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The camera flies through the thriving metropolis and zooms in on Shockwave, who is currently standing and overlooking twenty holographic monitors. Each monitor displays statistics, graphs, and the progress of several named projects.
Shockwave turns his head and speaks, "Shockwave's log 001. Projects Devastator, Revitalisation, Ancients, and [REDACTED]. Project Devastator is nearly complete. It is a superweapon unlike any seen before—a ship equipped with an array of twenty-eight powered lasers capable of destroying an entire solar system. Testing is still required to determine its effectiveness against the Great Devourer. Adjustments are needed to control output and accuracy."
Shockwave pulls up the relevant information and presents it to the camera droid (the PS2 Decepticon droid ball).
"Project Ancients is progressing as planned alongside Project Revitalisation. All technology left by either the Primes or others is being extensively researched and decoded. The process of learning and utilizing it has been difficult. It seems there is an ancient encoded scanner to check a person's authenticity. The hypothesis is that the touch of a Prime awakens the technology and artifacts. According to Lord Galvatron, Drachen has been tasked with finding the graves of the Primes, which are to be brought here for assimilation. Until then, Project Ancients is on standby awaiting the necessary equipment."
Shockwave waves his hand, summoning his chair. He sits and rests his head upon his hand while the relevant information pertaining to the topic is shown.
"Project Revitalisation is proceeding according to plan. The revitalisation of Cybertron is nearly complete. Drachen has made excellent progress. All former capitals and metropolises of Cybertron have been scrapped. New rivers and oceans of new energon are taking their place. The new cities are completed, each given their purpose, and now 80% of Cybertron has been excavated and explored. By the time Lord Galvatron returns, Project Revitalisation will be near completion. Lord Galvatron will be pleased."
Shockwave's optic narrows as he presses a button that closes the entire laboratory, reroutes alternate power, and cuts all communication. If necessary, the entire laboratory and tower can explode to prevent information leaks.
"Project Dimensional Transversal is mine and Lord Galvatron's personal project. I have always theorized the existence of the multiverse, but having it confirmed is both enlightening and terrifying. Lord Galvatron has shown and explained multiple ways of traversal—a blue box called a TARDIS, which uses ingenious 12th-dimensional engineering. I must have it. There is also a green liquid called portal fluid. While unoriginal and crass, it is ingenious. Now I understand why my lord possesses extreme paranoia. There are names of creatures I dare not mention for fear of our safety, as they can hear everything and enter your universe if you speak their names. The project is progressing slowly, but with Lord Galvatron's assistance, we have advanced 10%. This is unacceptable. Hopefully, the progress of Projects Ancients and Revitalisation will assist, allowing more resources to be allocated. The knowledge from only 10% has advanced most of my personal research by thousands of years. However, at the current pace, Project Dimensional Transversal will require a large amount of time and resources, but this falls within acceptable parameters."
Shockwave presses the button again, and everything returns to normal. Shockwave contemplates before getting up and moving to a hidden chamber within his laboratory. He approaches a glass object and wipes away the fog to reveal another Shockwave inside. "Yes, it would be logical to build another one of myself. This is not a clone but an extension of myself. A hive mind will be established when S.2 is released, so I will be in control of it as well."
A beeping distracts Shockwave. He answers it and sees Drachen's right-hand, Nightburn. "Lord Shockwave, we've picked up a transmission. It's Lord Galvatron, sir. He engaged the Galactic Council and sent a message to them." Shockwave nods. "Play it." As Shockwave listens, he grows slightly concerned. "Prepare all defenses and have the armada set a defensive position all around Cybertron. Prepare for war." Nightburn salutes and nods. "Yes, sir." The communication cuts. Shockwave knew this was a possibility and now has to enact the contingency plans.
"My Lord, you could have at least informed me of this." Shockwave shakes his head and gets to work.
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Drachen's POV:
As Drachen gazes at Nightburn, he nods and a red alert is sent across the planet. The new armada, under the command of Admiral Decimus, is seen flying out of the shipyards and dispersing across Cybertron.
Drachen turns to Onslaught. "Stay on alert and get the army ready, but keep all projects ongoing. We will await Lord Galvatron's return before starting the offensive." Onslaught nods. "Don't worry about the Galactic Council. You have nothing to fear. I'm more concerned about Megatron and the other Decepticon splinter groups. But with what we have, there's nothing to worry about." Drachen looks concerned before brushing it off and continues working at his desk.
"You were close to most Decepticons during the Great War. Go command the army and work on plans to incapacitate them if they come here. You have personal command of all PBMs that are available. I'll continue work here." Onslaught nods and leaves.