Transformers Until one

Chapter One - Part Twenty

Orion was on his way to visit D-16, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
With a bright expression and a large energon box clutched tightly in his hands, he headed for Setter Mine 10.

He searched all around the mine for D-16, but couldn't find him. After asking a few miners nearby, he was told that D-16 had been transferred to Setter Mine 7.

Hearing this, Orion decided to make the trip alone to Setter Mine 7. The train heading there was filled with nothing but towering mining bots. The atmosphere made him miss D-16 even more with every passing second.

Upon arriving at Setter Mine 7, he immediately asked the local workers about D-16—
But the answer he received nearly stopped his spark.

"He hasn't worked here in a long time."

"Has he disappeared?"
The frightening thought struck Orion like a bolt of lightning. He was reminded of his younger brother, Blacklaser, who had once vanished without a trace—
And to this day, there had still been no sign of him.

Orion walked back, his heart heavy with sorrow.
He had planned to bring good news to his dear friend—that tomorrow, he would be promoted.

But now... there was no one left to celebrate with.

The next day, Orion stood on stage alongside other officers receiving their promotions.
Though he took pride in his accomplishment, his heart still ached with quiet grief.

Sentinel Prime stepped onto the stage with solemn authority, his voice ringing out:

"Sniper One, Shadow Striker—assigned!"
"Sniper Two, Brafov—assigned!"
"Excellent. Aim to maim, not to kill. I want to take the Matrix from him myself."
"Understood!" the two snipers responded in unison.
After the names had been read, Sentinel Prime moved to center stage, radiating dominance as every eye turned toward him. He began his address with a powerful voice:

"Officers of Cybertron!
Today, we gather to celebrate the honor of the brave—those who have proven themselves worthy of the great burden of protecting our world!"
Thunderous applause filled the hall.
Orion clapped along out of politeness, but inside, he felt hollow.

"We live in an age where enemies lurk everywhere," Sentinel continued, his deep blue optics sweeping across the room.
"We cannot trust anyone—not even among our own!
Therefore, those promoted today must remember this—
Your duty is to eliminate threats to Cybertron, in whatever form they may take!"
Orion's fists clenched unconsciously.
Sentinel's words felt harsh... cold... terrifying.

"And above all..." Sentinel raised his arm.
"Swear loyalty—to me, and to the Matrix of Governance!
Let it be known: anyone who dares oppose me... will be erased from our history!"
Shouts of support erupted from clusters of soldiers around the room.

Orion stood motionless.
He could feel the tension in the air—the suffocating atmosphere of fear and obedience.
This was no celebration of hope.
It was a ritual of control, an anthem of tyranny.

Then, suddenly—

BANG—!

A sniper shot rang out, shattering the silence.

The bullet tore through Sentinel Prime's arm—metal burst apart in a spray of sparks.

Gasps rippled across the hall. Before anyone could react, a second shot slammed directly into Sentinel's abdomen with deadly precision.

The heavy clang of metal echoed as he collapsed from the podium.
Energon—bright pink—splashed across the floor.

Screams erupted.
Panic surged.
Some ran.
Others raised their weapons.
Officers rushed in, forming a protective circle around high-ranking officials.

A security alarm blared across the hall:

"Intruder alert! Assassination attempt!
All units to battle stations immediately!"
Orion stood frozen in disbelief.
Crowds surged in chaos.
Security teams scrambled across the stage.
Shields were raised. Weapons drawn. Eyes darted.

Fighting to stay calm, Orion sprang onto the stage toward the fallen Sentinel Prime.
Energon still poured from the wounds on his arm and torso.

"Don't worry, sir! I'll get you to safety!" Orion shouted.
He heaved the Prime's heavy body off the ground, struggling under the weight of the armor but determined to move him to shelter.
But he wasn't the only one approaching Sentinel—

A tall, grey figure was coming too, filled with wrath...