Optimus part Seventeen.

Starscream sat in the room, mulling over his options. He had been assigned the task of organizing and activating all the stolen equipement the Decepticons had gained from the Autobot ship, and one of which was a backup transmitter he had managed to get working. On the one hand, the transmitter was reading an incoming vessel which, as the monitors he’d hooked up showed, was responding to a beacon from the ship itself. This meant that’d he’d have to do work that involved walking or flying for a long time and lifting heavy stuff. Spoiled by the simple task of merely looking at things and pushing buttons, Starscream was not enthused by the prospect of manual labour. On the other hand, he was really proud about managing to hook up the backup transmitter, and wanted to show someone. He sat on the box of rations, having broken into the prepared meals and consuming the included desserts, weighing his options. His decision was made for him, however, when Soundwave walked in holding a folded up chessboard. “Do you know where Megatron puts his oversized games when he‘s done-?” Soundwave looked up at Starscream, his back to Soundwave. “What’s that?” “Nothing.” Starscream said as he turned on the box, leaning to block Soundwave’s view of the monitor. “No, it’s something.” Soundwave leaned to look past him, Starscream mirroring his movements. “If it was something, I’d-” Starscream began, but Soundwave cut him off. “It’s a beacon received by the secondary transmitter you hooked up that was broadcast by the Autobot ship and is now being relayed back to the receiver built into the transmitter to signal and incoming vessel…” Soundwave looked down to the crate Starscream sat upon. “…And you ate all the desserts.” “Please don’t tell1” Starscream clasped his hands together. “ It’s so far away, and I’m the only one who can fly! He’s gonna take me and I’m gonna have to carry it back and that’s gonna be hard and… please don’t tell.” “I have to.” Soundwave said. “It’s my job.” “Soundwave, I’m sorry,” Starscream leaned back on his box of rations. “But I can’t let you leave this room.” Soundwave looked at the door, then back to Starscream. “You can’t catch me.” He said. “Don’t do it.” Starscream warned him. Soundwave took a step back, Starscream made an apprehensive noise. A few moments passed. Soundwave heel-turned and made a break for the door. Starscream chased after him. Soundwave rolled through the store room door into vehicle mode. Starscream tried to transform but couldn’t fit in the hallway, so he ran after him. Soundwave careened around a corner, Starscream in hot pursuit, slipping slightly before sprinting after the little tank. Starscream was gaining on Soundwave, and hands outstretched, prepared to grab him. Soundwave thought fast and flipped the large cannon he toted upward then slammed on the brakes. Starscream smashed into him, knocking his head on the gun and falling backwards. Soundwave sped off, leaving Starscream in his dust. Starscream finally came to, and ran after Soundwave, eventually coming upon him, Strika and Megatron in conference. “Ah, Starscream,” Megatron said. “Just the goon I was looking for. Soundwave has dutifully informed me of your locating the incoming vessel called forth by the Autobot beacon. Well done.” “Thanks?” Starscream said. “And now that Soundwave has calculated it’s landing coordinates, you and I now thrust off the greet the new arrival, be he a fellow Decepticon to be welcomed or an Autobot to be vanquished! Come along, now.” Megatron walked towards the exit. Starscream held his protest, knowing it to be futile. Despite not having a mouth, Soundwave still managed to portray an expression akin to a self-satisfied smirk as Starscream begrudgingly shambled after Megatron. ------ Now listen up, gang, ‘cuz I’m only going to say this once:” Optimus stood drill sergeant style in front of the other Autobots and Jetfire, all lined up and at attention. “This mission, should you choose to accept it-” “We have a choice?” Road Rage said with false astonishment. “No you don’t,” Optimus said before continuing. “Is of the up most importance. This incoming vessel could contain a wayward kindred soul in need of acceptance and safe haven from the enemy.” “What if it’s a Decepticon?” Ironhide asked. “Then that would suck. A lot.” Optimus said. “But they don’t call me Optimus for nothing. I’m a glass half-full kinda guy.” “No your not.” Road Rage said. “Ironhide told me they named you ‘Optimus’ as a joke because you were such a party pooper.” “And did I ever tell you how he got the nickname ‘tender fender?’” Ironhide added. “Hey!” Optimus said. He leaned in and sneered. “Nobody cares! Now, be quiet, this is supposed to be a motivational speech.” “I’m motivated to take a nap.” Jetfire said. Ironhide gave him a high five. “Like I was saying…” Optimus straighten himself. “This mission will put you to your limits, test the bonds forged in the fire of battle-” “Can I get a summary of this?” Botanica said. “I thought we were on a time limit?” “Fine!” Optimus tossed his head back and groaned. “We’re all going to stuff ourselves into Jetfire and fly there.” “Sheesh, is that all?” Ironhide said. “We knew that! That’s all we ever do when we need to go someplace.” “And quite frankly I’m a little tired of being the short bus these days.” Jetfire said. “You just want me for my body.” Jetfire moved his hand up and down showcasing his sagging, rusted hide. “Next you know he’ll be patting me like a dog or something. I’m a robot being dammit! I have rights!” “ALRIGHT I GET IT!” Optimus snapped. He rubbed his face, realising his friends had just provoked the reaction they wanted from him. He clutched the bridge of his nose. “Let’s just go already.”

Optimus part Sixteen.

Megatron’s finger hovered tenuously over the small wooden horse, the shadow of his head cast darkness over the board, and the only illumination came from the red glow of his eyes. It was his third go at it. He had a lot riding on this move, and he had to do so carefully. He leaned back slightly, letting the illumination from the single overhead light give him a clear view. He let the slow, soothing melody that played in the room calm his nerves, then made his move. Soundwave watched intently as Megatron picked up the piece and traced it along it’s four square path, before letting go. Soundwave then picked up one of his pieces and gently tipped the horse over, dropping his piece in it’s place. “Curse,” Megatron mumbled. “You’re better at this than Starscream was.” “I’m better at everything than Starscream is,” Soundwave said. “He’s so stupid I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to eat the pieces.” “The poor lad,” Megatron said, moving another piece. “He never was one for brains. I think space travel gummed up the gears up there.” “No, he’s always been that way,” Soundwave analysed the board. “He was burned himself cleaning his own thrusters. How do you even do that?” “Ha!” Megatron shook, compressors and hydraulics hissing as he settled. “May I ask you a question, my lord?” Soundwave said. “You just did.” Megatron replied. “Ask another. Checkmate, by the way.” Soundwave was surprised by the move, but set it aside. “You enjoy this planet’s culture…” Soundwave began. “It’s music, it’s games, it’s languages… why do you want to destroy it?” Megatron leaned back out of the light, his eyes squinting not so much into a glare, but as a cynical stare, as if Soundwave should know the answer. “Because, my dear Soundwave,” He said. “There are plenty of lifeless rocks out there. Balls of gas and cosmic dirt that nobody would miss. You see, in order for loss to exist, something, well, must be lost.” Megatron leaned forward, interlocking his fingers beneath his chin and resting his elbows on the table upon which the oversized chess board sat. “You see, while it makes no difference in the grand scheme, every life I end, every soul I relinquish is a story untold. And hear, well there’s billions. Billions of stories to be told, billions of stories the universe will be without. Even if it’s just the story of an average human going about their mundane life. It all matters to someone, and as long as it matters to anyone, as long as someone, anywhere, will miss it…” Megatron tipped over Soundwave’s king. “It matters to me.” Soundwave looked up. His face was but a glowing visor and loosely defined mouth plate, it was impossible to read, but Megatron could tell merely through Soundwave’s silence he’d gotten to him. “So then…” Soundwave asked. “Why even indulge in these practises at all?” “Everyone has a hobby.” Megatron said, he picked up Soundwave‘s fallen king and examined it. “I’d just like to know what they’re like.” He placed it back down. There was a noise to his left, and an hitherto unseen door slid open and Strika stood behind it. “He’s awake.” She said. “Finally.” Megatron stood. He turned to Soundwave. “Would you mind putting this away?” Megatron left the room. He and Strika walked out, leaving Soundwave behind. They made their way down a short hallway to the medical bay. Megatron turned without slowing, barely making it through the automatic door. He kept his brisk stride until he stood before a wide operating table, and on it lay Obsidian. He was cracked, dented, wires and hinges were strewn about. Some parts were asymmetric, chief of which his arm, partially elevated by the metal clamp holding it in place. A Spark monitor hummed next to him. His eyes were dark as he lay, but he stirred. “Megatron?” He said weakly. Megatron walked to his side, leaning down next to him. “I am here, Obsidian.” He said. Obsidian turned his head. His eyes flickered, one remained slightly dim. “Why am I…” Obsidian looked around the room, then back to Megatron. “You saved me?” “You sound surprised,” Megatron hopped onto the table, jolting in and shaking Obsidian, before laying down on his side next to the broken robot, his right arm supporting his head. “After all, how could I possibly do without my most competent lieutenant?” Megatron leaned in close to Obsidian, the latter moved uncomfortably in the opposite direction. “How…” Obsidian leaned as far as he could. “Merciful of you…” Obsidian strained to talk. “I am not without mercy, no.” Megatron said. He idly put his left hand up to Obsidian’s chest. Obsidian was confused and a touch frightened by this invasion of his personal space. “I don’t believe in abandoning my kind.” Megatron tapped his fingers in the center of Obsidian’s chest plate. Obsidian was about to point out the error of that statement, but thought better of it. “I believe that no matter how treacherous…” Megatron stabbed Obsidian with his finger. Obsidian let out a pained yelp, the Spark monitor jolted. “Cowardly…” Megatron dug his finger deeper. Obsidian let out a cry. The monitor went from a hum to a buzz. “Or just plain arrogant to assume I wouldn‘t noticed the aforementioned,” Megatron pulled his hand out. Obsidian gasped and the monitor levelled out. “I want my troops to know I’ll always be there for them. In good health,” Megatron got off the table and stood, back facing Obsidian. “And bad.” He spun on his heel, driving his fist straight into Obsidian’s chest. Obsidian screamed in agony, the monitor wailed. Megatron pulled back, his hand wrapped around Obsidian’s spark. Obsidian clawed fruitlessly at Megatron’s arm, he writhed like a dying animal. Megatron pulled more. Amongst the screams and cries Megatron heard Obsidian plead for his life. “Please, Megatron!” He cried. “I’m sorry! Forgive me please!” Obsidian began to black out. He felt cold, and the world slowly disappeared. Megatron let go and pulled his hand out. Obsidian screamed once more before falling back onto the table. He shook wires and bits of metal from his hand. “Oh please,” Megatron said. “Water under the bridge as the humans say.” Megatron patted Obsidian on the head. “Now you just lay back and relax, you need your rest. How else are you going to recover?” Megatron chuckled to himself and walked out. Strika, who’d been standing in the corner, watching the whole time, followed. Obsidian coughed. He leaned back, clutching the open wound in his chest. As he stared at the overhead light he spoke softly to himself. “Megatron…” He whispered. --------- Outside the ship Road Rage picked up sticks and logs that had been strewn about during the battle with Shockwave. Ironhide helped, moving trees that had been knocked down. While far from engaging work, it needed to be done, and it was better than the alternative. Inside the ship Botanica worked under the console. Panels, circuit boards, wires and other bits of the control module were hanging off or placed aside as Botanica lay with her upper half underneath the dashboard. Optimus rooted through conduits on the top. “I feel like I’m going to break something.” Optimus said. “These pieces are so small. Why does everything expensive have to be small and breakable? It’s like playing Twister with my just my hands… and on a really tiny mat… and the other players are tangled wires… on second thought it’s not like Twister-” He received a shock and cursed. “Twister doesn’t make me want to smash it!” Optimus rubbed his hand. “What’s twister?” Botanica said from under the console. “A human game,” Optimus said. “You lay out a big mat with coloured circles and are randomly assigned which limb you have to place on which circle. You’d be really good at it. Which reminds me…” Optimus rubbed the back of his neck. “How’d you get to be… like you are? I mean, I don’t want to be rude…” “Oh, it’s no problem.” Botanica said politely. “I adopted this form while on a planet dominated by sentient plants. Their species taught me the art of moving with the motionless. To move my body as if it were my hand.” She continued without looking up from her work. “I’ve had it so long even replication can’t over-ride it. It’s just who I am.” She shrugged to herself. Above Optimus looked down at her hip mounted guns. As if she felt his gaze she responded. “They also worshipped the climate, because, well, they’re plants, and regarded the raw power and life-giving nature of lightning storms as a sort of renowned power. They managed to harness this power with their very bodies. What I have is a sort of… mini-version.” “Mini?” Optimus laughed. “You turned Shockwave into a slag sculpture, I’d hate to see what these talking trees could do.” Botanica slid out from underneath the console, a blank expression was on her face. “They didn’t believe in direct conflict.” She said. “I feel a small amount of disgrace for having used them to inflict pain upon another.” “Yeah, well,” Optimus shrugged as he leaned on the console. “It was self defence. I don’t think your blossom buddies would mind if you used them to save yourself.” “I suppose you’re right.” Botanica said. She stood. “It’s working, by the way.” “Sweet!” Optimus said. “Then let’s fire this thing up so we can call off the frown clowns.” Botanica thumbed the console switch. It lit up, dials and diodes blinked and glimmered. She returned to the small fold out screen from before. Her narrow fingers danced across it’s touch screen as Optimus watched intently as she delicately selected commands and options. She then selected the beacon transmitter and cancelled it. They both breathed a sigh of relief. However, the screen did not darken. “That’s not right…” She said. “We turned off our beacon, the transmitter should have stopped.” Optimus leaned in for a closer look. “It’s not transmitting…” He said. “It receiving?” “Impossible!” Botanica said. “The beacon was active for, maximum, two days. There’s no way it transmitted long enough to contact another ship. The odds are astronomical.” Optimus rubbed his neck again, he sighed. “Well this’ll be fun.”

Optimus part Fifteen.

Shockwave grabbed Botanica by the arm and pulled her up before shoving her over to the ship. She crashed against the hull. Jetfire recovered and charged, but with one mighty punch Shockwave sent Jetfire flying back with a crater in his chest. Botanica turned. Shockwave stood before her. He was grievously damaged, not a single part of him wasn’t deformed in some way. She saw where he broke or cut the fused panels and parts of his body to regain motion, and his left arm remained partially melted into a single mass. He must’ve endured great pain transforming. His face, or what he had in place of one, was lopsided, one of his “ears” was bent sideways, the other was melted down to a nub. His eye was misshapen, the lens that tinted it red was missing, leaving it an orange-yellow, but it burned bright regardless. “I have been looking for you, Autobot.” He said, his voice sounded tinny and raspy. “What for?” Botanica could think of nothing else to say. “Revenge.” He answered. She half nodded, supposing it was a stupid question. Shockwave moved his right arm over to his left, and awkwardly, and painfully, pulled panels lose, allowing him to draw his weapon from it. He pointed it at Botanica who thought fast, pushing it aside. She contorted and slithered around him, shoulder-checking him into the ship hull. He swung at her, hitting the side of her head and she went down. Shockwave lined up for another shot, but Botanica quickly rolled away and he vaporized a sizable hole where she used to be. No longer seeking to stun, Shockwave’s cannon was at full power, and he fired it like a madman. He let out and enraged growl, like an animal. It unnerved Botanica almost more than the threat of death. She dived, glided and rolled across the ground, dodging as many shots as possible. One shot clipped the ship, creating a neat dip in it’s roof. “Guess I won’t be flying that ever again.” Botanica groaned before having to evade more blasts. Shockwave, tired of the obstacle, reached to change the setting of his weapon with his weak arm. Botanica saw the opening and stood. She deployed her hip mounted guns and took aim, charging as she did. Shockwave saw this and hurried with his gun. Botanica fired. So did Shockwave. Their energy beams collided in a massive discharge of his weapon’s positrons and Botanica’s energized electrons. They cancelled each other out, leaving both weapons depleted. However unlike Botanica, Shockwave’s weapon was not fuelled directly by his own systems, and he did not just lose the ability to stand. Shockwave panted like a rabid dog from the battle as he trudged over to the energy-depleted Botanica. He grabbed her by the throat with his good arm and held her up, her stalk dangled. Shockwave squeezed, more with the intent to make her head pop off than restrict energy supply. Botanica clawed at him, but without energy it was about as effective as mouse in the claws of a wild cat. Just as the world began to darken, Shockwave’s arm separated at the elbow. Botanica fell, Shockwave merely stood still, and between them was Jetfire, his blade separating the ground between them. “That hurt.” Jetfire said. He backhanded Shockwave, still stunned from the sudden loss of his arm. But it did not last, as Shockwave managed to land on his feet. Jetfire charged, making another swing, but Shockwave ducked and swept Jetfire’s legs from under him. As Jetfire fell Shockwave jumped, intent on landing on Jetfire’s head. But the behemoth was quicker than he appeared and was able to roll to the side. Shockwave roundhouse-kicked at Jetfire, who parried with his left arm and swung his blade with his right. Shockwave leaned back, expertly avoiding the attack, and retaliated with more kicks. Jetfire blocked them all, but was blindsided by a swing from Shockwave’s limp arm. Momentarily dazed Shockwave curled up, dropped to the ground, and pushed Jetfire back and upwards with his legs. Shockwave, determined to not leave without his vengeance satisfied, turned back to Botanica. Her watched as she crawled into her ship, damaged and depleted of energy. Shockwave turned to give chase, but his left leg buckled and he fell. Summoning all his will he limped on, seething with anger. Botanica had crawled all the way to the med bay and pulled herself inside. Shockwave limped inside. “Autobot!” He snarled, limping towards her. Botanica scrambled as fast as she could away from the insane robot. As she pulled herself into the bay she hit the lock and the door slammed shut. Shockwave roared like a rabid beast and bashed against the door. It dented, and Botanica knew she was trapped. She looked around, and saw the stasis pod. She crawled over, her energy levels were beyond red. The door began to dent and spilt as Shockwave relentlessly battered his way in. Botanica quickly crawled into the pod as the inner screen lit up. “Please find something, please find something…” She repeated over the crashing at the door. The pod hissed as it sealed the hatch and began it’s work. Outside the hull an electromagnetic scanner deployed, sending waves through the air, looking for any non-Cybertronian machines. Shockwave snarled and roared like a madman as he bashed the door down through a series of violent shoulder-checks and head butts until finally the door broke inward. As he looked up, his single cracked eye burning, he was struck by something small and fast. He barely flinched, but whatever it was escaped past him, and he took off after it. “You can’t run, Autobot!” He screamed. “I will have my revenge for what you did!” He snarled to himself as he limped after it. As he exited the ship he looked around, knowing she couldn’t have gotten far. From behind him he heard a voice. “Heads up.” Shockwave turned and from atop the ship a likewise teal and green vehicle leaped down, this time with enough force to stun him. It hit the ground behind Shockwave, screeching as his U-turned. The small car split apart in the turn’s momentum, the headlights were sucked inward, the windshield cracked and slid over itself, the doors pulling apart into thin arms, the wheels moved up to the hips and shoulders, the roof flipping open to reveal the head, and Botanica finished by flipping out her newly rebuilt and recharged cannons. She fired, forks of lightning catching Shockwave, but instead of melting him, they pulled him forward, into a backhand swipe from Botanica. Shockwave flew back, scorched, dented, melted, torn apart, down on one knee, but still alive. “I…” He said, his voice so distorted it barely sounded as such. “I was once… the most decorated Decepticon general of all of Cybertron’s history… I have destroyed legions of hundreds, thousands… of soldiers less than you…” He looked up, his eye burned bright white, glowing liquid dripped out. “I was to be part of a revolution!” He screamed. “I am the most powerful Cybertronian alive! What are you!?” “I’m a hybrid.” Botanica said. She began to fire, but Shockwave suddenly leaped forward in a flash, flailing his limp arm and knocking her aside. He furiously kicked and stomped her. Every time Botanica tried to block or move she was hit again. “You are nothing!” He screamed, each word in time with another blow. “I have spent years a broken robot, and finally after eons I am restored, and what happens? I am attacked by a lowly scientist!” He kept kicking, Botanica could no longer even attempt to block. “I am left to die, frozen in a state of perpetual pain! Unable to move, unable to even scream!” He gave one final kick and Botanica landed in a heap. Shockwave growled. Then became unnervingly placid. “Though I suppose I should at least give you thanks for letting me finally enjoy my revenge on Obsidian before you melted me. Otherwise I’d not know the pleasure of what I’m about to-” Shockwave’s words were cut short by a red hot blade sprouting from his chest. “That really hurt.” Jetfire said from behind. Shockwave stuttered, his eye flickered, but he didn’t fall. Instead he turned his head. He turned it all the way around until he was staring Jetfire in the face. His eye grew in intensity until it discharged a laser blast powerful enough to send Jetfire reeling backwards, tripping and falling against the ship. The sword still plunged through his torso, Shockwave turned. He turned back to Botanica, intent on finishing her at least. He pressed his foot against her head and leaned, putting his weight on his one leg. Just as he added force, however, he was knocked aside by an impact to his limp arm. A red blur circled him, a hail of bullets and rockets peppering him. He could barely hear it over the screaming and cursing coming from his attacker. Road Rage stopped and transformed into a back flip in time to avoid a boulder thrown by Ironhide. It smashed and crumbled against Shockwave who reeled from the impact. Before he could even react he was pulled forward by a hook lodged in his chest, directly into Optimus’ fist. Optimus then grabbed Shockwave in a headlock, crushing the Decepticon’ head in his grip and tossing him aside. As Shockwave stumbled Optimus slid towards him and delivered a powerful punch to Shockwave’s midsection. Bits of purple metal and gears shot outward as Shockwave finally fell, the only sign of life being the crackling of Jetfire’s blade, still lodged deep into Shockwave’s back. Optimus wasted no time running to Botanica’s aide, while Ironhide and Road Rage attended to Jetfire, who stubbornly refused help. Optimus carefully slung Botanica’s arm over his back and carefully helped her up. “I’m fine,” She said. “Just got the wind knocked out of me is all.” “Sure thing, tough guy,” Optimus said. “Looks like we got here just in time.” Road Rage said in a cheesy voice before returning to her chipper demeanour. “That fire was bogus.” Ironhide said. “It was a massive bonfire set on top of a grassless hill, it was never a real forest fire.” “But I guess it almost worked.” Road Rage said. “I’ll admit,” Botanica said. “Shockwave came very close to killing me, but then Jetfire intervened.” Botanica looked up appreciatively at Jetfire, Ironhide sarcastically elbowed him. “Way to go, old man!” He said. Road rage nodded and held his arm. Jetfire simply stood there, looking confused as ever. Optimus laughed, then looked at Botanica. “New duds?” He referred to her slightly altered body. “Eve with them I was no match,” She said. “Shockwave’s either got amazing power, amazing determination, or both-” Her speech trailed off as she looked to where Shockwave lay, or rather where he did not. Where there was once a seemingly deceased Shockwave lay only Jetfire’s sword. Botanica blinked and shook her head. “Let’s get in the ship.” The Autobots, sans Jetfire, made their way into the vessel. Jetfire patiently waited outside, sitting next to their mill by the stream which miraculously avoided collateral damage. The Autobots sat in the cockpit, looking out at him. “So about Jetfire…” Optimus said. “Are you still gonna bring him in?” Botanica leaned on the dashboard. She was physically and emotionally drained, and Optimus saw she was no doubt extremely conflicted. She seemed about to break, but then became very calm. “Bring him in?” She turned to Optimus. “Why bring him in when I’ve already disposed of him?” Optimus seemed confused, then understood. Botanica reached over and typed away and a keypad on the dashboard. A screen next to it lit up and information scrolled across. “Now all that’s left to do is mark my mission as complete…” She hit a key and the screen beeped before turning green, then winking off. “…And we won’t have to worry about anyone else coming around looking for him.” Optimus smiled and nodded. Road Rage made little fats paced claps with her hands, Ironhide gave the thumbs up. Botanica leaned back in the chair, a smile on her face. Until she noticed a small blinking light at the corner of the dashboard. She flipped up a small screen next to it that likewise blinked red. “What’s that?” Ironhide said. “It’s the homing beacon.” Botanica said with concern. She typed away. “It must have been activated, well, back when the Decepticons had the ship. “But that’s good!” Road Rage said. “More friends coming, right?” Botanica looked back, a worried expression on her green face. “Well, yes,“ Botanica said. “Unless your ship was recently in the hands of Decepticons who reprogrammed it to squawk on their frequency with the express purpose of alerting more Decepticons of it’s location?” She said, her voice trailing into a squeak. The Autobots all started at the beacon that had not only been active for days, but was broadcasting as far as the next solar system. “Well…” Optimus said. “…Poop.”

Optimus part Fourteen.

“Those lowlife, two-timing, rust pit runoff pieces of garbage!” Botanica raged. “They took everything! All my samples, my research, my tools, my… pilfered by their commoner hands! I can’t believe it, not even my hilarious motivational posters featuring different adorable species in non-life threatening situations were spared their greed!” Botanica looked around the bare interior of her damaged ship. Outlines where the paint hadn’t faded or dust hadn’t settled told stories of equipement and other items that once decorated it’s science bay. She crossed all four arms pouted. “Now how am I going to get through Mondays?” “They didn’t take everything.” Optimus pointed out. He and Road Rage stood safely behind Ironhide so as to avoid Botanica’s ire. “They left the cockpit untouched, after all.” “And there’s all those gimmicks on the outside that hurt us are still there!” Road Rage added. Botanica steamed. “I should’ve just blown them all up when I had the chance.” The cannons on her hips sparked and crackled with electricity. The Autobots cowered in fear. “Now now…” Optimus attempted to diffuse the ticking bomb in front of them. “Have you checked all the levels? Maybe they just cleared out this one?” “It’s a scientific shuttle!” Botanica snapped. “It only has one level…!” She stopped. “Unless….” Botanica hurried over to the back of the ship, the Autobots scrambling out of her way. “They didn’t get to the medibay because it has a lock! I‘m such a fool!” “Great!” Optimus peeped. He turned to Road Rage and Ironhide. “What is up with her? She’s been all quiet and personable and now she’s like Road Rage at a car wash!” Road Rage empathetically nodded. “Doesn’t help she’s the only one of us with the ability to kill us when we’re sleeping.” Ironhide added. “I think she’s hiding something.” Road Rage murmured. “She didn’t care about her ship before, but now she’s all mad. I think she thinks they think she has something important, and I think she thinks I know I think she does.” Optimus tried and failed to follow her point. “Okay,” He said. “But I think she’s hiding something important.” Ironhide nodded vigorously. From the back Botanica groaned with frustration. The Autobots quietly observed her frustrations. “You should go find out.” Ironhide said to Optimus. “You two get along, I barely know her.” “And I quite literally got the shaft last time,” Road Rage quipped. “So out you go!” She pushed Optimus out towards Botanica. As he shuffled nervously closer Optimus saw the cause of her frustrations was a mere keypad. Botanica stared at it. “So…” Optimus said. “Need any-” “Hush!” Botanica held her hand up, Optimus flinching at the motion. “I can not for the life of me remember the combination. I had it written of a note pinned to the microwave transmitter but, well… I may need to hack it.” Optimus gave a flippant gesture. “No sweat, I can hack anything.” Optimus said. He snuck his hand over to the pad and typed. “One, one, one, one… one, one.” The pad buzzed an angry denial. Optimus sneered. “Okay, smartaft… one, one, one-SMASH!” Optimus punched the pad. Botanica jumped back as the door, surprisingly, opened. Optimus graciously offered Botanica first entry. She obliged, and Optimus waved his friends over. They crowded the small medibay. It consisted of one small table, a bucket of basic tools, a file cabinet, and a stasis pod. The Autobots’ interest instantly shifted to the pod. Botanica, however, seemed more interested in the cabinet, pulling open a drawer and sifting through it’s contents. “You had a stasis pod on board?” Optimus asked. “Why didn’t you tell us?” Botanica poked her head up, but didn’t make eye contact. “I didn’t think it was important.” She said, then went back to searching the drawer. Road Rage pressed her face and hands up to the pod’s glass. “We had a stasis pod,” She said. “But we put a bear in it and the dumb thing wrecked the insides.” This gave Botanica pause. “Why would you put a bear in-” She began, then shook her head. “Actually, I don’t care. Aha!” She pulled out a certain file. Inside was a small card, which she tossed in her hand, a smile across her face. “What’s that?” Ironhide asked. Botanica’s smile faded. She looked unsure now, and looked out of the corner of her eye to each of them. Then she looked at card and sighed. “We will all go to prison forever,” Botanica said. “If you ever speak of this to anyone.” “Prison?” Optimus said. “Yeah, no. I am not going…” He paused. “…to prison.” He turned away. “What’s the matter with you?” Road Rage said, bouncing with excitement. “Don’t you find this interesting?” She shifted her attention to Botanica. “What kind of secrets we talking about, here? Government conspiracies? Military cover-ups?” Road Rage lowered her voice to a sly tone. “Unflattering pictures of Sentinel Prime?” “Yeah, but you know what’s better than all that useless crap?” Optimus said. “Not spending the rest of my life behind laser-gates.” “Too late,” Botanica said. “You’ve seen this, which is bad enough. If you ever breathe a word of this, we’re all going down.” Optimus sighed dramatically, and as he was about to say something Road Rage grabbed him by the antennae and pulled herself up to his eye level. “I. Must. Know.” She said sternly. Optimus pulled her off and shook his head. “Fine,” He said, placing Road Rage on the ground. He looked at Ironhide, who shrugged indifferently. “What’s the big secret?” Botanica inhaled, then began. “I was sent on a mission to recover a sensitive… item that was supposedly lost here eons ago.” She held the car up. “This card contains the item’s last known location on this planet, before it’s transmitter stopped, well, transmitting.” Botanica lowered her voice for emphasis. “This item was created by our enemy long ago during the first global war of Cybertron as the ultimate weapon of destruction. But it… malfunctioned, and fell into our hands. However the Autobots could not contain it, nor could they destroy it, so they sent it away to be hidden here. This item, this super weapon…” Botanica leaned in. The Autobots leaned in as well until all four were huddled together. “…Is a lost Decepticon warrior.” Optimus made a crude noise with his mouth. “Seriously? That’s your big secret? Old news.” He said. “How could you possibly know about it?” Botanica asked. “Because it’s Jetfire.” Ironhide answered. “Yeah,” Road Rage said. “Didn’t we tell you? Jetfire was sleeping in the ground, the Decepticons dug him out and we all became best friends.” “I don’t believe it.” Botanica said. “Hey Jetfire!” Optimus called. Jetfire poked his big head through the door of the shuttle. “What!?” He grumped. “You’re a Decepticon, right?” Optimus asked. “Bah…” Jetfire pulled out and wandered back to what he was doing. “See?” Optimus said, waving his hand towards him. “Well, that’s very unfortunate,” She said, her tone depressed. “Because, well, I came not merely to find this weapon, I came to dispose of it.” The Autobots looked confused, worried, Road Rage spoke first. “What do you mean ‘dispose’?” She asked. “You don’t mean…” “That’s not right,” Ironhide said. “He’s switched sides, you can’t just kill him for what he used to be. “You won’t.” Optimus said, stepping forward. “Not unless you bring an army to go through me, first.” “Don’t worry,” Botanica held up her hands. “I’m not going to.” The Autobots relaxed slightly. “However, this is now a lot more difficult. I have a job to do. I can’t not do it.” She crossed her arms. “I may still have to take him to jail.” “Why don’t you just tell your bosses what happened?” Optimus said. “I mean, he hasn’t done anything wrong.” “That’s the problem,” Botanica said. “He has. Not while you’ve known him, but he was once a Decepticon, and he fought for their cause. He isn’t absolved of that.” Road Rage stepped forward. “But he’s old!” She said. “At his age he hasn’t got many years left! Would you really want to have him live those out in a prison?” “It’s not about what I want,” Botanica said. “It’s about what I’ve been charged to do.” “I think Botanica’s right.” Ironhide said. Optimus and Road Rage shot him astonished looks. “You can’t be serious!” Road Rage said. “Why?” “I think because of his age he should,” Ironhide crossed his arms. “It’s for his own good, and for the good of others.” “How?” Optimus said, mimicking Ironhide’s stance. “I got captured chasing after him,” Ironhide put it plainly. “He ran humans off the road, crashed into buildings, all while rambling like a crazy person. He’s not well, Optimus.” “He’ll get the help he needs.” Botanica added. Optimus spun around, pointing a finger in her face. “Not from there, he won’t!” Optimus shouted. “The only help you get in there is into a coffin.” Botanica put a hand on Optimus’ shoulder. “You’ve been in prison, haven’t you?” She said sympathetically. “No.” Optimus shrugged her off. “But I know what it’s like, and that’s not where you want to spend your last days alive.” Botanica stared up at Optimus, who eased back. She was about to retort, but Ironhide stepped in. “I know how you feel, Optimus.” He said. “But this isn’t about you, it’s about-” Ironhide was cut off by a loud tapping on the hull, followed by Jetfire’s face appearing in the door. “Sorry to butt in, but I have a question.” Jetfire began. “The sky being on fire, is that the good one or bad one?” “What?” Optimus jogged out of the shuttle, the others followed. He looked to the sky from their clearing, there was a tower of smoke illuminated by flames in the distance. The forest was burning. “A forest fire,” Road Rage pointed out. “We have to stop it!” “If it hits our base,” Ironhide said. “We’re quite literally toast.” “It’s a way’s off.” Optimus said. “But not for long. Let’s get going.” Road Rage and Ironhide transformed and took to the path leading south. Optimus turned to Botanica. “We’ll finish this discussion when I get back.” He transformed and drove off. “What discussion?” Jetfire asked. Botanica looked up. “Nothing important.” She said to him. She watched the light from the inferno burn in the distance, and began to wonder. It wasn’t very dry, in fact it rained two nights ago. A fire starting under these conditions would have to be either an absurd chance or deliberately set. Which means the others could be driving straight into a trap. “We have to stop them!” “What?” Jetfire said. “It’s a trap! Somebody’s drawing them to the fire.” Botanica said. “Or rather, away from you.” Botanica heard as incredible heat burned her and a great force sent her straight into the ground. Before Jetfire could react he also was shot down, falling backwards into the stream by the ship. Botanica tried to pull herself out of the hole filled with red hot rocks, but only managed to turn over. Standing behind her was Shockwave, still partially disfigured, but very much alive.

Optimus part Thirteen.

Optimus squatted uncomfortably as he carefully reeled in his towline. After a few awkward moments Road Rage emerged from the hole, Botanica helping her out. “It’s a big facility.” Road Rage untied the line around her waist. “It’s like some sort of big lab only without any equipement.” “Maybe a bunker?” Botanica asked. “Was there any treasure?” Optimus asked. “Just some old papers with squiggly lines across them.” Road Rage said. “Well, one long squiggly line. They were halfway down a paper shredder.” “Well, it was important to hide a fake building over it.” Optimus pondered. His thought was interrupted when he noticed something. “Where’s the short one and the old guy?” Botanica and Road Rage shrugged. There was a rustling in the trees and Jetfire, blackened and with a dejected look, emerged. “What happened?” Botanica moved over to help, but Jetfire waved her off. He looked down solemnly. “They took your friend.” He rubbed the back of his head. “I wandered off and he tried to stop me. They defeated us and…” Optimus stood up and walked over to Jetfire. “It’s okay.” He said. “We‘ll get him back.” ------- “You know, I’m not vindictive or anything.” Ironhide said. “If you let me go I wouldn’t say anything.” He tried again to break his bonds that held his hands behind his back. “Once I was captured. Captured by… pirates, and they were nice, and they let me go, and I didn’t say anything.” Again he tried, to no avail. Ironhide sat bound to a rock in the middle of the Decepticon cave. Only one beam of light poured in from above, and all around him was dark. “Don’t bother.” A voice came from the darkness. Strika moved into the light. “Those binders came from your Autobot spacecraft. They are unbreakable. Used to hold volatile samples, also effect as chains for prisoners.” “You know,” Ironhide said. “With the dark dungeon setting, handcuffs and you all clad in black I’d say this in no way resembles something I saw on the internet.” Strika didn’t say a word, instead she snapped her fingers. Soundwave emerged, pushing a trolley filled with tools. All manner of cutters, prods, saws and spikes. Strika picked up a saw and thumbed the switch. It’s razor blade spun. She twirled it in her hands as she walked around him. “Megatron said I can do whatever I want with you.” She said, moving the saw closer. Ironhide leaned back. “Again, there’s this thing I saw on the internet…” Strika held the saw centimetres away from his eye. “That’s an impressive scar you have there.” Strika pointed out the gash on his right brow. “I wonder, should we try and make both sides match?” “Well, I don’t think-” Ironhide began, but Strika covered his mouth. She pulled back the saw. “But first I think we’ll do some body work.” She trusted the saw into Ironhide’s chest, but was surprised when it bounced off. Puzzled, she more carefully jabbed the blade. Again it ricocheted off. “I tried to tell you…” Ironhide said. Again Strika attacked, this time with all her might, at his chest. The blade made contact and crumpled, jamming the saw and causing it to spark and smoke. Strika tossed it away. She looked at Ironhide, furious, but then calmed. “Never mind.” She regained herself. “I know your Achilles heel…” She reached for an electric prod. “Okay, I don’t want to play anymore.” Ironhide shuffled nervously, trying again to break his chains. Strika activate the prod, electricity surged between it’s tips. Ironhide pulled as hard as he could, and before Strika could do anything, he ripped the rock from the ground, flipping forward and hurling it straight at her face. The rock knocked Strika way, and Ironhide landed upside down. Soundwave jumped from the shadows and prepared to fire his laser. Ironhide flipped again just in time to put the rock between him and the blast. The stone shattered, but Ironhide was undamaged. He turned to Soundwave, who fumbled to vent his weapon for another shot. But Ironhide was too fast, mustered up enough strength for another front flip, he looped the bonds around his hands behind Soundwave’s head, then curled his legs back so his heels lay against Soundwave’s face, and pushed as hard as he could. The bonds, weakened by the laser, snapped, and so did Soundwave’s head. Soundwave stumbled back, severely disoriented. Ironhide panted, tired from the acrobatics, he wasted no time transforming, hitting his high beams and headed to the nearest opening. Strika rolled from the ground, seamlessly adopting her vehicle form and giving pursuit. Gravel and dirt crunched under Ironhide’s heavy duty tires as he sped down the dark tunnel. The roar of Strika’s engine creeping up behind him as he sped. He gave it his all, but Ironhide was too exhausted from the battle. Just as escaped seemed impossible, he saw daylight, and shot out of the tunnel like a bullet. Now he had to navigate the forest. Or he would have, had the ground not exploded beneath him. Ironhide tumbled through the air. Green, blue and brown blurring as he rolled through the dirt and trees. He split apart and reformed in his robotic form in time to avoid falling off a cliff and into the river below. Above thrusters roared, and Starscream fell from the sky. Strika rolled up beside him and transformed. Ironhide was outmatched. “Nowhere to run Autobutt!” Starscream laughed. Strika elbowed him to be quiet. “You’re trapped, now surrender!” Strika demanded. Ironhide weighed his options. “No thanks,” He said. “I think I’ll just go for a swim-” He heel-turned and was about to spelunker, but out of the gorge behind him rose the space ship, Soundwave behind the controls. The forward gun of the ship blasted Ironhide, toasting him and sending him tumbling backwards to Strika’s feet. “That’s for crushing my head, jerk!” Soundwave said over the external speaker. He eased the ship towards his comrades, hovering just above. “Soundwave, you fool!” Strika said. “How dare you bring the ship outside! What if-” Strika was cut of when a space shuttle rammed into the ship’s side, sending it spinning into the trees. “-That happens.” Strika dejectedly waved her hand at the event. The shuttle spun around and popped open, releasing Optimus and Road Rage who landed on the ground, poised for action, Jetfire transforming and joining them. “You’re outnumbered, Strika.” Optimus remained in a battle stance. “Do you really think we can take them?” Road Rage whispered. “Hell no.” Optimus whispered back. “That landing actually really, really hurt…” He groaned. “I don’t think I can feel my legs. “Me neither.” Road Rage squeaked as she registered the pain of falling thirty feet. “But we don’t have to beat them, just distract them.” Optimus whispered to her, then raised his voice for the Decepticons. “Now give us back our friend. Three on two is hardly fair for you guys…” As if in response, Megatron rocketed out of the mountain, landing in front of his troops. “Now, what is fair again?” He said. “I knew that was gonna happen,” Optimus moaned. “But I said it anyway, so stupid…” Behind them a rumbling noise came. The ship had repositioned itself, and the Autobots were completely boxed in. “Now, Autobots, I seemed to recall asking you to, what was it, roll over and die?” Megatron said. “But you needn’t trouble yourselves. I’ll just do it myself. Soundwave! Absolve yourself of the sin of disobeying me and obliterate them!” Megatron yelled to his officer. Inside the ship Soundwave gave the thumbs up and searched the control module for the biggest, most aggressive weapon the scientific vessel had. Unbeknownst to Soundwave, however, Botanica silently glided up behind him. As quiet as she could be Botanica moved to push Soundwave out of the chair while bent over to look for more buttons, muttering to himself. Botanica leaned over the chair. “Soundwave?” Megatron called again, trying to retain a threatening tone. Soundwave snapped upwards, his cannon knocking Botanica aside. She hit the controls and the ship began to spin. Soundwave spun around in shock and attempted to push Botanica away, but she slipped behind him and grabbed his head. He flailed around trying to reach her, knocking the chair back and putting them both on the floor. Botanica recovered quickly enough, as did Soundwave, and they squared of. The ship listed again, tossing Botanica into Soundwave. With no one at the controls the steering apparatus of the ship spun with the motions, out of control. Soundwave pushed the Autobot off and started hitting random buttons. Lights, weapons and other equipement dislodged or activated on the ships hull. Mechanical arms swiped at the combatants below. Strika was knocked into the river, Starscream flattened into the dirt, Jetfire blinded by floodlights, Road Rage sent into the air. Optimus dodge rocket fire and Megatron avoided capture nets. “Soundwave you raging malfunction! What are you doing!?” Megatron screamed as he was caught in a mechanical arm. He gripped the claw holding him and ripped it apart, grabbing the arm and pulled himself towards the ship. Inside Botanica and Soundwave both tried to correct the ship, until Megatron smashed his way through the cockpit glass. He dug his hand into the control console and pulled out a wad of wires and circuits. The ship shuttered, then dipped forward, ploughing into the ground below. As the robots collected themselves, Megatron approached Optimus. He handed the Autobot the wad of technology. “She’s all yours.” And walked away, the Other Decepticons followed. “Sweet.” Optimus said.