Optimus part Six

The sun was rising over the mountain overlooking the quiet town. Light poured over the landscape, working it’s way up the mountain. From the west side of town looking east at the horizon it almost looked like a painting, save one bizarre brush stroke. A trail of haze drifting out of the mountain’s side. Inside the mountain metal was forged, machines roared and workers toiled. Megatron oversaw construction of his latest invention. He watched as Shockwave studied schematic, Strika attached components together and Obsidian swung a hammer to forge custom parts. They were exceedingly low tech these days and had to use less refined methods. Megatron saw something amiss and leaped down to Obsidian’s workstation.

“Give me that!” He said, grabbing the hammer from Obsidian and pushing him aside. “You’re not using enough force!” Megatron swung the hammer with enough effort to shake the stone the metal plate sat atop. Sparks flew in Obsidian’s eyes. He balled his hand into a fist, just as he did he felt his arm pulled away. Strika held his arm and glared angrily at Obsidian. He pulled himself free and hovered away. Megatron continued hammering violently until the part was finished, submerged it in the tub of lake water and began affixing it to his machine. Strika watched as he did her job twice as fast as she had. The machine quickly took form. Megatron snatched the reader from Shockwave’s hands and studied it.

“No no no!” He yelled into Shockwave’s face. “There’s not enough forward reinforcement!” Megatron adjusted the blueprint, Shockwave watched.

“But my lord,” Shockwave protested. “We haven’t the material.”

“Then use some from the engine mount.” Megatron casually tossed the reader back to Shockwave and continued working.

“But without a proper mount…” Shockwave began. Megatron got up in Shockwave’s face. Obsidian and Strika watched by.

“Will the mount suffice as-is?” Megatron asked.

“Yes, however-” Shockwave was cut off.

“Then there you have it,” Megatron ripped off a large chunk of metal as wide as himself and tossed it to Obsidian, flattening the Decepticon. “Reinforce the front end!” Megatron demanded. Obsidian heaved the sheet metal off himself. His eyes burned a red orange as he stared at his commander.

“At once,” He sneered. “My liege.”
-----

Jetfire sat in the grass as the sun finished rising. Optimus and the other Autobots emerged from the barn.

“He sat there all night?’ Road Rage said. “Do you think we broke him?”

“We broke him?” Ironhide said. “Baby he was broken long before we knew his name.”

“Somebody should go talk to him.” Optimus said. “Not it.”

“Not it!” Ironhide said. Road Rage’s face became a picture of defeat, then she composed herself.

“Fine then.” She said. “Y’know, I bet he’s fun to talk to. Old people have lots of stuff to talk about.” She walked over to Jetfire, stopped halfway, then took a few tentative steps up to his side. She sat down cross-legged next to him and looked out to the sunrise with him.

“Earth’s pretty.” She began. Road Rage looked up to Jetfire. The sun reflected off the visor covering his eyes, removing the only outlet for expression she could read. “Cybertron’s sunrise is much longer, but isn’t as beautiful. Yellow suns are warmer. Must‘ve been sad not being able to see a sunrise for so long.” She waited for a response, but none came. Eventually she gave up and walked back to the others. She shrugged, and Optimus nudged Ironhide forward. He protested briefly but succumbed and waddled next to Jetfire. He opted to stand at first, but sat after a moment.

“You were a good fighter.” Ironhide said. Jetfire remained static. “I like to fight. Well, not really. I like the exercise I guess. It’s not good for Autobots to like fighting. They say that‘s what makes one a Decepticon” No response. “You were a Decepticon. Do you like to fight?” Ironhide waited fifteen minutes for an answer, but none came, and he went back to the group. Before he even reached the barn Optimus was moving to replace him. He sat in the same spot, one leg outstretched one bent to lean his arm on.

“You said you’re not a Decepticon anymore.” Optimus started off, he looked to the distance. Still Jetfire was silent. “It must be easier quitting them. I don’t think I could ever escape the Autobots if I wanted to.” Optimus checked his words. “Well, I guess I could technically leave, but what would be the point? It wouldn’t change anything. But you,” Optimus looked at Jetfire’s face, still expressionless. “You changed, didn’t you?” There it was. A flinch. It wasn’t much, but it was something. “You mentioned Primal Prime? He’s dead. Died before I was built. The supreme commander is Sentinel Prime, now. You’d like him. A real people’s robot. Never too busy or proud to check in on the lower ranks. Doesn’t belittle his troops…” Optimus took a chance. “Or send them on doomed missions.” Jetfire’s slowly turned his head. Gears and wires creaked. Optimus cocked an eyebrow but didn’t turn his head. “that’s what happened, didn’t it? You were betrayed by your commander?”

“Is that what you think happened, boy?” Jetfire spat.

“Tell me I‘m wrong?” Optimus said.

“Would it matter? You’ve clearly made your mind up.” Jetfire turned back to the sunrise. “It wouldn’t change anything.”

Optimus left it. Instead they sat another few minutes before Jetfire finally stood, pulling himself free of the imprint he’d made in the grass. He leaned on his cane where he stretched his back. It sounded like cars being crushed. Springs and gears went flying. He sighed and leaned forward. Ironhide waddled over as fast as his stubby legs would carry him. He tugged Optimus’ arm.

“You need to see this!” Ironhide exclaimed. “Right now!”

“Calm down, dude,” Optimus put his hands on Ironhide’s shoulders. The stubby robot had a bizarre mix of excitement and anxiety on his face. Optimus couldn‘t tell which was more prominent. “What do I need to see?”

“It’s a-” Ironhide began, but was interrupted by Road Rage who popped up between them.

“A ship!” She exclaimed. “One of ours! In this solar system!” They disbanded to converse properly.

“My probe?” Optimus said, flabbergasted. “My baby?” Ironhide and Road Rage nodded in unison. Optimus was nearly brought to tears. “I told you spending seven months in the crawlspace taping it together would pay off!” Optimus quickly composed himself. “Alright, let’s not get super-excited. Let me take a look.”

Inside the barn the Autobots huddled around the small computer monitor with Jetfire peeking through the hole in the roof. Optimus typed clumsily with his index fingers, cursing himself when he made mistakes, but eventually was able to construe the information he was after.

“It’s pretty far away…” Optimus said. “At least a month out. It’s light, probably a scientific vessel.”

“Or fighter?” Road Rage asked.

“All by itself?” Ironhide asked. “No, only Starhoppers match that profile.”

“Could always use a scientifically inclined robot around.” Road Rage shrugged.

“Maybe they can tell me why my sea monkeys won’t wake up.” Ironhide looked over to a corner of the room that held a tiny tank filled with little flecks.

“I keep telling you, those aren’t sea monkeys.“ Optimus said. “Those are just pieces of paper with monkeys drawn on them. Road Rage killed your sea monkeys.” Ironhide covered his ears and hummed loudly. Jetfire watched as he went over to the fish tank.

“I didn’t kill them!” Road Rage said. She put a hand on Ironhide‘s arm. “They‘re just sleepy because they‘re… full.”

“Of anti-freeze.” Optimus scoffed.

“How was I supposed to know they can’t have that stuff?” Road Rage exclaimed.

“Everybody knows monkeys hate anti-freeze. It’s their natural enemy!” Optimus threw his hands up. “Now everybody shut your noise holes and let’s clean up. We only have seven-hundred and forty-four hours to get this place in decent shape before our guests arrive!”

“Can I montage?” Road Rage asked, she leaned into Optimus, forcing him to almost tip over. “Please!” She begged.

“Fine,” Optimus sighed. “But this time please don’t film me changing my oil, will you? Or at least don‘t put it on the internet.” Road Rage skipped over to a cardboard box in the dug out portion of the base and retrieved a video camera. She checked it then peered up at Jetfire.

“Hey Jetfire, you ever been in a movie?” Road Rage asked. “Like maybe old war films?” Jetfire shook his head. Road Rage shrugged. “That’s okay, you can be in my montage!” She walked out of the barn and set the camera on a tripod facing the barn. “Now we just work like normal and let the camera film us.” She ran back to help with the clean up. Jetfire examined the hole in the roof.

“What do I do about this hole?” Jetfire asked. Optimus looked up.

“Oh yeah,” He said. “Shit. Ironhide…” Ironhide poked his head out from behind a table. “Go get some wood from the lumber yard.” Optimus said.

“The one with no locks and the fat guard dog?” Ironhide replied.

“Say hi to Rover for me.” Optimus replied. Ironhide waddled out of the barn, transformed and drove down the dirt road out of sight.

“And remember,” Optimus shouted after him. “It’s not stealing, it’s borrowing!” The others went back to work. Road Rage picked up a screwdriver off the floor and set it on the table. She went about cleaning elsewhere when she heard a clatter. She turned. The screwdriver was on the ground again. She picked it up and placed it back on the table and turned back. She heard it fall again. Again she replaced it, but watched this time. As she set the tool down she saw it vibrate. It shivered until it fell off the table. She placed her hand on the ground and felt a vibration. It was growing more intense. She heard rumbling. Outside Optimus heard it, too. He stopped what he was doing and listened. He looked all around the horizon. Nothing. He heard a wailing, felt a rumble, then realised.

“Down!” He shouted. Optimus tackled Road Rage in time to avoid the explosion of earth and soil. Out of the ground a screaming, terrifying machine reared, howled, then borrowed back into the ground. Jetfire narrowly avoided being hit by it. Dirt and grass were flown everywhere. Gravel and rocks pinged off the Autobots as they took cover behind the dilapidated farmhouse. The thing reappeared, but this time was met with opposition. Optimus side armed his tow hook at the creature, hitting it behind it’s rotating drill nose. He was pulled up onto it’s back. Optimus firmly planted his feet it what he assumed was the neck and pulled it’s head back, hoping to steer it. His initiative was met with little success, as the creature merely swung it’s head forward and tossed Optimus away. Jetfire took advantage and swung with his cane. As it traveled the cane split apart and revealed a steel blade which heated until it was red. The sword struck and knocked the beast aside, but Jetfire saw minimal damage was done. It screamed again and borrowed back into the ground. Road Rage grabbed it by it’s tail end and was pulled underground. Moments later she came flying out of the terrain. She landed on one knee and spun around to see the creature in the light. It was like a metal eel covered in spikes. It emitted a dull red glow and it’s nose was a collection of opposite-spinning drills. It lowered and the drills slowed, separated and pulled back. Out of the beast’s mouth emerged a familiar character.

“Autobots,” Megatron said smugly. “How good it is to see you again.” He turned to Jetfire who remained battle-ready just out of range. “Especially you, old man. I’ve been waiting to destroy you in particu-” Megatron was tackled out of the machine by Optimus. Optimus held Megatron in a headlock, but Megatron elbowed Optimus in the midsection, knocking him away.

“Impudent simpleton!” Megatron sneered. “Have you no sense of drama? I was in the middle of mocking your defeat!”

“Should’ve mocked me within earshot,” Optimus said. “You tossed me across the God-damned world! I’ve been charging that epic takedown…” Optimus double-thumbs-upped Road Rage who returned the gesture sincerely. “…for like a mile!” Optimus continued.

“You will regret this indignity, whelp!” Megatron kicked Optimus away and ran for his machine.

“Stop him!” Optimus shouted. He, Road Rage and Jetfire charged. Megatron gave them the slip and scrambled back into his driller. It howled to life and bored underground. The Autobots remain vigilant, knowing it could emerge anywhere. Jetfire yelled, pulled out his blade and slashed at the ground. Dirt flew up everywhere as he stabbed and slashed the ground every which way. The ground exploded behind him as the machine lunged it’s way towards his heart. Just as it was about to destroy Jetfire a wooden beam struck it’s side plating. Hardly damaging, it distracted the machine long enough for Ironhide to ram headlong into it’s maw. Metal and gears exploded everywhere as the driller reared back and into the field. Ironhide transformed and bounced to a stop in front of Optimus who quickly helped his friend.

“Your timing is impeccable old chum.” Optimus joked.

“You’re welcome.” Ironhide said, the two exchanged a series of fist bumps and handclaps for their secret handshake. “By the way, what the hell is that thing?”

“Breakable, it seems.” Optimus cracked his knuckles. As he knelt to break his way into the machine it sputtered to life, knocking him back. It seemed barely harmed save a few strewn panels. Regardless, it didn’t persist in battle, instead it and it’s passenger bored away. As the sound of it’s tunnelling disappeared the Autobots knew it was gone for good. They relaxed. Road Rage walked up solemnly to Optimus.

“Does this mean we have to move?” She looked up to him. He turned to his oldest friend. Ironhide’s eyes asked the same question. Optimus turned back to the destroyed barn, the ripped apart field and deep holes littering the area. He looked to Jetfire, hunched over, likewise assessing the situation. The ex-Decepticon nodded. Optimus stood lit against the sunset, head down.