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Koji Onishi sighed as he dropped his book bag on the floor and headed for the kitchen not caring as the small overstuffed brown and black bag burst open - spilling the contents all over the floor. His older sister Kairi was sitting at the kitchen table a frightened look on her pleasant face. She was on the phone again pleading with the bank as usual - she was twirling a strand of her rich brown hair between forefinger and thumb in a nervous gesture.

Glancing in the refrigerator he wasn't all that surprised to find the power was out again as was typical these days his father was so engrossed in his work he'd forgotten to pay the electric bill.

Tossing the recently purchased carton of now sour milk into the trash can - along with last weeks' leftover tuna casserole - the young fourteen year old began rummaging in the pantry for anything to eat.

"Please, Mister Tatakai, give us one more week! I'm certain my father didn't mean to get so behind on the mortgage," Kairi begged as Koji slunk past her through the too short hallway into his cubicle they jokingly called a bedroom.

Several posters of cute pop stars hung on the far wall. His bed - which was far too small to sleep on since he got that growth spurt - was cluttered with clothes. Mostly dirty. And the small nightstand-dresser combination was tilting even more to one side due to the broken leg. "My life couldn't be any worse," he muttered flopping onto the thick shag carpet floor and looking up at the ceiling. He'd be watching television if the satellite hadn't been repossessed last month.

Picking up a careworn photograph that had been folded and creased numerous times he lovingly regarded his mother. She had been a lovely woman - five foot nine with dirty blonde hair and such a beautiful singing voice. But last year she caught serious pneumonia which escalated into further complications eventually leading to her passing. The doctors had tried everything, but to no avail - and now his father Kenshin Onishi was so lost in his grief and work that he was letting the families' way of life degrade even further. "If only you hadn't died," he privately wished for about the millionth time.

Koji couldn't possibly know that his life and that of the entire Onishi family would soon become infinitely more complicated before the week was out. All of their worries would pale in comparison to what was going to be unleashed on Earth.

Transformers
Robots in Disguise
Battlefield Earth

The cold vastness of space cried out to him - it sang its glorious song of planets to conquer, battles to be fought and won, nothing would stop his army. Glancing to his left he caught sight of his loyal lieutenant as the thirty-five foot tall mechanoid with the rich blue and silver armor entered the bridge. "Ah, Sky-Bite, what news of the battle?" he demanded in his deep and imposing voice.

"I regret to report failure. The twelfth battle fleet was decimated by a joint effort of Autobot and local resistance," Sky-Bite reported standing in his customary strictly militaristic pose - arms clasped behind his back held at attention.

"So much for the glory of that blustering fool's boasts." The Predacon leader growled - a cold disdain towards the now deceased commander of said fleet entering his tone. "Dark Scream!" he bellowed turning to the light blue and beige armored pilot.

"Yes, my liege?" Dark Scream promptly spoke up his optics widening in nervous trepidation.

"We will need to relocate and set down at a suitable replacement planet to refuel prior to recommitting ourselves to the war effort. Locate such a world!" he ordered his wings unfurling with his ire at the incompetence of certain lackeys.

"I believe I have already located just the world we need," Dark Scream informed in his usually grating tone - Sky-Bite couldn't stand the high pitched vocal patterns of the navigator and pilot. "It is primitive in comparison to the worlds we deem worthy of conquest - not even capable of true space flight - past the fact they've managed to land on their puny excuse for an orbiting satellite. However they posses an abundance of resources capable of being converted into Energon."

"Excellent! Set course immediately before the Autobots can detect us," the imposingly large Predacon leader ordered. Settling back into his throne and refolding his wings so they weren't encumbered by his ludicrously small command seat – he smiled in anticipation of rectifying the failures of his subordinates.

"Of course, Lord Megatron," Dark Scream said with a smarmy smirk - inputting the co-ordinates swiftly into the navigation station he activated the Transwarp drive.

"What do the locals call this woefully insignificant planetoid?" Sky-Bite inquired curious as to their destination.

"Earth," Dark Scream replied spitting the vile sounding name in contempt and disgust.

"Terrific!" the red and black armored form of Gunner first-class Slapper muttered joining the conversation. "Sounds like a galactic compost heap," he complained.

"Could be worse," Gas Skunk said with a chuckle. "They could have called it planet Dirt."

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Optimus Prime looked up at the sound of his door chime. He sighed as he climbed from behind his cramped desk and moved to answer it. The mech at the door was the black and white form of his most trusted battlefield tactician. "Greetings, Prowl, come in! Care for an Energon beverage?" he offered ushering the stoic looking mechanoid inside.

"No thank you, sir," Prowl politely declined taking care not to trip over the large stack of reports – they lay scattered in the middle of the far-too small room high command had saw fit to grant their beloved battlefield commander. "Pitiful excuse for a council! This is no way to treat the bearer of the Matrix," he thought in silent contempt.

"I take it the news is grim," Prime remarked resuming his seat and brushing aside another heap of reports. "Forgive the mess. My receptionist hasn't been in since last solar cycle."

"I'm afraid you're correct, sir. High command has just gotten word from the Spychangers. Their intelligence gathering has paid off - Predacon flagship Nemesis is enroute to sector nineteen," Prowl reported lowering his head in silent remorse.

Prime understood all too well - Megatron and his elite squadron had been evading all efforts of neutralization for over four millennia now. He knew what was coming next and he hated forestalling. "When do we disembark?" he demanded curtly.

"Seven cycles. We're to rendezvous with Wedge and his team on one of the eastern continents where Global Space Bridge control has been established since Nineteen Eighty-Four," Prowl relayed in a hushed tone.

Prime was surprised - he hadn't been aware the Build Team was stationed on Earth already.

"We end this now, Prowl. This time Megatron does not escape!" Prime vowed smashing his fist into the desk top.

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Space dock fifty-three stood on the outskirts of Philenian District - it was a decrepit looking complex that had seen better days. The metallic tarmac was in serious need of maintenance and the complex itself was barely standing up what with the rear wall a crumbling wreck. But it still served its purpose in spite of the edifices more colorful history and decayed physical appearance.

"Hey, little brother, good to see you made it on time for a change," the silver, grey and green armored Autobot told the blue armored figure trudging up to the building.

"Starfire was pretty ticked when I had to leave, X-Brawn, this better be worth it. Not just another lousy mop up action," Side Burn quipped dropping the crate full of supplies the joker at the gates had stuck him with. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to smooth things over with my girl? Sometimes I wonder why I stayed on the active duty roster."

"Relax, Side Burn, she'll still be here when you get back. That girl loves ya too much to go off with the next pretty 'Bot she sees." X-Brawn sighed thumbing a brief print onto a data pad before handing it to the generic looking mechanoid to his right.

"Thank you. Clearance has been granted," the drone intoned in its monotonous voice.

"Not off planet yet and you two are bickering," Prowl complained as he popped his heat out of the entranceway glaring at Side Burn until the youngest of the three siblings resumed hauling the supplies. Prowl grunted his approval." Our ship is just about checked out."

"We weren't fighting," Side Burn muttered pushing past Prowl and entering the ancient docking bay - he froze as soon as he caught sight of the ship. "You call that a ship?" he blurted. The vessel in question was out of the dark ages - it was once a golden hued marvel a flat almost bullet shape only now it was nearly covered from bow to stern in a thick assortment of dents, rust, slime and patches of deck plating. It looked like it was originally designed with cargo hauling in mind and it was barely large enough to hold four Autobots - the minimum number chosen for this mission.

"Relax… she's faster than she looks and perfectly capable of getting us to Earth," Prowl proclaimed with a look of adoration in his optics.

"Oh great! He served on this one too," Side Burn muttered out of the corner of his mouth to X-Brawn.

"Hasn't he served on them all?" X-Brawn countered.

"And what's wrong with that?" a commanding voice demanded from the entrance.

Side Burn and X-Brawn whirled in shock to find the red and blue armored form of Optimus Prime standing there a twinkle of merriment shining in his optics. "Nothing commander, sir," they said as one coming to attention and saluting.

"At ease." Prime chuckled moving to join the shorter Autobots - he observed the subtle shift of demeanor without comment and sighed inwardly - it was a real burden this Matrix. Side Burn wouldn't help the mission any. Prime could already tell he'd be the biggest handful due to the fact that he was younger than the others, but high command had insisted on only three team members. They couldn't spare the Bullet Trains either they needed Rail Racer on Andros Four to deal with an uprising from local Predacon colonists. "Commander Primal spoke highly of the both of you. I am pleased we finally get to work together," Prime stated - referring to the veteran Maximal that both brothers had served prior to their reassignment to this mission.

"It's an honor to be under your command likewise, Optimus Prime," X-Brawn stated offering a more casual salute this time before he boarded the ship with the last of the necessary supplies.

"Come on, sir, we have clearance!" Prowl said making sure that Side Burn couldn't stick his foot in it this time – Prowl was well aware just what happened between the ancient Optimus Primal and his sibling.

"Time to show those Predacons the business," Side Burn said as he dashed on board. "If we make it off planet in this heap," he muttered to himself.

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The Nemesis was the flag ship of the Predacon Empire it was one of the last remaining warships still active after the incalculably numerous years of interstellar war. Its design was as unique as its creator - two hundred feet long it had been crafted to resemble the deadliest hunter on the planet Cybertron prior to the eradication of the organic sub-species. The aft was the widest portion of the vessel - due in part to the massive quadruple engine mounts - from there the ship swept inwards until ending at a point.
Each section was sculpted from the metallic surface to resemble the scaled skin of a Cybertronian Crystal Snake.

Of course each segment housed a compliment of automatic defenses, laser emplacements, sub-surface missile launchers and rocket launchers – the main weapon was quite an impressive feat of engineering it was a deadly fusion cannon mounted on the underbelly near the base of the bridge.

The bridge was housed within the fore, which had been made to resemble the head of the beast - a Cybertronian Crystal Snake bore a slight resemblance to a wingless and legless dragon. The jaws were open wide to engulf all and instill fear into the sparks of any foolish enough to cross her path.

At this particular moment it floated just above the Earth's moon prepared - at least in appearance - to devour the small blue green world. A small porthole on the underbelly of the vessel opened launching a smaller vessel. This one matching the appearance of a Sai with its out swept wings and bladed tips.

"Slapper to Sky-Bite, we are entering stealth mode now. Contact us the minute you establish the space bridge uplink," the smaller Predacon called over the comn line.

"Relax! Gas Skunk and I won't start the party without you," Sky-Bite quipped as he regarded the small black and yellow Mech beside him with a feral grin.

"You think these… Hew-Mons will pose a threat?" the red-masked Predacon wondered purposefully mispronouncing the species' name.

"What could they possibly do?" Sky-Bite chastised with a cold sneer. "They're smaller than a Maximal."

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Koji sighed as he slumped down at his desk after school drumming his fingers in impatience at the lack of his father's presence. Ms. Juniko sat at her desk grading papers - at five two she was shorter than almost all of her students. She was a stern teacher though despite her deceptive timidity and at twenty-two she was one of the youngest teachers on the faculty.

Koji found that he couldn't help but stare at those full pouting lips, that cute button nose, those oddly mismatched eyes as they flashed between the door and her papers. The left pupil was a deep magenta while the right was as blue as ice and often just as emotionless.
Like most of the boys in his class he was attracted to her - being even bolder than them teasing her with the nickname Junko whenever the opportunity presented itself.

"Koji, it is impolite to stare," she softly spoke up in a deceptively subdued tone.

Koji knew that when she wanted it to be it could be as loud as a cracking whip and just as painful. "Sorry, Ms. Juniko," he apologized quickly averting his eyes from her petite frame and glancing out the window as a blue corvette drove by. "Oh that is such a cool car," he thought to himself. "That's the kind of car I want to have when I get my license."

"I am so sorry I'm late, Ms. Juniko, but… Well no sense in sharing our troubles," Kairi announced as she strode into the classroom.

"I thought I made it clear I wished to speak with Koji's father, Kairi," Ms. Juniko stated disapprovingly.

Kairi sighed wistfully - personally she'd like to have a few words with her father too. "He has been delayed," she explained moving to take a seat.

"I'm afraid that's not good enough. Koji's behavior in my class has grown beyond tiny little pranks or…" She was cut off by a sudden sonic boom.

Koji looked up from his fidgeting at the oddly out of place sound. There were no military bases around here so he shouldn't be hearing the sound of a fighter jet.

"I'm sorry. But I'm going to have to insist you take me to your father now," Ms. Juniko stated ignoring the mysterious sound - despite the similarities however that was not a fighter jet.

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The Predacon vessel touched down in a large clearing not far from a construct of unknown design. Gas Skunk curled his lip in disgust as he caught sight of the stark white sterile color pattern. "Primus! These creatures have no taste!" he moaned flicking power switches off one by one while Sky-Bite observed the area approvingly.

"Far out of the way… No humans will detect our presence until it is too late," Sky-Bite stated. "Relax, Gas Skunk, we shall convert this construct into a technological marvel once the others join us," he added rising from his seat and heading towards the now lowering exit ramp.

"Aren't we going to initiate planet wide scan?" Gas Skunk inquired his finger hovering inches above the necessary switch.

"Predacons do not hide like Autobots," the second in command retorted his anchor arm whirling and locking into fire mode. "Now come on!" he ordered striding purposefully down the ramp.

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Meanwhile inside the complex Koji and Kairi were leading Ms. Juniko towards the laboratory of their father - having arrived a few minutes ago due in part that this particular complex was a mere twenty minute drive from the school.

Kenshin Onishi was a thirty-five year old man who had been tops in all his classes - most especially the sciences. He had excelled at quantum field mechanics and had been in the process of developing a new means of instant transportation from one location to another when his wife had unexpectedly died. Now his only claim to fame was being one of the world's foremost experts on fossil fuels, conversion, possible locations and even recycling. His goal now was to find a new, more efficient, longer lasting fuel source that could be converted into use in any device.

His laboratory complex had been moved seventy-five miles west of town after numerous explosive accidents had devastated the industrial complexes neighboring it. It stood fifty stories high - the height factor something Onishi had insisted on for what reason none of his colleagues could fathom though some speculated it concerned the volatile nature of his experiments - and the fact that it wouldn't do to have the roof collapsing in on him.

The government had funded his research for the past four years, but in recent months they had begun to pull their fundings feeling that Onishi just wasn't producing enough positive results to warrant being paid such exorbitant fees.
Onishi stood six feet three inches with rich brown hair hazel eyes an impressive build - for a scientist - and of course a pair of oval rimmed glasses. He was forever wearing light beige pants, a stained white lab coat and shirt.

As she entered the man's presence - Ms. Juniko was not impressed with his appearance at all - he hadn't shaved or kept up his personal hygiene for what seemed like months and looked like he'd lost a lot of weight since the funeral. She had attended out of concern for her student. "These poor children," she thought as she passed what she hoped to god was dry mud and not something infinitely more unpleasant. Clearing her throat to speak she made to reach out to touch the man, but changed her mind at the last minute. "Mr. Onishi, I must speak to you," she said.

Upon hearing voices - Kenshin turned startling Ms. Juniko with the way he looked. The pallor of his skin was sickly and his eyes were bloodshot and haunted by ghosts of the past. "Not now! No… Not now! Too busy… much too busy. Yesssss," he muttered dismissing her with a wave of his hand and resuming his tinkering with the computer.

"Dear god! He needs professional help," Ms. Juniko blurted backing away from the twisted grief stricken man.

"I know!" Kairi wailed. "But he won't leave this god damn lab."

Koji was silent - filled with both a deep pitying sorrow and a raw anger for the man he called father. He had loved his mother just as much as dad had, why should he be so stuck in the past? Why couldn't he just accept it and move on?

"I think it best…" Ms. Juniko began to say - the wall at the far end of the lab exploded sending shards of concrete flying into the building colliding with the equipment and dangerously destabilizing some of the more volatile chemicals. The four humans looked up in sudden terror as two large figures moved through the smoke and dust drawing closer into view.

The Predacon Sky-Bite entered first - his weapon still smoking - a dark smile on his lips. It had been far too long since he personally got to blow anything up. Surveying his surroundings he was surprised that for a building as large as this one - and a room as spacious as this - wasn't cluttered with hundreds of pathetic devices or trinkets that had some sentimental hold on the owner.

There were only two large desks covered in computer technologies and a few beakers with a strange looking viscous green fluid. Sky-Bite recognized it surprisingly as primitive attempts at creating Energon. He took note of the four natives - three of them filled with a mixture of awe and horror on their faces - while the fourth appeared to be lost in some waking nightmare. "Get in here, Gas Skunk," he snapped eliciting confused expressions to spread across the humans' faces. "Naturally they fail to comprehend such a complex language as native Cybertronian," He remarked in amusement.

"You know… you could give me a hand!" Gas Skunk protested as he hauled a large plain looking square container - with only a few small switches on top - into the room.

"I fail to see why. It's not like we still use those old clunkers the Decepticons first created," Sky Bite reminded.

Gas Skunk shuddered as he plopped the container down in the far left corner of the room ignoring the scream of terror from the female human closest to him. "Megatron would kill you if you so much as breathed that name in his presence," he reminded twisting the small blue and purple dial as far as it would go and flicking the green and maroon colored switch to its leftmost position.

With a quick transformation the container unfolded into a large black and dark blue platform with six pillars situated at even intervals around it. They towered sixty-nine feet tall - which was necessary considering how big some of the Predacons awaiting transit were. The topmost piece of the device attached to the pillars via strong cables - was a small spherical node with a rod sticking up into the air.

A small portion of the container had converted into a fully functional control console complete with built in communication relays and internal power generators - however for the power output that would be required to transport the other Predacons planet side - the console had merged and connected via three large cables to the greater power supply of the human's building.

The humans were rooted to the spot watching in fascination and terrified of these monstrous mechanoids. Koji was unable to comprehend a single word these creatures had uttered – except for the names Gas Skunk and Megatron. He guessed names were the same in both languages - he was afraid though what these creatures' actions were going to accomplish.

The shorter of the two approached the baffling device and flicked a few switches. Power sprang alive in the object and it made a deep thrumming sound shaking the very foundations of the building. "Tisex cybernoterra venalisca, Slapper, berdicor vessiaux spatialienes radie," he said through the device.

"Corneleta, Gas Skunk! Megatron savane resicornith urduon," a voice spoke from the device.

The shorter robot sneered and slapped one of the switches. "Internilote vorn quiescall," he muttered looking over at the largest of the pair who smiled with a slightly malicious edge.

Without warning the device sprang to life and a glowing red sphere appeared within the center of the platform, it expanded and grew until four distinct shapes could be made out - and then in a blinding flash of green and golden light - four more robots stood on the now cooling platform. The largest was a black and purple in color with gold and red highlights beside him stood an all blue mechanoid with a dragon's head for a hand –Koji was surprised that he recognized it. The other two were red and black and light beige and blue in color respectively and were about the same height as the one who'd activated the device.

"What's he doing here?" Gas Skunk growled glaring daggers at the various blue-hued Predacon standing next to Megatron.

"Come now… Megatron merely thought someone more capable in alien technologies would be required," he replied with a sneer.

"We don't need you, Cryotek, never have never will," Gas Skunk retorted his tail uncurling from behind him and raising up above his head poised to strike.

"Cease this bickering at once," Megatron commanded narrowing his optics in fury. "Cryotek, proceed with the unloading and establishment of the computer and fuel refinery."

"As you wish, Lord Megatron," Cryotek replied with a slight bow - his right hand flicked back and forth from the equipment as he studied what he had to work with.

Gas Skunk - unobserved by Megatron – shuddered as the dragon's head hand licked its lips as it stared at the black and yellow Predacon skunk briefly. "That thing creeps me out," he muttered.

"Slapper, Dark Scream, deal with those aggravating little creatures," Megatron added indicating the cowering forms of the humans.

"With pleasure. Slapper Terrorize!" Slapper cried transforming into his mechanical beast mode. "I wonder if they taste as good as those natives on Systeraniux Nine, Dark Scream," he mused licking his tongue across his lips slowly.

"You're sick, Slapper. Dark Scream Terrorize!" Slapper's companion shouted transforming into his respective beast mode. The two advanced on the humans - Dark Scream taking to the air and extracting his claws eager for a fresh kill.

"No!" Kenshin cried suddenly startling the two creatures. "You can't have it! It's mine!" He began inputting codes into the computer at a lightning fast pace surprising his children at the sudden burst of speed.

Dark Scream and Slapper shared a confused look before Slapper bounded across the room and switched to Terran English. "Pathetic attempt really whatever you're up to it won't save you," he quipped opening wide his mouth and preparing to ingest Kenshin.

"Dad!" Koji screamed picking up a discarded metal rod and ramming it into Slapper's nearest left leg.

Slapper growled and spun around lashing out with his tongue sending the pitiful human flying into his sister. "You'll get your turn to experience Predacon digestive tracks," he said sneering with contempt.

"Ms. Juniko, take this," Kenshin requested handing the frozen woman a small spherical object that was yellow and red. "And get my children to safety," he added the glint of madness gone from his eyes.

"Mr. Onishi, what?" she began to ask in confusion before the scientist pushed her towards the door.

"No arguments just go! Now!" he commanded.

"Dad, wait!" Kairi pleaded running towards her father.

Dark Scream swooped down and raked Kairi's left leg cutting a deep gash that spurted with her lifeblood. The female screamed in pain and stumbled only to be kept from falling by her brother who had woozily reclaimed his footing. Ms. Juniko rushed to the two children unsure what Onishi was plotting, but knowing it couldn't be good – she had to help them escape these mechanical monsters.

Slapper spun back around to face the scientist just as he input the final code - instantly his console exploded setting off a chain reaction that created an ever expanding ball of flame.

Dark Scream howled in surprised fear as Slapper flew through the air and knocked him from the sky.

Megatron glared after the retreating humans the younger woman screaming in hysterics. "Sky-Bite, deal with them," he snapped.

"With pleasure. Sky-Bite Terrorize!" the lieutenant commander shouted converting into his beast mode and diving underground.

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Warning klaxons screamed and four heads turned in sudden surprise - the shortest of the group was the first to pinpoint the source of the calamity - he couldn't believe his optics when he saw what the computer was registering.

"They're here already," the large mostly yellow armored soldier remarked in shock.

"That's not all! One signature is chasing some humans," the red and grey armored individual reported indicating the flickering grainy image of a giant mechanical shark leaping in and out of the ground in pursuit of a small red sportscar.

"We can't let any innocents get harmed! Build Team, we move out now!" the orange leader stated charging down the hallway to one of the adjoining rooms.

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"That overgrown land shark is still after us, Ms. Juniko!" Koji announced in fear trying desperately to keep staunching the flow of blood from his sister's wound.

"Daddy no!" Kairi kept repeating over and over again distracting Ms. Juniko with her pain filled mantra.

"I'm flooring it now! What is that thing?" the teacher wondered in fear swerving around the bend in the road at over a hundred and fifty.

"I don't know, but…" Koji trailed off as the shark burst out of the road in front of them - having gone straight through rather than following the curve - it opened wide its mouth and let fly twin missiles that blew up the pavement on either side of the car.

Ms. Juniko was hard pressed to keep the car on the road and she nearly lost it when the shark tried to take a bite out of it. "This isn't happening!" she screamed turning the wheel sharply and nearly skidding out.

"Daddy! Daddy!" Kairi began to wail her voice growing in rhythm and pitch until - it became so loud within the confines of the car - that Koji wanted to hit her to shut her up.

But Koji knew he had to be strong for the both of them because both of their parents were now gone. Without warning a blinding light flared just ahead and four truly oddly colored construction vehicles appeared. Their colors were brighter than anything Koji had ever seen as though they were representative of some flamboyant Sentai squad.

The dump truck plowed grille first into the shark knocking him to the side of the road. Sky-Bite cursed something in his native tongue and shifted back into his imposing robot form. That was when the four construction vehicles followed suit - shifting almost seamlessly from vehicle to robot – and revealing more of the terrifying aliens.

"Heavy Load, Grimlock, get that car through the space bridge to safety! Hightower, let's blast this 'Con," Wedge commanded pulling out his dual-barreled blaster and firing at the beast.

The formerly green front-end loader and yellow dump truck moved over to the car while the red crane – now robot - pulled out a small hand gun and a super long rifle and began firing non-stop into the attacking shark robot.

"YEAH! DIE YOU STINKIN' PREDACON!" Hightower cried laser projectiles flying in a mad arc striking the ground and some of the nearby trees.

Grimlock grunted in disgust and turned to the female driver. "Go through the space bridge!" He indicated the swirling blue vortex that was further up the road. "You'll be safe on the other end," he told her.

"No way are we going to listen to you!" Koji countered balling his hands into fists wanting to do something – anything - to protect his sister.

"I don't have time to argue with you kid… now do as I say and go!" Grimlock bellowed his optics begin to burn with rage – a throwback to his days as a more primitive warrior before he joined the Build Team.

"Calm down, big green," Heavy Load cautioned. "Look, lady, forget what the kid said. Trust us we're here to help, we're the Build Team and that portal will get you to a safe haven while we deal with shark boy over there." Heavy Load jabbed one of his fingers in Sky-Bite's direction.

"I don't understand half of what you're trying to tell me!" Ms. Juniko said with a shake of her head. "But I'm going to trust you know what you're doing. Besides you are trying to help us," she remarked slamming on the accelerator and barreling into the vortex despite Koji's protestations.

"All right! Finally I get some action," Grimlock cheered leaping over to join the fray.

"Build Team, you know the drill!" Wedge shouted. "Combine into…" All four shifted forms a second time much to Sky-Bite's dismay and rearranged into one entity. "Landfill, Earth Mode!" the giant Autobot announced pounding his two arms - formed from Heavy Load's configuration – together in anticipation of a fight.

"A combiner… here! Megatron must be informed at once," Sky-Bite muttered he quickly hopped into the air the jewel on his chest glowing for a split second. "Tsunami Blaster!" he shouted activating his special spark attack. The blast blinded Landfill long enough for him to shift back into his beast mode and dive underground.

"I hate spark attacks," Heavy Load coughed - the force of the blast having taken Landfill by surprise - resulting in their forced separation.

"Come on, team, we've got some humans to calm down," Wedge reminded heading for the space bridge entrance with a sigh.

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Meanwhile back in the lab complex - Gas Skunk was just digging himself out of a pile of rubble from the floor - he sighed and cursed the human's efficiency. That was when he noticed the tiny form stirring near where the console had been. His optics widened in shock. "The human survived the blast!" he proclaimed.

"Impossible! No mere organic could have survived that," Dark Scream said shoving Slapper off of him and reverting to robot mode.

"Heal him to the best of your abilities," Megatron ordered pushing himself back up to his feet.

"What!? Why!?" Gas Skunk demanded.

"He didn't just blow his databanks up for nothing! I saw something in his eyes for the briefest moment before he activated the destruct. He's seen our kind before!" Megatron stated glaring down at Gas Skunk.

"But…How? When?" Slapper wondered shrugging off his wooziness.

"That is what the mental scan will tell us - if his higher brain functions are still intact. Now do as I say!" Megatron bellowed causing all three to jump to their feet and race to the human's fallen side. Each one wanted to be the first to the smaller ship still resting outside on the grass.

"Could the Autobots have come in contact with these humans before?" Cryotek wondered.

"I believe so, old friend, which can mean only one thing," Megatron said turning to regard the horizon outside the gaping hole created by Sky-Bite's initial arrival. "We'll be staying longer than initially planned." He smirked knowingly

"Oh joy," Slapper groaned. "Just what I wanted to hear."

"Shut up!" Dark Scream hissed in warning.

Megatron ignored their complaining and clenched his right hand causing energy to play across his knuckle, he hated secrets and he hated Autobot secrets especially. "The high-command will rue the day I came to Earth," he whispered prophetically a dark sneer crossing his lips. "And then victory will be in my grasp."

"Provided of course, Megatron, that what you suspect proves true," Cryotek remarked casually.

Megatron turned to eye Cryotek with narrowed optics. "I am certain this is the pitiful planet where the Maximal Elders sent their secret weapon," he stated. "And this pitiable flesh creature may hold the key to discovering where it lays hidden," he added convinced of his words.

Cryotek smirked. "Of course, Megatron, whatever you say." He gently ran his fingers over his dragon's head hand petting the seemingly sentient limb.

To Be Continued

Description
Koji Onishi sighed as he dropped his book bag on the floor and headed for the kitchen not caring as the small overstuffed brown and black bag burst open - spilling the contents all over the floor. His older sister Kairi was sitting at the kitchen table a frightened look on her pleasant face. She was on the phone again pleading with the bank as usual - she was twirling a strand of her rich brown hair between forefinger and thumb in a nervous gesture.

Glancing in the refrigerator he wasn't all that surprised to find the power was out again as was typical these days his father was so engrossed in his work he'd forgotten to pay the electric bill.

Tossing the recently purchased carton of now sour milk into the trash can - along with last weeks' leftover tuna casserole - the young fourteen year old began rummaging in the pantry for anything to eat.

"Please, Mister Tatakai, give us one more week! I'm certain my father didn't mean to get so behind on the mortgage," Kairi begged as Koji slunk past her through the too short hallway into his cubicle they jokingly called a bedroom.

Several posters of cute pop stars hung on the far wall. His bed - which was far too small to sleep on since he got that growth spurt - was cluttered with clothes. Mostly dirty. And the small nightstand-dresser combination was tilting even more to one side due to the broken leg. "My life couldn't be any worse," he muttered flopping onto the thick shag carpet floor and looking up at the ceiling. He'd be watching television if the satellite hadn't been repossessed last month.

Picking up a careworn photograph that had been folded and creased numerous times he lovingly regarded his mother. She had been a lovely woman - five foot nine with dirty blonde hair and such a beautiful singing voice. But last year she caught serious pneumonia which escalated into further complications eventually leading to her passing. The doctors had tried everything, but to no avail - and now his father Kenshin Onishi was so lost in his grief and work that he was letting the families' way of life degrade even further. "If only you hadn't died," he privately wished for about the millionth time.

Koji couldn't possibly know that his life and that of the entire Onishi family would soon become infinitely more complicated before the week was out. All of their worries would pale in comparison to what was going to be unleashed on Earth.

Transformers
Robots in Disguise
Battlefield Earth

The cold vastness of space cried out to him - it sang its glorious song of planets to conquer, battles to be fought and won, nothing would stop his army. Glancing to his left he caught sight of his loyal lieutenant as the thirty-five foot tall mechanoid with the rich blue and silver armor entered the bridge. "Ah, Sky-Bite, what news of the battle?" he demanded in his deep and imposing voice.

"I regret to report failure. The twelfth battle fleet was decimated by a joint effort of Autobot and local resistance," Sky-Bite reported standing in his customary strictly militaristic pose - arms clasped behind his back held at attention.

"So much for the glory of that blustering fool's boasts." The Predacon leader growled - a cold disdain towards the now deceased commander of said fleet entering his tone. "Dark Scream!" he bellowed turning to the light blue and beige armored pilot.

"Yes, my liege?" Dark Scream promptly spoke up his optics widening in nervous trepidation.

"We will need to relocate and set down at a suitable replacement planet to refuel prior to recommitting ourselves to the war effort. Locate such a world!" he ordered his wings unfurling with his ire at the incompetence of certain lackeys.

"I believe I have already located just the world we need," Dark Scream informed in his usually grating tone - Sky-Bite couldn't stand the high pitched vocal patterns of the navigator and pilot. "It is primitive in comparison to the worlds we deem worthy of conquest - not even capable of true space flight - past the fact they've managed to land on their puny excuse for an orbiting satellite. However they posses an abundance of resources capable of being converted into Energon."

"Excellent! Set course immediately before the Autobots can detect us," the imposingly large Predacon leader ordered. Settling back into his throne and refolding his wings so they weren't encumbered by his ludicrously small command seat – he smiled in anticipation of rectifying the failures of his subordinates.

"Of course, Lord Megatron," Dark Scream said with a smarmy smirk - inputting the co-ordinates swiftly into the navigation station he activated the Transwarp drive.

"What do the locals call this woefully insignificant planetoid?" Sky-Bite inquired curious as to their destination.

"Earth," Dark Scream replied spitting the vile sounding name in contempt and disgust.

"Terrific!" the red and black armored form of Gunner first-class Slapper muttered joining the conversation. "Sounds like a galactic compost heap," he complained.

"Could be worse," Gas Skunk said with a chuckle. "They could have called it planet Dirt."

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Optimus Prime looked up at the sound of his door chime. He sighed as he climbed from behind his cramped desk and moved to answer it. The mech at the door was the black and white form of his most trusted battlefield tactician. "Greetings, Prowl, come in! Care for an Energon beverage?" he offered ushering the stoic looking mechanoid inside.

"No thank you, sir," Prowl politely declined taking care not to trip over the large stack of reports – they lay scattered in the middle of the far-too small room high command had saw fit to grant their beloved battlefield commander. "Pitiful excuse for a council! This is no way to treat the bearer of the Matrix," he thought in silent contempt.

"I take it the news is grim," Prime remarked resuming his seat and brushing aside another heap of reports. "Forgive the mess. My receptionist hasn't been in since last solar cycle."

"I'm afraid you're correct, sir. High command has just gotten word from the Spychangers. Their intelligence gathering has paid off - Predacon flagship Nemesis is enroute to sector nineteen," Prowl reported lowering his head in silent remorse.

Prime understood all too well - Megatron and his elite squadron had been evading all efforts of neutralization for over four millennia now. He knew what was coming next and he hated forestalling. "When do we disembark?" he demanded curtly.

"Seven cycles. We're to rendezvous with Wedge and his team on one of the eastern continents where Global Space Bridge control has been established since Nineteen Eighty-Four," Prowl relayed in a hushed tone.

Prime was surprised - he hadn't been aware the Build Team was stationed on Earth already.

"We end this now, Prowl. This time Megatron does not escape!" Prime vowed smashing his fist into the desk top.

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Space dock fifty-three stood on the outskirts of Philenian District - it was a decrepit looking complex that had seen better days. The metallic tarmac was in serious need of maintenance and the complex itself was barely standing up what with the rear wall a crumbling wreck. But it still served its purpose in spite of the edifices more colorful history and decayed physical appearance.

"Hey, little brother, good to see you made it on time for a change," the silver, grey and green armored Autobot told the blue armored figure trudging up to the building.

"Starfire was pretty ticked when I had to leave, X-Brawn, this better be worth it. Not just another lousy mop up action," Side Burn quipped dropping the crate full of supplies the joker at the gates had stuck him with. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to smooth things over with my girl? Sometimes I wonder why I stayed on the active duty roster."

"Relax, Side Burn, she'll still be here when you get back. That girl loves ya too much to go off with the next pretty 'Bot she sees." X-Brawn sighed thumbing a brief print onto a data pad before handing it to the generic looking mechanoid to his right.

"Thank you. Clearance has been granted," the drone intoned in its monotonous voice.

"Not off planet yet and you two are bickering," Prowl complained as he popped his heat out of the entranceway glaring at Side Burn until the youngest of the three siblings resumed hauling the supplies. Prowl grunted his approval." Our ship is just about checked out."

"We weren't fighting," Side Burn muttered pushing past Prowl and entering the ancient docking bay - he froze as soon as he caught sight of the ship. "You call that a ship?" he blurted. The vessel in question was out of the dark ages - it was once a golden hued marvel a flat almost bullet shape only now it was nearly covered from bow to stern in a thick assortment of dents, rust, slime and patches of deck plating. It looked like it was originally designed with cargo hauling in mind and it was barely large enough to hold four Autobots - the minimum number chosen for this mission.

"Relax… she's faster than she looks and perfectly capable of getting us to Earth," Prowl proclaimed with a look of adoration in his optics.

"Oh great! He served on this one too," Side Burn muttered out of the corner of his mouth to X-Brawn.

"Hasn't he served on them all?" X-Brawn countered.

"And what's wrong with that?" a commanding voice demanded from the entrance.

Side Burn and X-Brawn whirled in shock to find the red and blue armored form of Optimus Prime standing there a twinkle of merriment shining in his optics. "Nothing commander, sir," they said as one coming to attention and saluting.

"At ease." Prime chuckled moving to join the shorter Autobots - he observed the subtle shift of demeanor without comment and sighed inwardly - it was a real burden this Matrix. Side Burn wouldn't help the mission any. Prime could already tell he'd be the biggest handful due to the fact that he was younger than the others, but high command had insisted on only three team members. They couldn't spare the Bullet Trains either they needed Rail Racer on Andros Four to deal with an uprising from local Predacon colonists. "Commander Primal spoke highly of the both of you. I am pleased we finally get to work together," Prime stated - referring to the veteran Maximal that both brothers had served prior to their reassignment to this mission.

"It's an honor to be under your command likewise, Optimus Prime," X-Brawn stated offering a more casual salute this time before he boarded the ship with the last of the necessary supplies.

"Come on, sir, we have clearance!" Prowl said making sure that Side Burn couldn't stick his foot in it this time – Prowl was well aware just what happened between the ancient Optimus Primal and his sibling.

"Time to show those Predacons the business," Side Burn said as he dashed on board. "If we make it off planet in this heap," he muttered to himself.

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The Nemesis was the flag ship of the Predacon Empire it was one of the last remaining warships still active after the incalculably numerous years of interstellar war. Its design was as unique as its creator - two hundred feet long it had been crafted to resemble the deadliest hunter on the planet Cybertron prior to the eradication of the organic sub-species. The aft was the widest portion of the vessel - due in part to the massive quadruple engine mounts - from there the ship swept inwards until ending at a point.
Each section was sculpted from the metallic surface to resemble the scaled skin of a Cybertronian Crystal Snake.

Of course each segment housed a compliment of automatic defenses, laser emplacements, sub-surface missile launchers and rocket launchers – the main weapon was quite an impressive feat of engineering it was a deadly fusion cannon mounted on the underbelly near the base of the bridge.

The bridge was housed within the fore, which had been made to resemble the head of the beast - a Cybertronian Crystal Snake bore a slight resemblance to a wingless and legless dragon. The jaws were open wide to engulf all and instill fear into the sparks of any foolish enough to cross her path.

At this particular moment it floated just above the Earth's moon prepared - at least in appearance - to devour the small blue green world. A small porthole on the underbelly of the vessel opened launching a smaller vessel. This one matching the appearance of a Sai with its out swept wings and bladed tips.

"Slapper to Sky-Bite, we are entering stealth mode now. Contact us the minute you establish the space bridge uplink," the smaller Predacon called over the comn line.

"Relax! Gas Skunk and I won't start the party without you," Sky-Bite quipped as he regarded the small black and yellow Mech beside him with a feral grin.

"You think these… Hew-Mons will pose a threat?" the red-masked Predacon wondered purposefully mispronouncing the species' name.

"What could they possibly do?" Sky-Bite chastised with a cold sneer. "They're smaller than a Maximal."

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Koji sighed as he slumped down at his desk after school drumming his fingers in impatience at the lack of his father's presence. Ms. Juniko sat at her desk grading papers - at five two she was shorter than almost all of her students. She was a stern teacher though despite her deceptive timidity and at twenty-two she was one of the youngest teachers on the faculty.

Koji found that he couldn't help but stare at those full pouting lips, that cute button nose, those oddly mismatched eyes as they flashed between the door and her papers. The left pupil was a deep magenta while the right was as blue as ice and often just as emotionless.
Like most of the boys in his class he was attracted to her - being even bolder than them teasing her with the nickname Junko whenever the opportunity presented itself.

"Koji, it is impolite to stare," she softly spoke up in a deceptively subdued tone.

Koji knew that when she wanted it to be it could be as loud as a cracking whip and just as painful. "Sorry, Ms. Juniko," he apologized quickly averting his eyes from her petite frame and glancing out the window as a blue corvette drove by. "Oh that is such a cool car," he thought to himself. "That's the kind of car I want to have when I get my license."

"I am so sorry I'm late, Ms. Juniko, but… Well no sense in sharing our troubles," Kairi announced as she strode into the classroom.

"I thought I made it clear I wished to speak with Koji's father, Kairi," Ms. Juniko stated disapprovingly.

Kairi sighed wistfully - personally she'd like to have a few words with her father too. "He has been delayed," she explained moving to take a seat.

"I'm afraid that's not good enough. Koji's behavior in my class has grown beyond tiny little pranks or…" She was cut off by a sudden sonic boom.

Koji looked up from his fidgeting at the oddly out of place sound. There were no military bases around here so he shouldn't be hearing the sound of a fighter jet.

"I'm sorry. But I'm going to have to insist you take me to your father now," Ms. Juniko stated ignoring the mysterious sound - despite the similarities however that was not a fighter jet.

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The Predacon vessel touched down in a large clearing not far from a construct of unknown design. Gas Skunk curled his lip in disgust as he caught sight of the stark white sterile color pattern. "Primus! These creatures have no taste!" he moaned flicking power switches off one by one while Sky-Bite observed the area approvingly.

"Far out of the way… No humans will detect our presence until it is too late," Sky-Bite stated. "Relax, Gas Skunk, we shall convert this construct into a technological marvel once the others join us," he added rising from his seat and heading towards the now lowering exit ramp.

"Aren't we going to initiate planet wide scan?" Gas Skunk inquired his finger hovering inches above the necessary switch.

"Predacons do not hide like Autobots," the second in command retorted his anchor arm whirling and locking into fire mode. "Now come on!" he ordered striding purposefully down the ramp.

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Meanwhile inside the complex Koji and Kairi were leading Ms. Juniko towards the laboratory of their father - having arrived a few minutes ago due in part that this particular complex was a mere twenty minute drive from the school.

Kenshin Onishi was a thirty-five year old man who had been tops in all his classes - most especially the sciences. He had excelled at quantum field mechanics and had been in the process of developing a new means of instant transportation from one location to another when his wife had unexpectedly died. Now his only claim to fame was being one of the world's foremost experts on fossil fuels, conversion, possible locations and even recycling. His goal now was to find a new, more efficient, longer lasting fuel source that could be converted into use in any device.

His laboratory complex had been moved seventy-five miles west of town after numerous explosive accidents had devastated the industrial complexes neighboring it. It stood fifty stories high - the height factor something Onishi had insisted on for what reason none of his colleagues could fathom though some speculated it concerned the volatile nature of his experiments - and the fact that it wouldn't do to have the roof collapsing in on him.

The government had funded his research for the past four years, but in recent months they had begun to pull their fundings feeling that Onishi just wasn't producing enough positive results to warrant being paid such exorbitant fees.
Onishi stood six feet three inches with rich brown hair hazel eyes an impressive build - for a scientist - and of course a pair of oval rimmed glasses. He was forever wearing light beige pants, a stained white lab coat and shirt.

As she entered the man's presence - Ms. Juniko was not impressed with his appearance at all - he hadn't shaved or kept up his personal hygiene for what seemed like months and looked like he'd lost a lot of weight since the funeral. She had attended out of concern for her student. "These poor children," she thought as she passed what she hoped to god was dry mud and not something infinitely more unpleasant. Clearing her throat to speak she made to reach out to touch the man, but changed her mind at the last minute. "Mr. Onishi, I must speak to you," she said.

Upon hearing voices - Kenshin turned startling Ms. Juniko with the way he looked. The pallor of his skin was sickly and his eyes were bloodshot and haunted by ghosts of the past. "Not now! No… Not now! Too busy… much too busy. Yesssss," he muttered dismissing her with a wave of his hand and resuming his tinkering with the computer.

"Dear god! He needs professional help," Ms. Juniko blurted backing away from the twisted grief stricken man.

"I know!" Kairi wailed. "But he won't leave this god damn lab."

Koji was silent - filled with both a deep pitying sorrow and a raw anger for the man he called father. He had loved his mother just as much as dad had, why should he be so stuck in the past? Why couldn't he just accept it and move on?

"I think it best…" Ms. Juniko began to say - the wall at the far end of the lab exploded sending shards of concrete flying into the building colliding with the equipment and dangerously destabilizing some of the more volatile chemicals. The four humans looked up in sudden terror as two large figures moved through the smoke and dust drawing closer into view.

The Predacon Sky-Bite entered first - his weapon still smoking - a dark smile on his lips. It had been far too long since he personally got to blow anything up. Surveying his surroundings he was surprised that for a building as large as this one - and a room as spacious as this - wasn't cluttered with hundreds of pathetic devices or trinkets that had some sentimental hold on the owner.

There were only two large desks covered in computer technologies and a few beakers with a strange looking viscous green fluid. Sky-Bite recognized it surprisingly as primitive attempts at creating Energon. He took note of the four natives - three of them filled with a mixture of awe and horror on their faces - while the fourth appeared to be lost in some waking nightmare. "Get in here, Gas Skunk," he snapped eliciting confused expressions to spread across the humans' faces. "Naturally they fail to comprehend such a complex language as native Cybertronian," He remarked in amusement.

"You know… you could give me a hand!" Gas Skunk protested as he hauled a large plain looking square container - with only a few small switches on top - into the room.

"I fail to see why. It's not like we still use those old clunkers the Decepticons first created," Sky Bite reminded.

Gas Skunk shuddered as he plopped the container down in the far left corner of the room ignoring the scream of terror from the female human closest to him. "Megatron would kill you if you so much as breathed that name in his presence," he reminded twisting the small blue and purple dial as far as it would go and flicking the green and maroon colored switch to its leftmost position.

With a quick transformation the container unfolded into a large black and dark blue platform with six pillars situated at even intervals around it. They towered sixty-nine feet tall - which was necessary considering how big some of the Predacons awaiting transit were. The topmost piece of the device attached to the pillars via strong cables - was a small spherical node with a rod sticking up into the air.

A small portion of the container had converted into a fully functional control console complete with built in communication relays and internal power generators - however for the power output that would be required to transport the other Predacons planet side - the console had merged and connected via three large cables to the greater power supply of the human's building.

The humans were rooted to the spot watching in fascination and terrified of these monstrous mechanoids. Koji was unable to comprehend a single word these creatures had uttered – except for the names Gas Skunk and Megatron. He guessed names were the same in both languages - he was afraid though what these creatures' actions were going to accomplish.

The shorter of the two approached the baffling device and flicked a few switches. Power sprang alive in the object and it made a deep thrumming sound shaking the very foundations of the building. "Tisex cybernoterra venalisca, Slapper, berdicor vessiaux spatialienes radie," he said through the device.

"Corneleta, Gas Skunk! Megatron savane resicornith urduon," a voice spoke from the device.

The shorter robot sneered and slapped one of the switches. "Internilote vorn quiescall," he muttered looking over at the largest of the pair who smiled with a slightly malicious edge.

Without warning the device sprang to life and a glowing red sphere appeared within the center of the platform, it expanded and grew until four distinct shapes could be made out - and then in a blinding flash of green and golden light - four more robots stood on the now cooling platform. The largest was a black and purple in color with gold and red highlights beside him stood an all blue mechanoid with a dragon's head for a hand –Koji was surprised that he recognized it. The other two were red and black and light beige and blue in color respectively and were about the same height as the one who'd activated the device.

"What's he doing here?" Gas Skunk growled glaring daggers at the various blue-hued Predacon standing next to Megatron.

"Come now… Megatron merely thought someone more capable in alien technologies would be required," he replied with a sneer.

"We don't need you, Cryotek, never have never will," Gas Skunk retorted his tail uncurling from behind him and raising up above his head poised to strike.

"Cease this bickering at once," Megatron commanded narrowing his optics in fury. "Cryotek, proceed with the unloading and establishment of the computer and fuel refinery."

"As you wish, Lord Megatron," Cryotek replied with a slight bow - his right hand flicked back and forth from the equipment as he studied what he had to work with.

Gas Skunk - unobserved by Megatron – shuddered as the dragon's head hand licked its lips as it stared at the black and yellow Predacon skunk briefly. "That thing creeps me out," he muttered.

"Slapper, Dark Scream, deal with those aggravating little creatures," Megatron added indicating the cowering forms of the humans.

"With pleasure. Slapper Terrorize!" Slapper cried transforming into his mechanical beast mode. "I wonder if they taste as good as those natives on Systeraniux Nine, Dark Scream," he mused licking his tongue across his lips slowly.

"You're sick, Slapper. Dark Scream Terrorize!" Slapper's companion shouted transforming into his respective beast mode. The two advanced on the humans - Dark Scream taking to the air and extracting his claws eager for a fresh kill.

"No!" Kenshin cried suddenly startling the two creatures. "You can't have it! It's mine!" He began inputting codes into the computer at a lightning fast pace surprising his children at the sudden burst of speed.

Dark Scream and Slapper shared a confused look before Slapper bounded across the room and switched to Terran English. "Pathetic attempt really whatever you're up to it won't save you," he quipped opening wide his mouth and preparing to ingest Kenshin.

"Dad!" Koji screamed picking up a discarded metal rod and ramming it into Slapper's nearest left leg.

Slapper growled and spun around lashing out with his tongue sending the pitiful human flying into his sister. "You'll get your turn to experience Predacon digestive tracks," he said sneering with contempt.

"Ms. Juniko, take this," Kenshin requested handing the frozen woman a small spherical object that was yellow and red. "And get my children to safety," he added the glint of madness gone from his eyes.

"Mr. Onishi, what?" she began to ask in confusion before the scientist pushed her towards the door.

"No arguments just go! Now!" he commanded.

"Dad, wait!" Kairi pleaded running towards her father.

Dark Scream swooped down and raked Kairi's left leg cutting a deep gash that spurted with her lifeblood. The female screamed in pain and stumbled only to be kept from falling by her brother who had woozily reclaimed his footing. Ms. Juniko rushed to the two children unsure what Onishi was plotting, but knowing it couldn't be good – she had to help them escape these mechanical monsters.

Slapper spun back around to face the scientist just as he input the final code - instantly his console exploded setting off a chain reaction that created an ever expanding ball of flame.

Dark Scream howled in surprised fear as Slapper flew through the air and knocked him from the sky.

Megatron glared after the retreating humans the younger woman screaming in hysterics. "Sky-Bite, deal with them," he snapped.

"With pleasure. Sky-Bite Terrorize!" the lieutenant commander shouted converting into his beast mode and diving underground.

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Warning klaxons screamed and four heads turned in sudden surprise - the shortest of the group was the first to pinpoint the source of the calamity - he couldn't believe his optics when he saw what the computer was registering.

"They're here already," the large mostly yellow armored soldier remarked in shock.

"That's not all! One signature is chasing some humans," the red and grey armored individual reported indicating the flickering grainy image of a giant mechanical shark leaping in and out of the ground in pursuit of a small red sportscar.

"We can't let any innocents get harmed! Build Team, we move out now!" the orange leader stated charging down the hallway to one of the adjoining rooms.

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"That overgrown land shark is still after us, Ms. Juniko!" Koji announced in fear trying desperately to keep staunching the flow of blood from his sister's wound.

"Daddy no!" Kairi kept repeating over and over again distracting Ms. Juniko with her pain filled mantra.

"I'm flooring it now! What is that thing?" the teacher wondered in fear swerving around the bend in the road at over a hundred and fifty.

"I don't know, but…" Koji trailed off as the shark burst out of the road in front of them - having gone straight through rather than following the curve - it opened wide its mouth and let fly twin missiles that blew up the pavement on either side of the car.

Ms. Juniko was hard pressed to keep the car on the road and she nearly lost it when the shark tried to take a bite out of it. "This isn't happening!" she screamed turning the wheel sharply and nearly skidding out.

"Daddy! Daddy!" Kairi began to wail her voice growing in rhythm and pitch until - it became so loud within the confines of the car - that Koji wanted to hit her to shut her up.

But Koji knew he had to be strong for the both of them because both of their parents were now gone. Without warning a blinding light flared just ahead and four truly oddly colored construction vehicles appeared. Their colors were brighter than anything Koji had ever seen as though they were representative of some flamboyant Sentai squad.

The dump truck plowed grille first into the shark knocking him to the side of the road. Sky-Bite cursed something in his native tongue and shifted back into his imposing robot form. That was when the four construction vehicles followed suit - shifting almost seamlessly from vehicle to robot – and revealing more of the terrifying aliens.

"Heavy Load, Grimlock, get that car through the space bridge to safety! Hightower, let's blast this 'Con," Wedge commanded pulling out his dual-barreled blaster and firing at the beast.

The formerly green front-end loader and yellow dump truck moved over to the car while the red crane – now robot - pulled out a small hand gun and a super long rifle and began firing non-stop into the attacking shark robot.

"YEAH! DIE YOU STINKIN' PREDACON!" Hightower cried laser projectiles flying in a mad arc striking the ground and some of the nearby trees.

Grimlock grunted in disgust and turned to the female driver. "Go through the space bridge!" He indicated the swirling blue vortex that was further up the road. "You'll be safe on the other end," he told her.

"No way are we going to listen to you!" Koji countered balling his hands into fists wanting to do something – anything - to protect his sister.

"I don't have time to argue with you kid… now do as I say and go!" Grimlock bellowed his optics begin to burn with rage – a throwback to his days as a more primitive warrior before he joined the Build Team.

"Calm down, big green," Heavy Load cautioned. "Look, lady, forget what the kid said. Trust us we're here to help, we're the Build Team and that portal will get you to a safe haven while we deal with shark boy over there." Heavy Load jabbed one of his fingers in Sky-Bite's direction.

"I don't understand half of what you're trying to tell me!" Ms. Juniko said with a shake of her head. "But I'm going to trust you know what you're doing. Besides you are trying to help us," she remarked slamming on the accelerator and barreling into the vortex despite Koji's protestations.

"All right! Finally I get some action," Grimlock cheered leaping over to join the fray.

"Build Team, you know the drill!" Wedge shouted. "Combine into…" All four shifted forms a second time much to Sky-Bite's dismay and rearranged into one entity. "Landfill, Earth Mode!" the giant Autobot announced pounding his two arms - formed from Heavy Load's configuration – together in anticipation of a fight.

"A combiner… here! Megatron must be informed at once," Sky-Bite muttered he quickly hopped into the air the jewel on his chest glowing for a split second. "Tsunami Blaster!" he shouted activating his special spark attack. The blast blinded Landfill long enough for him to shift back into his beast mode and dive underground.

"I hate spark attacks," Heavy Load coughed - the force of the blast having taken Landfill by surprise - resulting in their forced separation.

"Come on, team, we've got some humans to calm down," Wedge reminded heading for the space bridge entrance with a sigh.

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Meanwhile back in the lab complex - Gas Skunk was just digging himself out of a pile of rubble from the floor - he sighed and cursed the human's efficiency. That was when he noticed the tiny form stirring near where the console had been. His optics widened in shock. "The human survived the blast!" he proclaimed.

"Impossible! No mere organic could have survived that," Dark Scream said shoving Slapper off of him and reverting to robot mode.

"Heal him to the best of your abilities," Megatron ordered pushing himself back up to his feet.

"What!? Why!?" Gas Skunk demanded.

"He didn't just blow his databanks up for nothing! I saw something in his eyes for the briefest moment before he activated the destruct. He's seen our kind before!" Megatron stated glaring down at Gas Skunk.

"But…How? When?" Slapper wondered shrugging off his wooziness.

"That is what the mental scan will tell us - if his higher brain functions are still intact. Now do as I say!" Megatron bellowed causing all three to jump to their feet and race to the human's fallen side. Each one wanted to be the first to the smaller ship still resting outside on the grass.

"Could the Autobots have come in contact with these humans before?" Cryotek wondered.

"I believe so, old friend, which can mean only one thing," Megatron said turning to regard the horizon outside the gaping hole created by Sky-Bite's initial arrival. "We'll be staying longer than initially planned." He smirked knowingly

"Oh joy," Slapper groaned. "Just what I wanted to hear."

"Shut up!" Dark Scream hissed in warning.

Megatron ignored their complaining and clenched his right hand causing energy to play across his knuckle, he hated secrets and he hated Autobot secrets especially. "The high-command will rue the day I came to Earth," he whispered prophetically a dark sneer crossing his lips. "And then victory will be in my grasp."

"Provided of course, Megatron, that what you suspect proves true," Cryotek remarked casually.

Megatron turned to eye Cryotek with narrowed optics. "I am certain this is the pitiful planet where the Maximal Elders sent their secret weapon," he stated. "And this pitiable flesh creature may hold the key to discovering where it lays hidden," he added convinced of his words.

Cryotek smirked. "Of course, Megatron, whatever you say." He gently ran his fingers over his dragon's head hand petting the seemingly sentient limb.

To Be Continued