Work on the new base was slow coming. The location was beyond difficult to work with, but it had to be done. Optimus insisted the new base be outside of town, away from humans, but still in suitable proximity to the Decepticon‘s mountain base. And since they had no means of constructing a proper base they needed to have some existing shelter for their equipment. Add to that they had the incoming ship, and they needed a good landing zone to direct it to. Night was beginning to fall, and all four of them were getting exhausted. They hadn’t even had a chance to properly nurse their wounds from the last battle. Road Rage figured they could use the water wheel to make a generator to save on energy, despite protest from Ironhide about whether it would work, she toiled on inside, the only one small enough to fit in that portion. Ironhide worked on unpacking their essentials, such as the computer, TV, media players, the multitude of lava lamps, and rocks shaped like celebrities. Optimus attempted and failed to karate-kick trees down while Jetfire dug a hole to sleep in.
“Bah.” Jetfire spat. He slapped a tree branch out of his face. It whipped back, he sighed, and smacked it away yet another time. It returned again, and, frustrated, he ripped the tree out of the ground.
“Hey,” Optimus said. “I almost had that one!”
“Are you daft, boy?” Jetfire shouted, pointing the tree at Optimus. “You can’t use a karate-kick to cut down trees!”
“Of course not!” Optimus said. “It takes at least five!” Jetfire didn’t know what to say to that, so he just through the tree by his hole, crawled into it, rested his head upon the tree and went to sleep. Optimus didn’t really want to get in a fight with the robot who could rip mature trees out of the Earth with one hand so he let it go.
“Okay.” Optimus said, watching the sun disappear beyond the horizon. “I guess we could take a break.”
And so the Autobots lay in the grass, heads together, staring up at the stars. Ironhide lay with a box full of rocks next to him, reaching in and examining them periodically. Road Rage held a stuffed giraffe in her arms as she attempted to recall the constellations. Optimus chewed on a twig with his arms crossed behind his head as he’d seen humans do in movies.
“I wonder if Cybertron is any different since we’ve been here.” Road Rage wondered.
“Wouldn’t it be cool if they invented something cool since we’ve been gone?” Ironhide said while examining a rock. “Like anti-rust that doesn’t itch…”
“I wonder if Tracks still runs that body shop?” Road Rage continued. “Business was so good when I left.”
“Tracks? The dude who always touches my shoulders?” Ironhide said. “Yeah I don’t like him.”
“Oh he’s just being friendly.” Road Rage waved him off. “You know my whole protobatch is like that.”
“Yeah but Tracks is… too friendly.” Ironhide said. “In fact, I don’t like this conversation. What do you wonder about Cybertron, Optimus?” Optimus was silent for a moment while he thought. He squinted his eyes.
“Is she even still there?” Optimus asked. “We’re in the middle of a civil war. When I left things were getting pretty heated. We think Megatron’s a handful, but the inner-faction uprisings were reaching cold war levels. Remember when there were all those threats against Cybertropolis?” Optimus sighed. “Never mind, I’m sure she’s still around. We’d never destroy our own planet.” There was an uncomfortable silence while they considered the idea of Cybertron being in a full-on global war, until finally Road Rage spoke up.
“So Ironhide,” Her voice squeaked a bit. “What was Cybertron like when you left?” Ironhide took a deep sigh.
“Thing weren’t as bad as that yet,” Ironhide began. “I remember hearing about Sentinel’s private transport being shot down the day I shipped out. I remember, vividly, the talks of his death sparking panic…” He chuckled. “And then it turned out the bloke survived, giving his attackers the slip. I remember hearing he landed the burning ship himself.”
“Ha!” Optimus laughed, sending the twig flying. “I remember that. The media loved making Sentinel out to be an action hero in political paint.” His smile faded slightly. “In a lot ways I guess he was.”
“I wonder if anyone misses us?” Ironhide asked. Nobody answered.
“I miss home.” Road Rage said.
“Me, too.” Jetfire piped up from a few feet away. He lay on his back as well, looking up from his dirt bed. “It sounds like a very different place from when I left.” His eyes closed slightly. “And to think, until I saw you, I thought I was the last of my species. The final Transformer, alone, betrayed by the planet I loved.”
“Poetic.” Optimus said, looking over to Jetfire. He looked back. “Well, once we’re done here I’ll give you the grand tour.” Optimus patted the grass beside him. Jetfire pulled himself out of his hole and lay down next to them, completing the “X” of Autobots. They continued looking out to the stars, wondering which were looking back.
------
Shockwave was taking a big risk going behind Megatron’s back. His “partnership” with Obsidian, such as it was, had Shockwave… suspicious. Shockwave got the feeling Obsidian was out to overthrow Megatron out of selfish desires, whereas Shockwave harboured no ill will towards Megatron. It wasn’t Megatron’s fault he was intellectually inferior. Of course he had to be removed, but these things happen. Obsidian seemed to care more about being leader than the mission, but as long as he proved useful for now his agenda was of no consequence. Shockwave gathered appropriate tools when it happened. The most unbearable and seething pain he’d ever experienced returned. He grabbed his head and fell to the ground.
“No.” He sputtered. “Not again.” The dreams that plagued him were coming while he was awake now, having avoided sleep to keep them at bay, and the pain came back as vivid as ever. He grabbed for his desk, hauled himself up, and scoured his workspace. The memory came in flashes. The room, the table, the shot. Everything except the one who did it. The frustration of not being able to remember was overshadowed only by the intense pain. His vision was blurry, but he saw it. The blue cylinder. He grabbed it and popped off the cap revealing a small nozzle. He jabbed it into his neck, the cylinder emptying it’s florescent contents into his circulatory network. The pain subsided, his mind went numb, and he relaxed. As the pain drained away he saw the room come back into focus. His desk, chair, the lamp, the door. He saw. Obsidian hovered in the doorway, having witnessed the attack. He was silent, staring with no emotion on his face. Shockwave pulled himself back up.
“You did not assist me.” Shockwave went back to gathering his things.
“I was taken aback by the display. “Obsidian said with compassion. “I was not aware you felt pain.”
“I still register physical sensations.” Shockwave said. He looked down. “You will disregard that display.”
“What display?” Obsidian said reassuringly.
“The attack I just suffered.” Shockwave missing the sentiment. Obsidian sighed and shook his head.
“Yes, of course.” He replied.
“We will depart immediately.” Shockwave opened the roof hatch leading to a tunnel. “The Autobots predicted it‘s planetfall in a month, but using a sublight engine it should be here within a few days. We should begin preparations for it’s arrival. I told Megatron we would be exploring a possible cave system close to our target. He should not be suspicious.”
“Truly one of Cybertron’s greatest minds.” Obsidian placed his hand firmly on Shockwave’s shoulder. “You think of everything.”
“Not true.” Shockwave said, turning his head. “I only consider every possibility.”
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Optimus part Seven
Shockwave watched trees rustle as the driller returned to the mountain. Perched in a nearby hundred-year oak he gripped the trunk beneath the branches and leaves. Entirely motionless he remained perfectly balanced. Even such a large tree would break under his weight were he not careful. But he didn’t need to be. Eons of training as a spy and martial artist on Cybertron meant he could balance on a pin if he had to. Once he saw the plume of smoke that signalled the driller’s return underground. He pushed off the tree, snapping it, and transformed, his thrusters setting it ablaze as he rocked off into the sky. He returned to the mountain’s interior in time to greet Megatron as he exited the vehicle.
“My lord.” Shockwave bowed. Bowing meant nothing to him, but he knew it did to others, especially the egocentric Megatron.
“Tell me you got it,” Megatron said, flexing his shoulder. “The signal thing whatever.”
“The Autobot frequency.” Shockwave corrected. “Strika is decrypting it now. I should be finished in exactly forty-two point eight nine three seconds.” His eye flickered as if to “blink.”
“Excellent,” Megatron tapped his finger tips together. “Most excellent. Now we’ll have all their secrets.”
“If I may,” Shockwave said. “This method of hacking the Autobots files seems outlandishly impractical. Why did we need to attack them when I could’ve sampled and decrypted the information myself?” Megatron strolled over and wrapped his arm around Shockwave.
“Because it’s fun, dear Shockwave.” Megatron said. “What’s the point of living if you don’t live?”
“That question is nonsensical.” Shockwave said. “They now know of our formerly secret weapon. They’ll not only anticipate another attack, but will more than likely relocate.“ Megatron shook his head and pulled away. He laughed as he walked over the bunker door.
“Shockwave,” He said. “These Autobots are not a grave concern. Now that we have all their intel we can return to our true purpose on this planet.” The door slid open and Strika almost walked into him.
“Here’s the Autobot files, my lord.” She handed him an electronic reader. He moved past.
“Give it to Shockwave,” He said to her. He disappeared inside the bunker, Strika shrugged and tossed the reader to Shockwave. He caught it with one hand.
“Have fun.” She said and left, leaving Shockwave alone in the cavern. He began to read through the recorded transmissions. There was so much, the Autobots obviously had no idea about using multiple frequencies. Largely trivial things. Absurd searches on the human’s “internet”, communications amongst themselves. Then something substantial. A report from a space probe. Nothing in it, but he scanned more recent taps into the frequency. The most recent was from that same probe. An incoming vessel. Cybertronian. Autobot. Shockwave was not one for unnecessary movements, but he instinctively clutched the reader tighter. He began to move to tell Megatron, but something stopped him. A question of why. Megatron had been growing increasingly unnerving lately. His frivolous command decisions were impairing their effectiveness. This could be a turning point. The Autobots could be receiving reinforcements. This was too important to let Megatron’s incompetence impede their progress. Their was a noise behind him. Drifting down from the darkness was Obsidian.
“What have you got there?” He asked.
“Nothing.” Shockwave lied.
“Shockwave,” Obsidian chuckled. “I’ve known you for a while. Not a long while, but long enough to know you don’t get jumpy over ‘nothing.’” He reached for the reader. Shockwave pulled away.
“Let me see it.” Obsidian insisted. Shockwave said nothing. Obsidian grabbed again, Shockwave dodging. Obsidian turned sharply and grabbed the reader. He scanned it.
“My my…” Obsidian said. He was blown away by a powerful energy blast, the reader was sent flying through the air. Shockwave stood cannon deployed. He pulled a lever, switching the firing mode, then shot a scatter-blast at the reader, shredding it. Obsidian pulled himself from the ground.
“You will not tell Megatron.” Shockwave said. He leaped into the air and landed in front of Obsidian, grabbing the frail robot by the neck. “Or I will kill you.”
“Wait!” Obsidian pleaded. “You must understand I had no intention of doing anything of the sort!” He struggled to free himself from Shockwave’s grip. “Listen, I feel the same way about Megatron. He is no leader, merely a child doing as he pleases. He’s lost sight of the mission!” Shockwave’s grip relaxed enough for Obsidian to pull free. “I know what you’re planning. That ship… the one the Autobots were tracking is most likely a military vessel. It will have weapons, firepower, maybe explosives. Everything you need to destroy the Autobots!” Shockwave nodded slowly. Obsidian dipped his elongated head, then looked up.
“Or Megatron.” He said.
“Megatron’s destruction is unnecessary.” Shockwave noted. “Overthrowing him can be done without loss of life. There are only four of us, it would be better to make him our servant.”
“But with the ship we won’t need soldiers!” Obsidian said. “We could destroy them all and complete the mission all our own!”
“That would only be possible should the ship be a military vessel.” Shockwave began to have doubts. Obsidian snapped into action.
“Tell me, Shockwave,” He said. “What do you want most of all?” The pause that followed lasted nearly a full minute.
“For the Decepticons to rule once more.” He finally answered.
“And who should rule them?” Obsidian asked. There was no pause this time. Shockwave let go completely.
“Not Megatron.”
*****
“Life is a highway!” Road Rage sang badly. “And I’m gonna ride it all-night-long!” She swayed back and forth in the back of Optimus’ truck bed as he and Ironhide drove down the country road. She bobbed her head to the song coming from her radio, nearly tipping over, bracing herself on the boxes and packed equipment tied to the Autobot leader. Road Rage had discovered the joy of road trip mix tapes, Much to Optimus’ dismay.
“Something-something my way,” Road Rage continued, she grabbed Optimus’ tow hook and held it like a microphone. “Something something nah, nah, nah…” Road Rage didn’t bother to learn the words. She was too busy playing an imaginary guitar. Optimus communicated with Ironhide over their inner comm-link.
“Kill me.” He said. “I’m turning in my badge of living. Why does she get a free ride while I’m stuck carrying everything?”
“Everything!?” Ironhide said. He pulled up behind Optimus, struggling to keep pace with a very large box hooked onto his roof. “And also, would you rather listen to her sing, or swear and yell and shoot at every passing blade of grass?” Optimus thought long and hard about that.
“Okay fine.” He admitted. “I just wish she wasn’t so…” Road Rage hit a high note. “…awful.”
“Oh shut your mouth Mr. karaoke Fridays.” Ironhide said.
“Hey,” Optimus said. “The midnight train going anywhere waits for no one.”
“Don’t stop believing, Optimus.” Ironhide said. “Y’know, I wish Jetfire wasn’t so insecure. I could sure use a space shuttle ride right about now.”
“You’d be sharing his hull with our communications array.” Optimus said. “It’ be even more cramped than our first ride.”
“Oh right,” Ironhide said. “That expensive array we never took out of the box.”
“Oh hush.” Optimus said. He pulled off the paved road onto a narrower dirt road that cut through rolling hills. “We just didn’t have the space for it in the barn, but now…”
“Now we’ll have plenty of space in our brand spanking new mill.” Ironhide quipped sarcastically. Optimus took note of their proximity.
“I could slam on my brakes and sue you, smart guy.” He said. Truth was optimus wasn’t fond of relocating either, especially since it would most assuredly be temporary. They still had to watch the Decepticons and they had no means of concealing their movement or energy signatures short of covering themselves in lead and leaves. They tried that. It didn’t work. The lead was heavy and they couldn’t see through the leaves. All it would take is one Decepticon recognizing one of their vehicles modes while they were out and following them back. They were so low tech it was a wonder the Decepticons hadn’t just shown up to kill them all. They very well could, but something was stopping them. They were either preoccupied or had some… internal affair that needed addressing. Optimus’ thoughts were cut short by a severe and painful pounding on his roof.
“I said we’re here ya big lummox!” Road Rage shouted at him. Optimus stopped and transformed, the strapped boxes sliding off him as he carefully moved his parts out from underneath. He stretched as his components and panels finished moving into place, then he saw it. Just past the hill, behind the trees, the tip of the mill.
“Call Jetfire down.” Optimus said to Road Rage. As she spoke over the comm Optimus walked slowly through the trees and brush. Pushing them aside and watching for scurrying wildlife below his feet he saw it. Next to the river was a very large mill. It was in shambles. The wheel was lodged into the mud, broken off it’s axle. The windows were all shattered, a tree had collapsed part of the house portion, and it was overall a sorry, dilapidated mess, even compared to their old hideout. Optimus frowned and let his shoulders drop. He sighed.
“Home sweet home.”
“My lord.” Shockwave bowed. Bowing meant nothing to him, but he knew it did to others, especially the egocentric Megatron.
“Tell me you got it,” Megatron said, flexing his shoulder. “The signal thing whatever.”
“The Autobot frequency.” Shockwave corrected. “Strika is decrypting it now. I should be finished in exactly forty-two point eight nine three seconds.” His eye flickered as if to “blink.”
“Excellent,” Megatron tapped his finger tips together. “Most excellent. Now we’ll have all their secrets.”
“If I may,” Shockwave said. “This method of hacking the Autobots files seems outlandishly impractical. Why did we need to attack them when I could’ve sampled and decrypted the information myself?” Megatron strolled over and wrapped his arm around Shockwave.
“Because it’s fun, dear Shockwave.” Megatron said. “What’s the point of living if you don’t live?”
“That question is nonsensical.” Shockwave said. “They now know of our formerly secret weapon. They’ll not only anticipate another attack, but will more than likely relocate.“ Megatron shook his head and pulled away. He laughed as he walked over the bunker door.
“Shockwave,” He said. “These Autobots are not a grave concern. Now that we have all their intel we can return to our true purpose on this planet.” The door slid open and Strika almost walked into him.
“Here’s the Autobot files, my lord.” She handed him an electronic reader. He moved past.
“Give it to Shockwave,” He said to her. He disappeared inside the bunker, Strika shrugged and tossed the reader to Shockwave. He caught it with one hand.
“Have fun.” She said and left, leaving Shockwave alone in the cavern. He began to read through the recorded transmissions. There was so much, the Autobots obviously had no idea about using multiple frequencies. Largely trivial things. Absurd searches on the human’s “internet”, communications amongst themselves. Then something substantial. A report from a space probe. Nothing in it, but he scanned more recent taps into the frequency. The most recent was from that same probe. An incoming vessel. Cybertronian. Autobot. Shockwave was not one for unnecessary movements, but he instinctively clutched the reader tighter. He began to move to tell Megatron, but something stopped him. A question of why. Megatron had been growing increasingly unnerving lately. His frivolous command decisions were impairing their effectiveness. This could be a turning point. The Autobots could be receiving reinforcements. This was too important to let Megatron’s incompetence impede their progress. Their was a noise behind him. Drifting down from the darkness was Obsidian.
“What have you got there?” He asked.
“Nothing.” Shockwave lied.
“Shockwave,” Obsidian chuckled. “I’ve known you for a while. Not a long while, but long enough to know you don’t get jumpy over ‘nothing.’” He reached for the reader. Shockwave pulled away.
“Let me see it.” Obsidian insisted. Shockwave said nothing. Obsidian grabbed again, Shockwave dodging. Obsidian turned sharply and grabbed the reader. He scanned it.
“My my…” Obsidian said. He was blown away by a powerful energy blast, the reader was sent flying through the air. Shockwave stood cannon deployed. He pulled a lever, switching the firing mode, then shot a scatter-blast at the reader, shredding it. Obsidian pulled himself from the ground.
“You will not tell Megatron.” Shockwave said. He leaped into the air and landed in front of Obsidian, grabbing the frail robot by the neck. “Or I will kill you.”
“Wait!” Obsidian pleaded. “You must understand I had no intention of doing anything of the sort!” He struggled to free himself from Shockwave’s grip. “Listen, I feel the same way about Megatron. He is no leader, merely a child doing as he pleases. He’s lost sight of the mission!” Shockwave’s grip relaxed enough for Obsidian to pull free. “I know what you’re planning. That ship… the one the Autobots were tracking is most likely a military vessel. It will have weapons, firepower, maybe explosives. Everything you need to destroy the Autobots!” Shockwave nodded slowly. Obsidian dipped his elongated head, then looked up.
“Or Megatron.” He said.
“Megatron’s destruction is unnecessary.” Shockwave noted. “Overthrowing him can be done without loss of life. There are only four of us, it would be better to make him our servant.”
“But with the ship we won’t need soldiers!” Obsidian said. “We could destroy them all and complete the mission all our own!”
“That would only be possible should the ship be a military vessel.” Shockwave began to have doubts. Obsidian snapped into action.
“Tell me, Shockwave,” He said. “What do you want most of all?” The pause that followed lasted nearly a full minute.
“For the Decepticons to rule once more.” He finally answered.
“And who should rule them?” Obsidian asked. There was no pause this time. Shockwave let go completely.
“Not Megatron.”
*****
“Life is a highway!” Road Rage sang badly. “And I’m gonna ride it all-night-long!” She swayed back and forth in the back of Optimus’ truck bed as he and Ironhide drove down the country road. She bobbed her head to the song coming from her radio, nearly tipping over, bracing herself on the boxes and packed equipment tied to the Autobot leader. Road Rage had discovered the joy of road trip mix tapes, Much to Optimus’ dismay.
“Something-something my way,” Road Rage continued, she grabbed Optimus’ tow hook and held it like a microphone. “Something something nah, nah, nah…” Road Rage didn’t bother to learn the words. She was too busy playing an imaginary guitar. Optimus communicated with Ironhide over their inner comm-link.
“Kill me.” He said. “I’m turning in my badge of living. Why does she get a free ride while I’m stuck carrying everything?”
“Everything!?” Ironhide said. He pulled up behind Optimus, struggling to keep pace with a very large box hooked onto his roof. “And also, would you rather listen to her sing, or swear and yell and shoot at every passing blade of grass?” Optimus thought long and hard about that.
“Okay fine.” He admitted. “I just wish she wasn’t so…” Road Rage hit a high note. “…awful.”
“Oh shut your mouth Mr. karaoke Fridays.” Ironhide said.
“Hey,” Optimus said. “The midnight train going anywhere waits for no one.”
“Don’t stop believing, Optimus.” Ironhide said. “Y’know, I wish Jetfire wasn’t so insecure. I could sure use a space shuttle ride right about now.”
“You’d be sharing his hull with our communications array.” Optimus said. “It’ be even more cramped than our first ride.”
“Oh right,” Ironhide said. “That expensive array we never took out of the box.”
“Oh hush.” Optimus said. He pulled off the paved road onto a narrower dirt road that cut through rolling hills. “We just didn’t have the space for it in the barn, but now…”
“Now we’ll have plenty of space in our brand spanking new mill.” Ironhide quipped sarcastically. Optimus took note of their proximity.
“I could slam on my brakes and sue you, smart guy.” He said. Truth was optimus wasn’t fond of relocating either, especially since it would most assuredly be temporary. They still had to watch the Decepticons and they had no means of concealing their movement or energy signatures short of covering themselves in lead and leaves. They tried that. It didn’t work. The lead was heavy and they couldn’t see through the leaves. All it would take is one Decepticon recognizing one of their vehicles modes while they were out and following them back. They were so low tech it was a wonder the Decepticons hadn’t just shown up to kill them all. They very well could, but something was stopping them. They were either preoccupied or had some… internal affair that needed addressing. Optimus’ thoughts were cut short by a severe and painful pounding on his roof.
“I said we’re here ya big lummox!” Road Rage shouted at him. Optimus stopped and transformed, the strapped boxes sliding off him as he carefully moved his parts out from underneath. He stretched as his components and panels finished moving into place, then he saw it. Just past the hill, behind the trees, the tip of the mill.
“Call Jetfire down.” Optimus said to Road Rage. As she spoke over the comm Optimus walked slowly through the trees and brush. Pushing them aside and watching for scurrying wildlife below his feet he saw it. Next to the river was a very large mill. It was in shambles. The wheel was lodged into the mud, broken off it’s axle. The windows were all shattered, a tree had collapsed part of the house portion, and it was overall a sorry, dilapidated mess, even compared to their old hideout. Optimus frowned and let his shoulders drop. He sighed.
“Home sweet home.”
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.
“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.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Optimus part Five
Obsidian looked for another target. He spotted a human refuelling station. Perfect. He twitched his arm, his hand retracted, replaced with a multi-barrelled weapon. Glowing blue spikes loaded into each chamber. He fired. The station went up in a magnificent cloud of fire and black smoke. Elsewhere, Strika picked up parked cars like toys, tossing them into buildings. People ran for safety. She felt bump in her leg. A bus had rammed into her. People poured out of it’s doors. She ignored them. The objective wasn’t to cause casualties, just make a lot of noise. She picked up the bus and looked inside. The driver remained, no doubt lingering to see that everyone escaped, he’d inadvertently doomed himself. Strika leaned in.
“Pathetic little thing.” She said, the red glow of her speech synthesizer lit the man’s frightened face. She lifted the bus over her head. She reeled back, then tossed it as hard and as far as she could. She balled her hand into a fist, energy pooled into her palm as she let loose a fiery disk. The blast sliced the bus in half in the air. Just as it did, Strika was knocked to the ground. From behind a building Road Rage leaped into the air, and in one flawless motion, reached inside the bus as it fell, collected the human, and transformed, landing on a rooftop, driver safely inside. Strika’s attacker revealed himself to be Ironhide, who grabbed the titanic Deception by the collar, and tossed her into a power line. Electricity surged through her, leaving her disoriented.
“Take that, cur.” Ironhide said. He stomped his foot into the ground, splitting the asphalt into pieces, he underhand tossed chunks of road at her, knocking her into a line of trees. Road Rage slid down the side of the building, bus driver in hand. She let him go just in time to be struck by a stoplight hurled by Obsidian. The hovering wraith swooped in and grabbed the diminutive Autobot. Ironhide came running, but Obsidian merely turned and threw her into him. However he could not foresee the hook and cable that got lodged in his spinning propeller. Below Optimus held the cable in his hands.
“You’re grounded, Decepticon!” He said with a cocksure grin. However the victory was short-lived, as the cable merely got tangled. Obsidian struggled to remain aloft with only one rotor, and with the line getting increasing wound in the other, he was dragged down, straight into Optimus. The two were sent into a building, the structure collapsing down on them. Road Rage went to help, but the ground exploded beneath her. She was sent flying, skimming across the asphalt and into a parked car. Down the road Strika had recovered and was, in vehicle mode, firing shells down the street. Road Rage side-stepped an artillery blast, running up along a building. Ironhide barrelled down the street next to her in vehicle mode. Strika reversed, crushing cars under her massive tires. Road Rage dived off the building just a shell destroyed it. Strika, too distracted, was vulnerable. Ironhide swerved around cars. As he drove he extended his legs, power-sliding as he transformed, he put all his momentum into one, devastating punch. It collided with the force of an explosion, sending Strika spinning down the street. As she tumbled along, she transformed, grabbing the ground and coming to a stop. She looked up, eyes blazing, and sprinted down the street. Her feet glided over the road, her massive arms tossing aside debris and trashed vehicles. Ironhide stood poised, bracing himself. Closer Strika came. She yelled in rage. Ironhide yelled back. He took off towards her. The two bruisers ran full speed towards one another. The distance between them decreased until they slammed head-on. Smoke, debris and metal went flying. Nearby Obsidian pulled himself out of the rubble. He surveyed the area. No sign of the Autobot. He casually knocked aside bits of rubble, searching for his prey. There was a crash. Optimus burst from the debris, screaming and clawing. He latched onto Obsidian’s back, grabbing him by the neck. Obsidian yelled in pain and spun eccentrically through the air, Optimus flailing about. Optimus pushed off. Obsidian turned as Optimus charged him again. Obsidian fired his weapon, spikes lodged themselves into and pinged off Optimus’ armour. Optimus punched Obsidian with enough force to send the Decepticon hurling through a archway into a park, coming to rest in the shallow end of a small lake. Optimus stood panting, grabbing his sore knuckles. He looked down the street to see Road Rage helping Ironhide out of a crater with Strika lying in the center. He turned his attention back to Obsidian. The Decepticon lay of his back, Optimus loomed over him. Just as Optimus was about to see if he was alive, Obsidian slammed Optimus in the side of the head with a paddleboat. Optimus grabbed his head, screaming in pain. Obsidian pushed off the ground and hovered over the stunned Autobot.
“Don’t think you’ve won.” Obsidian said. “We are many, it has only just begu-” Obsidian was cut off by a rock to the head. Over on the street Ironhide and Road Rage lobbed rocks and pieces of debris at the Decepticon. Obsidian covered his head, braving the onslaught, until a car narrowly missed his face. Satisfied with the beating he’d taken so far, Obsidian wasted no time breaking apart and reforming into a dual-propeller aircraft. He took off, leaving the Autobots shielding their eyes from the dust and grass left in his wake. Ironhide shook his fist at the fleeing enemy, then turned to see Strika had also vacated the area. Optimus walked up to them, rubbing the side of his head.
“The shit I put up with.” He moaned. He surveyed the area. The entire section of the town was in ruin. People screamed for help, sirens blared. Optimus motioned to the trouble, and the Autobots got to work helping. They cleared the roads for emergency vehicles and retrieved trapped and injured people before leaving to avoid the coming news crews. They transformed and rolled for home. Confident they won, the Autobots enjoyed a leisurely drive back to the barn, blissfully unaware they were being watched. From a distance high above. Past the clouds, past the atmosphere, hanging lazily above in the Earth’s gravitational hold, an object watched.
-----
The Autobots arrived back at the barn, greeted by Jetfire sitting in the freshly dug out hole. Optimus transformed.
“Aw, Jetfire…” He said. “What’re you doing in there?” Jetfire leaned back in his ‘”seat” and looked at Optimus.
“What the hell happened to you?” He said, poking Optimus with his cane. Optimus pushed the cane aside exasperatedly. He motioned to Ironhide who transformed and the two began replacing the barn carefully.
“Had a bad day?” Jetfire mused. “I could’ve helped, Y’know. I was quite the devil in my day.”
“Yeah, no.” Optimus said, placing the barn over the hole, Jetfire ducked as it moved over his head. “We’re quite capable, thank you.” Jetfire said nothing. Ironhide, however, looked confused.
“Anybody know where that noise is coming from?” He asked.
“I don’t hear anything.” Jetfire said. “Then again I am deaf in one ear and got grease in the other.” Optimus shushed him and listened. Road Rage heard it, too.
“I know that noise.” Optimus said. Indeed, it sounded hauntingly familiar. Then he realized.
“Everybody down!” He yelled, the Autobots hit the ground, narrowly missing the swoop attack. As they pulled themselves from the dirt they saw their attacker. The Decepticon leader himself.
“Megacon!” Optimus said with disgust.
“Megatron.” He replied, brandishing his weapon.
“Sorry.” Optimus said. Ironhide elbowed him. “I mean, what do you want?” Optimus corrected himself.
“And hello to you, too.” Megatron said. He spotted Road Rage behind the barn, having not noticed her.
“Hello to you, sweetheart.” He said.
“I’m not your sweetheart.” Optimus said. Megatron scowled.
“I wasn’t talking to you.” Megatron growled.
“Ironhide’s not your sweetheart either.” Optimus replied. Megatron didn’t know what to say to that so he shot him. Optimus went flying into the field, landing with a thud.
“Just once I’d like to fall down normal like when I get hit.” Optimus said, spitting grass from his mouth.
“Now then, I’m here for two things,” He said. Megatron swaggered back and forth as he gave his demands.
“First, I want the elderly fellow you have not-quite hidden in that barn.” Megatron pointed to Jetfire who poked his head out of the barn door.
“Second, and most important,” Megatron looked down at the other three. ‘I want you to rollover and die quietly.”
“We don’t do anything quietly!” Road Rage said. She ran towards Megatron, who effortlessly blasted her away. She landed several yards behind Optimus, who was still crouched on the ground.
“Ah, so it’s not just me.” Optimus said. He rolled onto his back and leapt to his feet. Ironhide flanked left and struck. Megatron parried the blow and turned in time to dodge a sneak attack by Road Rage who had flanked right. He rolled her over his back and into Ironhide. Optimus threw his tow hook at Megatron who knocked it aside and grabbed the line, pulling Optimus into a punch. The barn exploded apart and Jetfire pounced Megatron. Megatron grabbed the elderly warrior and slammed him into the ground. Road Rage grabbed Megatron’s back and tried to pull him off. Ironhide tackled his right, and Optimus grabbed his left arm. Megatron slid his arm free and delivered an uppercut to Optimus. Optimus locked his arm again, tighter this time, and the Autobots with Jetfire managed to pin Megatron. Struggling to no end, Megatron was no match for all of them at once. Instead he conceded and let out a distressed call.
“Shockwave!”
An amazing force blew the robot dog pile apart. Shockwave transformed out of his jet mode and engaged hand-to-hand. Optimus was first to recover. Shockwave grabbed Optimus’ arm as he went to punch, pinning it behind the Autobot’s back and kicking him away into Ironhide. Road Rage dived over her comrades into a roll. Shockwave roundhouse-kicked her away, just as Jetfire drew his blade. He sliced furiously at Shockwave, the Decepticon expertly dodging each blow. Shockwave knocked the sword away, spun around to one knee and transformed his arm into a cannon, blowing the old man across the field. Optimus was up already, however, and was able to catch the huge Decepticon, slowly his flight and breaking his fall. Optimus leaped over him and landed on all wheels. He barrelled down the field, across the gravel path and right into Shockwave. Shockwave held him long enough for Megatron to grab Optimus by his smokestacks and piled rived him backwards into the ground, breaking the Autobot apart and back into robot mode. Optimus rolled back and, panting and broken, charged in again. He swung at Shockwave who dodged and knee-kicked the Autobot. Optimus doubled-over giving Megatron opportunity to strike. Optimus reeled from Megatron’s backhand into Shockwave, who grabbed Optimus in a headlock and threw him to the ground. Optimus got back up again and head-butted Megatron. He then tackled Shockwave, striking the one-eyed mech repeatedly. Megatron grabbed Optimus by the head and punched him hard in the gut. Optimus yelped, then grabbed Megatron’s arm and tossed him into Shockwave. Optimus then tackled both of them, kicking, swinging and even biting. Megatron grew exhausted and Shockwave couldn’t register Optimus’ un-predictable attacks. For a moment it seemed like Optimus would win. He had Megatron pinned atop Shockwave.
“You hurt my friends, wrecked my town,” Optimus said, he spat fluids out the side of his mouth. “And you wrecked my barn.”
“The old one did that!” Megatron pointed out.
“Well I didn’t really see so I don’t care.” Optimus pressed his arm into Megatron’s neck.
“Shockwave!” Megatron pleaded. “Do something!”
“Very well.” Shockwave responded. A dull glow and heat emanated from Megatron’s right side. A blast of energy ripped through the right half of his lower torso, blasting apart Optimus’ shoulder. Optimus fell backwards, Megatron rolling aside, clutching his stomach.
“You fool, Shockwave!” Megatron coughed. “What were you thinking?”
“My limbs were pinned in a position I could not free them from to act in anyway that would not cause you harm.” Shockwave said. “I picked the least destructive means of freeing myself and inflicting damage on our oppressor in one act. Every other option resulted in critical damage to you, myself, or opportunity for enemy attack.” Megatron got to his feet. The other Autobots were recovering from their fight, and Optimus still moved. Megatron, embittered, lay his foot on Optimus’ face, preparing a killing strike. He was about to press down when a rock and clump of dirt hit his face. Across the way Ironhide and Road Rage locked hands. He spun her around ten let go, sending her flying at Megatron. Before she hit, however, Shockwave intercepted, putting himself between Megatron and the enemy, Road Rage bouncing off his back without much detriment to Shockwave.
“I suggest in your condition we leave at once.” Shockwave said, and as he finished disappeared in a jet of smoke as he rocketed of. Megatron turned and ran, haphazardly transforming in his damaged state, he barely managed to take off under a second barrage of dirt and stones. Road Rage and Ironhide continued their assault until the Decepticons were well out of view. As soon as they were gone the two quickly rushed to Optimus’ aid. He struggled to sit up. Large pieces of his left shoulder were missing.
“I’m fine.” He said, wincing as he grabbed the wound. “Check on Jetfire.” Road Rage ran to the fallen giant, sliding to the ground to see his face. She groaned as she tried to lift it to see his face. He was unconscious. Ironhide walked Optimus over to them.
“How is he knocked out?” Ironhide asked. “There’s barely a scratch on him.” Road Rage flipped Jetfire over, held her ear up to his chest to listen for his spark beating. Indeed it was. And there was another noise.
“I think…” She said. “I think he’s snoring.” Optimus kicked Jetfire’s leg. He awoke with a start, squirming on the ground before sitting up. He looked around, almost like he was lost.
“Who are you?” He pointed at them, his speech was slurred and his Earthen accent thicker than before. Optimus dropped his head into his palm. Ironhide nervously chuckled. Road Rage cautiously stepped around him and hid behind her comrades.
“I made it!” He shambled to his feet and looked around. “Now I can find…” His demeanour shifted. He held a hand to his head. “No, this isn’t… why would you do that?” He turned and looked at Optimus, who suddenly felt very small as the hulking robot loomed over him with a furious expression. “You can’t leave me out here! When Primal Prime finds out he’ll…!” Jetfire grabbed Optimus by the shoulders. Optimus flinched from his injury. Jetfire stared into his eyes. “No…” His expression turned solemn. “He knew. He sent me. I had to find…” Jetfire pushed Optimus away. “No…” He said. “No, I’ll bury it. You won’t have it. You won’t have me!” Jetfire let him go. He slowly turned and walked to the field where he sat. The Autobots remained stunned.
“Jetfire?” Optimus asked cautiously. But Jetfire didn’t respond, instead he sat there while the sun went down, and he remained all night.
“Pathetic little thing.” She said, the red glow of her speech synthesizer lit the man’s frightened face. She lifted the bus over her head. She reeled back, then tossed it as hard and as far as she could. She balled her hand into a fist, energy pooled into her palm as she let loose a fiery disk. The blast sliced the bus in half in the air. Just as it did, Strika was knocked to the ground. From behind a building Road Rage leaped into the air, and in one flawless motion, reached inside the bus as it fell, collected the human, and transformed, landing on a rooftop, driver safely inside. Strika’s attacker revealed himself to be Ironhide, who grabbed the titanic Deception by the collar, and tossed her into a power line. Electricity surged through her, leaving her disoriented.
“Take that, cur.” Ironhide said. He stomped his foot into the ground, splitting the asphalt into pieces, he underhand tossed chunks of road at her, knocking her into a line of trees. Road Rage slid down the side of the building, bus driver in hand. She let him go just in time to be struck by a stoplight hurled by Obsidian. The hovering wraith swooped in and grabbed the diminutive Autobot. Ironhide came running, but Obsidian merely turned and threw her into him. However he could not foresee the hook and cable that got lodged in his spinning propeller. Below Optimus held the cable in his hands.
“You’re grounded, Decepticon!” He said with a cocksure grin. However the victory was short-lived, as the cable merely got tangled. Obsidian struggled to remain aloft with only one rotor, and with the line getting increasing wound in the other, he was dragged down, straight into Optimus. The two were sent into a building, the structure collapsing down on them. Road Rage went to help, but the ground exploded beneath her. She was sent flying, skimming across the asphalt and into a parked car. Down the road Strika had recovered and was, in vehicle mode, firing shells down the street. Road Rage side-stepped an artillery blast, running up along a building. Ironhide barrelled down the street next to her in vehicle mode. Strika reversed, crushing cars under her massive tires. Road Rage dived off the building just a shell destroyed it. Strika, too distracted, was vulnerable. Ironhide swerved around cars. As he drove he extended his legs, power-sliding as he transformed, he put all his momentum into one, devastating punch. It collided with the force of an explosion, sending Strika spinning down the street. As she tumbled along, she transformed, grabbing the ground and coming to a stop. She looked up, eyes blazing, and sprinted down the street. Her feet glided over the road, her massive arms tossing aside debris and trashed vehicles. Ironhide stood poised, bracing himself. Closer Strika came. She yelled in rage. Ironhide yelled back. He took off towards her. The two bruisers ran full speed towards one another. The distance between them decreased until they slammed head-on. Smoke, debris and metal went flying. Nearby Obsidian pulled himself out of the rubble. He surveyed the area. No sign of the Autobot. He casually knocked aside bits of rubble, searching for his prey. There was a crash. Optimus burst from the debris, screaming and clawing. He latched onto Obsidian’s back, grabbing him by the neck. Obsidian yelled in pain and spun eccentrically through the air, Optimus flailing about. Optimus pushed off. Obsidian turned as Optimus charged him again. Obsidian fired his weapon, spikes lodged themselves into and pinged off Optimus’ armour. Optimus punched Obsidian with enough force to send the Decepticon hurling through a archway into a park, coming to rest in the shallow end of a small lake. Optimus stood panting, grabbing his sore knuckles. He looked down the street to see Road Rage helping Ironhide out of a crater with Strika lying in the center. He turned his attention back to Obsidian. The Decepticon lay of his back, Optimus loomed over him. Just as Optimus was about to see if he was alive, Obsidian slammed Optimus in the side of the head with a paddleboat. Optimus grabbed his head, screaming in pain. Obsidian pushed off the ground and hovered over the stunned Autobot.
“Don’t think you’ve won.” Obsidian said. “We are many, it has only just begu-” Obsidian was cut off by a rock to the head. Over on the street Ironhide and Road Rage lobbed rocks and pieces of debris at the Decepticon. Obsidian covered his head, braving the onslaught, until a car narrowly missed his face. Satisfied with the beating he’d taken so far, Obsidian wasted no time breaking apart and reforming into a dual-propeller aircraft. He took off, leaving the Autobots shielding their eyes from the dust and grass left in his wake. Ironhide shook his fist at the fleeing enemy, then turned to see Strika had also vacated the area. Optimus walked up to them, rubbing the side of his head.
“The shit I put up with.” He moaned. He surveyed the area. The entire section of the town was in ruin. People screamed for help, sirens blared. Optimus motioned to the trouble, and the Autobots got to work helping. They cleared the roads for emergency vehicles and retrieved trapped and injured people before leaving to avoid the coming news crews. They transformed and rolled for home. Confident they won, the Autobots enjoyed a leisurely drive back to the barn, blissfully unaware they were being watched. From a distance high above. Past the clouds, past the atmosphere, hanging lazily above in the Earth’s gravitational hold, an object watched.
-----
The Autobots arrived back at the barn, greeted by Jetfire sitting in the freshly dug out hole. Optimus transformed.
“Aw, Jetfire…” He said. “What’re you doing in there?” Jetfire leaned back in his ‘”seat” and looked at Optimus.
“What the hell happened to you?” He said, poking Optimus with his cane. Optimus pushed the cane aside exasperatedly. He motioned to Ironhide who transformed and the two began replacing the barn carefully.
“Had a bad day?” Jetfire mused. “I could’ve helped, Y’know. I was quite the devil in my day.”
“Yeah, no.” Optimus said, placing the barn over the hole, Jetfire ducked as it moved over his head. “We’re quite capable, thank you.” Jetfire said nothing. Ironhide, however, looked confused.
“Anybody know where that noise is coming from?” He asked.
“I don’t hear anything.” Jetfire said. “Then again I am deaf in one ear and got grease in the other.” Optimus shushed him and listened. Road Rage heard it, too.
“I know that noise.” Optimus said. Indeed, it sounded hauntingly familiar. Then he realized.
“Everybody down!” He yelled, the Autobots hit the ground, narrowly missing the swoop attack. As they pulled themselves from the dirt they saw their attacker. The Decepticon leader himself.
“Megacon!” Optimus said with disgust.
“Megatron.” He replied, brandishing his weapon.
“Sorry.” Optimus said. Ironhide elbowed him. “I mean, what do you want?” Optimus corrected himself.
“And hello to you, too.” Megatron said. He spotted Road Rage behind the barn, having not noticed her.
“Hello to you, sweetheart.” He said.
“I’m not your sweetheart.” Optimus said. Megatron scowled.
“I wasn’t talking to you.” Megatron growled.
“Ironhide’s not your sweetheart either.” Optimus replied. Megatron didn’t know what to say to that so he shot him. Optimus went flying into the field, landing with a thud.
“Just once I’d like to fall down normal like when I get hit.” Optimus said, spitting grass from his mouth.
“Now then, I’m here for two things,” He said. Megatron swaggered back and forth as he gave his demands.
“First, I want the elderly fellow you have not-quite hidden in that barn.” Megatron pointed to Jetfire who poked his head out of the barn door.
“Second, and most important,” Megatron looked down at the other three. ‘I want you to rollover and die quietly.”
“We don’t do anything quietly!” Road Rage said. She ran towards Megatron, who effortlessly blasted her away. She landed several yards behind Optimus, who was still crouched on the ground.
“Ah, so it’s not just me.” Optimus said. He rolled onto his back and leapt to his feet. Ironhide flanked left and struck. Megatron parried the blow and turned in time to dodge a sneak attack by Road Rage who had flanked right. He rolled her over his back and into Ironhide. Optimus threw his tow hook at Megatron who knocked it aside and grabbed the line, pulling Optimus into a punch. The barn exploded apart and Jetfire pounced Megatron. Megatron grabbed the elderly warrior and slammed him into the ground. Road Rage grabbed Megatron’s back and tried to pull him off. Ironhide tackled his right, and Optimus grabbed his left arm. Megatron slid his arm free and delivered an uppercut to Optimus. Optimus locked his arm again, tighter this time, and the Autobots with Jetfire managed to pin Megatron. Struggling to no end, Megatron was no match for all of them at once. Instead he conceded and let out a distressed call.
“Shockwave!”
An amazing force blew the robot dog pile apart. Shockwave transformed out of his jet mode and engaged hand-to-hand. Optimus was first to recover. Shockwave grabbed Optimus’ arm as he went to punch, pinning it behind the Autobot’s back and kicking him away into Ironhide. Road Rage dived over her comrades into a roll. Shockwave roundhouse-kicked her away, just as Jetfire drew his blade. He sliced furiously at Shockwave, the Decepticon expertly dodging each blow. Shockwave knocked the sword away, spun around to one knee and transformed his arm into a cannon, blowing the old man across the field. Optimus was up already, however, and was able to catch the huge Decepticon, slowly his flight and breaking his fall. Optimus leaped over him and landed on all wheels. He barrelled down the field, across the gravel path and right into Shockwave. Shockwave held him long enough for Megatron to grab Optimus by his smokestacks and piled rived him backwards into the ground, breaking the Autobot apart and back into robot mode. Optimus rolled back and, panting and broken, charged in again. He swung at Shockwave who dodged and knee-kicked the Autobot. Optimus doubled-over giving Megatron opportunity to strike. Optimus reeled from Megatron’s backhand into Shockwave, who grabbed Optimus in a headlock and threw him to the ground. Optimus got back up again and head-butted Megatron. He then tackled Shockwave, striking the one-eyed mech repeatedly. Megatron grabbed Optimus by the head and punched him hard in the gut. Optimus yelped, then grabbed Megatron’s arm and tossed him into Shockwave. Optimus then tackled both of them, kicking, swinging and even biting. Megatron grew exhausted and Shockwave couldn’t register Optimus’ un-predictable attacks. For a moment it seemed like Optimus would win. He had Megatron pinned atop Shockwave.
“You hurt my friends, wrecked my town,” Optimus said, he spat fluids out the side of his mouth. “And you wrecked my barn.”
“The old one did that!” Megatron pointed out.
“Well I didn’t really see so I don’t care.” Optimus pressed his arm into Megatron’s neck.
“Shockwave!” Megatron pleaded. “Do something!”
“Very well.” Shockwave responded. A dull glow and heat emanated from Megatron’s right side. A blast of energy ripped through the right half of his lower torso, blasting apart Optimus’ shoulder. Optimus fell backwards, Megatron rolling aside, clutching his stomach.
“You fool, Shockwave!” Megatron coughed. “What were you thinking?”
“My limbs were pinned in a position I could not free them from to act in anyway that would not cause you harm.” Shockwave said. “I picked the least destructive means of freeing myself and inflicting damage on our oppressor in one act. Every other option resulted in critical damage to you, myself, or opportunity for enemy attack.” Megatron got to his feet. The other Autobots were recovering from their fight, and Optimus still moved. Megatron, embittered, lay his foot on Optimus’ face, preparing a killing strike. He was about to press down when a rock and clump of dirt hit his face. Across the way Ironhide and Road Rage locked hands. He spun her around ten let go, sending her flying at Megatron. Before she hit, however, Shockwave intercepted, putting himself between Megatron and the enemy, Road Rage bouncing off his back without much detriment to Shockwave.
“I suggest in your condition we leave at once.” Shockwave said, and as he finished disappeared in a jet of smoke as he rocketed of. Megatron turned and ran, haphazardly transforming in his damaged state, he barely managed to take off under a second barrage of dirt and stones. Road Rage and Ironhide continued their assault until the Decepticons were well out of view. As soon as they were gone the two quickly rushed to Optimus’ aid. He struggled to sit up. Large pieces of his left shoulder were missing.
“I’m fine.” He said, wincing as he grabbed the wound. “Check on Jetfire.” Road Rage ran to the fallen giant, sliding to the ground to see his face. She groaned as she tried to lift it to see his face. He was unconscious. Ironhide walked Optimus over to them.
“How is he knocked out?” Ironhide asked. “There’s barely a scratch on him.” Road Rage flipped Jetfire over, held her ear up to his chest to listen for his spark beating. Indeed it was. And there was another noise.
“I think…” She said. “I think he’s snoring.” Optimus kicked Jetfire’s leg. He awoke with a start, squirming on the ground before sitting up. He looked around, almost like he was lost.
“Who are you?” He pointed at them, his speech was slurred and his Earthen accent thicker than before. Optimus dropped his head into his palm. Ironhide nervously chuckled. Road Rage cautiously stepped around him and hid behind her comrades.
“I made it!” He shambled to his feet and looked around. “Now I can find…” His demeanour shifted. He held a hand to his head. “No, this isn’t… why would you do that?” He turned and looked at Optimus, who suddenly felt very small as the hulking robot loomed over him with a furious expression. “You can’t leave me out here! When Primal Prime finds out he’ll…!” Jetfire grabbed Optimus by the shoulders. Optimus flinched from his injury. Jetfire stared into his eyes. “No…” His expression turned solemn. “He knew. He sent me. I had to find…” Jetfire pushed Optimus away. “No…” He said. “No, I’ll bury it. You won’t have it. You won’t have me!” Jetfire let him go. He slowly turned and walked to the field where he sat. The Autobots remained stunned.
“Jetfire?” Optimus asked cautiously. But Jetfire didn’t respond, instead he sat there while the sun went down, and he remained all night.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Optimus part Four
Final post for today.
------------------------------------------
It was high noon at the old abandoned farm. The sun was beating down on the tall grass, insects crawled along the dirt, seeking shelter from the heat under the old farm equipment. A rumbling came over the land. In the skies above, a trail of white smoke followed a glimmering white bullet as it raced through the air. It spun, corkscrewed and dipped down. Heading straight for the ground, it shuddered. The tip split apart, even panel and edge moved and rearranged. From the belly of the craft three very distressed Autobots were cast out. There were four loud thuds. Clouds of dust were kicked up. Four craters formed a rhombus in the field. From one, Optimus sat up, rubbing his next in pain. He looked around and saw the dust begin to settle.
“Everyone alright?” he yelled. No answer. He stood up and held his hands around his mouth.
“Ironhide?” He yelled again. There was coughing from one of the craters. Optimus jogged over and saw Ironhide slumped in the pocket.
“On your feet, big guy.” Optimus grabbed Ironhide by the hand and pulled him out. Ironhide groaned before shaking the dirt off.
“I don’t know what was worse,” He mumbled, standing straight. “The landing or the flight itself.” Ironhide brushed grass and dirt off his legs. “Things got cramped.”
“I’m fine by the way…” A muffled voice came from a few yards away. Road Rage lay face down in the grass. Ironhide helped her out.
“And I agree,” She said, shaking herself off. “Too cramped.”
“Ah it wasn’t so bad.” Optimus shrugged at Ironhide. Road Rage pretended to misread the gesture.
“Ah,” She said. “Well I guess you two would have enjoyed it.” Optimus was taken aback.
“No, I mean…” He stammered. “Not like that, I was just-”
“Hey,” Ironhide said. “What happens in the Space Shuttle, stays in the Space Shuttle.” He laughed. Optimus punched him in the arm before realising.
“Jetfire!” The three said in unison. They ran over to the last crater. The largest. In it lay Jetfire, half-transformed, smoking from his joints, and not moving. His arms lay at his sides, but the rest of the shuttle was halfway between robot mode and the disguise.
“Help me get him out.” Optimus said. The three worked to pull Jetfire out. Road Rage and Ironhide grabbed his hands, while Optimus pushed on his back, trying to ‘sit’ him upright. It was no use. He was too heavy even for them. They laid him back down.
“Ironhide,” Optimus said, panting. “Go get a conductor rod.” He pointed to the barn. Ironhide ran over, and a minute later was back with one of the glowing gold-capped rods in hand. Optimus took it, and searched Jetfire’s body for an exposed power junction. He found one, and stabbed the rod into it. The jolt was enough to restart Jetfire, who began transforming, violently. The Autobots gave him room. Jetfire angrily took shape, pulling panels open, forcing parts into place, and rambling as he did. Without missing a beat, Jetfire stood up and wandered off.
“Hey!” Ironhide said. The Autobots chased after him, eventually getting his attention. He turned to look at them. He squinted his eyes, then recognized Optimus.
“You!” He said, pointing his walking stick at Optimus. “What planet am I on?”
“Earth.” Optimus said nervously, Jetfire looming over him. Optimus only now realizing just how large Jetfire was. He immediately regretted guiding him back to the barn.
“Still?” Jetfire huffed. “Damn it all.” He scratched his chin, rust and metal filings drifted down to Optimus’ head. He looked around.
“Wait…” Jetfire said. “You helped me escape?” He looked to Optimus.
“Yes!” Optimus said. “You remember, good. I wasn’t sure for a second. My name is Optimus.” He extended a hand. Jetfire cautiously took it and shook.
“This is Road Rage and Ironhide.” Optimus pointed to his friends. “We’re the Autobots of this… whole planet, I guess.” Road Rage and Ironhide waved. Jetfire did a lazy wave back.
“Just you three?” Jetfire asked. They nodded.
“Do you have a ship?” He asked.
“We had a ship,” Ironhide said. “But shorty here blew it up.” Road Rage’s gaze dropped to the ground.
“I get really angry sometimes.” She said, embarrassed.
“Figures.” Jetfire said. He sat down in the grass.
-----
Out of darkness an image appeared. It was a room. A large room. The décor was high-class, the metal floors engraved with intricate designs, statues and busts lined the back wall. The adjacent wall was two large windows with ornate frames. Outside was not as nice. Smoke and fire were visible in the distance. In the middle of the room was a table with documents, holo-maps, and a unit of energon with two stacked cubes in front. It looked nice, but felt wrong. Felt bad. Someone was there. Someone who was unnoticeable until now. Who was he? His presence was synonymous with anger, yet drinks were poured. A glass in each hand, they went over battle plans, tactics. Then something uncomfortable. The other was getting cynical, then angry, finally violent. He threw his cube across the room, then pointed a weapon. The face. The face was what mattered. Who was he? He was angrier, yelling, but calm. There was no fear, no panic, only contempt. His face was blurry, dark, shrouded. It began to resolve. Slowly. It looked familiar. The weapon discharged. Shockwave awoke with a start in his chair.
“Again.” He said. The dream was more frequent now. He’d tried postponing sleep so as to avoid it, but there was no escaping the memory. Shockwave pulled his arms of the chair’s armrests. The ends were crushed. The memory was strong. Then again how could anyone forget the day they died? The most terrifying part of the memory was not the fact that it brought so much physical pain and anguish, but that it reminded him that once he did feel. He stood. That he was once more than a mere machine. He couldn’t hurt. Not anymore. He couldn’t feel anything. He could only remember feelings. But the memory aggravated him. It was a disturbance that needed to be removed. Still, it was not the only pain. The memory of having to piece himself back together with most of his head missing was not a fond one, either. Shockwave had tried everything, even physically replacing his memory unit. But his circuitry was so fragile from the attack that any amount of probing would kill him. So he suffered. He closed the electronic readers and put his things away. He walked out the door, nearly colliding with Obsidian. Obsidian was able to hover out of the way.
“Shockwave,” He said. “You’re looking rather worn down. Another restless sleep?” Shockwave ignored him and proceeded down the hall. Obsidian hovering alongside.
“Yes, well,” He continued. “Megatron has, naturally, not been in best of spirits since the our little hiccup.”
“Hiccup?” Shockwave said. “We nearly destroyed our craft trying to find a long hidden Decepticon warrior, only to collide with another hidden Transformer, and were defeated by three impetuous Autobots. A hiccup is failing to calibrate seismographs. That was a catastrophic failure.”
“Sassy today.” Obsidian mused. “Anyway, Megatron is…”
“Angry.” Shockwave said, stopping at an airlock. He typed in a code on the door console.
“You’ve seen him today?” Obsidian asked.
“No.” Shockwave said as he entered the now open airlock. “Megatron is always angry.” The door slammed in Obsidian’s face.
“Well.” He said. Obsidian continued past the airlock down the hall. He cautiously approached the door at the end of the hall. From behind came a melodic noise. Swallowing his verves, Obsidian keyed to door to open. Inside, at his chair, was Megatron, face resting on one hand and he sat lazily in his perch.
“Obsidian.” Megatron said. “How nice of you to drop by.” Megatron turned off the music.
“My lord, I didn’t wish to intrude-” Obsidian began.
“Nonsense.” Megatron said. He absently looked over his fingers, checking his claws for imperfections.
“What brings you here?”
“I thought you might be a bit sour after last night…” Obsidian said. Megatron balled his hand into a fist. Obsidian pulled the panels around his neck. “So I thought you might like to get even with those Autobots buffoons.” Megatron relaxed his hand, he looked to Obsidian. Obsidian continued. “So I got proactive and was able to trace the exhaust trail of that… thing we uncovered. If the Autobots guided it back to their base, we may have a trail right to them.”
Megatron was now very interested.
“And?” He turned to face Obsidian.
“While not an exact location,” Obsidian explained. “The trail dissipated before I could continued analysis, so I’ve narrowed it down to the general location of the rural area just east of the town.”
“Excellent,” Megatron said. He rose from his chair. “And I think I may know just how to narrow it even more.” He walked down to Obsidian, putting a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll let them take us right to them. But we’ll need special help.”
-----
Optimus drove the shovel into the dirt, using his foot to get extra depth. Of course it wasn’t really a shovel, but rather just scrap metal attached to a pole. Ironhide used a junk backhoe shovel end to dig, while Road Rage dug with her hands. Jetfire, exhausted from the action of last night, sat next to the dilapidated farm house, watching the Autobots expand their base. Jetfire barely fit in the dug out barn as it was, let alone with three other robots. So they dug, as Jetfire saw through the open doors, not expediently. They had been digging for hours, and Optimus was already exhausted. His shovel became stuck, and he bent over to dig it out by hand. Jetfire watched as Ironhide accidentally dropped his shovel. The stout Autobot got an evil look on his face, then took the half-full shovel and silently waddled up behind Optimus. Road Rage watched confused, then covered her smile as she realized. Ironhide held the shovel over Optimus’ head, then tipped it’s contents out on his leader. Dirt and mud poured onto Optimus’ head, knocking him off balance and face first into the dirt. Ironhide pointed and laughed, as did Road Rage. Jetfire just observed as Optimus got up and chased Ironhide out of the barn and into the field, Ironhide prancing around while Optimus tried to catch him. Road Rage came running in, and joined the fun by leaping onto Optimus’ back. Ironhide pounced Optimus and three wrestled. Jetfire just watched, a blank expression on his face. He recalled how his generation were never so rambunctious. His reflections were interrupted by thunder in the distance. No, not thunder. Explosions. The Autobots ceased their squabbling. They got up and ran over to Jetfire.
“Was that an explosion?” Road Rage asked.
“I think the town is under attack.” Optimus said, concern in his voice. He looked to Ironhide and Road Rage. “Let’s hurry!”
“Then what are we waiting for?” Jetfire slowly got up, struggling momentarily. Optimus saw this and motioned for him to sit back down.
“Slow down old man,” Optimus said. “You’re not fit handle Decepticons in open terrain. Leave this-”
“Not fit!?” Jetfire said, stomping his cane into the ground. “Who are you to tell me I’m not fit? I’ve been bringing pain since before you were built, little man!” Jetfire got up. Another explosion was heard. Smoke was visible in the distance. Optimus thought a moment.
“Look, just stay here for now.” He motioned for the others to go. “We’ll let you know if we need help.” Jetfire was about to point out they had no means of contact, but before he could the Autobots were gone.
------------------------------------------
It was high noon at the old abandoned farm. The sun was beating down on the tall grass, insects crawled along the dirt, seeking shelter from the heat under the old farm equipment. A rumbling came over the land. In the skies above, a trail of white smoke followed a glimmering white bullet as it raced through the air. It spun, corkscrewed and dipped down. Heading straight for the ground, it shuddered. The tip split apart, even panel and edge moved and rearranged. From the belly of the craft three very distressed Autobots were cast out. There were four loud thuds. Clouds of dust were kicked up. Four craters formed a rhombus in the field. From one, Optimus sat up, rubbing his next in pain. He looked around and saw the dust begin to settle.
“Everyone alright?” he yelled. No answer. He stood up and held his hands around his mouth.
“Ironhide?” He yelled again. There was coughing from one of the craters. Optimus jogged over and saw Ironhide slumped in the pocket.
“On your feet, big guy.” Optimus grabbed Ironhide by the hand and pulled him out. Ironhide groaned before shaking the dirt off.
“I don’t know what was worse,” He mumbled, standing straight. “The landing or the flight itself.” Ironhide brushed grass and dirt off his legs. “Things got cramped.”
“I’m fine by the way…” A muffled voice came from a few yards away. Road Rage lay face down in the grass. Ironhide helped her out.
“And I agree,” She said, shaking herself off. “Too cramped.”
“Ah it wasn’t so bad.” Optimus shrugged at Ironhide. Road Rage pretended to misread the gesture.
“Ah,” She said. “Well I guess you two would have enjoyed it.” Optimus was taken aback.
“No, I mean…” He stammered. “Not like that, I was just-”
“Hey,” Ironhide said. “What happens in the Space Shuttle, stays in the Space Shuttle.” He laughed. Optimus punched him in the arm before realising.
“Jetfire!” The three said in unison. They ran over to the last crater. The largest. In it lay Jetfire, half-transformed, smoking from his joints, and not moving. His arms lay at his sides, but the rest of the shuttle was halfway between robot mode and the disguise.
“Help me get him out.” Optimus said. The three worked to pull Jetfire out. Road Rage and Ironhide grabbed his hands, while Optimus pushed on his back, trying to ‘sit’ him upright. It was no use. He was too heavy even for them. They laid him back down.
“Ironhide,” Optimus said, panting. “Go get a conductor rod.” He pointed to the barn. Ironhide ran over, and a minute later was back with one of the glowing gold-capped rods in hand. Optimus took it, and searched Jetfire’s body for an exposed power junction. He found one, and stabbed the rod into it. The jolt was enough to restart Jetfire, who began transforming, violently. The Autobots gave him room. Jetfire angrily took shape, pulling panels open, forcing parts into place, and rambling as he did. Without missing a beat, Jetfire stood up and wandered off.
“Hey!” Ironhide said. The Autobots chased after him, eventually getting his attention. He turned to look at them. He squinted his eyes, then recognized Optimus.
“You!” He said, pointing his walking stick at Optimus. “What planet am I on?”
“Earth.” Optimus said nervously, Jetfire looming over him. Optimus only now realizing just how large Jetfire was. He immediately regretted guiding him back to the barn.
“Still?” Jetfire huffed. “Damn it all.” He scratched his chin, rust and metal filings drifted down to Optimus’ head. He looked around.
“Wait…” Jetfire said. “You helped me escape?” He looked to Optimus.
“Yes!” Optimus said. “You remember, good. I wasn’t sure for a second. My name is Optimus.” He extended a hand. Jetfire cautiously took it and shook.
“This is Road Rage and Ironhide.” Optimus pointed to his friends. “We’re the Autobots of this… whole planet, I guess.” Road Rage and Ironhide waved. Jetfire did a lazy wave back.
“Just you three?” Jetfire asked. They nodded.
“Do you have a ship?” He asked.
“We had a ship,” Ironhide said. “But shorty here blew it up.” Road Rage’s gaze dropped to the ground.
“I get really angry sometimes.” She said, embarrassed.
“Figures.” Jetfire said. He sat down in the grass.
-----
Out of darkness an image appeared. It was a room. A large room. The décor was high-class, the metal floors engraved with intricate designs, statues and busts lined the back wall. The adjacent wall was two large windows with ornate frames. Outside was not as nice. Smoke and fire were visible in the distance. In the middle of the room was a table with documents, holo-maps, and a unit of energon with two stacked cubes in front. It looked nice, but felt wrong. Felt bad. Someone was there. Someone who was unnoticeable until now. Who was he? His presence was synonymous with anger, yet drinks were poured. A glass in each hand, they went over battle plans, tactics. Then something uncomfortable. The other was getting cynical, then angry, finally violent. He threw his cube across the room, then pointed a weapon. The face. The face was what mattered. Who was he? He was angrier, yelling, but calm. There was no fear, no panic, only contempt. His face was blurry, dark, shrouded. It began to resolve. Slowly. It looked familiar. The weapon discharged. Shockwave awoke with a start in his chair.
“Again.” He said. The dream was more frequent now. He’d tried postponing sleep so as to avoid it, but there was no escaping the memory. Shockwave pulled his arms of the chair’s armrests. The ends were crushed. The memory was strong. Then again how could anyone forget the day they died? The most terrifying part of the memory was not the fact that it brought so much physical pain and anguish, but that it reminded him that once he did feel. He stood. That he was once more than a mere machine. He couldn’t hurt. Not anymore. He couldn’t feel anything. He could only remember feelings. But the memory aggravated him. It was a disturbance that needed to be removed. Still, it was not the only pain. The memory of having to piece himself back together with most of his head missing was not a fond one, either. Shockwave had tried everything, even physically replacing his memory unit. But his circuitry was so fragile from the attack that any amount of probing would kill him. So he suffered. He closed the electronic readers and put his things away. He walked out the door, nearly colliding with Obsidian. Obsidian was able to hover out of the way.
“Shockwave,” He said. “You’re looking rather worn down. Another restless sleep?” Shockwave ignored him and proceeded down the hall. Obsidian hovering alongside.
“Yes, well,” He continued. “Megatron has, naturally, not been in best of spirits since the our little hiccup.”
“Hiccup?” Shockwave said. “We nearly destroyed our craft trying to find a long hidden Decepticon warrior, only to collide with another hidden Transformer, and were defeated by three impetuous Autobots. A hiccup is failing to calibrate seismographs. That was a catastrophic failure.”
“Sassy today.” Obsidian mused. “Anyway, Megatron is…”
“Angry.” Shockwave said, stopping at an airlock. He typed in a code on the door console.
“You’ve seen him today?” Obsidian asked.
“No.” Shockwave said as he entered the now open airlock. “Megatron is always angry.” The door slammed in Obsidian’s face.
“Well.” He said. Obsidian continued past the airlock down the hall. He cautiously approached the door at the end of the hall. From behind came a melodic noise. Swallowing his verves, Obsidian keyed to door to open. Inside, at his chair, was Megatron, face resting on one hand and he sat lazily in his perch.
“Obsidian.” Megatron said. “How nice of you to drop by.” Megatron turned off the music.
“My lord, I didn’t wish to intrude-” Obsidian began.
“Nonsense.” Megatron said. He absently looked over his fingers, checking his claws for imperfections.
“What brings you here?”
“I thought you might be a bit sour after last night…” Obsidian said. Megatron balled his hand into a fist. Obsidian pulled the panels around his neck. “So I thought you might like to get even with those Autobots buffoons.” Megatron relaxed his hand, he looked to Obsidian. Obsidian continued. “So I got proactive and was able to trace the exhaust trail of that… thing we uncovered. If the Autobots guided it back to their base, we may have a trail right to them.”
Megatron was now very interested.
“And?” He turned to face Obsidian.
“While not an exact location,” Obsidian explained. “The trail dissipated before I could continued analysis, so I’ve narrowed it down to the general location of the rural area just east of the town.”
“Excellent,” Megatron said. He rose from his chair. “And I think I may know just how to narrow it even more.” He walked down to Obsidian, putting a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll let them take us right to them. But we’ll need special help.”
-----
Optimus drove the shovel into the dirt, using his foot to get extra depth. Of course it wasn’t really a shovel, but rather just scrap metal attached to a pole. Ironhide used a junk backhoe shovel end to dig, while Road Rage dug with her hands. Jetfire, exhausted from the action of last night, sat next to the dilapidated farm house, watching the Autobots expand their base. Jetfire barely fit in the dug out barn as it was, let alone with three other robots. So they dug, as Jetfire saw through the open doors, not expediently. They had been digging for hours, and Optimus was already exhausted. His shovel became stuck, and he bent over to dig it out by hand. Jetfire watched as Ironhide accidentally dropped his shovel. The stout Autobot got an evil look on his face, then took the half-full shovel and silently waddled up behind Optimus. Road Rage watched confused, then covered her smile as she realized. Ironhide held the shovel over Optimus’ head, then tipped it’s contents out on his leader. Dirt and mud poured onto Optimus’ head, knocking him off balance and face first into the dirt. Ironhide pointed and laughed, as did Road Rage. Jetfire just observed as Optimus got up and chased Ironhide out of the barn and into the field, Ironhide prancing around while Optimus tried to catch him. Road Rage came running in, and joined the fun by leaping onto Optimus’ back. Ironhide pounced Optimus and three wrestled. Jetfire just watched, a blank expression on his face. He recalled how his generation were never so rambunctious. His reflections were interrupted by thunder in the distance. No, not thunder. Explosions. The Autobots ceased their squabbling. They got up and ran over to Jetfire.
“Was that an explosion?” Road Rage asked.
“I think the town is under attack.” Optimus said, concern in his voice. He looked to Ironhide and Road Rage. “Let’s hurry!”
“Then what are we waiting for?” Jetfire slowly got up, struggling momentarily. Optimus saw this and motioned for him to sit back down.
“Slow down old man,” Optimus said. “You’re not fit handle Decepticons in open terrain. Leave this-”
“Not fit!?” Jetfire said, stomping his cane into the ground. “Who are you to tell me I’m not fit? I’ve been bringing pain since before you were built, little man!” Jetfire got up. Another explosion was heard. Smoke was visible in the distance. Optimus thought a moment.
“Look, just stay here for now.” He motioned for the others to go. “We’ll let you know if we need help.” Jetfire was about to point out they had no means of contact, but before he could the Autobots were gone.
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