"My lord! A Decepticon vessel has just launched from Vilnacron!"

"It's about time," Optimus Prime growled with a stab at his chair's communications panel. "Prowl, get us under way. Ultra Magnus!"

"My liege?"

"I am leaving the Empire in your care. Do not fail me."

"As you command, my liege."

Optimus Prime closed the connection with a snort. Ultra Magnus was a strong warrior, but it was just as well that this would be a short mission. He would drag back these renegades and hang their heads from the city walls. It was time these Decepticons were crushed once and for all.

Ultra Magnus watched the Ark break free of Cybertron's gravitational field, a faint grin stealing across his face. It was an inglorious beginning. Despite knowing for weeks that Megatron planned some sort of desperate retreat for more resources, his rag-tag band of renegades had several hours on Prime. Not that the Decepticon cruiser had any hope of out running the Ark. . . .

"Well?"

"Those idiot Decepticons never even knew I was there," Streetwise replied with a satisfied sneer.

"And the Ark?"

"I'm afraid their diagnostics will be quite incapable of detecting the sensor faults. Or the disrupter in the magnetic coils," the saboteur replied with faked concern.

"Excellent."

Ultra Magnus stood outside the administrative complex, studying the stars. With the completion of Hot Spot's current campaign, this world would at long last be his to rule. Once that was accomplished, he could turn his attention to the stars . . . and those who had fled his wrath.

"Lord Magnus, I bring news. We have seized Vilnacron. The dissident commander, Shockwave, is even now being dragged to the camps in chains."

"He still lives? Why was he not beheaded in the field like the others?"

"My lord, I thought perhaps seeing their elusive commander in chains would quell the insubordination of the Decepticons already in our camps, as well as any stragglers."

Magnus nodded; there was wisdom in Hot Spot's actions.

"The war is over, my lord. You have won."

"The war for Cybertron is over, yes, but there is more to be done," he replied, turning his full attention to the commander. "You have served me well, Hot Spot. Mercury is now yours to command."

"Thank you, my lord. I am honored."

"See that you do not disappoint."

Hot Spot raised his fist to his chest and bowed. If not for Arcee approaching, Ultra Magnus might have smiled. He watched her from the corner of his visual range while still watching Hot Spot depart.

"Lord Magnus, if I might have a moment of your time. . . ."

"Walk with me," he replied evenly. She fell into step a half step behind and to his left. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. She wanted something, and she wanted it badly if she was submitting so easily.

"Do lock the door behind you," he murmured as he led her into his office. She complied meekly, then walked over to his desk. Magnus poured himself a drink, watching her. He had to give her credit; she was putting on a good act.

"What's on your mind, Arcee?"

"Sir, I'd like to lead a strike team."

Magnus actually laughed, a warm sound of amusement, as he set his drink on his desk. He could see the cold fury in Arcee's optics as he approached. He towered over her, but her anger was no less for that.

"You? Lead a strike team? No, I think not, my dear."

"Why not? Because I'm a Femme?"

"Arcee, Arcee, Arcee," he chided gently, cupping her chin, "you have the fire and the will. You might even have the talent. But you haven't the skill. Your own unit would kill you."

"I can handle a patrol," she grumbled, pulling free from his grip.

"You wouldn't know where to start," he replied, trailing a finger along the line of her jaw. He smiled; he could feel her trambling.

"But if you are certain this is what you want, I can teach you . . . for a price."

He smiled down at her, assessing her. Light and limber, her body was not suited to grunt-level combat. She would, however, make an excellent sniper . . . or a vicious assassin. With the right sponsorship and training, of course.

"What price?" she purred, her optics darkening as she gazed back at him. Cunning, Arcee, but not cunning enough.

"A detail to be discussed later," he rumbled, granting her a smile. Let the game begin.

Arcee smiled, watching Ultra Magnus's optics darken. So the rumors are true, she thought to herself. Well, I can certainly give him a good time.

She relaxed against the arm that slid around her waist. Arcee focused on her body language, intent on sending him all the right visual cues. At the same time, she tried to disassociate herself from the tactile sensors embedded in her metallic skin. She could ill afford to be distracted.

Ultra Magnus could see through her transparent attempts to seduce him. He found it . . . amusing, watching body language that wasn't reflected in her optics. As if I were a mindless rutting beast. I could give her what she wants, but . . . no, better to prove her utterly wrong.

He watched her carefully, probing at her resolve. He didn't have to wait long before he noticed her starting to crack.

Foolish child. You should know what you are getting into before taking that first step.

"Do you take me for a fool?" Magnus purred, his optics suddenly clear azure.

"N-no," Arcee panted, caught off guard. What was he doing? To be so close and then to have him stop . . . it was maddening.

"Did you really think you could win so easily, Arcee?" he purred, his tone silky and yet dripping venom.

"I . . . I. . . ."

His hands landed heavily upon her shoulders, pushing downward until she was kneeling before him.

"I have no time for fools, Arcee."

Arcee trembled, real fear griping her. What had she done wrong? Everything had been working according to her plan. . . .

Ultra Magnus could feel the fear shaking through Arcee's slight frame. The power he held over her at that moment . . . knowing that, as much as she feared her death was near, she would to anything he asked. . . .

"Please, my lord," she whimpered, her optics firmly turned away from him.

"So now you call me lord and master," he rumbled coldly. Arcee flinched as he grasped her chin, forcing her to meet his icy gaze. The faintest sparks of emotion glittered in her optics.

"You seem to have a hard time remembering to show proper respect for your betters, Arcee. Such foolishness will not be tolerated, not by Duostrike, and most certainly not by me."

Ultra Magnus released her and walked over to his desk. He was pleased to see she didn't move a micron, except to lower her head. But has she learned her lesson? Magnus wasn't about to leave that to chance. Shunting in one of his photon rifles, he made sure to set it prominently on his desk with a loud thunk. Arcee flinched, unable to hide her fear in the face of this silent statement that he could kill her at any time.

From a stack of similar datapadds, Ultra Magnus drew out a fresh blank. In addition to drafting Arcee's new orders and assignment, he was including a note of protection. Yes, unit Antares was one of his elite strike units, and therefore, on average, more civilized than the grunt soldiers. On the other hand, Arcee would be at the very bottom of the Antares ranks; without some form of protection she might . . . come to harm. And he certainly couldn't allow that. She might do something foolish . . . like decide she was happier as a secretary.

"Today is your lucky day, Arcee," he said with a deceptively quiet tone, a faint smile touching his face. "I don't particularly feel like bothering Maintenance to clean up my office and I have an opening in strike unit Antares. Take this to Duostrike, and be quick about it."

He tossed the datapadd across the desk at her. For a nanocycle, she just stared at it, letting it clink on the metal floor at her knees. As if she couldn't quite believe what he was saying. Then she snatched up the precious datapadd, clutching it to her chest as if it were her salvation.

"Th-thank you, Lord Magnus."

Clambering to her feet, she offered him a hasty bow, then fled his office. Ultra Magnus smiled as he watched her leave. A new crop of rumors would undoubtedly be circulating before too long. Rumors tht would reaffirm his ruthless image. Perhaps he would have a few fielded himself. No point in leaving such an important matter to chance.