Chapter 4: D-16 INTERLUDE
Location: Autobot Base - Late Evening
The Autobot base was quiet. Most of the team had retired for the cycle, leaving only the faint hum of machinery and the occasional flicker of monitors to fill the silence. D-16 leaned against a console, arms crossed, his optics scanning the darkened room. It wasn't home—not by a long shot—but it would do for now.
"D-16," came a familiar, calm voice.
He turned to see Optimus Prime standing a few steps away, his towering frame illuminated by the faint glow of the base's lights. There was a gravity to Optimus's expression, one that made D-16 straighten instinctively.
"Prime," D-16 said, his tone guarded. "What is it?"
"I wanted to speak with you," Optimus said. His voice was steady, but there was an undertone of sadness that D-16 couldn't ignore. "Alone."
D-16 nodded. "Alright. What's on your mind?"
Optimus hesitated for a moment, his optics narrowing slightly as though searching for the right words. "I see the bond between you and Orion," he began, his voice quiet. "A bond that reminds me of a time long past—a bond I once shared with someone dear to me."
D-16's optics flickered. He could hear the pain in Optimus's voice, even if he didn't fully understand its source. "I don't know what you're getting at," he said cautiously. "Orion and I… we've been through a lot. That's all."
"That is how it begins," Optimus said. His gaze seemed to drift, as if lost in memory. "A shared purpose. A shared trust. And yet, even the strongest bonds can fracture under the weight of ambition, of pride, of betrayal."
D-16 stiffened. "You're worried about me, aren't you? You think I'll betray Orion."
Optimus's optics locked onto D-16's, the weight of his gaze almost unbearable. "I do not wish for history to repeat itself. You remind me… of someone I once knew. Someone I cared for Megatron."
There was a long silence, the words lingering between them like a heavy shroud. D-16 shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to respond. Finally, he looked away.
"I don't know what you think I'll become," he muttered, "but I don't plan on being anyone's shadow."
Optimus's expression softened, though the sadness never left his optics. "Then forge your own path, D-16. Be more than what others expect of you."
Without another word, Optimus turned and walked away, leaving D-16 alone with his thoughts. He stood there for a long moment, his processor spinning, before finally transforming and driving out of the base.
---
The Desert - Midnight
The cold desert wind swept across the barren landscape as D-16 roamed aimlessly, his thoughts a tangled web of doubt and frustration. He had no destination, no clear path—only the need to escape the weight of everything he had learned since arriving in this strange universe.
As he drove through a canyon, his sensors picked up faint energy readings nearby the signal was erratic, barely distinguishable from the ambient interference, but it was enough to pique his curiosity. Transforming into his robot form, he scanned the area more thoroughly and found a rocky outcropping that seemed… off. Upon closer inspection, he noticed a faint metallic gleam between the stones.
D-16 pried at the rocks, revealing a hidden entrance—a mine, its worn insignia faintly visible on the doorway. The sight gave him pause, the ancient face of Megatronus Prime reminding him of his sticker. Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside.
The mine was alive with activity. Vehicons worked tirelessly, chipping away at the energon-rich walls and hauling supplies through the dimly lit corridors. The air was thick with the hum of machinery and the occasional sound of metal against rock.
As D-16 entered, the clatter of tools gradually ceased. One by one, the Vehicons turned to face him, their optics widening as they took in his form. The silence grew heavy, and then, as if guided by an unspoken command, they all fell to their knees.
"My Lord… Megatron," one of them whispered, awe in their voice.
D-16 froze, his optics darting between the kneeling figures. "Wait… Megatron? No, you've got it wrong. I'm not—"
"You have returned to us!" another Vehicon exclaimed, cutting him off. "We thought you were lost when the space bridge collapsed, but you live! You live!"
D-16 opened his mouth to protest but hesitated. He could see the desperation in their optics, the hope they clung to. These weren't mindless machines—they were beings looking for direction, for purpose. For a moment, he considered telling them the truth. But what truth could he offer when he barely understood what was happening himself?
"I… suppose you could say I've returned," D-16 said cautiously, his voice steadying. "But tell me… why do you kneel?"
The Vehicons exchanged uncertain glances. One of them finally spoke up. "We exist to serve, my Lord. To follow your commands."
D-16 frowned, his mind racing. This wasn't what he thought he would see today idol
Megatronus Prime. The Prime he admired had been a warrior, the strongest Prime but never a slave Never.
"You're more than that," he said, his voice firm. "You're not just tools. You have sparks, thoughts, cogs, desires. Use them. Think for yourselves decide what you want not to follow the orders from the bot above I am or was a miner I followed the Prime Sentinel he lied to us used use stole our cogs, energon and killed the thirteen primes by betraying them to the Quintessons."
His words hung in the air, met with a mixture of awe and confusion. One Vehicon, however, stood up, his optics narrowing.
"Think for ourselves?" the Vehicon said, stepping forward. "That's easy for you to say, pretending to be Lord Megatron. But what would you know about fighting, about leading? Prove to us you're worthy of giving commands."
The challenge in his tone was unmistakable. The other Vehicons murmured among themselves, stepping back to form a makeshift arena. D-16 felt a surge of apprehension but also a sense of purpose he wasn't good with words like Orion but he was strong. This wasn't a moment to back down.
"Fine," he said, stepping into the center of the circle. "If that's what it takes, I'll show you."
The Vehicon lunged first, his movements swift and calculated. D-16 barely dodged the initial strike, his reflexes kicking in as he countered with a powerful shove. The clash of metal echoed through the mine as the two combatants exchanged blows, their strength evenly matched at first.
But as the fight wore on, it became clear that D-16 had the upper hand. His movements grew sharper, more precise, as if he was learning a hidden instinct guiding him. With a final, thunderous strike, he disarmed the Vehicon and pinned him to the ground and a fusion cannon transformed from his right arm humming.
"Yield," D-16 commanded, his voice low but commanding.
The Vehicon hesitated, then nodded. D-16 released him and stood, his optics scanning the crowd of Vehicons now watching him with a mix of respect and awe.
"Strength is important," D-16 said, addressing them all, "but it's not everything. You're not just soldiers. You're free thinking bots. Start acting like it."
The Vehicons nodded, murmuring among themselves. For the first time, their movements seemed less mechanical, more deliberate.
Before D-16 could say more, his communicator crackled to life. "D-16," came Arcee's voice, sharp and urgent. "Get back to base. Now."
D-16 sighed, glancing at the Vehicons. "I have to go," he said. "But remember what I said and I'll try to come back soon."
He transformed and drove out of the mine, leaving the Vehicons behind.
---
Nemesis Warship - Location Earth
In the shadowy confines of the Nemesis, Soundwave watched the events unfold on a monitor. His featureless face betrayed no emotion, but his body language hinted at something unusual: confusion.
He replayed the footage, analyzing D-16's movements, his words. The resemblance to Megatron was undeniable, yet the behavior was… different. Reminiscent of Megatron's early days as a gladiator in Kaon Soundwave tilted his head slightly, as if trying to piece together a puzzle.
Finally, he turned away from the monitor, the faint hum of the ship's engines filling the silence. Whoever this D-16 was, he wasn't the Lord Megatron he had been serving now but he was millennia ago.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone