last images sent to viewers, were that of Ravage killing the human crew and Overkill stomped on the camera, destroying the feed immediately.

A NATO airbase, tried to send support as did the other military bases. Unfortunately, the Decepticon Micromasters destroyed the NATO airbase, as the Predacons and Seacons destroyed the other bases. Soundwave approached Megatron, his cassettes with him.

"Mighty Megatron, the Terran city of Washington, is now under Decepticon control."

Megatron smiled.

"Good. Have all the flesh creatures herded into one group."

Starscream, who had just landed, glanced at Megatron.

"And what then, Mighty Megatron?"

Megatron faced the black and gold Seeker, a sinister smile on his face.

"Simple Starscream. Destroy them."

Starscream smiled as he glanced at the other Seekers.

"Consider it done, Megatron."

Megatron looked at Shockwave.

"Have the Stunticons and Seacons gather enough construction material, for the Constructicons to begin building the citadel."

Shockwave nodded.

"As you command Mighty Megatron."

Megatron faced Soundwave.

"Soundwave, contact Galvatron and inform him of our success."

Soundwave nodded and went about his task, as Megatron turned and stamped on the White House, destroying it. The evil Decepticon smiled as he surveyed the ruins of the American capital. The statue of Abraham Lincoln had been demolished by the Predacons, as had the other statues of great Americans. The Nemesis II decloaked above Megatron, and more Decepticons flew out of the ship. Megatron knew that whatever Autobots were left in Autobot City would come to try and stop whatever plan he has, and he welcomed the chance. It had been too long since he reminded not just the Autobots, but every other creature in the universe, just why he was called 'The Slagmaker'.

In South America :

The Horrorcons ran rampant through the small country of Peru, causing death and destruction on a scale, the likes of which has never been seen before. The Headmasters, Targetmasters and Powermasters attacked numerous cities on the continent, those cities burning in the wake of the Decepticons. Near Rio De Janeiro, Galvatron stood watching the city, his optics gleaming malevontly

His comm. device chirped and he pressed the button to activate it.

"Galvatron."

The response was quick.

"Mighty Galvatron, I have arrived in the area designated with the Decepticons from Charr. What are your orders?"

Galvatron smiled as he aimed his particle cannon at one of the hotels lining the beach.

"What do you think Thunderwing? Attack and destroy all fleshlings!"

Thunderwing's response had an evil tone to it.

"Of course Mighty Galvatron. Carnivac and Snarler have already started the mayhem, with Flywheels and Battletrap. The others are eager to begin."

Galvatron fired his cannon, the beam of energy slamming into the hotel, destroying it completely.

"THEN BEGIN THUNDERWING!"

The only response over the comm. was that of laughter as the Pretender, Thunderwing, led the forces with him against in a orgy of destruction. Galvatron smirked and transformed into his cannon form and fired repeatedly, each blast causing damage. Within mere seconds, the city was ablaze as flames tore through the buildings, fleshlings dying as the human emergency vehicles tried to assist the wounded and dying.

Galvatron transformed back into robot form, an insidious smile on his face as he observed the smouldering remains of the city of Rio De Janeiro. It was then he noticed a statue on a hill, overlooking the city. As he strode towards the statue, he noticed a group of humans near the statue calling on someone to 'deliver them from the evil of the Devil.'. The evil Decepticon smirked, as he observed a human male, wearing the robes of a religious sort, standing at the head of the group calling on their 'saviour'.

Galvatron snorted as he looked at the statue, a look of evil contempt on his face.

"So, this is the saviour of the miserable flesh creatures, infesting this planet eh?" Galvatron raised his arms in a mocking mimicry of the statue "HAH! What I want to know is, who's going to save the saviour?"

The humans backed away in terror, the preacher wearing a look of terror, as they watched as Galvatron destroyed the statue with his bare hands. Rubble fell onto the crowd, and as the humans scattered, the preacher looked at the Decepticon.

"Servant of the Devil! The Lord shall smite thee!"

Galvatron looked at the human.

"Really? In that case I shall do to your 'Lord', what I'm about to do to you!"

The preacher's eyes went wide, as he raised his arms in a vain attempt to block the foot of Galvatron as he stepped on the human, grinding the human into the ground. The Decepticon chuckled as his communications expert, Acousia, landed next to him.

"Mighty Galvatron, I have received a communiqué from Soundwave. Megatron and his group have successfully destroyed the American capital."

Galvatron looked at her, smiling.

"Good... good... And what of the Autobots?"

Acousia laughed.

"Hiding within their broken city." She raised her arm as a small robotic dragon landed on her arm, and gave a short roar "Report Blaze."

The green dragon flexed his wings and gave his mistress and commander a cunning smile.

"Autobot City is severely undermanned. Judging from my technical downloads, under thirty Autobots are there, with only a dozen at operating capability. The other Autobots left the city prior to the battle at the mausoleum shuttle, and haven't reported back yet." He smiled a toothy grin "Even better, I found some information in regards to a new weapon, that imbecilic scraplet Brainstorm, has created."

Galvatron studied the dragon.

"What sort of weapon?"

Blaze shrugged.

"It's a projectile weapon, utilising magnetic fields. A rail cannon."

Galvatron and Acousia looked at each other, evil thoughts in their optics. However, lying in the shadows of the dark forest, the Decepticon known as Ravage was listening and had recorded every word. He turned and slinked off into the jungle.

"So, a rail cannon. With that weapon, Megatron can be rid of you Galvatron, and retake his place as supreme commander of the Decepticons." His optics narrowed slightly "All those who refuse to follow Megatron, shall be destroyed!"

The black panther disappeared into the jungle, running fast. He approached a nearby train track, where a purple locamotive was waiting. As Ravage approached, the rear hatch of the train opened and the black and purple Seeker known as Skywarp watched Ravage board the train.

"How did it go Ravage?"

Ravage looked at the Seeker, smiling.

"Mission accomplished Skywarp. I have some lovely information for Megatron, information which could finally rid us of Galvatron and even the Autobots!"

Skywarp chuckled, then spoke aloud.

"Astrotrain! Get us out of here! Low and fast!"

The hatch sealed and as the train started down the track, he stretched his passive sensors to their limits, to ensure Galvatron didn't detect him.

"Hang on Skywarp, Ravage. We'll be back with the others in no time!"

Astrotrain picked up speed, and transformed into his space shuttle form. Keeping low to the ground until he was out of range of the scanners of any of Galvatron's and Acousia's, he lifted off into the sky, heading back to Washington. Inside Ravage, was information that was going to change the course of the war with the Autobots, and shift the balance of power from Galvatron, back to Megatron.

Where the power belonged.

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End Book Three.

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Death's Head - I apologise about the rather extreme lateness in an update to this story. I've been busy with a lot of other projects at the moment, and unfortunately, I had to let this one sit idle for some time.

Now, I have a feeling a defense of my actions in this story may be needed, seeing as how much destruction occurs in this, the last chapter, I needed something short of a cataclysm. Therefore, having the Decepticons do what comes naturally to them seemed the most logical way to go.

I have ideas for book four, hell, I've even started writing book four, but at this stage I don't know when I should post it, if ever. To all my readers here, please let me know what you think of this chapter, and if you want to find out what happens to the Earth and such in book four, let me know.

The reason I'm stating this? Well, I've been considering stopping all of my Transformers Generation One fiction, and focus mainly on the other stories I have here, some of which have been on hold for just over a year. But like I said above, if you like these stories I've written, and want to see more, please let me know.

A little bit of info for you old school Marvel US comic Transformers fans : Buster Witwicky, G.P. Blackrock, Circuit Breaker and the Roadjammers are all slated to appear in book four, currently titled as Transformers : Book Four : Requiem for the Earth.

Anyways, please R&R.

Thank you,

Death's Head, Saturday, May 08, 2004.