Really busted ass to finish this particular bit, I've been so preoccupied. Now then...


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Chapter Seven: Now What If I Told You...​

“What a wonderful nook you’ve brought us to.” Road Rage commented on the unkempt alley they walked through. “I hope they use a good picture of me when we end up on the evening news as mugging-gone-wrong victims.”

“It’s fine,” Spiral said as a rusty ‘bot curled up next to a wall gave them dirty looks. “Honestly, I feel more at home here than in super shiny new Cybertron.”

“I’ll take shiny over getting shived with a rusty screwdriver any day!” Road Rage said.

“Gotta admit, I’m not saying I’m scared or nothin’-” Ironhide was nearly run over by a jittering robot with three arms. The vagrant got uncomfortably close before Ironhide scared him off with the threat of his fists. “But the less time we spend here the better.”

“You know, I don’t remember the slums being this bad.” Spiral said, side-stepping a load of garbage that had spilled over and never cleaned. A robot with no legs rolled around on wheels affixed to his back and made eye contact with each one of them before rolling into a hole in a wall.

“The brighter the light outside, the starker the contrast.” Convoy said. “You can’t forge a prosperous new golden age without a little slag left over.”

“They’re not slag,” Road Rage said, shifting herself to the middle of the group as two intimidating robots walked past. There hands were replaced with broken tools, and one was missing it’s eyes, but it’s head followed them just the same. “They’re just less fortunate.”

“How much farther?” Botanica asked Spiral. “We’re wasting time. The mind won’t live long without a power source.”

“I’ll know when I see it,” Spiral said, she scanned each doorway. “Keep an eye out for something out of place, like reinforced hinges or a fancy door lock.”

“Like that?” Convoy pointed to a door down the alley. A brand new keypad was next to a rusted, but heavy-duty-looking bolted door.

“Nice eyes, old timer!” Spiral walked towards it, holding a hand up. “Don’t run, keep this pace. There’s skitters in those windows.”

“Skitters?” Road Rage asked.

“’Bots running bad programming.” Convoy said. “They upload incompatible program files to their brains and get a thrill off their processors struggling to run it. Real low-grade stuff, but it sends them crazy. If we run or even walk too fast they’ll give chase like animals.”

“You seem to know a lot about this kind of place.” Ironhide said.

“I, um, have had some wayward experiences.” Convoy shrugged.

“Not as squeaky-clean as you seem?” Road Rage said.

“I might surprise you.” Convoy winked at her. “But I’ve never seen areas this bad.”

“Sorry to interrupt,” Spiral said. “But we’re here. Now we have to figure out how to get in.”

“Don’t suppose knocking is an option?” Ironhide cracked his knuckles.

“Is there an intercom?” Botanica asked.

“No, just the keypad.” Spiral crossed her arms. “I mean, this has to be it. It fit’s the M.O. to a T.”

“Wait…” Road Rage said. “I’m getting something on my private channel.” She held a finger up to the side of her head. “It’s numbers. Six, one, seven, five.”

“Try it.” Convoy pointed to the key pad. Spiral punched in the numbers and a large clank came from the door as it unlocked. The heavy rusted door creaked open, and Ironhide noticed the alley they came done had cleared out.

“Uh, guys?” Ironhide said. “The vagabots are gone.”

“Then this is the right place.” Spiral steeled herself. “So to speak.” The five entered the darkness, and after a few steps in, the door closed behind them.

“Stupid door.” Ironhide said, jumping slightly as it slammed shut. “And you know this guy?”

“Not personally, no.” Spiral said.

“You said you've met?”

“I met a guy who met a guy who met him.” Spiral shrugged.

“So how did you know where to find him?” Convoy sighed.

“He was big news on the inner-rim outposts. He’s an arms dealer of sorts. Though sometimes his definition of ‘arms’ pulls from both meanings. He trades mods and gear.” Spiral said as they approached a door.

“Wait, you don’t mean-” Convoy pushed past Ironhide and Road Rage. “You don’t mean who I think you mean-?” Spiral was about to answer when a very large robot stepped out of the shadows. His arms were treads and he had a partial faceplate. His chest was adorned with a ram, and generally gave off the air of someone not to be messed with.

“You here to buy?” He said.

“Yes,” Botanica said before Spiral could answer. “We’re looking for a-”

“Ah,” The robot held up a hand. His face was old and he had tired, emotionless eyes. He pulled out a baton-like object. He flicked a switch and it lit up with an electronic whine. The Autobots immediately flinched, but instead of using it as a weapon, the ‘bot waved it over Ironhide, covering his entire body, before moving onto Spiral and doing the same. He waved the baton over Botanica and it beeped. He lifted one of her arms and waved the baton over. It beeped again, more frequently.

“Show them.” The ‘bot said.

“I beg your pardon?” Botanica said.

“Your mods,” he explained. “Weapons, gear, whatever. Anything hidden. Show me.” Botanica complied and raised all four arms, and deployed her various tools in sequence, showing them all.

“Just simple tools,” Botanica explained. “And these.” She warmed her hip cannons enough to make them visibly charged. The doorbot grunted, then sighed. He waved her aside and scanned Convoy. The baton beeped over his arm. He nodded towards it, and Convoy raised it.

“It’s a scanner,” Convoy explained, holding up his hand and showing the palm glowing. “I did a stint as a minesweeper.” The ‘bot squinted, locking eyes with Convoy for what seemed like ages before letting him pass as well. He finally scanned Road Rage, and the scanner went berserk.

“Show ‘em.” The ‘bot said.

“I…” Road Rage stuttered as she tried to explain. “I can’t. You see, I’ve got this… condition-”

“You don’t show your gear, you don’t get in.” He said.

“Hey, she’s not lying,” Ironhide said. He attempted to explained but the doorbot interrupted.

“You don’t show your gear,” He repeated. “You don’t get in.”

“You know what? It’s fine.” Road Rage said. “I’ll just wait out here, okay?”

“But Road Rage-” Convoy said. Road Rage waved him off.

“I’m fine,” She said. “It’s not a big deal.” Ironhide gave her a reassuring nod, signifying he wasn’t at all worried about her. The four Autobots gathered at the door and the doorbot placed his hand on the handle. It responded to his touched and the door unlocked.

“Welcome to The Derringer,” The ‘bot said apathetically. “Enjoy your stay.” The four Autobots were awestruck. The room they entered was massive, and resembled a small stadium. It was bright, multi-tiered, and sophisticated. Expensive-looking robots lounged and made small talk around crystal tables. There were waiting drones serving exotic beverages and classical, upbeat music was audible over the chatter and laughing. It was all very upper class, and the arching architecture of the room naturally drew their eyes to the far wall where a robot waved them over. The Autobots made their way across the floor, and to their far right a band played within an alcove-like stage. There was even what looked like a gambling area. As the Autobots moved closer the robot was now visible. He was a yellow and purple mech stretched across an actual padded couch that wrapped halfway around a crystal table with colourful, abstract holographic images twisting and swirling inside of it. The other half had two smaller, marginally less fancy couches that the ‘bot motioned for them to sit in. Ironhide and Convoy both sat on one couch, but when they found they didn’t quite fit comfortably, Ironhide and Spiral switched. Botanica sat immediately, but didn’t speak.

“The name’s Swindle,” The yellow ‘bot said with an upper crust tone in his voice, extending his hand to shake. They each shook one after the other. He adjusted his purple tinted glasses. “But you already know that if you’re here!”

“Sure,” Spiral said. “Let’s go with that.”

“I see word of mouth extends even to the more…” Swindle looked each of them over. “Common folk. I mean that in the best way of course. Pillars of society sit before me, the working class like you! Now-” Swindle clasped his hands together. “What can I do for you fine ‘bots? Ah-ah-ah, but first-” He snapped his fingers, a waiting drone approached them. “Refreshments. Imported from the Hairline Trenches. Just an amazing blend. Trust me, when you can, swing on by, tell ‘em I sent you.”

“Thank you, but we’re on a time limit,” Botanica said. “We need equipment to track a radiation signature. Specifically radiation emitted from the electricity-induced breakdown of electrostatic-”

“Grounding foam, yes,” Swindle said, seemingly disinterested. “Yes I had a feeling that wouldn’t be the last of it.”

“I don’t understand.” Botanica said.

“No of course my dear, I wouldn’t expect you to.” Swindle said, reclining in his seat. “Seems you’re in need of a RadScanner X-20 multitool. Can track a radiation signature across a planet, in space, and everywhere in between. An amazingly precise bit of gadgetry. And as it so happens, I have one-” Swindle held up his arm, a device unfolding from just above his wrist. “In stock. Picked it up on Thermius Nine, in the Celcium Republic. Excellent folks, I must say. Far more easier to negotiate numbers with than the Grand Imperium down South of them. Though-”

“I’d like to buy it,” Botanica said. “Is twenty thousand acceptable?”

“Woah, Botanica!” Ironhide said, leaning in to whisper to her. “Think about this for a moment.”

“It’s everything I didn’t spend on research from when the Government rewarded us,” Botanica explained. “You have no idea how important this is. I need to recover the mind.” She turned back to Swindle. “Twenty thousand, it’s all I have. Is it enough?”

“Under normal circumstances, it would be…” Swindle said. “But recent events have caused a mark-up, and I’m afraid we’re a bit off base here.”

“What?” Botanica asked. “What do you mean?”

“Oh come on,” Spiral said. “The guy’s name is “Swindle.” He’s just trying to squeeze us.”

“Again, normally you’d be right,” Swindle said. “After all, look around you! This is just one of many luxurious hot spots in my name. The most esteemed arms dealers, politicians and exuberant cash-rich individuals do under the table, so-to-speak, deals here. I didn’t get this all being a generous person, kiddo. But, like I said, it is unique circumstances that forbid the sale of the RadScanner. Professional scruples prevent me from disclosing the details.”

“Five thousand to tell us why.” Botanica said.

“Ten.”

“Six.”

“Deal.”

“I was paid not to sell it.” Swindle said, retrieving a payment machine from a compartment in his chest. He placed it on the table.

“Why?” Botanica asked. Swindle tapped the machine. She rolled her eyes and brandished her payment card, manually selected the amount and waved it over the machine, wirelessly transferring the money.

“That’s a reason for a reason, milady,” Swindle crossed his arms. “You know my price for explanations.” Botanica grimaced, but before she could pay, Convoy brandished his own card and waved it over the machine. Swindle adjusted his glasses as the transferred amount was projected on the inside of the lenses.

“Two hundred and fifty thousand.” Convoy said. “Tell. Us. Everything.”

“Gladly!” Swindle said. “But I can only tell you everything I know. A big ‘bot paid. He correctly identified me as the only distributor of the technology you need, and paid me a handsome, no scratch that, a drop dead gorgeous sum to not sell it to anyone. Where a ‘bot as spiky as him got that kind of sparkle I can’t begin to imagine, but I certainly hope he’s a repeating customer.”

“Describe him.” Botanica said. “In detail.”

“Well, he was big of course-” Swindle pointed to Ironhide. “About twice sunshine’s height, and four times his girth.”

“Okay, if you just called me fat I don’t care how rich you are,” Ironhide said. “I’m making you eat those glasses-”

“And he was black,” Swindle said. “Black, dark grey, splash of teal- or was it aqua marine?” Swindle took a sip of his fancy drink. “Some shade of blue. Red eyes. I mean, I make it a point not to judge the clientele, but fashion-wise...”

“Wait,” Botanica’s eyes became frantic. “What was this ‘bot’s name?”

“He didn’t say.” Swindle said. “That’s kind of how it is around here.”

“What’d he turn into?” Spiral asked.

“He never did Transform.” Swindle scratched his chin. “Though I couldn’t guess, he was mostly spikes.”

“No wheels?” Botanica became erratic. “He would’ve had six at least. Please, you have to remember!”

“No wheels!” Swindle held up his hands. “Trust me I would’ve noticed. We had a nice long chat.”

“About what?” Ironhide asked.

“Honestly? It was more he ranted at me about society’s faults and how the planet was better millions of years ago. Said weird, cryptic things about when the “reckoning” would come, those who could stand, would. Something poetic like that, I was too busy counting the zeroes, to be quite honest.”

“Maybe it wasn’t him,” Ironhide said, placing a hand on Botanica‘s shoulder. “I mean, it doesn’t really sound like him. There’s got to be hundreds of ‘bots with his colour schemes like that…”

“How much did he pay?” Convoy said. “We’ll pay more.”

“It’s not that simple-” Swindle said. “I mean, it is, but I also have a reputation to uphold-”

“Yeah right,” Spiral said. “Your reputation is of a money-grubbing lowlife. Your name got passed around a lot on the frontlines as a ‘bot who’ll do anything for the right price.”

“I’ve had enough.” Convoy said, he stood up and grabbed Swindle by the throat and threw him up against the wall. Immediately every patron in the building had a weapon pointed at him.

“Convoy…” Spiral said. “What are you doing?”

“I am through negotiating with this scoundrel-” He said.

“Oooh, ‘scoundrel’ huh?” Swindle mocked.

“Give us the RadScanner!” Convoy barked.

“Not a very Autobot thing for you to do,.” Swindle said, unfazed.

“I’m with Convoy.” Ironhide said. “This little weasel’s pushed it too far. Just give us the thing and we’ll go. You got our money.”

“You have no leverage, Autobots,” Swindle said. “So much as scratch a lense on me and you’ll be perforated.” The various criminals all had their weapons trained as an assortment of laser sights fell on Convoy. “They’re excellent shot’s too. I’ll be fine and dandy, you’ll be fine powder.”

“Hey Convoy,” Ironhide said. “How quick can you duck?”

“Fairly quick I suppose?” He said.

“When I give the signal, you all duck in front of me!” Ironhide said. “Three, two-”

“Shoot them you idiots!” Swindle yelled.

“Now!” Ironhide barked. Botanica, Spiral and Convoy all ducked in front of him as a hail of bullets and lasers showered over them. Botanica transformed to vehicle mode to take up less room, Spiral just stayed ducked. Convoy held Swindle as a shield, no bullets hit them, but Swindle was struggling.

“How’re you holding up big guy?” Spiral yelled over the gunfire.

“Feels like the worst massage I never asked for!” Ironhide said, his voice rattling from the impacts. “Could use with a way out, though! I want to get out of this with some paint still left on my back!”

“Hold on!” Convoy wrapped Swindle in a choke hold and extended his right hand. The palm warmed and he fired a blast of energy at the wall strong enough to punch a hole to the outside.

“So much for the minesweeper thing!” Spiral remarked.

“What can I say?” Convoy said. “I’m not too trusting!” The Autobots moved through the hole, Swindle in tow, and dropped down to the street below. Convoy fired another blast into the hole they left from, collapsing the building enough to stop pursuers. Ironhide rubbed his shoulders and Botanica transformed back to robot mode. As they gathered themselves Road Rage ran over.

“What the hell just happened?” She asked.

“Things went well,” Spiral said. “We were just making a deal with Swindle here for a scanning gizmo to track down Botanica’s big brain theif.”

“There is no deal, my dear-” Swindle said, deploying a minigun from his shoulder. It fired on Convoy, hitting him in the face and causing him to fall backwards. Ironhide ran to body-check Swindle, but was repelled by an invisible force field. “Really, you think folks haven’t tried to muscle me into doing what they want before? Please, I didn’t insult your intelligence, did I?”

“You kinda did.” Spiral said.

“A few times, actually.” Botanica added.

“Point being, you’ve cost me.” Swindle said, tapping a button on his arm. “And I always get what I’m owed.” The doorbot from before swung around the corner in full sprint and tackled Ironhide. The two grappled as Swindle opened fire on the others.

“Botanica!” Ironhide grunted as he struggled with the other ‘bot. “Convoy needs help!”

“On it!” She said, dragging Convoy around the corner out of harm’s way, he clutched his face. She reached for it to get a better look. “Let me see-”

“I’m fine!” Convoy said. “Just…” He handed her the broken remnants of his faceplate. “Fix it, please, I can handle the rest.” She accepted and began welding the faceplate back together with her tools while Convoy tended to his wounds, his back to her. Spiral and Road Rage took cover behind a dumpster as Swindle laid down fire.

“Now here’s an item no home should be without!” He said, pulling a rifle-like object from behind his back, his Gatling gun still firing. “The Tachyon Displacement Charge Device, also known as the “Popper” by the likes of myself.” He aimed and fired it at the dumpster. The dumpster glowed and vanished, re-appearing moments later above the two Autobots, and dropped on them. “Originally designed to teleport sensitive chemicals, it’s probably my favourite battlefield plaything. If any of you survive, tell your friends! I’ve got the latest models for special order.”

“Order this!” Spiral said, her and Road Rage pushed the dumpster off towards Swindle, who casually side-stepped.

“Perhaps I could get you a good price on some better banter, as well.” Swindle mocked. Spiral transformed and drove straight for him. Swindle popped a small ball out of a socket in his wrist and threw it on the ground just as Spiral drove over it, it immediately melted her tires and fused them to the ground. She tried to Transform but couldn’t. Road Rage leapt over her, clear of it’s effects and ran to grab Swindle.

“Not one for alt modes, are we?” Swindle said, dodging her swings. “That’s unfortunate.” He transformed into an armoured truck and sped off, Road Rage tried to run after him but couldn’t keep pace.

“No!” Botanica said, handing Convoy. “We need him!” She was about to give chase when Convoy doubled-over, his leg had a bullet hole through the knee. Botanica reluctantly moved to tend to it. Ironhide was still fighting the doorbot, and Spiral was still stuck. Road Rage watched as Swindle escaped, and her hands balled into fists. She began to move forward, sprinting, then breaking out into a full run. She leapt in the air and somersaulted, her wings snapped together, her arms flipped back, her feet replaced with wheels, and her entire body pulled together as she transformed to vehicle mode, landing on all four wheels that screeched as she accelerated after him. Her engine roared and her exhaust pipes belched flame as she went into overdrive to catch up. She was nearly tailgating Swindle when his Gatling gun reappeared on his roof, pointing backwards. He sprayed the road behind her, she swerved as they entered traffic and ramped off the back of a low-rider who cursed when she did so, and onto the other overpass above. Swindle ceased fire as she disappeared from view, reappearing moments later ahead as she leapt down in robot mode onto the back of a truck hauling a trailer. Swindle attempted to pass it, and she jumped off, landing on top of Swindle. She wrenched the Gatling gun off it’s mount and tossed it off the highway. She swerved, shaking her off, but she landed on her wheels and kept pace. Their speeds were reaching excessive, and it was harder to dodge traffic. Road Rage’s body split apart, and her various cannons and missile pods deployed. She fire, obliterating the road around Swindle who just barley managed to dodge it all. She fired buzz-saws from her bumper and they shredded his tires, forcing him to lose control. He crashed through the median into oncoming traffic. Replacement tires inflated around his wheels and the chase was back on, despite the damage to his chassis. Road Rage blew her own path through the median to pursue, and fire more blades that shredded his ties again, forcing him once more off the road. This time he fell off the highway down to the streets below, crashing into a building and landing in an alley. Road Rage ramped off and transformed, landing in a roll and jumping off in one motion to fly-kick Swindle in the face as he stood. She didn’t relent, sweeping his legs out from under him. He fell, but in doing so dropped a flash bang grenade which lived up to it’s name. In the brief moment of confusion he punched Road Rage in the midsection and tried to escape on foot. She stood up, snarled, and transformed straight into her weapon-laded vehicle form. She took off a full speed, hitting Swindle in the legs, crippling them. She transformed back and nearly fell over. Swindle lay on his back, and before he could move Road Rage was on top of him. Her hand was on his neck, clutching his main wire cluster, threatening to tear it out.

“Wait wait!” Swindle pleaded. “Let us not be hasty!” She tightened her grip and Swindle began to panic. “We can work this out, yes? You still want that RadScanner? For your friend?” Road Rage didn’t answer, but relaxed her grip on his neck. “Listen-” He continued. “I’m not an unfair ‘bot. I was paid a considerable amount to not let go of it, but if you were to pay me more I’d have no qualms! Your friends couldn’t afford it, but you…” He smiled in a way that seemed partly nervous, partly devious. “Those weapon mods you’ve got are incredible!”

“What are you saying?” She said.

“Like I need to spell it out,” He said. “Those weapons are exceptionally rare, discontinued for their harmful side-effects when integrated. Let me guess, personality glitches, yes?” Road Rage didn’t answer. Swindle held up his hands. “Hey, not my business. I’m hardly one to judge for over-modding. But, I am one to pay handsomely for rare and desired weaponry, or should I say trade for such weapons.” Road Rage let him go, he struggled to stand up on his damaged legs and remain as dignified as possible. “And since I’m such a great guy, I’ll chalk up the injuries to my person as an occupational hazard, and even throw in some new tires for that friend of yours I put the brakes on,” He extended his hand. “So whattaya say, we got a deal?”

*****

“Hold still for just a little longer-” Botanica said, fusing the last of the wires in Convoy’s legs. “There, all done.”

“I would’ve been fine.” Convoy said.

“No, you would’ve blown a fuse in your actuator and lost the use of your leg.” She said. "But you’re welcome. And about that faceplate-”

“I wear it for a reason.” Convoy said. “Old life I don’t need people knowing about. Nothing personal, just… I’m more comfortable with it on.” He stood up. “I should have given chase instead of letting her go after him alone.”

“We have bigger problems here!” Ironhide said, tossing the doorbot across the alley. They were both getting tired, but the bouncer wouldn’t quit. Botanica spun around the corner and fired at him, shocking him back only slightly before her cannons failed.

“Still not recharged,” She said. “I can’t-” Ironhide pulled her out of the way of a flying piece of sheet metal the bouncer pulled from a building. Ironhide was about to make a last charge when a whistle from afar broke up the fight.

“That’ll be all, Grinder,” Swindle said, Road Rage wasn‘t far behind him. The doorbot, battered and dinged, silently retreated back to his post. Ironhide slouched in the reprieved, Botanica drifted over to them, and was surprised when Swindle tossed her the scanner.

“I don’t-” She was confused.

“Please, don’t thank me, thank her,” Swindle said, pointing to Road Rage. “We’ve worked out a deal that is mutually beneficial for us all, speaking of which-” Swindle walked over to Spiral, still stuck to the ground, and deployed a small nozzle from his finger, spraying her tires with something that caused them to dissolve. He then produced four rings and affixed one to each wheel. They inflated into new tires. Spiral transformed.

“Uh, thanks?” She said, not entirely trusting.

“So we can go now?” Convoy asked. “We can track the radiation signature?”

“Not just yet,” Swindle said. He walked down the alley towards the entrance to the club. “This way, please. I have… accommodations inside to extract my payment”

“What payment?” Ironhide asked. Road Rage said nothing and followed. Ironhide ran after her. “Road Rage, what payment?”

“He’s going to take my mods.” She turned and said. “It’s okay, this is what I wanted, right?”

“But I thought you weren’t ready yet?” Ironhide said, unsuccessfully trying to hide the concern in his voice. “I thought it took time. What about what happened at the bar? And you just transformed, what if that makes it worse or something?”

“I’ll be fine.” She said. Swindle stood at the end of the alley, smiling, as Road Rage walked over.

“Don’t worry, it won’t take long.” Swindle said. “My surgeons are the finest money can buy!” Road Rage steeled herself and turned the corner towards the entrance, Ironhide could do nothing but watch, and wait.

 

This is probably your best chapter yet. I fully expected Swindle to turn out to be one of your 'for-fun' designs like Lockdown, so seeing him here was treat in itself. The action was great, Swindle deploying all sorts of weaponry from his body was great, and things coming full circle with Road Rage was fantastic. It's very in-character for Swindle to cut a deal to save his own skin, and I can only hope to see some more of him in the future. Convoy's also a pretty curious individual as well.

 

i hope raod rage gets better and not worse after this

 

Been stupidly busy for the last week, but no more!

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Chapter Eight: Mountain Men​

“I can’t…” Ruiner’s voice was failing, it was barely audible over the wind “Go on… carry me on your back.”

“You think…” Optimus wheezed. “This is bad? Try slogging through a Canadian winter. This-” He waved his hand around at the blinding blizzard around them. “-Is nothing. You know where I come from snow is made of water? Frozen water. Yeah, imagine that all up in your gears.”

“Sounds great.” Ruiner said. He clutched his only source of warmth to his chest. “Feels like I’m gonna seize up.”

“The signal’s getting stronger…” Optimus continued to slog through the snow. “But it’s not clearing up at all. Still pure static.”

“You’re a tow truck…” Ruiner said. “Tow me the rest of the way…”

“Sorry, I left my snows back on Earth…” Optimus tried to move forward, but the wind was pushing him back. “Just a little longer, we’re almost there. Can’t be more than a few kliks.” Optimus waited for the inevitable retort, but none came. He looked back. “Ruiner?” He couldn’t see through the flurry, and tugged his cable. He followed it back to see Ruiner face down in the snow. Optimus tried to wake him, but he was shut down. Optimus fell to his knees, almost falling into the snow himself. Then he felt a horrible sensation. It was a sensation attached to a thought, the mere existence of which disgusted him.

He briefly contemplated leaving Ruiner behind.

But more disappointing was the fact that the thought wasn’t leaving. He couldn’t shake it, even though he should. He was weighing the odds of survival. He’d have to carry Ruiner the rest of the way, however long that is. That’d slow him down and use up energy. If he left him, he’d easily make it. Optimus shook his head, even grabbing handful of snow and throwing it in his face to shock the notion away. He grabbed one of Ruiner’s arms and dragged him up onto his back. There was only one option, and that was for them to both survive. Beyond it being the right thing to do, Ruiner had saved Optimus’ life, and Optimus didn’t want to see anyone else die. Not anymore. So he kept going, following the signal. He felt weak, he felt like giving up, not because it was hopeless, but because couldn’t bear it. He knew they were close, if the storm weren’t so furious, he’d probably be able to see it. He was elated when it did just that, and he got his first tentative glimpse of the world around him. The range of view wasn’t much, but he could make out large ore formations around him. He looked in the direction of the signal he was following, and saw more rocky mounds. Except one wasn’t natural, it was too square. It was a structure, which meant people. Summoning every last ounce of his strength he carried Ruiner and himself towards it. The storm was picking back up, threatening to swallow him. Optimus was so close now he could make out a door, even a handle. He grabbed it, and it slid open. He tossed Ruiner inside as the winds picked up. He struggled to close the door, but did it. They were safe, for now.

“Not bad…” He wheezed, leaning against the door. “…For a first try.” Optimus turned to Ruiner, who was waking up.

“Oh man…” He groaned and sat up. “Did I pass out? Aw man, don’t tell me I passed out and you didn’t!”

“Sorry.” Optimus shrugged.

“Dammit,” Ruiner slouched forward. “So much for a survivalist. I couldn’t outlast a utility class.”

“Is that your function, survivalist?” Optimus asked.

“Was.” Ruiner said. "But you’ve done better than me so far. Then again, I was trained against people, not the elements.”

“What kind of survival skills are those?” Optimus asked.

“The only kind in the Night's Templar.” Ruiner said. “There’s wordplay there, trust me.”

“Oookay,” Optimus looked around the very small room. It was almost empty aside from a few containers and a terminal that looked like it hadn’t been turned on in years. “We must be in some kind of abandoned outpost.”

“An abandoned outpost?” Ruiner said.

“Yeah, like maybe it was for research? Or some kind of checkpoint?” Optimus examined the terminal. “I don’t know.”

“No, sorry I forgot to place my incredulousness on the keyword:” Ruiner explained. “Abandoned. As in no people? As in we’re back to square zero?”

“No-” Optimus gripped the front housing off the terminal. “There’s still a signal coming from this thing. It’s inert, not broadcasting anything specific to anywhere in particular-” He grunted as he wrenched it off. “But it’s working.” Optimus looked upon the mess of wires and circuits and sighed, slouching. “And… I have no idea how to use it. They make it look so easy in movies. Like hotwiring a car.”

“That’s perverted!” Ruiner gasped. “Also, I can.”

“You can what?”

“Get a signal out.” Ruiner got up. “Here, it’s easy-” He unceremoniously shoved Optimus aside. “Basically, you just gotta- wait…” Ruiner felt around inside the terminal. He pulled a wire cluster free.

“Careful!” Optimus said. “If it’s broken we won’t be contacting anybody!”

“Relax!” Ruiner said. “It’s simple: the signal’s automatically broadcasting white noise, we can’t change that. But we can change the signal strength!”

“What good is a boosted signal with no transmission?” Optimus asked.

“We don’t need to transmit audio-” Ruiner disconnected wires from the cluster. “We pulse the boosted signal in Felix Code.”

“Oh, Morse Code!” Optimus said.

“What?”

“Never mind, same thing-” Optimus huddled up to inspect the wires. “But, wait, won’t this drain the battery?”

“Yes.” Ruiner said. “And in the interest of full disclosure, this is a one-time trick. Once I pull these wires and boost the signal, I can’t put it back.”

“Oh…” Optimus slumped over. “And, obviously, the chances of someone picking up a random signal code-”

“Are pretty freaking small…” Ruiner sighed. “So what’s it gonna be?”

“Why are you asking me?”

“Because I’m a nice guy.” Ruiner shrugged. Optimus gave it a moment’s thought, then nodded. Ruiner pulled the wire’s free with a small spark, and connected them. With each connection Optimus had a burst of loud static come over his comm., and clicked it off. Ruiner tapped the wire ends in the universal distress signal.

“So,” Optimus said. “Where are you from, anyway?”

“Whoa, loaded question there pal.” Ruiner said.

“Just trying to make conversation.” Optimus sat down. “It’s going to be a while.”

“I mean, I guess you’re right.” Ruiner kept tapping the SOS. “You ever heard of the Night’s Templar? Night as in dark, not like opposite of day?”

“No.”

“Well don’t let it get you down, no one does.” Ruiner sighed. “Think of it as… boarding school for the exceptionally gifted. And I wasn’t gifted enough, so I got ‘expelled.’”

“Sorry to hear that.” Optimus said. “Were you, like, a bad student or something?”

“Oh, absolutely, the worst.” Ruiner said. “But I think the real reason I got booted was for my outward thinking and highly opinionated personality. Pretty much everyone there hated me except…” Ruiner paused the SOS, his expression blank, then started it up again. “Everyone hated me.”

“Wow, um…” Optimus shifted uncomfortably. “Sorry again? If it makes you feel better I don’t really hate you.”

“Ha! Nah man, I’m fine with that. Best thing that ever happened to me getting kicked out of that freaky cult.” Ruiner said. “Now I’m what you might call a civil servant operating in the grey areas of the law to apprehend criminals for compensation.”

“A bounty hunter?” Optimus asked.

“I’d also accept ‘soldier of fortune’ but I’m not sure which sounds cooler.”

“Neat.” Optimus said. “How’s business?”

“Well, the last nine months have been frigging horrible, but before that not bad,” Ruiner held up the wires. “What about you?”

“Well…” Optimus searched for a good place to start. “I used to be stationed on Earth- which is a cool place, lots of trees I find, and-”

“Whoa, talk and tap, big nose.” Ruiner said, passing the wires. “We take turns, whoever’s telling a story has to keep the signal going.”

“Alright, fine-” Optimus took the wires and began tapping out the SOS. “And don’t call me big nose, jerk. Me and my team, my friends, were supposed to be monitoring a small band of Decepticons. What we didn’t know is that they planned to uncover a giant Decepticon super warrior, which they did-”

“So plan failed?” Ruiner said.

“Hey, don’t interrupt-” Optimus said. “They found the wrong one. They actually found a Decepticon who had also gone looking for it, who had actually switched sides, and then we found the super warrior, who had also basically quit the war. And, uh…” Optimus rubbed his face, trying to form the right words. He sighed. “He died. He died saving me. Well, all of us. He was going to explode and level the city, and I volunteered to guide him away and he… yeah.” Optimus reached inside his chest compartment and pulled out the piece of Sky-Byte’s head crest. “This is all that was left. He liked poetry, though he wasn’t very good at it.”

“Oh.” Ruiner said. “Yeah that sounds… yeah, sorry I guess.”

“A lot of people died.” Optimus said. “Some deserved it, some didn’t. For some it was even maybe too easy but, yeah…” Optimus put the fragment away and kept working on the SOS. “Nobody else dies. That’s what he wanted.” Optimus grimaced. “You shouldn’t have killed them.”

“Them?” Ruiner became indignant. “Okay, for starters I only killed one of them, that other lady let herself get blown up. And second of all, yeah I mean ideals are all well and nice but I spent nine miserable months on that ship! Frankly, he got it easy. When someone’s trying to kill you, you kill them first. I’m pretty sure they implant that into you at the brainwashing clinic you call the military.”

“No, they teach us, Autobots, to protect life and be merciful.” Optimus said.

“Mercy will get you killed!” Ruiner said. “It’ll get you killed, and your friends killed. Killing to defend yourself and defeat your enemy doesn’t make you evil, it makes you pragmatic.”

“That’s what shoving Dion into the reactor was? Pragmatism?” Optimus said. “Which of course lead to the ship blowing up and stranding us here. We could have subdued them. We almost did. Beating your enemy doesn’t mean annihilating them!”

“Whatever.” Ruiner said. “Just focus on your job, you’re falling behind in sequence. No one will ever pick up on it that way.”

“I’m doing my best,” Optimus said. “I’m just tired. Tired of this stupid situation I got myself in.” Optimus continued to send the distress signal until he couldn’t muster the strength, then Ruiner took over. They continued switching back and fourth until neither were able to manage a consistent sequence. Optimus sat slouched against the terminal, Ruiner lay face down on the floor. Optimus tried to think of something they missed, something they could do. He looked around the room and examined everything there. There was a small desk bolted to the wall, but no chair to sit at it. There was the terminal, a few empty crates, a shelf opposite the desk, and a blank wall with a square outline on it. Optimus looked at the odd border, like it was a window or a screen or…

“Hey.” Optimus nudged Ruiner with his foot. “Hey!” Optimus got to his feet as Ruiner only barely turned his head. Optimus dragged his hand across the smooth surface, scraping ice off. He feverishly brushed more away until he had uncovered the picture beneath.

“Is that…?” Ruiner force himself to stand up.

“A map…” Optimus couldn’t help but get excited. “A map!”

“A map!” Ruiner leapt to his feet. They continued to chant as much together as they giddily hopped with excitement.

“Okay hold on-” Optimus examined it. “Alright so there’s a path. A charted route down the mountain.”

“We’re on a mountain?” Ruiner asked.

“I guess-” Optimus pointed at the map. “See, elevation markers. Supposedly we’re ten thousand chart units above sea level.”

“Sweet.” Ruiner said. “Which way down?”

“Looks like there’s a path somewhere a few dozen units outside.” Optimus said. “But, oh…” He looked at Ruiner. “You don’t happen to have a compass, do you?”

“Nope, but there’s gotta be one…” Ruiner looked around the very empty room. “In here… some... Damn.” Ruiner snapped his fingers. ‘Oh, but the ship has one! Provided it wasn’t smashed it should work. It’s a low-tech electro-magnetic one so it should work without calibration.”

“But can we even get back?” Optimus asked. “No way the wind hasn’t covered our tracks.”

“Maybe we can catch a break in the storm long enough to scoot over?” Ruiner said, pausing to listen. “I mean it doesn’t sound so bad.”

“Yeah it sounds kind of-” Optimus stopped to listen. “Do you hear that?”

“What?”

“Shhh!” Optimus held up a finger. The sound was a low thumping, gradually getting louder. Optimus could hear scraping with it. He leaned up against the door and heard what sounded like growling. The door violently shook, knocking him back. Something very large, and very strong, was trying to breka the door down.

 

This update might have hit too close to home... Canadian winters. Too real.

But yeah, it was great to see more of who Ruiner is and what he's all about. I've got a hunch Nightbird may or may not be around the corner.

 

Sorry to post with no update, but considering I have abandoned stories before due to circumstance I felt it poignant to state that I'm just busy, sadly. I am still writing and nearly done the next chunk.

I'm actually taking this particular endeavour very seriously, having plotted out mostly the whole thing and am trying to keep it succinct. I don't want another run-on tale that gets out of hand.  

 

Jesus H. I've posted another novel. Hope you guys enjoy meaty reads!  

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Chapter Nine: Age Is Just A Number​

“This is taking too long.” Ironhide tapped his feet furiously.

“You’re telling me.” Spiral continued pacing in the small waiting room. “What if something went wrong? What if it’s a trick? What if she’s actually-”

“It’s going to be fine.” Convoy said. Spiral let out a hearty, panicked laugh.

“Oh yeah, just fine huh?” Spiral put her hands on her hips.

“You’re stressed, I get it, but you’re only building up your own anxiety by pacing like that.” Convoy said.

“This is my fault.” Botanica held her head in her hands. “I put this tremendous pressure on you all. I should be the one in there having my mods removed.”

“This isn’t how it was supposed to go.” Ironhide said. “She told me she needed more time and therapy before they were removed. What if she glitches out? She could go brain-dead!”

“Relax.” Convoy stressed the word. “The point of no return has been crossed. We couldn’t stop the operation if we wanted to. Like it or not, we’re at their mercy for now.”

“That’s supposed to relax us?” Spiral said. “What, were you a grief counsellor in a past life? Your effortless ability to put my mind at ease is uncanny.”

“I, personally, find these situations cathartic.” Convoy says. “When you’re in command of a situation, the pressure’s on you to make the right moves. Call the right shots. To be free of any responsibility and leave it to fate is a relief.”

“That’d be great, but it’s not up to fate-” Ironhide angrily stood up. “It’s up to underground surgeons and mechanics employed by some little yellow extortionist.” As if on cue, the rusty operating room doors swung open, and out strode Swindle. He adjusted the fit of his armour panels and the glasses on his nose.

“My ears are burning,” He said smarmily. “I’m flattered I still linger among you after departure. A 'bot is only as good as his reputation.”

“Where is Road Rage?” Ironhide said, his voiced dropped to an exceptionally low gravel. He walked towards Swindle when two more bodyguards like before flanked the Decepticon. One placed a hand on Ironhide, intending to shove him back. Ironhide grabbed his wrist and squeezed. There was a crack and a pop, and the bodyguard yelped. Swindle casually held up a hand to stop the other guard.

“He broke my hand!” The first guard said, grasping his mangled extremity.

“Good thing you’re in an operating room, then.” Swindle said. He snapped his fingers and the guards dispatched. Swindle moved from the door to let Road Rage walk through. Her head was hung down, she gripped her right arm and generally seemed distraught, but intact. Spiral pulled her into her arms, Ironhide doing the same. Botanica and Convoy silently exchanged relieved glances. Spiral squeezed hard, then let go to look Road Rage in the eyes.

“How do you feel?” Spiral asked her.

“Lighter.” Road Rage tried to joke, but she didn’t smile. “Kinda… incomplete. Except for this:” She held up her arm. The middle chunk of it spinning around to reveal the radiation tracker.

“Wait, why her?” Botanica asked.

“I asked for it.” Road Rage said. “It needs to be integrated to function at full capacity, and hey, I had a vacancy.”

“So that’s it?” Ironhide said. “We can finally go after that thing?”

“Please do,” Swindle said. “Please, go before you break anything else I paid money for.”

“Thank you.” Botanica said in a professional tone.

“Yes, pleasure doing business with you all,” Swindle pointed towards the exit. “Trust me, I know some arms… collectors who will deeply appreciate those weapons. I’m truly grateful we met, and I hope we can do business again in the future. Now get out.” The Autobots were practically thrown out onto the same dingy alley they entered from, the door slamming behind them. Once again the vagrant robots were nowhere to be seen, making the Autobots somehow feel even less welcome.

“So now what?” Spiral asked.

“Now we track that radiation trail,” Botanica pulled a sample from a small compartment on her arm. “We’ve wasted too much time already. Our quadruped quarry has nearly six hours head start.” Road Rage held the scanner over the sample and it beeped a sequence of acknowledgement.

“Alright, let’s get moving,” Spiral said. “So we rollin’ or what?”

“Only if it’s alright with Road Rage.” Ironhide said, turning to her. “You up for it?”

“I mean, I’m not sure-” She shrugged. “You think I’d be okay now, right? I mean, without the weapons.”

“You transformed before,” Botanica said. “How did that feel?”

“It felt…” Road Rage said. “Good, actually.”

“Better not take any chances.” Convoy said, leading the others out of the alley and back towards the less seedy streets. “We’ll use the Teletram to get to the nearest spaceport, board whatever atmo shuttle’s flying in the general direction.”

“Which is?” Botanica asked Road Rage.

“North.” She said, looking at the tracking screen. “Wait, that can’t be right…” She scrutinized it as Spiral accessed a Teletraan control panel. “It’s over four hundred macroquads north!”

“Impossible.” Botanica said. “In only a few hours? Nothing short of a sublight frigate or a teleporter could travel that distance in that time. You must have the wrong signature.”

“Nope, it tracks all the way back to your lab and…” Road Rage tried to understand what she was seeing. “Here? The monster thing was here about two hours ago, or close to here.”

“Okay, you must be reading it wrong-” Botanica pulled the scanner, and Road Rage’s arm, up to evaluate it’s readings herself.

“Uh, guys?” Spiral asked.

“This path is literally impossible.” Botanica whispered to herself. “It couldn’t have left a path this clear if it was actually teleporting…”

“Guys,” Spiral insisted. “I can’t call a tram, it says I’ve been locked out.”

“What?” Ironhide said, trying the terminal himself.”

“First it wouldn’t respond, then it said I was ‘incompatible’ now it says I’m blacklisted.” Spiral shrugged.

“Well that’s not good,” Convoy said. “Teletraan literally runs everything. If you can’t access it, you can’t board a ship, or even enter a spaceport.”

“It won’t let me in, either.” Ironhide said. One by one the Autobots tried, and all were denied.

“Interesting…” Convoy said. Spiral growled, and was about to rip the terminal out when a random ‘bot walked up.

“Whoa,” The passer-by said. “You folks alright?”

“The stupid terminal’s broken,” Ironhide said. “It won’t let us call a tram.” The ‘bot looked at the terminal and accessed it freely. A moment later a train came to a stop.

“Looks like it works now,” The citizen said. “Maybe it was a glitch?” He stepped on the tram. Spiral followed, but was immediately shocked by an invisible force field in the door.

“UNAUTHORIZED.” A callous, mechanical voice came from the tram. The doors slammed shut and it sped off.

“That’s some glitch.” Spiral said, rubbing her head. “So I reiterate, now what?”

“We drive to the spaceport?” Convoy suggested.

“And get nabbed by security drones because we’ve been put on the anticitizen list?” Ironhide said. “No thanks. Somehow, we’ve literally been locked out of the civilized world.”

“Oh good, now we can become vagabots ourselves.” Spiral motioned towards the general direction of the alley. “I mean we are in the right area.”

“Who’d want to do that to us?” Road Rage asked.

“Who could do that to us?” Botanica pointed out.

“Swindle.” Convoy posited. “He probably pulled some very illicit strings and got us wiped from Teletraan for the grief we caused.”

“Perfect.” Spiral said. “Just as I was getting comfortable being part of the system.” Spiral turned to Botanica, about to ask her input, when she noticed Botanica was trembling. “Hey, Sprouts?” She asked. Botanica was fully shaking now, bordering on convulsing.

“Botanica, what’s wrong!?” Ironhide asked, he tried to brace her, but Convoy calmly placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t try and restraint her,” He explained. “Involuntary system spasms. Her CPU is overloading.”

“What?” Spiral looked at Botanica. “She’s dying?”

“N-no!” Botanica said. Her spasms now causing her tools to deploy randomly, her electric cannons sparked, and she started to transform. She pushed herself away from them and spun to face a lamppost. She reeled her head back and banged it on the post, to the shock of Ironhide and Spiral. She reeled back again, only for Convoy to stop her. He spun her around and grabbed one of her antennae and pulled it off. Her spasms stopped, and she slouched, exhausted.

“Thank you.” She said, composing herself as if nothing had happened. “How did you know?”

“A friend of mine once suffered an information overload.” Convoy said.

“Wait, an information overload from what?” Road Rage asked.

“The mind.” Botanica said. “It… contacted me somehow. I think it established a wireless link last time we communicated, but…” She held out her hand for Convoy to return her antenna. “To reach me over such a distance… it would require a vast amount of power.”

“What’d it say?” Ironhide asked. “Did it give you it’s location? Directions? Anything?”

“It’s frightened,” Botanica held her palm parallel to the ground. “I think? It communicates very abstractly. It was more of an… inflection than emotion. Regardless, it was a plea. I’m worried now. We’ve wasted too much time.”

“Well, unless one of you is secretly a jet in disguise, we’re going to need transport.” Spiral said.

“Don’t look at me,” Convoy said. “I’m Autobot to the core. The only flying I do is if I step on a landmine during a battle charge.”

“Then we have but one regrettable option.” Botanica turned to Road Rage.

“Don’t look at me!” Road Rage said. “These wings are just decoration, they’re actually just my hood split in half.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Botanica held Road Rage’s hands, a solemn expression appeared on her face. Road Rage reciprocated her stare for a moment before realizing what she meant.

“Oh, no-” Road Rage pulled her hands away. “Nuh-uh, absolutely not.”

“Please,” Botanica said. “He’s our only hope.”

“He’s too weak!” Road Rage said. “And he’s not… he’s not well. Jetfire’s more than just a glorified taxi, he’s a person and he’s sick! We can’t just drag him away and throw him into danger!”

“We have no choice,” Botanica said. “The mind is too valuable. Whoever has taken it clearly knows how to use it. They could do horrible things with the knowledge it possesses.”

“I’m with Botanica,” Ironhide said. “And besides, we only need him for a ride. We won’t take him anywhere dangerous.”

“Can’t we, like, pay for a black market ship?” Road Rage asked.

“With Swindle blacklisting us?” Convoy said. “No, I’m sorry Road Rage, but we’re marked. If a criminal like him has the pull enough to keep us away from official transport, he’ll no doubt have us on the do-not-fly lists for the underworld as well.”

“Convoy…” Road Rage was hurt, but that quickly shifted to anger. With a cold tone, she looked at him, her face matter-of-fact. “Are you sure?”

“It cannot have been anyone else.” Convoy said.

“For the record, I’m with Road Rage.” Spiral said. “Using the old codger like that is flat out wrong. And as an aside, I don’t think you have a say in this, Convoy. This is a personal matter.” She crossed her arms.

“Fair enough,” Convoy said. “But regardless of my opinion-” He looked to Road Rage. “I will stand by your decision.” Road Rage nodded as she mulled it over. Spiral shot Convoy an accusatory glance. He didn’t acknowledge it.

“Then that would make it a tie.” Road Rage said. “I suppose the only fair thing to do would be ask Jetfire himself.”

“Fair enough.” Botanica said, well aware Jetfire’s condition wouldn’t leave him cognitive enough to make that decision. She relented and transformed. Ironhide and Spiral followed suit.

“Oh, um…” Ironhide said, turning his front wheels towards Road Rage. “I guess, you need a ride?”

“No, thanks.” She said. “I did it before. I should be able to keep it together. I mean, no mods amirite?” Road Rage steeled herself and transformed. She hit the ground harder than intended, misjudging how much weight she’d actually lost.

“Ah, yes.” Convoy opted to try and lift her spirits. “Putting the “auto” in Autobot.” He transformed, landing on six heavily suspended wheels with thick tires, two smokestacks near his rear belched puffs of white smoke that dissipated almost immediately.

“Six wheels.” Road Rage commented. “Kinda reminds me of…” Her engine sputtered.

“Yeah.” Ironhide revved his engine as the five made their way down the street. “All this excitement has kind of taken my mind off of him.”

“Just because you don’t fixate on a lost friend, doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten them.” Convoy said. He noticed Road Rage wasn’t keeping a consistent speed, and her front wheels kept overcompensating for drift. “You’re over-thinking it. Relax.”

“I haven’t been a car in ages.” Road Rage said. “Well, before, you know- point is I’m rusty, okay?”

“I know, that’s why you should relax.” Convoy didn’t pursue the issue.

“Great,” Spiral said. “Now I’m over-thinking it and I‘ll start stuttering. Hate it when that happens.”

“Road Rage, may I ask a question?” Convoy asked.

“Go ahead.”

“What’s that red stripe above your eye?” He said, trying to take her mind of the specifics of driving. “You don’t have racing stripes anywhere else.”

“Oh,” Road Rage said. “That’s, well… Optimus had one similar. It’s my way of keeping a little piece of him with me, you know?”

“Heh, y’know where he got that stripe?” Ironhide commented. “When I got up-close and personal with a supposed-to-be-a-dud grenade in boot camp and received my, ahem, beauty mark, Optimus got that little dash of red on his eyebrow as some kind of token. You know, as a reminder or something. But the best part is he went to get it applied professionally, and I guess whoever was putting it on misinterpreted it as some kind of rank mark and put it down the whole side of his helmet and chin strap. In nano-laminate paint no less! He still gets-” Ironhide choked. “…Got crusty when you’d bring it up.” He lowered a few inches on his suspension. “Yeah, he was a doofus sometimes.”

“He certainly was oblivious.” Botanica said. “I mean, he could be, sometimes. Almost to the point of frustration. I suppose some ‘bots just don‘t pick up on subtlety.”

“Tell em about it.” Ironhide said.

“Optimus sounds like an interesting person,” Convoy added. “If I may be so bold, how did he…?”

“Some piece of rotten detritus named Megatron, and an insane Cyclops called Shockwave.” Road Rage explained. “Shockwave… well, you probably heard of him. He was in the news, but what the tabloids didn’t mentioned was how none of it would’ve happened if Megatron hadn’t meddled.”

“Megatron?” Convoy asked. “No, I don‘t believe he was as broadcast as the purple one.”

“Probably because he was little more than a glorified stooge.” Spiral spat. “Deluded into thinking he was some big shot, he was really kind of pathetic. His own moronic lieutenant dooped him, played the dumb act right under his weird nose.”

“Worse, he somehow convinced other ‘bots to follow him.” Botanica said, turning off the highway, the others following. “Good ‘bots… or at least not horrible ‘bots like Soundwave.”

“Or Strika.” Road Rage said. “She was just loyal, and ended up behind bars for it. And... Wheeljack.”

“What happened to these cretins?” Convoy asked. “Something well deserved, I should hope.”

“Shockwave’s dead, Starscream’s dead.” Ironhide thought. “Good riddance, if you ask me. Strika’s imprisoned, Wheeljack and Soundwave are in the wind-”

“What about Megatron?” Convoy asked.

“Imprisoned in his own body.” Botanica said. “For his unwillingness to accept guilt and the multiple laws broken, he was considered dangerous enough to be forced into “coffin mode” and is decorating a closest as we speak.”

“I heard they let them put their heads away now, if they want.” Spiral mentioned. “Which is more freedom than he deserves.”

“We’re here.” Road Rage said, interrupting the negative conversation. The five transformed and walked towards the elderly assistance home when Road Rage noticed a broken window.

“That wasn’t there before.” Spiral said. They heard shouting, and quickly ran inside. The commotion came from the same room Jetfire had been in last time, and he was there again, wrestling with and shouting at orderlies. He swung his cane like a club as some orderlies moved the other elderly ‘bots from the room, others trying to restrain him.

“You can’t put me back!” Jetfire screamed as he tossed an orderly aside like they were a toy. “I’m allowed out! I’m allowed out!!”

“Jetfire, stop!” Road Rage yelled. More orderlies poured in while one called for police drones. Jetfire held his cane high as it transformed into his sword, slashing at anyone that came near. One orderly would’ve gotten his head lopped off had Road rage not tackled him to safety.

“He’s gone berserk!” The orderly said. “All we did was ask that he transform, it’s routine so the residents don’t seize up, and when he refused we were going to force a conversion and he-” Jetfire threw a table at them, forcing Road Rage to pulled the orderly behind a desk.

“He’s probably having flashbacks to his incarceration-” Botanica said, dodging a chair.

“Decepticons never surrender!” Jetfire kicked an orderly, simultaneously firing the jet in his foot to propelled him down a hallway.

“Sounds like he’s flashing back to more than that!” Spiral transformed and drove under tables to avoid getting sliced by his blade. Jetfire was frantic, but he stopped when he saw Convoy.

“Primal Prime…” He muttered. Convoy was utterly confused. Jetfire lumbered towards him. “We had a deal! You promised me! I did my job, I did-!” He was struck in the face by an exploding shell. Three groups of four Autotroopers stormed in, brandishing thick-barrelled rifles filled with explosive rounds.

“Target is identified as rampant Decepticon.” One trooper said. “We have the green light to neutralize.”

”NO!” Road Rage shoved the lead trooper’s gun away. “He’s not rampant, he’s just-!”

“Ma’am, please-” The trooper shoved her aside. “Protocol is that aggressive A-class Decepticons be neutralized on sight. Stand back and let us-” Road Rage wrenched the trooper’s rifle from his hands and, gripping the barrel, clubbed him over the head with it. He fell in a heap.

“Detain the sympathizer!” Another trooper ordered. Three troopers bore down on her. They brandished stasis cuffs. One grabbed her arm, and she grabbed his, crumpling his armour. She slapped the cuffs on him and pushed him back. Four more troopers advanced, but Ironhide wasted no time clobbering two of them and using their limp bodies to knock the other four down.

“Not letting you have all the fun this time!” Ironhide said. One of the troopers he knocked down held a finger to his temple, manually scanning them all.

“Be advised, sympathizers have been blacklisted in Teletraan‘s database-” The trooper shoved his unconscious comrade aside, as did another. “Bring ‘em all in!” Jetfire, still crazed, swung with his sword in a killing blow to one of the troopers. Road Rage hopped on a table next to him and kicked, pushing him out of the way and herself across the table top, where she spun and caught another trooper in a lock. She waited for the surge of energy that she felt at the bar, the blind aggression that left her shaken now she needed more than ever. But it didn’t come. The trooper struggled as her grip weakened. Convoy grappled with another trooper, and reached for his gun. He grabbed it by the handle and pointed the barrel into the trooper’s midsection.

“No!” Ironhide yelled to him. “No killing! These are Autobots!” Convoy dropped the gun immediately and kicked the trooper over a chair. The melee grew fiercer as troopers fired at Jetfire, the Autobots were unable to disarm them and keep them down. The old robot was losing steam, and struggling to fight back.

“Cease fighting!” A trooper yelled, he held a gun to the back of Botanica’s head, both sets of her hands were up. “Sympathizers surrender, and transform to vehicle mode for immobilization.”

“Don’t do it.” Botanica said, calmly. The trooper pushed the barrel of the gun into the base of her neck to quiet her.

“Jetfire, please…” Road Rage appealed to him. He fell to his knees, weak, and shaking. Still eager to fight, Road Rage placed her hands on his cheeks, trying to get his attention. “It’s alright, we’re here. I’m here, just calm down.” The ex-Decepticon had real fear in his eyes, but Road Rage didn’t let go. He began shaking more, until Ironhide placed a hand on his gigantic shoulder, and he ceased. Then, as if a switch was flipped, Jetfire became docile, and murmured to himself. He looked at Convoy with clarity, and slowly began to stand.

“I said surrender and transform!” The trooper barked orders as Botanica slowly rotated her hip cannons backwards. Just as the trooper spat another order, she shocked him. He convulsed, firing his weapon and grazing her head as she tried to duck. Spiral dived to catch her, sliding across the room to the others. The Autobots were surrounded.

“She’s spazing out again!” Spiral said. “Like before!”

“I hope you brought lots of ammo, punks-” Ironhide stepped forward, placing himself between the troopers and his friends. “Because you’ll literally have to shoot through me to get them.”

“No,” Jetfire said. “I have a better plan.” Road Rage looked with elation as Jetfire was fully lucid. He scooped up one of the troopers weapons and fired it upwards, the ceiling collapsing. In the dust the troopers lost their aim, and Jetfire wrapped himself around the Autobots, literally, and transformed, blasting off through the open roof. The Autobots, cramped inside his cargo hold, held on for dear life as he rocketted through the sky.

“Air support!” One of the troopers barked over the Teletraan comms. A formation of aircraft, Autojetters, bore down on Jetfire, ready to fire. Botanica, packed between Spiral and Convoy, began to regain composure, but was still clutching her head in pain. As the Autojetters closed in, they suddenly lost power, falling from the sky. Botanica let go of her head.

“What just happened?” Spiral said, faced pressed against the external camera’s monitor.

“We had help, from a friend.” Botanica said.

“The mind?” Ironhide asked.

“Yes,” Botanica answered. “They told the Autojetters it was time to reboot. We should be clear of further adversaries if we maintain this speed out of the city.” She held her hand to her head once more. “Oh, and they’re name is ‘Ganymede,’ they never liked ‘the mind.’”

“Huh,” Ironhide was confused. “Okay then.”

“Thanks, Jetfire.” Road Rage said softly.

“Thank you.” Jetfire said. “For not forgetting about me. How did you know I was thinking about you all?”

“Lucky guess.” Road Rage said, choosing not to give the specifics of why they went to visit him.

“I’m not all gone.” Jetfire said. “There’s a lot of me left, it just gets… lost.” There was and uncomfortable silence in the cargo hold. “Speaking of, any particular destination?” Botanica looked to Road Rage and gave a silent nod.

“Yeah,” Road Rage said. “North.”

 

Chapter Ten: Personal Space​

Ruiner yelped as the door buckled. Whatever was on the outside wanted in badly, and wasn’t going to let a reinforced door stop it. It began clawing at the hinges, the piercing sound of something extremely sharp scraping against it’s steel surface was enough to cause feedback in Optimus’ audio receptors. He and Ruiner sat huddled in the corner, trying to come up with a plan of action.

“Okay, so when it breaks down the door, we rush it-” Ruiner whispered. “Like, that’s the last thing it’ll expect, right? And it can’t catch us both, so whoever escapes can rescue the other.”

“What if it’s so big we can’t fit past?” Optimus whispered with a tone that implied shouting. “Also, what if it caught me? Would you rescue me?”

“’Course I would!” Ruiner said. “I mean, I’d try my best. Give it the old Templar try-”

“We’re dead if we just sit here-” Optimus began running his fingers over the wall. “Look for a loose joint. A crease, or a vent or, I dunno, something!” They both frantically searched for any sort of gap or seam that could give them an escape, but the constant assault on the door was making it difficult to focus. They kept searching, and were about to break down when a voice made them freeze.

“God damn, what is this door made of? Super metal?” A muffled voice came from behind the door. Optimus and Ruiner were motionless, then Ruiner began to turn his head.

“Don’t, don’t, don’t…!” Optimus whispered, holding up his hands.

“Hello?” Ruiner called out, Optimus slammed his hands into his face. Optimus counted his spark pulsate, and a full ten beats later a reply came.

“Ummm… hi.” The muffled voice replied.

“Why are you talking to it?” Optimus asked.

“Shhh!” Ruiner smacked him in the shoulder.

“You ‘shhh!’” Optimus smacked him back.

“What-” Ruiner ineffectively slapped Optimus repeatedly. “What do you, uh… who are you and what do you want?”

“Oh, uh…” The voice said. It briefly spoke to itself too softly to hear through the door. “I can’t tell you that, sorry.”

“Tell us what?” Optimus asked.

“Who I am.”

“But what do you want?”

“Oh right-” The mystery voice said. “I, um… I gotta kill ya. Sorry.”

“Well, no…” Ruiner said. “No, you can’t do that.”

“Yeah, sorry, but we can’t really let you do that.” Optimus said. “Again, sorry. Actually, no, not sorry. I feel like we’re the reasonable ones in this situation.”

“Well I mean, you’re trespassing.” Said the voice. “I’m just defending our territory.”

“’Our’ territory?” Optimus said. He heard the voice curse to itself.

“Listen, I got your S.O.S.,” Said the voice. “If you guys are in trouble I can, like, put you out of your misery?”

“We’re not miserable!” Ruiner said. “Well, we are, but we’d be miserable regardless-”

“We didn’t mean to trespass, we crashed,” Optimus explained. “We just want to reach civilization. We’ll leave your territory right now if you can show us the way.”

“Nah, sorry-” The voice continued. “You’ve seen me. I can’t let you live.”

“No we haven’t!” Optimus said.

“But you will if I let you leave.” The voice said.

“We’ll keep our eyes closed!” Ruiner said. “Oh, or, you go hide in a snow bank and give us directions on where to go.”

“I’m not doing that.” The voice said.

“We have a map!” Optimus said. “If you leave, we’ll leave all by ourselves.”

“Oh, you have a map?” The voice said. “Well, now I really gotta kill you. There’s not supposed to be any maps leading to here left.”

“Nice one.” Ruiner said to Optimus.

“’Go hide in a snow bank,’” Optimus mocked Ruiner. “Like seriously he’s gonna go bury himself in snow.”

“Alright, enough of this-” The voice said. “I don’t care if I get reprimanded, I’m blasting this stupid door down-”

“Ruiner, fire!” Optimus grabbed Ruiner’s weapon pods and pointed them towards the door. A flank of missiles streaked forward, blowing the door out along with their would-be assailant. The two Autobots sprinted with renewed energy, leaping into the air, transforming, and plummeting into the snow.

“Oh, right.” Ruiner said as they both transformed back.

“Hey, at least the storm has stopped.” Optimus shrugged.

“Oh, don’t worry-” The familiar voice came from a snow bank. The door with tossed aside, and a very large, beefy, white mechanical creature rose up from the bank. It had long, blood red claws, and a mouth filled with razor sharp teeth. It was nearly half times larger than the two of them put together, and it had wings. “There’s a storm coming alright.”

“That’s a polar bear!” Optimus pointed in disbelief. “You’re literally a polar bear, with wings!” He looked at Ruiner. “It’s a winged polar bear!”

“How do you know what a polar bear is?” It said. “Did you… are you one of the-?” Ruiner grabbed a wad of snow and threw it at the bear creature, missing it.

“I meant to throw that in your face but-” Ruiner said. “Yeah. Was gonna run away and…” The bear roared and charged, the wings folding away into it’s body. Optimus quickly pulled his cable out and dived to the side of it’s charge, looping the cable around it’s neck. It took off, dragging Optimus behind it. Ruiner switched to his machine guns and fired, the bullets cleanly missing the bear but nearly perforating Optimus.

“Don’t aim where it is, aim where it’s going to be!” Optimus criticized through a mouth full of snow. The creature stopped dead in it’s tracks, sending Optimus hurtling over it. Ruiner ceased firing.

“I’m out!” He yelled. The bear charged, swiping with it’s massive claws, and sent Ruiner flying into a snow bank. It reared up on it’s hind legs and roared, Ruiner helpless to stop it. Optimus lassoed it’s legs with his cable and pulled it’s feet out from it, the monster hitting hard on the ground. He leapt over it, stomping on it’s head whilst doing so, and hoisted Ruiner by the arm. The two Autobots took off in full sprint as the bear cut itself free.

“We can’t outrun it-” Ruiner wheezed. “We can’t out-drive it in this terrain, and we can’t beat it, not in our shape.”

“So we have to outsmart it.” Optimus said. “I mean, he doesn’t sound like a super smart guy. Maybe we can trick him into falling into a pit?”

“There’s a cliff twenty kliks thataway-” Ruiner pointed off ahead of them. “But doesn’t he have wings, though?”

“An avalanche!” Optimus said, leaping over a rock. “If we can get him over the cliff, maybe we can blow out the edge of it and bury him before he can fly to safety!”

“Just one problem-” Ruiner looked behind him. A dark shadow fell over the two. “He’s already flying!”

“Welp, so much for that-” Optimus and Ruiner skidded to a halt. The bear was now above them, having traded it’s claws for talons, it’s forelegs for wings, and it’s teeth for a beak.

“Can Earth bears do that?” Ruiner asked.

“That’s not a bear, that’s an owl.” Optimus said. “He’s like some kind of triple-changing… animal thing! Made of creatures from Earth.”

“Okay, seriously-” The owl said. “How do you know about Earth?” It landed in the snow.

“I lived there for years-” Optimus said. “And I saw a bear once. It was pretty cute. Not giant and freaky like you.”

“Then you-!” The owl said. “You’re the one! Ha!” The creature transformed back into a bear, before transforming into a broad-shouldered robot with a smooth, alien-like head. “This’ll get me out the proverbial dog house for sure.” He stood at least three heads higher than both of them, and though Optimus thought such a thing impossible, his claws were even longer in robot mode. “I’m Icebird, and you are my golden ticket into the boss’s good graces.”

“Heh, Icebird,” Ruiner said. “’Cuz he’s a… and also a bear and, yeah. That’s great I mean, just great. I shoulda called myself 'Bluecar' really.”

“I would take offence to that.” Icebird shrugged. “But I think the catharsis of rending you limb from limb will take the sting away.” Icebird lashed out at Ruiner, who dodged just as the claws cut through the air he occupied and minced a rock behind him. Ruiner’s face was flushed when he saw the cleanly cut boulder behind him, and bolted away to avoid more attacks. Optimus leapt onto Icebird’s back, holding himself low enough that the bulky adversary couldn’t reach him. Ruiner sprinted towards them and leapt, Optimus dropped down into a ball, and Ruiner landed a flying kick to trip Icebird over him. The move worked, and Icebird landed hard.

“Smash his stupid face in!” Ruiner yelled. He and Optimus hoisted rocks, including the pieces of the one Icebird decimated, and pelted him. Icebird covered his face from the barrage, and transformed into his owl mode, knocking the two away with his wings. He blew a wave of snow towards them with a single wing beat, and as they reeled, transformed into a bear and tackled them, a powerful claw firmly pressed on their heads.

“To be entirely honest-” Icebird squeezed their heads into the ground. “I didn’t really want to kill you. Well, the dark blue guy yeah because he’s an ass, but not you, Optimus. I don’t consider myself a violent person. But what we’re doing is simply too important to be discovered. That’s what the boss says, and what boss says goes. So, yeah. Goodbye.”

“Not-” Optimus fought against the pressure. “Not- just- yet!” He tucked his legs up and wrapped them around Icebird’s arm, and his arms around his wrist. He bent his body enough for the limb to bend enough that, with the slick ice and snow below him, caused Icebird to tip over. But Optimus didn’t let go, and kept himself coiled around the bear’s limb, bending it against the joint until something popped. Icebird roared and fell back from the sprain. Optimus released and fell to the snow, totally exhausted. Ruiner took the opportunity and punched Icebird as hard as he could. He kicked the bear in it’s sprained joint, breaking it, and kept attacking any possible weak point the could to keep the monster stunned as long as possible. But Icebird returned to robot mode and effortlessly smacked him away with his good arm. Optimus was completely immobile, the cold and lack of energy combined with his injuries could no longer be fought off, and he felt himself losing consciousness.

“You just had to go and make it hard on yourselves-” Icebird said. “Now look at you. I would’ve made it… made it… ...I... quick…” Icebird’s eyes glazed over and he fell to his knees, and eventually face-first into the snow. Behind him stood a tall, dark robot with yellow eyes sunken into a shadowed face. They knelt down and retrieved a pronged weapon for Icebird’s neck.

“He’ll reboot soon,” The figure said. “We have to hurry.”

“Would it be cliché…” Optimus whispered. “If I asked who you are?”

“Only if it’s not cliché for me to say I’m just a good Samaritan who happened to catch your SOS?” They said, Optimus could tell from their voice they were a female, and remarkably, almost unnervingly placid. The dark robot took a small cord tipped with a prong from her large backpack. “I don’t normally jump-start strangers, but you seem like you’re seeing dead relatives already.” She opened his chest panel and touched the prong to his power cells, and the jolt instantly woke Optimus. He spasmed and leapt to his feet, shaking and eager to do literally anything.

“You’re welcome,” She said. Optimus could now see she was black and grey, with a purple face mask, the previously seen yellow eyes, and more than a few visible weapons. “Now let’s go.”

“Wait, we need to grab Ruiner! He’s my friend, but not really- But I don’t hate him. We only just met but-” Optimus pointed frantically past her to Ruiner’s slumped body in the snow. “We need to save him, too!”

“Ruiner?” She said. She walked over to the unconscious Autobot and reeled back with dramatic frustration. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” She gripped between her eyes and paused at what Optimus assumed was contemplation over whether or not to help him.

“Well, if you won’t, I will-” Optimus took a step towards him.

“No,” She said. “I’ll… ugh.” She sighed. “Here, grab his left arm.” The two each draped one of Ruiner’s arms over them. “This way. My ship is concealed just beyond this ridge.” They hoisted Ruiner together and began walking.

“Thank you, by the way.” Optimus said. “Sorry. My manners subroutine was slow to reboot.”

“Don’t mention it.” She said. “Really, don’t. I’m going to want to suppress this memory as hard as I can.” Optimus didn’t know what she meant, but didn’t press the issue, and continued slogging through the snow.

 

Hmmm...seems the new bot and Ruiner may have a history. Will we find out who Boss is and what the big deal that is being hidden?

 

I'd be pretty disappointed myself if we didn't!

 

I'm hoping it's Nightbird....really hoping its her

 

I really wasn't expecting Icebird to appear. Looking forward to finding out who the boss is and what Nightbird's relationship to Ruiner is.

 

yay

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter Eleven: Unsubtle​

“Put him over their, next to the monitors.” The black robot said, nodding to an alcove in her ship as she and Optimus hoisted Ruiner onboard. “He’s been thrown into the snow too much, there’s ice packed in his servos.”

“It’ll melt, though, right?” Optimus asked. The black ‘bot opened Ruiner’s chest plate. His insides were mangled.

“It’s a good thing it didn’t.” She said. “The carbon dioxide snow stopped these circuits from catching fire when they overloaded. I’ll need to replace them.” She stuffed her hand in a drawer and pulled out a handful on nondescript cylinders. She dropped one in Optimus’ hand. “The jumpstart I did will have burned out your power cell-” She said, offering a replacement. “There’s also some fuel in the back.”

“Thanks again.” Optimus said.

“Again, don’t.” She said. “I’m just doing what’s right, even if I’m gonna regret it.” She sighed. Optimus didn’t press the matter. As he refuelled he examined the inside of the ship. He didn’t get a good look from outside, but the space inside suggested it was long range, maybe even designed for space. He wanted desperately to ask her to take him to the nearest city. Hell, he wanted her to personally deliver him to the doorstep of the old pawn shop he hoped Ironhide had taken. But he waited, trying to be courteous to the ‘bot that saved their lives, but he’d already waited so long. He missed them, and worse, he didn’t know the specifics of after he ‘died’ like if the Decepticons had attacked again. The uncertainty made his insides tense up, and he ground his wheels against his break pads in frustration. He walked back towards Ruiner and the black ‘bot.

“I’m Optimus.” He said. She didn’t answer. He waited, thinking she may have been too busy, and said it again. “My name is Optimus.”

“I heard you the first time.” She said.

“Yeah, I was introducing myself.” he said.

“My name-” She began but stopped, pausing briefly. “Call me Nightbird.”

“Heh,” Optimus chuckled. “We just got finished fighting an Icebird. Any relation?”

“No.” She said.

“Just as well, he was a literal bird. A giant owl.”

“A what?”

“It’s a bird, it’s… never mind.” Optimus said. He nodded at Ruiner. “He gonna wake up anytime soon?”

“Can’t say.” She stood up. “He took a big hit to the head.”

“What if he’s brain damaged?” Optimus wondered.

“Trust me, there’s nothing to get damaged.” She crossed her arms.

“You, uh,” Optimus asked. “You know him?”

“Unfortunately.”

“What a coincidence.” Optimus said. “A lucky, welcome coincidence, but still-”

“Unlikely.” Nightbird said.

“I- what? I don’t understand.” Optimus said.

“Ask him.” Nightbird nodded to Ruiner. “I’m going to warm the ship up.” She walked past. Optimus stared at Ruiner, knelt down, and tried to wake him. He snapped his fingers in his face, an eventually decided to just slap him awake.

“What? What! What is it what?” Ruiner woke.

“Your friend saved us.” Optimus said.

“My… friend?” Ruiner rubbed his face.

“Nightbird. She saved us, saved you.” Optimus’ face was steeled. “Awful big coincidence. Us happening to crash not far from her.”

“Nightbird’s here?” Ruiner asked, sitting up. Optimus placed a firm hand on his shoulder, stopping him from standing.

“Did you intentionally bring us here, to the north pole?” Optimus accused. “Did you crash us here, maroon us here, on purpose so you could find your friend?”

“I don’t know what you’re-” Ruiner began.

“Did you!?” Optimus slammed his hand into the wall. “Did you crash us here instead of taking me home!? Did you just ignore the fact that I have friends of my own? You could’ve taken me home, then gone off yourself! Why!? Why did you almost kill us? Why did you almost kill me?”

“Look…” Ruiner held up his hands. “I know you’re upset. I would be, too. But what I did, I did for the noblest of reasons…”

“What?” Optimus said.

“True love?” He said. Optimus sat, practically throwing himself on the ground, and grabbed his head.

“You are the biggest loser I have ever met.” Optimus groaned. “Whatever. You know what? Whatever. We’re safe now, that’s all that matters. Nightbird’s gonna take us home, and everything is gonna be fine.”

“I’m not taking you home.” Nightbird said, walking up to them. Ruiner leapt to his feet, arms out.

“Nightbird, babe-!” Ruiner squealed as Nightbird slapped him repeatedly.

“You!” She explained. “Ruiner! Ruiner! How dare you show your face in our territory again, and bringing an outsider!? Ruiner!” He covered his face to block her attack, and scrambled behind Optimus for safety.

“Hah! Joke’s on you! I like that name now.” Ruiner said, receiving another slap for his defiance, this time from Optimus who didn't want to get between them just yet.

“I told you never to come back!” She pointed at him.

“After you saved my life!” Ruiner pointed back.

“After you… destroyed mine!” She tried to slap him again, but Optimus stood between them, feeling they'd had enough.

“Shut up both of you!” He said. He turned to Ruiner. “You sit down and be quiet,” He turned to Nightbird. “You! Why can’t you take me home?”

“It’s not permitted.” Nightbird said. “I aid and send wayward travellers away. I can take you down the mountain, to fairer weather. You can find your own way back yourself.”

“But why?” Optimus pleaded. “Please. I didn’t travel here, this… idiot crashed us here.”

“Yes, I figured as much.” Nightbird said. Ruiner sat, legs and arms crossed, looking away.

“My point is I’m not fit to travel.” Optimus tried to calm himself. “Please. A lift to the nearest spaceport. I’m not asking you to fly me across the planet, just where I can hitch a ride of my own.”

“I can take you down the mountain.” Night bird repeated. “Even if the situation were not as grave as it is, that’s the best I could do. But first I have to retrieve that creature. It’s an interloper, and their may be more.”

“There is.” Ruiner said. “Fuzzy-wuzzy mentioned having a boss. Let me guess, the old ‘bot put you out in the sticks as punishment?”

“I am out in the wilderness to patrol and defend our territory.” Nightbird said. “I’m to meditate whilst I do so. Clear my mind.”

“For how long?” Ruiner leaned forward. “How long has your precious teacher ordered you stay out in the cold?”

“A year.” Nightbird admitted.

“Ha!” Ruiner laughed. “You really think he’s doing anything but punishing you?”

“It’s because of you I’m even being punished!” Nightbird said. “And why have you returned, anyway?”

“Well…” Ruiner’s gaze fell to the floor. “I wanted to-”

“Shut up.” Nightbird held up a finger to her ear. “New contact. Coming in fast.”

“What?” Optimus asked. Nightbird pushed past them both to the rear of the ship. She sat down at a console.

“It’s a ship.” Nightbird said. “Small, but reading multiple energy signatures. Several Autobots, and… a Decepticon. I think.”

“You think?” Optimus asked. “You can’t tell?”

“It’s a small ship, all the signatures are densely packed.” Nightbird said. “I can’t tell how many. It’s closing in, fast.” Optimus ran to the front of the ship, nearly tripping over Ruiner who ran alongside him. They stuffed their faces over the flight controls to peer out the front window. Optimus scanned the skies. They were hazy, cloudy, but it wasn’t snowing. He spotted a small dot in the sky. He clambered back down and searched the console for a zoom feature. A digital zoom appeared din the windscreen, and he furiously tapped the enhancer until the dot was blown up 200 times. It’s shape was unmistakable.

“Jetfire…” Optimus whispered. He felt a wave of emotion hit him, but frantically snapped out of it. “Hail that ship!” He ordered Nightbird.

“I’m already instructing them to turn around.” Nightbird said, unimpressed with his tone. She muttered to herself. “How can this be? There’s precautions.”

“Actually yeah, that‘s a good point…” Ruiner said, face still against the glass. “Templar usually has techno nonsense to stop ships from entering it’s airspace.” He shrugged. “Welp, the anti-air guns will take care of them.”

“What?” Optimus said. “No! Get them to land towards us!” He paused, just now noticing Ruiner’s words. “Wait, what anti-air guns!?”

“The Night’s Templar is a secret mountain cult of deadly ninjas trained since protoformation to be the deadliest assassins to preserve the secrets of our history.” Ruiner gasped and covered his face plate. “Oops.”

“I hate you.” Nightbird said, clutching her brow. “I hate you so much. And you wonder why you were exilled.” Optimus was dumbfounded, but ignored the ramblings. All he wanted was to warn his friends.

“Tell them to turn around and come this way!” Optimus was pleading now. “Please!”

“Too late.” Ruiner said, pointing out the window. A streak of fire shot towards Jetfire from the ground, hitting him, and causing the shuttle to fall from the sky in a fireball. Optimus screamed in horror. He frantically worked the controls, trying to get the ship they were in to fly. Nightbird pulled Ruiner away and sat in the chair opposite Optimus.

“That won’t work, you need to be Nighted to fly stealth ships.” She eased the ship off the ground and hit the accelerator, Optimus was thrust back into his seat while Ruiner fell backwards. “That wasn’t one of our anti-air guns.” She said even quieter. “I’m not a monster.” Their ship lurched to avoid a rock face and sped towards the falling shuttle.

“What are you doing?” Ruiner asked, dragging himself to the front. Nightbird said nothing, she merely kept focus. Their ship angled underneath Jetfire who was still burning, and Nightbird lined them up. She eased on the throttle and nosed up, attempting to break the Decepticon’s fall. There was a loud clang as the two vessels collided, and she strained to keep their ship steady so Jetfire wouldn’t merely slide off to either side.

“It’s not working!” She said. “It’s slipping!” Optimus looked around the inside of their ship, and noticed two roof hatches near either side.

“Ruiner!” Optimus said. “You take the right side hatch, I’ll take left.”

“What?” Ruiner asked. Optimus pulled his tow cable from behind his back.

“Good thing I have spares.” Optimus made the motion with his hand. Ruiner nodded, and they each took to a hatch. Optimus climbed the ladder to it and opened the hatch, pulling himself halfway out. Jetfire’s smouldering shuttle mode was clattering against the hull. “Jetfire! If you can hear me, hold on!” Optimus ducked into the ship again. “Ready?” Ruiner gave the thumbs up, and the two climbed out onto the hull. Optimus hooked his feet around the lip of the hatch, as did Ruiner, and held his cable by the hook. He and Ruiner reached over Jetfire, and Optimus attempted to pass the hook to him. He stretched his arms as far as they could, Ruiner’s fingers just feet away. Optimus strained and eventually Ruiner grabbed the hook the two ducking back inside. Ruiner gave Optimus his hook back, and he wrapped it around his waist. He retracted, slamming into the roof of the ship whilst tying Jetfire to the hull.

“We’re good!” Ruiner yelled to Nightbird. She began to climb, Optimus being constricted against his own lifeline as Jetfire lurched side to side, but was still secure. The ship was shaking violently, and they were still going too fast. The hull of the ship dented at the lip of the hatches as Jetfire pulled at the cable, Optimus holding each end.

“Brace yourselves.” Nightbird said.

“Covered!” Optimus coughed. Ruiner held on to the ladder rungs. The ship lurched hard as it skipped off the snowy ground. It skipped two more times, collided with a hill, and scrapped against the ground. Optimus felt like he was about to be bisected when he saw his cable was being eaten away by the cornered edge of the hatch. Before he could react it snapped, and he was sucked from the ship. He freefell through the air and landed in the snow bank as both ships crashed hard into the ground yards away. Optimus lay face up in the snow, he could tell he had been damaged, but ignored it. He wasted no time, sat up, untied his cable, and sprinted towards Jetfire.

“No…” He muttered. “No, no..” He stood in the wake of the crash site. Jetfire’s shuttle form was buried nose-first in dirt and snow, and Optimus rushed up to it. “Jetfire!” He yelled. ‘Jetfire, it’s me! Optimus!”

“Optimus…” A voice came from the shuttle, but it was Jetfire’s. Optimus climbed onto his wing and placed his hands on the roof hatch, prying it apart. He opened it and a hand came out, Optimus took it and pulled. It was Ironhide.

“Optimus…?” Ironhide said. He shook his, head, and his eyes widened bigger than Optimus had ever seen before. “Optimus!”

“Hey buddy,” Optimus said, smiling. “What’s up?” Ironhide was beside himself, but quickly remembered the others.

“Help me!” He said, and the two Autobots pulled the others out. Botanica was next, then Spiral. Optimus pulled Road Rage out, she was dizzy from the crash. She barely said a word before seeing Optimus, and could form any words. Optimus himself was silent, too, as were Botanic and Spiral. Road Rage held her hands up, searching for the words. Before she or anyone else could say anything, Jetfire slowly stood up, and likewise was stunned to see Optimus, who was thrilled that Jetfire was seemingly alright. He remembered now how much pain he was in from the fall and fell to his knees, than into a sitting position. Road Rage, sat down beside him, as did everyone else, and they all placed a hand on him. Optimus leaned forward, pulling them all in for a huddle.

“I’m so happy.” Botanica said. “I can’t… I can’t even describe.”

“Me, too.” Ironhide added.

“I missed you so much.” Road Rage said. “So… so much.”

“You came back.” Jetfire muttered. “ I knew you would. I felt it.”

“Yeah, same.” Ruiner said, arms around Road Rage and Ironhide.

“Uh…” Road Rage whispered. “Who is this guy?”

“Hey, don’t spoil the moment.” Ruiner said, clutching them closer. “Yeah... Group hug. I like it.”

“A truly miraculous reunion.” A voice came from behind them. “But then, I never believed you were dead.” The Autobots looked up past the crater, towards Nightbird’s ship. Standing on top of it was a massive, black beast.

“What is that thing?” Spiral asked.

“That’s it!” Botanica said. “That’s what attacked me!” She was cut off by a plum of fire shooting fro the creature’s mouth. The Autobots scattered to avoid it, Jetfire picking up Road Rage and Optimus and blocking the flames with his large wings, Ironhide and Spiral dove into the snow bank. Ruiner dodged another jet of flame and looked up at the wrecked ship the creature stood on.

“Nightbird?” He asked, concern wavering in his voice.

“That’s the thing that stole the gany-thing?” Spiral asked.

“Ganymede.” Botanica said. The creature leaped over them, large wings carrying it clear past their crash site, fire pouring down on them once more. “Except it didn’t have wings back then!”

“I was still growing.” It said, it’s voice was deep and animalistic. “It’s a humbling process I’m sure you’ll all appreciate in time.” Botanica fired her cannons at the monster, but once again they were useless.

“This is a wordy little critter, ain’t it?” Ironhide said, hefting a large boulder, he threw the boulder at the creature, but it flew away.

“Typical Ironhide.” It said. “I know there’s a brain in there somewhere. You could always try using it.”

“Do we know you?” Optimus asked.

“Is it not obvious?” The creature said, landing before them. It was mechanical, but animal-like, and Optimus saw the texture of it’s armour was similar to Icebird’s. It was black with grey and teal details, it’s tail was long, and it carried itself with a lumbering hunch. Two beady red eyes looked at each one of them, an expression of malice behind them. “I guess it has been a while.” The creature stood up, but more than that, transformed. Though larger, winged, and far more animalistic looking, the robot was unmistakable. Botanica stood, mouth agape, and muttered in fear and amazement.

“Scourge.”

 

AWWW HELL YEAH!!!
HE'S ALIVE!!!  

Man good too see this evil bastard is still kicking.....want Soundwave now

 

I had a feeling he was going to turn out to be the beast. Would love to see his new design soon. I take it he's a dragon like his Cybertron counterpart?

 

I've actually had his design finished since before I did... Megatron I think. But that's discussion for a different thread. :3

 

Chapter Twelve: Please Don't Feed The Animals​

“What happened to you?” Optimus asked Scourge, staring slack-jawed at his new body. “You’re really… metal, all of a sudden.”

“Trust me,” Scourge said, turning to face him. His massive wings made him seem even larger than he already was. The Autobots kept their distance. “This transformation was anything but sudden. Truth be told, I’m not quite finished.”

“Seems pretty finished to me.” Road Rage said. “I don’t remember you being quite that strong.”

“I’m glad you’re all here, especially you, Optimus.” Scourge said, ignoring her and pointing to him. “I found your apparent passing unsatisfying, especially in the wake of my revelation. Though earlier than expected, fate is apparently validating my plan by putting the pieces into place for me. How fortuitous.”

“Oh yeah, that’s Scourge.” Ironhide commented. “Only ‘bot I’ve ever met who makes me want to smack ‘em silly just by the way they talk.”

“I’m just wondering: where did his tail go?” Spiral mused. “I can see everything except that, I’ve got it all mapped out in my head, but I lost track of the tail.”

“Why don’t we get a closer look and find out?” Ironhide said, leaping at Scourge. Scourge swung to grab Ironhide by the arm, but the Autobot twisted at the last moment, kicking him in the gut. Scourge was unfazed, and grabbed Ironhide with both arms and pitching him towards Spiral, the two colliding and falling into the snow.

“You took Ganymede.” Botanica stared him down. Scourge’s features were as ever twisted into a permanent scowl, but his eyes seemed oddly empathetic to her.

“I did.” He said. “Though I wasn’t aware he had named himself.” Scourge looked disappointed. “Seems our measure of trust still leaves some to be desired.”

“What do you want?” Optimus asked, relaxing himself and standing tall. He wanted Scourge’s attention all to him.

“I want a planet I can be proud of.” Scourge said. “I want Cybertron to be an example of peaked evolution. A future that sees us living in true harmony and peace. You have sampled but a rough sketch of that in me and Icebird.”

“Peace?” Road Rage said. “Are we sure this is Scourge?”

“I’ve had an epiphany.” Scourge thought a moment. “No, let’s say I’ve been converted. To the side of the natural order.” He began walking towards the edge of the crater, his footfalls heavy enough to make everyone tense up. “It is the Decepticon cause to assert our dominance. But in order to dominate, we’ve always needed those below us to be weaker.” Scourge gestured to them all. “That is the natural order, yes? The strong consume the weak. Hardly a mentally taxing concept, would you not agree?” He picked up a jagged piece of metal from Nightbird’s ship and examined it, continuing his speech. “But something happened to me after my defeat at your hands. I realised you’re not weak. No, you’re smaller, unassuming. You certainly look weak, but I still lost, and so did Megatron, and Shockwave, and Starscream. We who were supposedly so strong, so cunning, lost to the average. The only logical conclusion: you’re not average.” Scourge held the piece of metal, twisting it with his bare hands into a flatter, smoother shape. “I realised strength is not the size of your body, your alternate form, your weapon of choice or even your heritage. Strength of spark, that was the only conclusion.” Scourge pulled the metal taught, straightening it, until it looked like an arrow shape. “I wandered. I schemed my return, but it all felt like I was making an excuse for my failure. Then I found others like me. Nomads of the mountains, warriors without a war to fight, left trekking endlessly, and they showed me the truth about our history.” Scourge suddenly sidearmed the metal fragment past the Autobots up towards a rocky outcropping where it struck Convoy, who had just been poised to ambush Scourge. He fell, the metal embedded in his side. Convoy ignited rockets in his feet, stopping his fall, and fired from his right hand a ball of energy. Scourge leapt towards him, coiling himself in the air and emerging in his beast form, grabbing Convoy in his jaws and tossing him to the ground. Scourge landed on him, keeping one foot on the Autobot’s chest.

“Stay down.” Scourge advised. He turned back to the Autobots, specifically Botanica. “You, a ‘bot of science. Have you heard the theory of how the spark worked in our ancient ancestors?”

“I-I have,” Botanica was caught off guard by the question. “The theory that, millions of years ago, the animating force of an avergae Cybertronian's spark was greater, and could support more complex transformations. Rather than rearranging parts into static alternate forms, ancient Cybertronians had two or more fully animated forms that they called upon to increase endurance.”

“Indeed they did.” Scourge said, transforming back into robot mode. “In order to survive, Transformers relied on multiple forms to tackle our hostile, primordial world. Nowadays we call them alternate modes, and refer to anything such as mine as a beast mode. But back then, they were not distinguished. In fact, it’s commonly postulated that our robot forms, the ones we use now as our root forms, were the “alternate” mode used to implement tools and evolve intelligence.”

“It’s a controversial theory.” Botanica added. “Mostly because no fossils or ancestors exist from that period to give us any more detail.”

“And because it benefits society to live in ignorance.” Scourge said, accusingly. “Better to not think of an answer than to accept one you don’t like. What you’ve left out, and what I have discovered, is that it is weakness. Real, deep-seeded weakness, that has made the Cybertronians of today. As our sparks grew weaker, so did we lose our ability to animate more intricate forms. Forms like mine. So we supplemented them with increasingly less demanding ones. And as said forms became less practical, so we began to trivialize them. We discovered how to replace them, alter them. An entire half of our body rendered incompatible with daily life beyond mundane acts of transportation.”

“Primus wept.” Ruiner said, throwing his head back in a slouch. He stared at Scourge. “Does this thing ever shut up? Like I was kind of listening, because I was scared he’d bite me or something, but now I’m seeing all he does is spout hot air in either mode. Tell ya what, you take him from behind, I’ll fill him with AP rounds until he stops squirming.”

“Who…” Optimus leaned in to Ruiner. “Are you talking to me?”

“Nah,” Ruiner winked. “I’m talkin’ to her.” Nightbird burst from the snow below Scourge, a blade in either hand, and stabbed him in the chest. He staggered back, Convoy pushing the foot that had kept him pinned, and Scourge fell onto his back. Ruiner opened fire with his machine guns, Scourge using his wing to block them. As if snapped out of a trance, the other Autobots charged in.

“Coordinated attacks!” Optimus commanded. “Rush ‘em, but don’t pile on! Split his focus and keep moving!” The Autobots followed his instructions, Road Rage diving under him and punching Scourge repeatedly in the back. When he turned to swipe at her, Ironhide brought both fists down on his knee. He fell, and Spiral leapt onto his back, getting him in a leg lock and attempting to put him face-first into the ground. He transformed, knocking her off and using his massive wins to knock the nearby Autobots aside. Ruiner used the opening to fire a volley of missiles, but Scourge burned them away, and would have done the same to him, had Road Rage not tackled him to safety.

“Didn’t you hear the “keep moving” part?” Road Rage asked.

“My my,” Ruiner said. “I wasn’t aware Op's kept such pleasant company.”

“What?” Road Rage dragged him to his feet and the two sprinted in time to dodge another fireball.

“The name’s Ruiner, and I’ve recently become available.” He said.

“This seems like a very inappropriate time for this conversation!” Road Rage said. “Also, not interested!” She and Ruiner continued sprinting through the snow, unable to use their low-riding vehicle modes in this terrain. “I hate to say it, but lizard-brain has a point. Kinda wish I was a cool dragon now and not a- a-” Road Rage tripped in her stride, her expression blank. She grabbed Ruiner by the arm and threw him backwards, towards the flame. Ruiner slipped on the snow and fell right into the fire. Road Rage regained her senses and watched in horror as Ruiner was consumed, then relief as she saw Optimus pull him right through the fire with his tow cable, Ruiner only partially singed, but intact. Optimus gave her a concerned look. The inferno stopped when the remaining Autobots were swarming Scourge, who now needed to stay airborne to escape them. Nightbird tried to take him down with a barrage of throwing stars. They tore at Scourge’s wings, but he stayed in the air, until Jetfire grabbed him by the tail and pulled him down, slamming the Decepticon into the hard ground. Scourge transformed, and pulled from his back his Sword of Fury, Jetfire only barely managing deploy his own sword from his cane to block it.

“There’s still fire left in you, Decepticon.” Scourge said. “You may look old, but not even the cruel yoke of time can bind such a fighting spirit. No one who has killed as much as you have can just forget.” Jetfire said nothing, he only pushed Scourge away, but fell to one knee, shaking as he struggled to stand. Scourge continued. “Not your body, not your weapon, not even your mind, but your spark. That is true strength, and my, what a fiery spark you have.” Optimus, Ironhide, Spiral and Convoy all rushed him at once, and managed to pin Scourge down to his knees. Nightbird charged, drawing a sword from her backpack, and was poised for a killing blow. Scourge roared with determination as he shook the Autobots free, but couldn’t avoid taking a sword strike to his side. The blade embedded itself halfway into his gut, and he quickly knocked Nightbird aside, pulling the sword out. He clutched the wound, but stood.

“Not yet-!” Optimus grabbed Scourge by the collar, trying to pull him down. Scourge retaliated by grabbing him by the neck and hoisted him into the air.

“I am not your enemy.” Scourge said. “I am here to help you, to free you. I want to save you all, save all who are worthy, from a world that breeds ignorance and weakness.” Optimus grabbed Scourge by the horns, futilely trying to free himself from the death grip. “Don’t you see? I’ve changed, Optimus.”

“You haven’t changed at all.” Optimus wrapped his legs around Scourge’s arm and used his full body weight to pull himself down. Scourge’s grip loosened, and Optimus broke free. The Autobots had Scourge surrounded again. “You’re still a selfish prick who bullies anyone who doesn’t agree with him. Only difference is now you think you‘re doing it for a good reason.”

“We’ll see.” Scourge said, transforming into his dragon form. “You’ll all see, soon enough.” With on beat of his wings he kicked up all the snow around them, blinding the Autobots as he took off. Optimus tried to see which direction he went, but couldn’t make out much between the clouds above and the snow in his eyes.

“What a punk.” Ironhide said. “I especially like his whole ‘strong body doesn’t matter’ spiel while he’s sportin’ a gigantic tank of a beast mode.”

“His base must be nearby.” Botanica said. “He wouldn’t have left Ganymede unattended.”

“Plus, he mentioned having others like him.” Optimus said. “I’ve already seen one, a triple-changer with Earth animal modes. He must’ve gotten them from Scourge… somehow, we’ll have to-” Optimus looked down to see Road Rage’s arms wrapped around him, followed shortly by Ironhide.

“Keep talking, we can hug and listen at the same time.” She said.

“That’s what I’m talking about-!” Ruiner approached, arms wide open.

“No-” Road Rage pointed at him. “Stay back. This is a family group hug.”

“Awww, what? I’m not family?” Ruiner looked to Optimus. Optimus didn’t say anything.

“I think introductions are needed, on both sides.” Botanica said. “Quite a few new faces…” She looked at Ruiner, Nightbird and Convoy. “Well, so to speak.”

“Uh, yeah, well I guess you’ve already met Ruiner.” Optimus introduced. “He's okay I guess. The black and silver one is Nightbird. Granted we just met ourselves so, um… yeah, say hi?” Nightbird folded her arms and said nothing.

“I’m Convoy,” He said, arm extended for a handshake. Optimus reached over Ironhide and accepted. “Like a-”

“A group of schmucks walking in unison or something.” Spiral said. “He’s got like this whole intro he runs.”

“Yeah, let’s go with that.” Convoy and Optimus finished shaking. “I’ve heard about you.”

“Well, considering I was dead, it better have been nothing but glowing praise and adoration.” Optimus received a sharp elbow to his gut by Road Rage.

“That’s not funny!” She said.

“It’s kinda funny.” Ironhide said. He and Optimus bumped fists. “I’m glad you’re alive, mate. I really don’t want to run a pawn shop.” Optimus smiled, then looked at Road Rage.

“Hey!” He pointed to the red stripe above her brow, and at his. “Twins!” Botanica drifted over to him and silently placed two hand on his shoulder, smiling. Optimus smiled back, and looked to Jetfire.

“Hey, old man.” He said. “How’re you holding up.”

“Better, now.” Jetfire said. “It comes and goes, but seeing you… makes me feel a lot better,” He tapped his head. “Up here.” He approached Optimus, head hung low, and locked eyes. “He didn’t…” Optimus reached into his chest compartment and pulled out the fragment of Sky-Bye’s head crest and offered it to Jetfire.

“You should have this.” Optimus said. “It’s all that’s left. He saved me, at the last moment.” Jetfire’s hand shook as he accepted the token, and held it close to him.

“Hey, so…” Ruiner scuttled over to Optimus. “Guess, if you think about it, I actually did take you right to your friends in the end. So are you still mad at me?”

“I guess you did, technically.” Optimus bobbed his head back and forth, contemplating it. “Nah, I’m not mad anymore.”

“Positronic!” Ruiner exclaimed. He skipped over to Nightbird, who still stood arms crossed. “See, Nightbird? That’s what forgiveness looks like! See how happy they are! A big ol’ forgiving, emotional rainbow. It’s like a PSA or something.”

“They won’t be smiling for long.” Nightbird said. “This many interlopers, and the beasts. I have to report this.”

“Report this?” Road Rage asked, Nightbird was unaware everyone had been listening to her. “To whom, exactly?”

“The Night’s Templar.” Nightbird said. “Our monastery is up the mountain. You’ll all have to come with me. For your own safety if nothing else.” She pointed to Jetfire. “Can it still fly?”

“It?” Road Rage took issue with her words. “He is named Jetfire, and he barely managed to carry us five. He can’t carry-” Road Rage quickly took a headcount. “Eight Autobots at once.”

“I’m not and Autobot.” Nightbird said.

“Whatever, eight robots.” Road Rage said. “That’s if he didn’t just crash land and had to fight. No, we walk.”

“On foot, it’ll be about a day’s hike.” Nightbird shrugged. “Doable. If you follow my directions. The path can be somewhat treacherous.”

“Ugh!” Ruiner slumped over. “I’m never going to get to transform. I haven’t driven anywhere since, like…” He snapped his fingers repeatedly at Optimus, queuing him to chime in. “The trash barge, right? We drove in there.”

“Trash barge?” Ironhide asked.

“It’s a long story.” Optimus rubbed his face, just now remembering the details. “Which I guess I’ll tell while we walk. Again. Because that’s all I ever do anymore.” He groaned. “Never thought I’d agree with Ruiner.”

“I’ll take point.” Convoy said. “My vehicle mode is sufficient for this terrain.” He transformed, his high suspension and thick wheels easily conquering the snow as he drove ahead.

“Same.” Ironhide also transformed, rolling up next to him. “I mean, they used these things for the military on Earth, it had better be able to handle a little fluff.”

“Be careful, and don’t go too far ahead.” Optimus said. “Now let’s get going.”

 

Once more unto the breach:

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter Thirteen: Keep your Friends Close...​

“The ground ahead is soft, watch your footing around the bend here.” Convoy rolled over crunchy rock, Ironhide not far behind. The other Autobots kept pace on foot behind them.

“Ahead of the monastery the ground becomes flatter.” Nightbird said. “We can drive once we reach it.” Nightbird continued ahead, Road Rage looking back at Optimus.

“That’s pretty messed up.” Road Rage said to Optimus whilst the other Autobots talked amongst themselves. “That she let herself get blown up, and that he got... well.”

“I believed her, too.” Optimus said. “What Elita said about not being able to survive on Cybertron. About society making 'bots like her obsolete. Even before we left for Earth, you saw it. I don’t think they were bad ’bots… maybe they were. But maybe if things were, y’know, different it wouldn’t have come to that.”

“I suppose a lot can happen under different circumstances.” Botanica chimed in. “But we’ll never know, unfortunately. Such is the way of things.”

“So Road Rage,” Optimus asked her. “How exactly did you guys meet this Convoy guy?”

“At a bar.” She said, Optimus cocked an eyebrow. “Not like that. It was a bar fight.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah it, uh... it got crazy…” She crossed her arms. “But hey, he’s a cool guy. He comes across as a little… hammy, but I think he’s just a simple ’bot.” She held up her hands. “N-not like in a bad way, if there is a bad way, just like he doesn’t fret over small things I guess. It's kinda refreshing.”

“Did he start the fight?” Optimus asked.

“Um, no…”

“It was Spiral, wasn’t it?”

“Kinda?” Road Rage said. “I guess I really threw the first punch.”

“You?” Optimus chuckled. “What? Since when do you go picking fights?”

“Alright, would you just ask me straight up?” She put her hands on her hips. “Just… I’m not in the mood for tap-dancing around the issue. You want to ask why I did that to Ruiner.”

“You threw him into the fire, Road Rage.” Optimus said. “Literally. You just… tossed him into the line of fire literally.”

“It’s just…” Road Rage sighed. “So after you left, I started undergoing physiotherapy, and regular therapy, to try and get a handle back on my vehicle mode. I didn’t want to live the rest of my life, y’know, a slave to violent impulses I can’t control. But when we were looking for Botanica’s thing-”

“Gany- what was it? Gany… mede? Yeah, she brought me up to speed. About talked my ears off, too.” Optimus said.

“Well yeah, but in order to track him, I had to give up my mods. Y'know, the alt mode ones.” Road Rage shrugged. “Nah, even before that I was having glitches, but that made it worse. It’s like ignoring it has only made it seep into my brain when I’m in robot mode now.” She held up her knuckles to show him, the blue paint still scraped away to bare metal beneath. “I took out everyone in that bar. I almost killed some of them.” She put her hands behind her back to hide them. “Now it’s not even just anger, it’s like dedicated impulses to just hurt people.”

“I’m not sure what to say. “ Optimus put a hand on her shoulder. “But we’ll figure it out. Once we stop Scourge, we’ll have all the time in the world.”

“Jeez,” Road Rage smiled and patted his hand. “Tempt fate a little more and you might just die again.”

“I thought you said those kinds of jokes weren’t funny?”

“They’re kinda funny.” Road Rage had to step back as Ruiner stumbled into her path, pushed aside by Spiral.

“Primus in Cybertron,” She cursed. “Does this dog have a leash?”

“Ruiner, what did you do?” Optimus asked.

“What? I’m just being friendly!” Ruiner said. “Acquainting myself with group! Gotta strengthen those bonds, you know? Open up trust. We’ve fought side-by-side, y‘know. That’s a bond that doesn’t break.”

“How come you’re not acquainting yourself with Ironhide?” Road Rage asked.

“Which one’s Ironhide?” Ruiner asked. Optimus pointed to him. Ruiner shrugged. “Eh, I got a good enough look at him before, however-” Ruiner skipped in front of Optimus, over to Botanica who hovered next to him. “I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced…” He stared confusingly at her four arms, trying to figure out which hand on her left side to take. He settled on the one closest to him and tapped it against his faceplate.

“You’re insufferable.” Nightbird groaned. “Inscrutable. Incorrigible.”

“Jealous ex.” Ruiner whispered to Botanica. She rolled her eyes and pulled away. Ruiner, finally defeated, heel-turned and walked backwards so he could face Jetfire who brought up the rear. “What’s your story, big guy?”

“Who are you, again?” Jetfire asked.

“I’m Ruiner, and you’re… Jetfire, right?” He crossed his arms, pointing a finger at him. “So how does someone so old stay so massive? I wasn’t aware they kept seniors so well-fuelled in homes these days. That or they have one hell of a gym program.”

“I was Decepticon.” Jetfire said. “A real one, back from when we used to be of purer quality. And I may be old, but I’ve still killed more people than you’ll have ever met.”

“Jetfire!” Road Rage said, shocked. “That’s a horrible thing to say!”

“He’s a horrible person to speak to!” Jetfire pointed to Ruiner.

“Ruiner, stop antagonizing everyone!” Optimus said. He jumped when he heard yelling from ahead, and saw Ironhide start to slip and fall down the side of a cliff, the ground crumbling below him. Optimus ran over to him to try and catch him, but he just slipped through. Ironhide fell off the cliff, and Optimus pulled his tow cable out. “Catch!” He yelled. He threw it down, and Ironhide transformed just in time to grab it. Spiral ran over and grabbed the cable as well, and the two managed to hoist Ironhide to safety. He climbed back onto the solid rock.

“Thanks for warning me the ground was weak there!” Ironhide looked accusingly at Convoy, who was now also in robot mode. “And thanks again for helping me!”

“You seemed to have everything under control.” Convoy nodded towards Optimus. “I didn’t want to get in the way.”

“Don’t you have rockets in your legs or something?” Spiral asked, helping Ironhide stand up. “You could’ve flown down and grabbed him!”

“They’re not strong enough for sustained flight.” Convoy said. “Let alone with a passenger.”

“Still, any help would have been preferable.” Optimus said. “You just stood there.”

“I apologise.” Convoy said. “I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

“Everyone makes mistakes.” Road Rage placed herself between Convoy and the others. “We’re all under a lot of stress.”

“I’ll continue scouting ahead.” Convoy said.

“Fine,” Ironhide said. “Just give me a minute, I’ll-”

“Unnecessary,” Convoy said curtly. “I can handle it myself.”

“Clearly you can’t!” Spiral said.

“Just lay off of him, okay?” Road Rage came to his defence again. “It was just a fluke. An accidental lapse in judgement.”

“Just…” Optimus said. “Try to be more alert, man.”

“As you wish, ‘man.’”” Convoy transformed and drove ahead.

“Road Rage, sweetie, can I have a private conversation with you?” Spiral gingerly, yet sternly, took Road Rage by her arm and moved to the back of the group. “I think we need to have a chat about this Convoy guy.”

“What’s there to chat about? It was an accident.” Road Rage said.

“I’m not talking about that, I’m talking about this complete stranger who just happens to be totally alright with having his life uprooted and being dragged into a fight he really has no stake in.” Spiral leaned in for emphasis. “I don’t… I don’t trust him. He’s slotted in a little too perfectly.”

“He doesn’t have a choice.” Road Rage said. “You saw, we’re all blacklisted. He’s with us because he has nowhere else to go.”

“I’m just…” Spiral searched for the right word. “Concerned is all. You’re… vulnerable right now, y’know. The personality glitches, etcetera...”

“Oh God, please don’t tell me we’re having this conversation right now.” Road Rage dropped her head into her hands, laughing. “I mean, you and me, having this talk? You, the ‘bot who I once saw introduce herself to a mech by punching him in the gut?” Road Rage sighed. “Listen, Spiral, I’m touched by your concern but there’s nothing wrong. Convoy’s just a poor guy who got roped into something crazy along wth us. We owe it to him for putting up with it. We just fought a giant dragon. A literal, non-metaphorical, dragon. That is a humbling experience for even the most wayward ‘bots.”

“And yet, Ruiner.” Spiral said.

“Okay but he’s, like, an anomaly.” Road Rage said. “Convoy’s a good person, and I think that whole thing with Ironhide is just him a little shaken up is all.”

“I’m glad you brought up the fact about us being blacklisted, as I have a theory on that-” Botanica said, startling Spiral and Road Rage, the latter clutching her chest from the spark pain.

“What- how long have you been there!?” Spiral asked, nearly tripping in her step. “Did you sneak up on us?”

“I beg your pardon?” Botanica said. “I was here the whole time. You came to me, I assumed you intended to have me as part of the conversation.”

“When this is over, we’re getting you proper legs.” Spirals said. “The whole silently gliding on a stalk thing is disarming.”

“Oh, well, at any rate,” Botanica continued, unfazed by the comment. “I’ve been mulling over our situation, and I think our blame on Swindle was misplaced. I’m all but certain Scourge has manipulated Ganymede to hack Teletraan and wipe us from the registries. I had my suspicions after Ganymede told the pursuing law enforcement to fall back. He’s clearly integrated into the system somehow.”

“Well, they didn’t fall back, they just fell.” Road Rage said. “Their engines cut out. Oh, jeez, I hope they’re okay? I totally forgot about them in the moment.”

“The ramifications of this are disturbing.” Botanica said. “Also, I find Scourge’s new form unsettling.”

“Objectively speaking, I think it’s cool.” Road Rage said. “Having a face in both modes? Why didn’t I think of that! But yeah, the whole being a monster thing… I dunno, personally I thought he was scary enough. Now it’s just, like, in your face?”

“Not his actual beast form,” Botanica explained. “The mere fact that he has one at all. How did he get it? Our stasis pod technology isn’t sophisticated enough to replicate such an intricate faux-ganic form from a regular Transformer like him.

“Faux-ganic?” Spiral repeated the term. “That’s the least intelligent thing I’ve ever heard you say.”

“There’s never been a technical term for it before.” Botanica said. “We’ve never had beast modes quite like his. It’s mechanical in nature, but the way he moved was like an actual animal.”

“Wait, back up-” Spiral said. “You said Scourge wiped us from Teletraan…?”

“That’s my theory, anyway.” Botanica said. “I’ll be sure to ask him next time we meet for confirmation. We’re such good friends, you know.”

“Shut up-” Spiral continued. “You, me, Roady, Ironhide, I get he’d delete us… but how’d he know about Convoy to delete him? He’s never met him before.”

“Maybe, I dunno, Swindle told him?” Road Rage hypothesized.

“Nah, in the five minutes since we left Swindle’s?” Spiral shook her head. “Unlikely, what I think-”

“Head’s up everyone!” Optimus shouted from the front of the line. “We’re here!”

“I literally just told you to keep your voice down!” Nightbird said. “We’re only twenty feet apart from each other, there was no need to announce our arrival to the entire region.”

“Sorry.” Optimus rubbed the back of his neck. He spoke in a more subdued volume to those in back. “So, yeah. We can drive up from here.”

“Whooo!” Ruiner shouted. Nightbird shushed him. The Autobots could see the edge of the massive monastery wall from where they were, Spiral letting out the closest approximation of a low whistle she could achieve without lips.

“Wait-” She said. “Something isn’t right.” She motioned everyone to stay down. They all crouched and moved behind cover.

“What, are we spotted?” Ironhide asked.

“No,” Nightbird said. “That’s the problem. I’ve known the scouts here for years. Nobody’s here. At least, nobody is where they should be. Though you wouldn’t be able to tell, I should’ve been able to spot the scouts by now.”

“Maybe your exile has left your ninja-detection skills dulled, eh?” Ruiner remarked. Nightbird ignored him.

“Everyone stay back, I’ll go ahead and-” She saw Jetfire still standing in the middle of the path. “Get that thing down, he’ll expose us all!”

“Jetfire, come behind the rocks!” Road Rage tried to coax him into cover.

“No, I…” Jetfire murmured distantly. He began walking forward, out into the open, in front of the monastery doors.

“Get him back!” Nightbird said. “The guards will shoot him on sight!” Road Rage burst from cover and attempted to drag him back, leaping up and grabbing his hand, but she was only carried away by him, eventually losing her grip and falling when he came to the door and shoulder-rammed it. Nightbird ran from cover, but stopped in her tracks as she saw Jetfire slamming his fists on the door. Yet there were no guards attacking.

“Jetfire, stop!” Road Rage pleaded with him. He didn’t, instead increasing his attack on the door. It shuddered, dust and snow falling from it, until he finally pushed the doors open, buckling on their hinges as the air from the mountain circulated inside. The other Autobots had joined Nightbird and Road Rage, and they ran after Jetfire as he stormed inside. They entered the dimly lit monastery. There were no guards, no opposition, no signs of life at all.

“What happened?” Nightbird looked around frantically. “Where is everyone?” Optimus and Road Rage chased after Jetfire as the other Autobots investigated their surroundings.

“This place is abandoned.” Spiral commented.

“And for good reason,” Ironhide stood next to a wall. “Look.” He pointed to distinct claw marks gouged into it, along with mech fluid and metal shavings below it.

“Oh jeez.” Spiral said.

“Well, damn.” Ruiner said, jumping as a sai flew right by his head and embedded itself in the wall where the claw mark was. The Autobots stared at Nightbird, arm outstretched from throwing it, her eyes furious yellow slits in her otherwise shadow-engulfed face. She was seething with rage, and stormed off. Ruiner went to follow, but was stopped by Spiral and Ironhide.

“I really wouldn’t if I were you.” Spiral said.

“Let her work this out herself.” Ironhide added.

“But-” Ruiner began, but Ironhide placed a hand on his shoulder. Ruiner sighed emphatically. Up ahead Road rage and Optimus searched for Jetfire in a tall corridor. There were many rooms lining it’s hall, and Optimus pointed to the door at the very end that was broken open. They transformed and sped down the length of the hallway in a spark beat, and returned to robot mode as they entered.

“This wasn’t Jetfire.” Optimus noted. “This door was burned open.”

“Jetfire!” Road Rage called out. The room was entirely black save a ray of light illuminated in dust that came from the ceiling. Jetfire stepped out of the darkness. Road Rage smiled with relief, but her expression turned to shock as she saw he carried a body. He walked into the middle of the room with the body in his arms, and Road Rage stepped towards him, hands out, shaking.

“Jetfire… did you…?” She said, her lip trembled. She jumped when Optimus placed a hand on her shoulder, pointing to the claw marks on the body. Road Rage was relived once more.

“I heard him…” Jetfire said. “From outside. He’s still alive.” Optimus looked at the robot’s face. They’re lip twitched, and though one side of their face was scarred around the eye, it still moved.

“Call Botanica and Nightbird!” Optimus said to Road Rage. “This guy needs help now!” Road Rage nodded and left, Optimus lead Jetfire out of the room and back into the corridor. He helped him gently set the ‘bot down in the light, seconds later the other Autobots arrived.

“Oh no.” Ruiner said, his eyes squinted uncomfortably. “No…” Nightbird pushed past and, upon seeing the robot, slowly knelt down next to him.

“Nightscream…” She placed a hand on him. “Master.”

“Night…” The ‘bot looked up. His green yes fluttered to life. Various exposed patches of circuitry glowed in tandem across his dark grey and red body. “…Bird. You’ve returned…” Nightscream looked past her to see the other Autobots. “You brought outsiders… and the Ruiner…?”

“I’m sorry master, I-” Nightscream shook his head and she stopped speaking.

“It’s alright.” He said. “I… must apologise. My punishment was cruel and unusual. You are not a Ruiner, young one, and you, Nightbird…” Nightscream said. “I shouldn’t have resented you for defending him.”

“Master, please be still. One of the outsiders can help you.” Nightbird moved aside so Botanica could kneel down.

“I’m going to run an external diagnostic,” Botanica’s hand unfolded into tools and instruments. “Are you feeling hot? Can you move your legs?”

“The beasts that attacked us…” Nightscream ignored Botanica’s questions. “They ravaged our ranks. I don’t think… anyone survived.”

“Don’t say things like that.” Nightbird remained calm. “Their may be other survivors.”

“No, they…” Nightscream’s eyes fluttered, the green circuits on his body dimmed. “They did something with the bodies. They took the bodies… towards our mountain stronghold. I was left out of mercy… when really, it was torture… he with the ruby sword… he left me to watch them all…” Nightscream tried to sit up, but Botanica kept him down. She shook her head at Nightbird. Nightscream raised a hand, Nightbird taking it and grasping it tight. “You are the last remnants of the Templar, Nightbird…” Nightscream looked to Ruiner. “Nightfire.” Ruiner said nothing, but kept his gaze for as long as Nightscream looked to him. “No matter what, don’t… let it…” The circuits on his body went dark, and his arm went limp. Nightbird placed his arm back at his side, and was silent.

“I’d like to be alone.” Nightbird said calmly. Optimus nodded, and the other Autobots complied. Ruiner started to go with them, but stopped. He walked back towards Nightbird and knelt own next to her, the two silently mourning their passed master.

“We won’t.”

 

HOLY HELL IN A NUTSHELL!!!

So many twist and turns....and yet I only care for Soundwave's arrival at some point  

 

Been busy with work and illness, also why I haven't done anything in my art thread. Luckily, for now at least, I'm back on "vacation."

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Chapter Fourteen: Animal Farm​

“This is so morbid.” Road Rage said, dragging another body out of a room. “These poor people. I can’t imagine how scared they must have been.”

“Pity them not.” Nightbird said, kneeling down to grab the body by the legs. “It is every Templar’s dream to die in the heat of battle. At least they met their ends with dignity.”

“Still, I’ve never seen so many dead robots in my life. And I was in the military.” Road Rage and Nightbird carried the last victim from their wing of the monastery to the gathering in the main hall. Jetfire and Spiral were respectfully crossing the arms of all the deceased, Optimus sat on the edge of a ruined sculpture near the room opposite the entrance, Botanica tending to his injuries.

“Is this really necessary?” Spiral asked. “Burning them all?”

“It’s their funeral pyre.” Nightbird said. “We enter this world through fire, so to do we transition to the next by fire.” Nightbird carefully laid down her comrade. She didn’t know this ‘bot personally, but none the less quietly prayed for them. She surveyed the bodies they had found. There weren’t many, indicating Scourge had either taken prisoners, or there was simply nothing left. They were arranged in a circle around Nightscream’s body.

“I’m really sorry.” Road Rage said to Night Bird.

“Don’t be.” Nightbird said. “You didn’t do this.”

“I’m responsible.” Optimus said. “If I had beaten Scourge like I should have, none of this would have happened.”

“Causality is infinite paths converging and intersecting. All can be traced back to some action or inaction. Ultimately, the ones slain here were done so because this ‘Scourge’ chose to. He and he alone is to blame.” Nightbird said. Optimus noted her tone was unusually monotone, as if it was all memorized. He chose not to belabour the point.

“That’s the best I can do.” Botanica closed the access panel on Optimus’ side. “Ironically, I had considered broadening my medical knowledge in the wake of our previous engagements, but I thought I wouldn’t have to going forward.” Botanica shrugged, patting Optimus on the shoulder. “I’m glad I was wrong.”

“Thanks.” Optimus nodded. He stayed sat next to Botanica, Road Rage smiled.

“So, uh-” Spiral coughed into her fist. “Where’s everyone else?”

“I think Ruiner and Ironhide are finishing the East wing.” Optimus said. “Convoy’s somewhere in the back.”

“Alone?” Spiral asked.

“The buddy system hardly works when there’s odd numbers.” Optimus explained. “Plus, I think he wanted to go alone. He seemed like he was avoiding me.”

“I’ll go find him!” Road Rage said, transforming into her vehicle mode. “After all, now that I can cover more ground in less time.”

“Now there’s a rare sight.” Optimus commented on her vehicle mode. “First time I’ve gotten a good look at you like this in… a long time, really. And still rockin’ the ‘vette!”

“I wouldn’t dream of anything else!” Road Rage said. “I’ve been a model of Corvette ever since we landed on Earth. It’d be weird to change now.” She pulled a doughnut and sped off past Optimus and Botanica down the rear halls. As she drove, she focused on the pleasure of being in her alternate mode again, and actively tried to banish the thoughts of the price she was paying for it. Whatever these dark urges were, they were infrequent, and when this was all over, it would likely be a simple manner to get rid of them.

She continued down the long hallways of the monastery, appreciating it’s ancient and intricate design, peering into each doorway as she raced by, until she found Convoy standing in a dark room lit by a single monitor. She backed up and drove in. The room was mostly black except for him. She transformed.

“There you are!” She said. Convoy didn’t answer. She waited a moment, hands behind her back, waiting for him to finish what he was doing. “What’re looking at?” She asked, again to no avail. She tapped his shoulder and he jumped, startling her as well.

“Oh, it’s you.” He said.

“What’s so engaging you can’t even tell when someone’s speaking directly to you?” She asked, walking towards the monitor as he moved aside.

“I think it’s some kind of security monitoring system. I was trying to access it so I could see just how many enemies we have.” Convoy crossed his arms. “But the language is old, and I only understand the basics of some of the writing.”

“It’s not a monitoring system.” Road Rage touched the most prominent symbol. “This isn’t the symbol for camera…” The room lit up, and heavy machinery echoed as the darkness gave way to cool blue lights. “It’s the symbol for ‘telescope.’” The room was much bigger than was once imagined, and it was all in service of a large holographic projector.

“Amazing.” Convoy said. “I wasn’t aware we still had those. They became obsolete once faster than light travel was achieved.” He looked at the console and activated the telescope, a projection of space filled the monitor. “Still, they have their charm.”

“Like old photos.” Road Rage said. “Here, let me see something…” Road Rage typed in coordinates, and the image moved and zoomed. “This is Earth. Where me and my team stayed for, gosh, years.” She pointed at the projection. “See all the blue? That’s water. And… huh.”

“What’s wrong?” Convoy asked.

“It looks funny, and there’s no icey poles.” Road Rage double-checked her entry. “Nope, right location. Relatively speaking and all, movement of galaxies, etcetera...”

“It’s because it’s an image of how Earth once was.” Convoy said. “This is an image captured from over sixty million light years away.”

“Oh, duh.” Road Rage said. She looked at the image and wondered. She tapped the zoom function and adjusted the telescope’s settings. “You want to see something cool?” She finalized her commands and waited for the projection to load, images of creatures appeared on it. “Those are what humans called dinosaurs.”

“Organics?” Convoy noted.

“Big organics. Like, bigger than us almost.” Road Rage emphasised with her hands. “That long ago, everything on Earth was huge. Well, almost everything. It’s funny, they kinda look like Scourge. Though dragons aren’t real. Or at least, they weren’t real until him.”

“They were huge, past tense?” Convoy said dryly.

“Yeah, I’m not a big expert but pretty much all life on Earth now is smaller.” Road Rage approximated human height with her hands. “But hey, they’re definitely smarter. They made Corvettes, after all!”

“They sound interesting.” Convoy said in monotone.

“They’re a lot like us, smartness-wise.” Road Rage said. “They’ve got cities, vehicles, stuff like that. They even have their own telescopes, though they’re not this precise.” Road Rage shrugged. “But who knows. Last I checked they were still working on stuff like space travel.” She leaned on the console, Convoy followed suit to keep in comfortable earshot. “They would take pictures of space then upload them to their own digital network. I would sometimes look at them and pick out systems I was familiar with. Like I’d look at a picture of thousands of galaxies and try and find Cybertron, or Pz-Zazz, or Orgenon.” She sighed. “Good times.”

“And yet, it’s all so small.” Convoy zoomed the image out to the original look at the galaxy, and the galaxies beyond it.” Some of these worlds, some of these galaxies may not even exist anymore. Nebulas long since eradicated by supernovas, systems consumed by black holes.” He clutched his hand into a fist on the console, zooming the image out to it’s minimum focus. Inky blackness plunged the room into darkness once more. “All temporary. All fleeting.” Road Rage stared wide-eyed, awkwardly silent after the statement.

“But that just makes it all the more, like, miraculous or something, right?” She tried to change the tone. “I mean, space is so big, so hostile, and still so many different kinds of life. That’s got to count for something, right?”

“It makes every problem so… trivial.” Convoy said, not looking acknowledging her. “Wars, civilizations… destroying, creating, hate, love, and everything in between… and a cosmic twitch of the nose can wipe out all trace of it. One errant pulsar, one supernova, and...”

“You’re really bringing me down, man.” Road Rage touched his arm. “You gonna be okay?” As if a switch was flipped, Convoy went from melancholy to stalwart.

“Never better.” He said, chipper. “I suppose we’ve been distracted long enough.”

“Uh, cool…” Road Rage said. “Well, not cool, because of why we‘re here… but yeah, let’s head back.” They left the room, transforming and quickly returning to the main area where the other Autobots were. The trip was silent, and Road Rage decided not to pry into the exceedingly uncomfortable exchange, chalking it up to their stressful situation. Convoy transformed while Road Rage continued towards the room’s center, joining the others in robot mode around the pyre.

“Scourge is a bastard.” Spiral spat. “We’re getting him for real this time.”

“What do you mean ‘for real?’” Road Rage asked.

“You know what I mean.” Spiral crossed her arms. “Make sure he’s put down.”

“Kill him.” Ruiner said. “Sorry, I just hate allusions. I prefer just outright saying it. Kill. Kill-kill-kill. It’s a solid word, has built-in emphasis, y’know?”

“If this is too much, we can make sure the fire doesn’t go out.” Optimus tried to be considerate to Nightbird. “You don’t have to be here.”

“No, this is a good thing.” Nightbird said. “It’s part of the cycle. Do outsiders still follow Primus?”

“Not all,” Botanica said. “There’s more than a few faiths among the people, and a large number of non-believers.” She coughed and muttered. “Myself included.”

“It’s less about the beliefs and more about the message.” Nightbird explained. “When the universe was young, and Cybertron was a ball of soil adrift in the galaxy, Primus, a weary traveller among the stars sought out a blank slate of a world to live on. He brought with him only two things, his knowledge, and a handful of seeds. And so he toiled, sowing the seeds and growing a garden, which encompassed the whole planet. He was proud of his hard work, but his dark enemy had followed him. Spiteful and cruel, the sinister opposite burned the entire world back to the spoil. Primus was devastated, and in his sorrow vowed to never again let his fruits be burned. He gave his own life energy to transform the soil, so all the beings and the world itself would be invulnerable like metal, unable to be burned away ever again. His energy produced life, and his knowledge poured into that life, creating us. Never again could the evil entity burn the world or it’s people. Only those who’ve released Primus’ energies can be burned.” Nightbird sighed. “And so, when we pass, and we burn the bodies of our comrades in homage to the dark God that inspired Primus to create us in the first place.”

“Personally, I never bought it.” Ruiner shrugged. “I’ve burned enough ‘bots to death to know we’re not entirely fire-proof. Primus‘ evil buddy must not have a cooking setting above 10,000 degrees Kelvin.”

“You’re a right asshole.” Ironhide said. “Have a little tact, why don’t ya?’

“What does it say about me that I’m used to it?” Nightbird sighed. She turned away from the fire. “Actually, I think I will leave this to you. I need to get something.” She transformed herself, into a black and silver hovering vehicle that silently sped off from the main room, Ironhide slugging Ruiner in the shoulder for his insensitivity.

“Macabre.” Jetfire uttered, staring into the fire as it slowly began to burn out. “It’s… beautiful.” Optimus looked to Jetfire, his expression sober and unmoving. Optimus felt the need to speak to him, but decided against it.

“How’d the date go with Mr. Nice Guy?” Spiral asked Road Rage. “You two were gone for a while.”

“Yeah…” Road Rage rubbed her neck. “He unloaded a lot of emotional baggage on me. Like, weird, non-descript nihilistic stuff.”

“I knew he was fractured, deep down.” Spiral snapped her fingers. “Anything specific?”

“I think he’s seen some things.” Road Rage looked at Convoy, still standing at the edge of the room, yellow eyes firmly affixed to the flames. “I think this might be bringing it all back, you know?”

“Well, when you say it like that-” Spiral’s sentiment was interrupted by Ruiner butting his head in between them.

“My ear’s are burning!” He said.

“We weren’t actually talking about you.” Spiral crossed her arms.

“No need to be shy, trust me-” He leaned in, hand on his chest. “I’m quite friendly.”

“You say ‘friendly’ the same way air leaks out of a tire.” Road Rage said.

“So what’re you guys talking about, besides of course my wonderful flame job?” He turned his back to them, pointing to the hood of his alternate mode adorned with a flaming pattern. “Business in front, party in back.”

“None of your business, gear stick.” Spiral said. “Shouldn’t you be doing literally anything at all besides bothering us?”

“Hey, you know this has been hard on me, too!” Ruiner said. “Those are my old riding buddies in there. Why they were the ones that gave me my name!”

“Gee, I wonder why.” Spiral rolled her eyes behind her visor.

“Guys, we have a problem!” Ironhide said, pointing up. Everyone turned their gaze upwards, to the intricate glasswork ceiling. Dark figures circled around above it, their shadows contrasted nearly out of sight by the flames. The ceiling shattered, a harsh wind blowing in and extinguishing the fire. Three creatures descended, landing on the pile of ash and charred scrap. They were large, bestial beings with shiny hides that moved like organic tissue. Optimus recognized one as Icebird, the owl-bear hybrid he’d fought before.

“Hey there,” Icebird said. “It’s time for a rematch.”

“Remember, take them in in one piece.” The creature in the middle was winged, with a broad head that reminded Optimus of a hammerhead shark. “Beats me why Scourge wants scruffy looking mechs like these, but we all know the price of failure.” Icebird and the other creature, a lizard-like animal with insect wings, looked visibly timid at the thought. “Cripple, don’t kill.”

“You’ll have to go through me, monsters.” Convoy stepped forward, back straight and chest out.

“Actually, you’re not on the list.” The lizard said, leaping towards him, Convoy could barley bring his arm up in time as the creature bit down on it, puncturing the tire on his arm and crushing his armour. Convoy struggled with the lizard as Road Rage jumped onto it’s back, grabbing it by the wings and using her own weight and momentum to roll it to one side. As it did, Convoy was able to pull himself free, clobbering the beast with a right hook. Icebird and the other chimera leapt into action, and the melee became a frenzy. Optimus tried to rope the flying shark, but it was too fast. It darted around the air with exceptional mobility and precision. Icebird transformed into bear mode and charged Optimus, but was intercepted by Ironhide, the two pitting their strength one-on-one. Ruiner was trying to shoot down the in-flight creature, but only succeeded in almost hitting Spiral.

“What the ballistics, knuckle-head!” She said. The shark landed behind her and transformed, it’s jaws forming one “hand” and it’s tail forming a blade. It swiped at her faster than she could dodge, and tossed her to one side, and just as quickly it grabbed her leg in its jaws and threw her into a wall. She crashed through it, rubble burying her beneath it.

“Spiral!” Road Rage disengaged the lizard and ran to her aid, but the shark cut her off, bringing it’s blade down on her head, she caught it last second in her hands. The razor-sharp edge dug into her palms, and his strength was more than she could bear. She couldn’t budge him until Optimus’ tow hook caught the edge of the blade, pulling it free from her hands. He tried to real the beast in, but it remained grounded, a cocky look in it’s yellow eyes. The shark wrenched it’s arm inwards, pulling Optimus towards him. Optimus tucked his legs into a ball and rolled, kicking out at the last moment to strike the robot in the jaw, knocking it to the floor.

“Nice one!” Road Rage said, her ravaged hands shook, but she didn’t seem to mind.

“Doesn’t that hurt?” Optimus examined them. Her hands were nearly cut straight through.

“It actually doesn’t hurt.” Road Rage shrugged. “I can’t move them though, which is weird.” She began to shake uncontrollably and fell to her knees. Optimus stopped her from toppling over, and moved her to one side of the room. He noticed steam exiting the vents on her body, and figured she was going into stasis-shock. He looked back to see everyone else fighting the chimeras, Botanica and Ruiner focused fire on the recovered shark-hybrid, Ironhide continued to wrestler Icebird, and Convoy fought the lizard alone, and looked to be faltering. Optimus had to choose between seeing if Spiral was alright, and helping Convoy who looked like he was in trouble, and hesitated. He saw Jetfire standing near where the fire had been, motionless.

“Jetfire! Help Convoy!” Optimus shouted. Jetfire didn’t acknowledge him. “Jetfire! That’s an order!” Optimus let out a frustrated growl and sprinted towards Convoy, who was now on his knees. He tackled the lizard, shoving it aside. They tumbled, and Optimus broke free, skidding to a halt on one knee. Convoy slumped against the wall, his arm destroyed. Optimus turned towards the lizard, who transformed into a massive dragonfly.

“Of course they can all fly.” Optimus moaned. “Of-freaking-course!” Optimus pulled out his hook and cable, and tried something new. He spun it like a lasso, but instead of trying to hook the creature, he swung it like a whip. It was unwieldy and difficult, but it seemed to work keeping the insect at bay. Optimus saw the madness around him, and looked on as Botanica and Ruiner futilely expended ammunition trying to hit the blurred target. Then Optimus had an idea. The bug before him wasn’t attacking, and so Optimus backed away. It transformed back into it’s lizard form, and Optimus deduced that was the mode it attacked in. He ran away, which goaded the lizard into giving chase. Optimus deliberately choose not to transform, instead running on foot to keep the gap between them closed. He headed towards the hole in the wall where Spiral had gone through, and saw her emerging from the rubble. He dived through, grabbed her, and forced the both of them down as the lizard followed, narrowing avoiding them both.

“Get me Jetfire’s cane!” Optimus instructed her. Spiral looked confused for a moment, then nodded, switching to vehicle mode and driving off behind him, as Optimus once again chose to run out of the hole. As he did, he through his cable at the cracked wall above it and pulled, creating and even bigger mound of rubble in the hopes of slowing the lizard down just a moment longer. He ran towards Ruiner and Botanica. “Cease fire!” He shouted. They looked at him with equal confusion, but obliged, and the shark-bird immediately swooped in to attack them, just as planned. Optimus leapt as high into the air as he could, swinging his tow line and hooking the hammerhead. The shark pulled up, and Optimus skidded along the ground in tow. As he was dragged past Botanica he locked eyes with her.

“On my signal!” He said, and was immediately dragged away. The lizard was bearing down on him now, jaws wide open. Optimus gave his line as much slack as he could, and the reptile bit down just inches away from his hands, onto the line. Optimus wrapped it around the creature’s jaws and pushed off it. The hammerhead was yoked back as the line went taught between them, and it tried to unhook itself. Optimus quickly sprinted towards Ironhide, still locked in eternal struggle with Icebird.

“On his back!” Optimus ordered, and Ironhide instantly swept the bear’s feet, Optimus tackling him to force him upside-down. He and Ironhide quickly worked to hog-tie Icebird, but the beast had already transformed into his owl mode and was trying to fly away, Ironhide just barely managing to tie the cable around one of his feet. They both fell off, Optimus again giving the most slack he could to his line, but felt it running out.

“Catch!” Spiral tossed Jetfire’s cane like a javelin to Optimus, who caught it. He flicked the switch that converted it into a sword, pulled the end of his line free from his back and tied it around the hilt. He raised the sword high into the air, than plunged it into the ground. Icebird was tethered, and so to were the lizard and shark to him.

“Botanica, now!” Optimus pointed at the sword. She nodded, charging her cannons to maximum and firing a powerful arc of electricity right towards the sword. The arcing lighting cracked against Optimus’ armour, forcing him back, but it mostly travelled along the cable, electrocuting all three monsters at once. She kept the heat on, the monsters roaring in pain and anger, until her cannons overheated and exploded. She fell, but as she did so did they. Their immobile forms smouldering on the ground, Ironhide ran to Botanica’s aid, helping her stand. Optimus took a metaphorical breath, and looked at Jetfire’s sword. He expected it to be melted slag, but while it glowed from the heat slightly, it was intact. He figured it best to leave it until it had cooled down.

“Nice one.” Spiral said.

“My knees feel like tinfoil.” Optimus commented. “And we still have Scourge left.” His eyed widened as he remembered the others. “Road Rage and Convoy!”

“I’ll check on her!” Spiral took off, Optimus jogging over to Convoy. He sat against the wall, clutching his arm. Optimus reached out to help, and he pulled away suddenly.

“Don’t touch me!” He sneered. “Being saved by you… it’s humiliating.”

“Uh, sorry?” Optimus wasn’t sure how to respond.

“It’s fine.” Convoy said, not sounding entirely sincere. “I apologize.”

“Sure thing.” Optimus accepted it tentatively. Now wasn’t the time for drama, and he didn’t know Convoy’s story. He left him to his own devices to check on Botanica. She braced herself against Ironhide as she inspected her cannons. They were obliterated.

“Good thing I decided never to fully integrate these.” She said. “Makes me a poorer shot but the feedback when they blew was minimal. I’m only in slight agony.”

“Good?” Optimus shrugged. Ironhide shook his head, but gave him a reassuring look.

“Hey Optimus?” Ruiner said, standing next to Jetfire. “The old guy’s saying weird things.”

“What’s wrong?” Optimus said, approaching them.

“This is one seriously spaced-out spacecraft you got here.” Ruiner pointed to Jetfire’s blank expression. “He keeps saying he can “hear” them.”

“Hear who?” Optimus asked.

“The taken ones.” Jetfire mumbled. “The ones from here. I can hear them. The real them. And they‘re in danger.”