Rebuilding

			by Mischa Gelman


Legal disclaimer:  Transformers are owned by Hasbro and various
other companies.  Any violation of copyrights is unintentional.  All
characters in the story were invented by either Hasbro, the people who
made the TF TV show or myself.


Well, I got this idea from RP and some OOC talk with Long Haul and
Hook at the MUSH TF2 and decided to expand on it..it's yet another
alternate background for the constructs, as well as several other TFs.
This is my 1st work of fiction over 3 pages, so please tell me what you
think.  And thanks to everybody who looked over my rough draft a month or
two back.



	The tall orange robot looked up from his work, wondering when the
two transports would return.  Or if they would return at all for that
matter.  The war was taking a toll on the population of Cybertron and too
many of his friends and associates were dying in the sudden outbreak of
war.   Steamroller had fallen just the previous week to a sudden attack.
Life for a Cybertonian was getting tough, except for those who were
banding together as Autobots.  They seemed to be doing a good job of
surviving and in some instances even sending the attackers back.  But that
meant turning his thoughs to war...and he didn't want to have to do that
yet.  "It might be a thing for my future, if I have one", he thought, "But
for now, if this project works, we will be safe for a long time...no need
for fighting if we can finish it on time."
	The robot once again looked down at the plans in front of him, the
plans he had spent his past few weeks working on, making sure they held no
flaw.  He was still studying them when one of the other robots nearby, a
green one slightly shorter than him, walked over to join him
in the study.
	"Grapple, we have to start this project soon.  You can't spend
another few weeks looking over your plans when they might attack at
anytime."  The green robot was talking quickly, as if that could urge
Grapple on in speeding up his actions.  "We have already lost 4 of our
workers and many more innocents have died who we can protect once we
finish.  Our work crew is down to 12.  If their is something wrong in your
plan, we will die but it will take time for them to have found the
weakness.  But if we don't hurry up, we'll all be dead even sooner."
	Grapple turned to look at the other robot.  Socket was so young,had
not known the peace that Grapple and the others had known.  Everything had
to be done in a rush.  But he did have a point.  "Once the transports
return...and they WILL, then we start the work.  Maybe the others can see
if there is a problem with my plan."  With that, he turned back to the
diagrams he had drawn by hand as the young, green robot ran off to call
the other high officers over.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

	The red transport truck swerved as it made a sharp turn to try to
get in front of the green truck.  While the material they carried was
important, they were careful not to lose any of into matter how eratically
they drove.  Grapple had warned them not to race like this, but speed was
getting more and more important with the increased rate of the Decepticon
attacks. Besides, while they liked their leader, he would never interfere
with this tradition they had of racing each other back after each time
they picked up materials for the builders to use.
	The sharp turn helped as the red vehicle got ahead of the green
heading towards the final journey back to the construction site.  In the
open, she knew she could win.  While the green one was built for strength,
she was built more for speed.  Not that she was weak or especially fast,
but the differences between the two were noteable, however few those
differences were.
	The green truck behind her was putting on the gas now, but he knew
he had lost to his sister this time.  At least they had gotten back
safely, without being spotted by the Decepticons.  Even after Hook had
worked on him, the truck still bore a large tear in the left door due to
an attack they had suffered on their last transport run.  The trucks both
slowed down considerably as they pulled within sight of the other
construction robots, so Grapple would not be yelling at them again for
racing and possbily causing loss of their cargo.
	At the arrival of the two transport trucks, one of the other
robots, a dark green one, came over to pick up the Cybercrystals they
would need to fuel this grandiose project of Grapple's. The dark green
robot was fairly tall, not as tall as Grapple, but stronger built.  His
silver visor seemed to perfectly conceal any trace of emotion, but the
transports knew he was upset as he had been for a few days for some
reason.  They could predict the forthcoming remarks even before he said
them, "Well, it's about time you two got here.  The important folks have
been planning all day by themselves".  He pointed over at Grapple, Hoist
and Scrapper, deep in discussion, and seemed to glare at them for a
second, before settling his view back on the transports.  "Now drop off
the materials by the main deposit pile, so we can finally start on this." 
As the two vehicles drove off to the pile to deposit the newest of their
deliveries, the silver-visored robot turned away from all the robots
gathered around Grapple and flew off info the night sky, none of them
noticing his passing. 
 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	The Decepticon trader Dirtcheap paced nervously back and forth.
The commander would want him to return soon, but this deal was too
important to give up on already.  He looked around once more, a bit
frightened of those Cybertonians who had taken to calling themselves
Autobots and tried fighting back...pathetic fighters, but they were
learning too quick for his liking.
	A small green speck appeared on the horizon and started to fly
downwards, propelled by the rocket pack equipment Dirtcheap had just given
him of course.  Not that he trusted the unafiliated robot, but it was a
neccessity.  Having to bribe someone to join their army was not a new
tactic by the Constructicons.  Being approached by the other party had
never happened before though.  No doubt they would need to keep a close
eye on the green robot.  And if he got out of line, well, they had ways to
deal with that situation too if it occurred.
	The robot finally arrived, landing in front of Dirtcheap.  That
damn silver visor made it too hard to judge his emotions.  Still, they had
to accept his proposal.  Gaining the aid he promised and putting a stop to
the construction unafiliateds would be a nice move.  "Finally finished the
device, Hook?".  The trader's voice was smooth and quiet, unnerving to
those who didn't know him.  But if Hook had beeen unnerved at the first
meeting of the two, he was no longer.  He even seemed to look down on
Dirtcheap.  Stupid unafil.  If he could not deliver, Dirtcheap himself
would bring him to the grave.
	Hook continued to look down at the Con trader as if he were a
lower life form, "Yes, the device is done.  Soon me and my allies shall be
able to merge into one unstoppable force.  I am sure your ruler will be
most pleased with this, yes?  Enough to allow us to wear those symbols".
He pointed at the purple Decepticon symbol and smirked, already knowing
the answer.  Knowing his demands would be accepted.
 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Back at the construction site, Scrapper and Hoist had just
finished putting their final touches on Grapple's project.  Grapple looked
up, wondering where the team's foreman had went.  Recently Hook had seemed
to wander off more and more.  "Oh well," thought the orange robot, "My
time is too important to spend looking after a menial laborer."  He looked
back at the rest of his work crew, getting irritated by the delay of all
this planning, and now it seems, the absence of their foreman.
	At least the two twins were still being calm as usual.  But
Bonecrusher, Socket and Scavenger had never had much patience and lately
they seemed more anxious about something.  Who could blame them with the
Decepticon invasion and all?  And Huffer, well he was always grumpy, even
before the war.  Mixmaster was strangely anxious as well, moreso than
usual.
	"Get the crews to work, Mixmaster", yelled Grapple at the green
chemical engineer.  "We can't wait for Hook to return from wherever he
went."  He sighed and looked once more at the plans as Mixmaster started
barking commands at the assembled construction robots.  Nothing was
turning out well.  It had just been one bad day for him.  At least the
forcefield would be up soon and the Cybertonians could live in peace.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	The remains of Hoist's old lab didn't hold much of use, but it was
a good hangout for Hook.  No one ever seems to notice him missing, with
the few responsibilities he was given.  Responsibilites way below his
self-worth, in his mind.  Oh well, Grapple would pay soon enough.  And
that twerp and goody two-shoes Socket, already more important to the other 
constructers than he was despite his youth.  And Hoist. His revenge would
be sweet on all those who had cost him power he rightfully deserved.  But
no, they only considered him a strongman, a physical laborer, one not
worthy of planning...they would see their mistake very soon.  They all
would.
	He lowered the damaged laser scalpel and started the final phase
in his new device.  And they said he couldn't plan?  This would establish
his strength, his right to power, to rule.  When he had first approached
the Decepticons with his plan, he hadn't solved all the problems yet.  The
merging technology had been thought up and already implanted in Scavenger
and Bonecrusher.  They had been easy to convince, Scavenger with his
always wanting to prove himself and Bonecrusher with his destructive
nature.  Mixmaster had gone along with the plan easy enough.  Just like
me, Hook thought, denied a chance at power he should have. Well, he is
going to be under my rule soon.  Hook laughed maniacally, considering the
action he was about to take.
	Leaving the construction vehicles he had worked with all his life
to join the army that had invaded his planet.  No, that was the wrong
spin.  Leaving those who did not respect him for those whou would have to.
Hook grinned inwardly, anticapting the features on Grapple, Hoist and
Socket's faces when they would see what he was about to do.  Turning away
from that fond thought, he went back to thinking of how far his plan had
come.
	He knew he would need six of them to go along with him...the first
three had chosen themselves basically.  Bonecrusher would have probably
become a con on his own will soon enough.  Scrapper was the fourth one he
got on board...the twit was bright, but felt his creative genius was being
stifled by Grapple and Hoist.  Hook had manipulated him easily enough into
joining this plan.  As for the sixth robot, well that was the problem.  He
could never trust Socket or Grapple or Hoist...never. Huffer was a grouch,
but he would never rebel against Grapple for some reason.  Probably
because he had no creative genius to be stifled, the idiot.  That had only
left Long Haul and Firestar, those stupid twins who were only could for
transport.  Firestar was smarter and slightly a gentler soul, so he had
decided on Long Haul as the sixth member.  He would never betray his
sister, but the device's newest feature would take care of
that...subverting his will to Hook's, a brilliant addition.  Not that Long
Haul had much will to subvert, the fool.  That did not matter anymore
though.  Once he had the device done and all these fools under him, he
would be unstoppable.  He laughed again to himself.  And Grapple would
never see it coming.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Firestar relaxed against a wall, watching the rapid progress the
project had seen recently.  Soon the force field would be up and all the
Cybertonian neutrals would be safe.  And she and her brother wouldn't have
to run the potential risk of losing each other in this sudden war the
planet was in.  Beside her, she saw Long Haul resting too.  The two of
them seemed to always imitate one another, tiring as quickly, needing to
relax at the same times.  No wonder everyone called them brother and
sister.  As if their close friendship where they would give their lives
for each other wasn't enough.  She turned back to the project, almost
wholly complete even with Hook missing and likely dead.  She wouldn't miss
him much, the emotionless foreman, but he had been a long time associate
and she was sad he would not get a proper good bye.  Not that many on
Cybertron did get a proper send-off nowadays.
	She turned to her brother and noted the tired look on his face
that she knew was evident on hers, "Don't worry, brother.  Soon Grapple
will have this forcefield up and we'll all be safe from the war."  She
smiled as if to emphasize this statement.
	Long Haul grinned back at her, "Of course...I just hope we get it
done soon.  If they attack before it's done... never mind that chance, you
will be safe I promise."  He put a hand to her cheek to try to comfort her
the same way he used to before the invasion, when he was confident he
could protect her from harm.
	He looked up into the small part of sky still visible above the
partially-completed dome.  How beautiful the sky was.  Too bad they would
not see it again till the Decepticons had all departed the planet and left
the Cybertonians alone.  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his sister
look up to also get a last view of the sky.  A small shape flew over the
hole now and seemed to be headed for the interior of the dome.  He was
about to call for Grapple or Hoist to examine it, when a punch caught him
from behind, stunning him.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Firestar watched her brother go down as Bonecrusher hit him.  She
glared at the idiotic green robot and prepared to punch him back, when the
shape coming down from the sky came into clearer view, landing in the
center of the dome.  It was Hook, still living, seemingly in good health.
But what was that in his hand?  Back to the business at hand, she prepared
to swat Bonecrusher but he was running to where Hook was, dragging Long
Haul, slightly concious with him.  Scavenger, Mixmaster and Scrapper had
all formed a protective circle around Hook too now, the other construction
bots seeming confused by the sudden turn of events as much as she was.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Hook landed in the midst of the dome easily, taking his time in
drawing out the complex machine he had rigged up.  The others were so
slow-acting and so non-prone to violence and so surprised to see him that
he had all the time he would need.  Also, he knew he'd have to move slowly
and surely or else his own haste to take control would ruin his chances of
doing so.  He looked over to get a glimpse of Grapple, totally confused.
What a beautiful job Hook had done.  Catching Mr. know-it-all completely
off guard.  His plan was turning out perfectly.
	Bonecrusher dropped a still concious Long Haul at his feet.
Perfect, the final part of the plan was about to be done.  Hook lowered
the helmet-shaped device slowly over Long Haul, who seemed too out-of-it
to resist.  The device completely covered his optics with a silver visor
much like Hook's but most importantly, once activated, Hook's plan would
reach completion.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Grapple just gawked at the scene that was unfolding before his
eyes.  One of his friends, Long Haul, knocked out by another of his
workers.  His long-absent and presumed dead foreman returning with some
odd device he was currently placing over the dazed transport robot.
And all of this when the dome was nearing completion.  It just stunned him
so much he couldn't even operate his vocal circuits and chastise Hook for
this insolence.  
	The helmet-shaped device he was putting on Long Haul ruined his
face, making him look as emotionless as Hook with that new silver visor.
Well, if Hook was trying to destroy one of his friends somehow, Grapple
would put an end to it.  Slowly he overcame his shock and started to yell
at Hook.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Hook turned to Grapple as he started yelling at a broad smirk
appeared on his face, ruining his emotionless appearance.  "How dare you
leave us, Hook", yelled the orange robot, "And then return and start a
mini-rebellion if that's what you're trying to do!"
	The green engineer returned Grapple's glare and then responded
calmly, "Not a mini-rebellion, fool...a full-scaled one.  From this day
forth I am a Decepticon.  And you shall be my first victim." 
	Hook pushed a small button on the hand-held controller he had.
Slowly the green robots surrounding him started to transform, Bonecrusher
and Scrapper into their material-mover modes, Mixmaster into his chemical
mixing mode, Long Haul into his transport mode, now appearing not dazed at
all and Scavenger into his shovelling device mode.  Hook then promptly
pushed the other button on the controller, smiling at Grapple the whole
time.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Socket looked at the situation with as much fear as he had had on
the one Decepticon raid he saw.  His friends and allies were turning on
each other and Hook was talking back to Grapple, calmly as if Grapple
could do nothing to him.  But even as he was panicking, he knew of a way
to stop Hook's plan from working.
	On that one raid he had been a victim of, there had been few
survivors among the Cybertonians.  But one of the Decepticons had fallen,
losing his weapon in the process.  Intrigued by it, Socket had picked it
up, fleeing the fight with the weapon in hand.  In the weeks since he had
studied it, practiced it, learned how to use it.  Now he was confident he
could use it to save his friends from the suddenly mad Hook.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Grapple saw, out of the corner of his eye, Socket draw a device
that looked like the guns the Decepticons used.  What was the young robot
doing?  Where had he gotten that?  Grapple turned to Hook and prepared his
second reprimand of the day, hoping this one would be accepted.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	The green vehicles were started to move weirdly to the eyes of
Huffer.  Scrapper and Mixmaster had somehow contorted their bodies at
90-degree angles.  Then Long Haul started rising up, levitating it seemed
to the staring Huffer, turning one half one way and the cab in front the
other, settling both sections over the bodies of Scrapper and Mixmaster.
Everyone else was staring now at the scene unfolding it seemed.  The
shovel vehicle that was Scavenger and the earth-mover that was Bonecrusher
flew up as well, seeming to lock onto the upper half of Long Haul.  Hook
smiled at the crowd, then transformed himself and started to float up to
land on top of the transport that was Long Haul.  And then the whole mass
of vehicles started to change...  A head rose up from behind Hook, an evil
glare on it's face.  Hands came out of the two to the sides of Hook, one
of them clutching a large gun.  Then the whole configuration started to
grow and grow and grow, towering over them all and still no end in sight.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	As much as this turn of events took Socket by surprise, he was
dedicated to his action.  He pointed the rifle at the giant robot that was
forming in front of.  Grapple, who had seemed on the verge of yelling at
him when he had drawn the gun, was now diverted by the presence of the
robot, just staring at the monstrosity.  Now was the time for action.
Socket drew in his concentration, steadied his aim, and shot.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Controlling this new, powerful body was harder than Hook had
expected.  The other voices of the construction vehicles came through to
the mind, where he should have had full control.
	"What happened?"
	"Where are we?"
	"What is going on?"
	"When do we get to wreck Grapple and Hoist?"
	"Why can't I move?"
	"Why did we all transform, Hook?"
	The thoughts came seemingly randomly, the owner of the voices
indistinguishable.  Except for the telltale Bonecrusher, who would be the
only one to be concerned with wrecking.  Hook finally spoke to all the
others in the large space that was the giant robot's head, where all the
various vehicles were having their say.  Hook's voice was like a loud
rumble over that of all the others, who immediately quieted as he began to
speak.
	"Silence!  This is my creation!  None of you shall control the
actions but me."  A few whimpers came through, probably Mixmaster and
Scrapper, who had been promised some power and control.  Hook ignored them
easily enough. "Now, I will be aiming the gun at Grapple...all the rest of
you follow my orders so we work smoothly."
	Slowly, the hand at the end of Bonecrusher's earth-mover started
lowering, pointing the huge rifle at Grapple, who seemed panicked beyond
belief.  The expression on his face was pure fear, just as Hook had
wanted.  The SMALL orange robot was quaking in fear.  Just then a small
blast of energy hit the rifle, redirecting it and immediately making Hook
halt the shot in progess. Hook made the huge robot's head turn to the spot
the beam had gone from and saw Socket holding a rifle the same size as
him.  "It will take more than that to stop me.  I am..."Hook paused.  He
wanted others to believe Scrapper or Mixmaster had as much control as him. 
He would need a new name for this creation.  Just as he was thinking,
Bonecrusher's voice came through nice and clear...Devastator.  Yes that
name would fit just fine.  Once he wrecked all these losers that is.  "I
am DEVASTATOR"  the huge green robot bellowed, the voice shaking the
ground, knocking Huffer and Socket down.  The little weaklings, falling at
the sound of a voice.  And the one had actually tried to hurt him. 
	Hook spoke once more in the main brain center, "Well, Scrapper,
here is your chance for revenge on those who denied you the leadership you
wanted.  Raise the foot and destroy the puny robot who has taken
your role as construction chief."
	Slowly, awkwardly the foot started to rise, looking to come down
on Grapple.  A small blurr hit Grapple, pushing him out of the way, just
as the foot fell.  On the small puny robot named Socket, crushing him into
a hundered pieces.  A smile appeared on Devastator's lip components.  Not
what Hook had wanted, but that one had been next on his list of enemies.
Things were going great.  The other robots were scattering now, depriving
him of his clear targets.  Except his main target.  Grapple was walking
over to the pile of CyberCrystals, without which he would never build this
dome he wanted.  Hook had the gun lowered on the crystals.  A solid blast
of plasma exited the gun and hit the pile of crystals, causing a small
explosion.  Grapple was nowhere to be seen and all the others had ran off
somewhere.  Oh well, he would get his revenge soon.  Now to join his new
comrades.  Devastator flew into the sky, shattering the top of the
nearly-completed dome which would no longer be able to save Cybertonians.
Behind him, the small Decepticon dealer Dirtcheap flew after the robot,
happy at the force he had just witnessed and had bought to the Decepticon
force.  He would be well-rewarded indeed by the Decepticon high command.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Huffer's new Autobot symbol looked odd against his purple and
yellow-orange body.  He had never figured to be wearing it.  It made a
horrible contrast with his paint job and this gun he was issued was taking
forever to learn how to use.  And the leaders, the orders, the headaches!
He grumbled inwardly, knowing he had had no other choice in the matter.
Living as a lonely Cybertonian, unarmed, was not a smart choice with the
Decepticon patrols around.  Tubes had asked him to join the rebels, so
here he was.  Lending them the knowledge they were unworthy of and the
time he could use better.  He grumbled some more, only bothering the other
Autobots on this patrol with him.
	As if the whole situation weren't bad enough, they were returning
to the wrecked dome.  To check for survivors, they said.  To see if
anything was salvageable, they said.  Of course, the leaders who said
these were such important goals didn't go out to do them.  They sent him
back to the place he saw a friend die to check.  To dig around in the
scrap pile that included parts of at least one friend, maybe more.  The
wrecked dome, crushed when the giant robot had flown out of it, now lay
before them, the other Autobots checking for signs of any presence of the
invaders.
	The invaders had killed his friends, but he had a score to settle
with one of them now.  Hook.  He had engineered this whole thing.  A
rebellion against their leader, a common friend for all of them.  A
murder, possibly several.  Huffer hadn't seen.  He had fled as soon as the
thing crushed Socket.  He knew he was deserting his friends, but there was
nothing he could do.  And it was all Hook's fault.  He would get back at
the silver-visored mechanic, he swore to himself.  He would.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Firestar shook some remains off her from the collapsed building
where she had spent her past rest cycle.  She had been on the run for days
now since Hook's rebellion, with no sign of any of her old friends, even
those who betrayed her.  Why Long Haul had helped she had no clue.
Probably that infernal device Hook had attached to him when he was still
reelin from Bonecrusher's hit.  She sighed to herself and swore to get
revenge on Hook somehow, sometime.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Huffer pushed another pile of rubble aside.  He had been digging
now for hours on end with no finding.  Not a piece of Firestar or Grapple
or Socket.  There had to be some trace of them.  He sighed, mad at himself
for letting his friends down like this.  For being a coward when his
friends were in danger.  The other bots working with him ignored his
sadness and anger, rotating turns.  They hadn't known him before.  He had
been grumpy, true...but this was a change anyone who had known him could
recognize.  Hoist probably had noticed the changes, but he had changed
too.  He had the same problems to deal with.
	A small cry came up from the group of workers near him.  Most
likely found Socket's leg, he thought sadly, but he managed to walk over
and examine their findings.  A black hand...not at all like Socket's.  Or
FIrestar's.  Grapple's then.  Another friend definitely dead due to
Huffer's own fleeing in the face of danger.  Might as well give him the
warrior's burial the Autobots talked of.  He had stayed to fight at least.
Another sob burst from Huffer, which he tried to quiet.  He would have to
be tough to get his revenge.  Which he would get.  Revenge for Socket and
for Grapple.  He wasn't sure how he could stop Hook's new creation but
there had to be a way somehow.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Hook smiled to himself as he examined his new purple Decepticon
insignia.  They had bought the whole act.  Letting him into their army was
a given, after the show of force he had put on with Devastator.  He could
have probably destroyed them all with the strength he had in that form.
But they would suit his purposes better while living.  He needed people
behind him to do the dirty work.  And he needed followers who thought they
were actually in control.  So if somehow there was a fall to be taken or a
usurper in the ranks, the attack would not be aimed at him.
	The fact that they had bought the idea that Scrapper led the
Constructicons had helped alot.  If someone tried to reduce their
strength, they would attack the "leader", while Hook would still live and
simply  need a replacement before he could punish whoever had killed
Scrapper and challenged Hook's troops.  They were his of course.  Long
Haul was under his direct control.  Scavenger and Bonecrusher were forever
grateful to him for having increased their changes to prove themselves
with violence.  And Mixmaster, well, he was Hook's follower even if he
still thought he had self-control left.  Scrapper probably even thought he
was in charge now.  Maybe in a few years, he would forget who the real
power was behind the Constructicons.  Hook wouldn't mind.  It would suit
his plans all the better.  Emporer of Cybertron had a good ring to it.
All that was left was to destroy these pathetic Cybertonians and this
Autobot resistance and then wait his time to take control whenever a war
arose between the Decepticons.  A civil war was bound to happen with all
these egotistical folks.  And the leadership would be prime for the
taking at the end of the war. Hook laughed to himself, then headed off to
check his mind control device that held Long Haul.  To be ready to take
control when the moment arose, everything had to be in its proper place.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Huffer pushed the last pile of debris off of Grapple's left foot,
finally freeing the whole body from the rubble.  It seemed in fairly good
shape for someone who had gone into battle with Devastator.  Probably a
trick of Primus', thought Huffer.  Make the bodies of the brave look nice
for their entombments.  When Huffer's time came his body would probably be
broken into hundreds of pieces for the cowardness he had shown.  He sighed
again, dusting a few more rocks off of Grapple's body.  Hopefully he would
take Hook with him when his time came.  To that end, he would have to
devote himself fully to a warrior's role.  Not that of a mechanic/engineer
anymore.  Those skills had not been enough to save his friends.  Maybe as
a resistance fighter he would learn a way to defeat Hook.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

	Time passed on Cybertron.  The Autobots grew stronger and started
full-scale raids.  The Decepticons became a more regimented group, being
drawn into a battle for the long term.  The con emporer fell, as did his
replacement.  Megatron was the current ruler, having come into power at
that time.  The whole while, Hook waited patiently, almost everyone
forgetting who was the Constructicon head originally.  The bots had gone
through a few leaders too.  The current one was fairly young, named
Optimus Prime.  There were no Cybertonians of course, having been wiped
out by the cons soon after the Constructicon Rebellion as it had been
termed.  As for Long Haul's sister, the robot Firestar, she had joined a
seperate arm of the bot resistance, one of female Autobots under the
leadership of a great tactician named Elita-One.  Huffer progressed with
his studies as a warrior, but reverted to his old engineering duties
occasionally.  The bots had been forced to leave to look for energy,
almost all of them.  Many of the cons, including Megatron had followed.
No word hard arrived on Cybertron about them for millenia.  The war
had quieted, with the cons controlling Cybertron.  Until they
were discovered to be on Earth, 4 million years after they left.  The
Constructicons had gone to Earth to help the Decepticons there, Hook glad
he had access to more supplies, more subjects, more oppurtunity.  Hoist
had been sent to the Autobot base there, the Ark, to help with work there.
Grapple, who had been reactivated by Vector Sigma only recently, was also
sent there, hopefully still possessing the knowledge and skill that had
made him reknowned on Cybertron.  Firestar stayed on Cybertron to help the
resistance and was informed of the situation a short time later, when
Elita was captured and Optimus came to Cybertron.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Firestar looked slowly to the monitors again.  Life on Cybetron
suddenly seemed boring.  For millions of years she had done fine living
quietly, making small guerilla raids, building up the supplies here.
Elita had used her skills well.  Transporting supplies mostly.  She had
learned to fight though, as well as some first-aid skills.  She would need
to be able to fight to kill Hook.  That goal had never died in all these
years.  It recently had become more important though, with her discovery
that the war still continued in full on another planet, that the bots were
gaining the upper hand.  And she was here, while the war's outcome was on
the balance.  She never would understand Elita's reasons for staying here
to lead a small resistance effort when they could help out with the
grander deal on Earth.  And she still wanted to know what had happened to
Long Haul, who used to be so close to her and had suddenly helped Hook.
Was he still alive?  Did he still consider her a friend even?  She wrung
her hands and turned to Moonracer, who was looking at her with concern.
They never would understand her.  How could she explain her former best
friend was a rebel Cybertonian and perhaps a Decepticon warrior to this
day.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Grapple lowered the gun.  He had adjusted well to his
reactivation.  His skills remained the same as they were.  He still was
one of the greatest architects in the world.  But the world around him had
changed.  The war had ravaged Cybertron while he was dead.  And now it was
ravaging a planet with a capacity to hold many great works of art.  All
had now become warriors...old friends like Hoist and Huffer even.  He
could not believe this.  He was taking the mandatory training with the gun
he had been issued, but he did not think he could ever draw it in a fight.
Not even recalling how Socket's shooting had saved his life.  How much
good had *that* violence done, he thought. How much good had this bot
resistance done, ravaging his home planet?  He sighed, sending the gun to
subspace, heading off to the Ark's lab to think.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Megatron puzzled over the new strategy Shockwave had just
suggested.  The Decepticon situation was bad.  They were now losing the
war on two fronts, with the reappearance of the female Autobots on
Cybertron.  Something would have to be done.  Shockwave's strategy would
likely help out alot, as much as Megatron did not wish others to come up
with the succesful plans.  He deserved the credit after all, leading the
cons to unprecented victories in previous times.
	He puzzled back over the simple plan.  Leaving a small force on
Earth, one that would require the Autobots to stay behind and defend the
pathetic fleshlings.  A much larger force would go to Cybertron,
unfortunately under Shockwave's command there.  Still, it would further
the Decepticon cause.  The Autobots could not send too many troops off of
Earth due to their desire to help the humans.  And the force on Cybertron
would be no match for the force he was sending there.  Finally the war
would turn back in his favor, he thought as he called his officers in for
their reassignments.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Firestar looked up at the communications computer in the base of
the female Autobots.  The cons sending new forces here...that was a
change.  And Optimus didn't think it worthwhile to spare some more forces
to help them out.  As if we could handle a sudden attack, thought
Firestar.  We're a guerilla movement, not a group designed to handle
frontal assault or to prepare a similar attack of their own.  If the
Decepticons found their base with this large group, there was no way they
could survive.  All they could do was take a few cons with them when they
died.  At least she would go out knowing she was in the right.  More than
Hook and the other traitors could say for themselves.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	The pile of twisted metal didn't seem too odd on Cybertron, as the
whole planet was that way.  Anyone passing by wouldn't pay much attention
to it.  Just another heap of rubbish on a wasted planet.  But this heap
held special meaning to the robot viewing it.  It was the scene of his
great success.  The day he defeated a fool and gave himself power. 
Wondering to himself if any part of that fool had survived for scrap
metal, he started to search through the pile, already shortened by
millenia of robots taking scrap when needed.  He didn't expect to find
anything , but a small trophy would help, especially to remind Scrapper
who was boss of the Constructicons, who was their true leader, who led
them to their greatest victory, who made them who they were.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	"Reports of Decepticons nearby", said the aqua-colored robot,
coming into the room suddenly.
	Firestar nodded to Chromia.  It would be a nice change of pace at
least to get to hurt some 'Cons for what they had done to her friends so
many years back.  Which one she hurt, she didn't care.  In her mind, they
all were responsible for the war.  Except off course for the one who
destroyed her life and almost everything she cared about.  That one she
hoped she would get a chance to hurt, even if it was so unlikely.  She
checked her rifle, making sure it was fully loaded.  If they found the one
she wished to annihilate, one shot might even be enough.  Enough to right
all those years of pain, all those thoughts of revenge.  Slowly
transforming into her red transport alt-mode, she drove up a ramp and out
onto the streets of Cybertron.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	The remnants of Cybertron were mostly trash.  Old metal structures
destroyed by time or, more likely, by war.  A fallen beam here, flying in
the same place for millenia, untouched, just staying as a reminder of the
past.  In another place, a large pile of rubble, all that remains of
formerly important and useful buildings.  Occasional twisted pieces of
metal, remnants of the warriors who fought the seemingly endless war.  The
only signs of life for many years was the rare Decepticon patrol, hovering
above the ground in quick, energy-efficient search runs.  But now one of
these areas seemed filled with life...at least until the next deaths
created the newest layer of rubble.
	Firestar looked out from behind one of these piles, counting the
Decepticons, trying to identify them, looking for weaknesses to exploit.
A few unfamiliar looking Decepticons were milling about, pretty
unorganized, most likely not expecting much resistance.  But there was one
familiar sight, coming in a bit behind the others, as if in a daze.  The
green robot whom she was once considered a brother.  Still wearing that
damn visor that had changed him so.  How would he behave now upon seeing
her?  How would the other Autobots act if she appeared friendly to a
Decepticon?  Would they shoot her too?  Would someone kill him before she
could do anything to help him?  She readied her rifle, quickly forming a
plan which would not hurt her former friend much, but might save him from
the others.  She wasn't the sniper Moonracer was, but...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Long Haul had had an odd feeling ever since he came to Cybertron
recently.  The place bought back memories, memories that didn't seem to
belong to him, memories he could not recall having been there.  Landmarks
would trigger something in the recesses of his mind, cause confusion in
what had been a simple life for millenia..just following orders, listening
to Hook and Scrapper.  Now, out on patrol, he could hardly concentrate.
Other memories were coming back to...memories he knew had to be wrong.  He
could never have been anything but a Constructicon, he knew that much.
Yet images were floating around in his head.  Images of him obeying
Grapple. Images of him without a Decepticon insignia.  Images of a female
robot to whom he felt a kinship somehow.  He barely could concentrate on
the patrol to which Shockwave had assigned him today.  Then, something
shook him out of his reverie.  A stream of acid went overhead, hitting a
metal beam.  The beam broke in two.  Looking up, Long Haul stood immobile,
just watching it fall towards him.  It fell on his head, the force
knocking him to the ground.  The memories in his head, both those he knew
as false and those he knew as true, stopped tormenting him as a state of
unconcious overtook him.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	"You were ambushed by four Autobots and lost?"
	The Decepticon soldier looked up into Shockwave's eye, glaring at
him.  He felt his voice unit constrict for a second, then started slowly,
but resolutely, "Yes, commander...they...they plotted the ambush well.  It
was all we could do to fire back a few times before we had to flee."
	The large, purple robot continued his glaring as he spoke, "And
you abandoned a Decepticon warrior?"
	Again, the constriction of the voice unit. "Yes.  If we had stayed
to free him, we would have been severely damaged.  Besides, the Autobots
will not torture him.  We can always free him."   He looked down at the
ground, to avoid the glare of the menacing yellow eye.  "Anything else,
commander?"
	Shockwave looked at the soldier once more, "Any word on Hook?"
	"Negative.  We could not find him.  Whatever he is up to, it must
be put on hold for now."
	"At least we might be able to locate the Autobots...where exactly
did you meet them?"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Chromia looked over at the green robot strapped to a medbed in the
secret base of the Female Autobots.  All she could do was shake her head.
If she didn't have millions of years working with Firestar, she would have
ordered the Decepticon killed on the spot.  Such an odd request she had,
saying to take a Decepticon into a base where no Decepticons had ever been
before.  If it had been Moonracer's idea, she doubted she would have
approved of it.  But Firestar.  She had never done anything out-of-line
really...she just did her job and followed orders.  She had never tried to
give Chromia an order before.  She obviously had a special reason behind
this action.  What the reason  was, she would just have to wait and see.
Looking up, she saw Firestar entering the room, a bit quietly.  Was she
trying not to disturb the Decepticon?
	"Hello Firestar.  Can you please explain why you have chosen this
course of action?  Letting that Decepticon into our base?"  She sat back,
not wholly expecting Firestar to answer, just trying to wring out some
information about this matter.
	The red robot turned to look at her superior for a second, then
looked back at the Decepticon, "All in its time...Chromia, is there anyway
we can check his neural functions.  Also can we remove that
visor...and the part of his head that is attached to it...it was
not part of him once..."
	"Oh?"
	"Yes, he used to be a friend of mine.  Before the Constructicons
came into existence.  I don't know what he would be like now...or how he
would be if we could remove the visor...but he once was a nice person, a
friend.  That is why I asked this favor of you"
	Chromia looked into Firestar's optics for a second...if she were
lying it might be told there.  Seeing her sister-in-arms nearly entirely
calm, she replied, "Well, we have no skilled medics or scientists to
examine his neural circuitry.  If you wish to do anything to him, be my
guest.  As long as you don't let him loose."
	Firestar nodded, slowly walking to the medbed, a bit hesitant.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Long Haul looked up, his vision strange.  Everything seemed out of
focus.  He couldn't move his legs or arms.  A bright light was overhead,
he could tell that much.  Otherwise all he could see were blobs of various
shades.  His head hurt.  From the light.  From the confusing memories that
had been there, conflicting with one another.  A voice came through
clearly, a female voice he could not place.
	"Are you okay?"
	He turned to the direction the voice was coming from, his optics
still trying to focus after millenia of unuse.  A name attached itself to
the voice, in the back of his mind, "Firestar?"
	The red robot, he could see clearly now.  She looked very
familiar, only the Autobot symbol was new.  Autobots.  The ones he had
been fighting for so many years.  Had that been him?  He couldn't remember
making concious decisions for a long time.  His head hurt some more.  The
robot said, "Yes.  You remember me?"
	Do I remember her?  Part of me does, part of me does not...
"I...I am not sure...you look like someone I think I knew once..."  His
gaze went to the Autobot symbol, trying to picture the robot without it.
	"Think back...to right after the war started.  Before Hook
rebelled..".  She noticed his glance, "I am Autobot now.  It is the only
way to survive now.  You must choose the side you agree with.  Those who
tried to survive on their own are dead."  Her voice got a bit sad-sounding
at the end of that last comment.
	"There is so much I am not sure about.  I remember Hook making us
into Decepticons.  But that is just part of me...the other part seems to
have had no say in that.  It wanted to stay with you and Grapple and
Hoist.  It was not in control though, I guess...I am still not sure why I 
acted certain ways." I might as well tell her, her thought - I can't go
on like this, not sure what is true and what is not.  I need someone to
trust.  And too much tells me not to trust those who I have worked with
for the last several millenia.  "I will try to explain everything as far
as I can remember it, Firestar..."  Slowly, he started recounting all his
memories, all his actions, from the ancient times and with the
Decepticons.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Hook sighed to himself, having completely cleared the pile of
rubble and having found nothing.  No major loss, but he needed something
to hang over Scrapper's head.  He was starting to act too independently
for Hook's liking.  Once they merged, Hook would show him whom was in
charge.  Yes, that would be the way to keep things under control.  Remind
him who made the Constructicons powerful.  He transformed into the crane
vehicle he had become since arriving on Earth years back and drove off
towards the Decepticon base on Cybertron.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
	Firestar listened patiently to the green robot, whom she had once
considered herself so close to.  He seemed to be telling the truth, even
if he did not seem like the friend he once was.  She knew he had the
capability to change, though.  He had been through alot and seemed to be
looking for anything to hang on to, anything to trust in.  It would be a
hard time turning him back into the friend he once was, fixing all the
changes that Hook made, all the changes of time.  But she was confident
that she could remake him into the same brother he once was.  She would
get her revenge on Hook eventually, she would reunite all her old friends
who still lived, but for now helping recreate this one would be enough. 
As he reached the end of his remembrances, she smiled over at him, "Don't
worry.  Everything will be all right"  And luckily, he seemed to believe
her. 




	Well, please send comments.  Too many loose ends?  Too happy an
ending?  Too many scene/view changes?  All comments will be appreciated.
Hopefully my next fanfic will wind up even better if you readers can give
me useful ideas to work with.  Anyways, hope you enjoyed it -Mish