Hi!
The inspiration for this story came from a prompt on the TF bunny farm on livejournal, but I lost the link... could anyone point me in the right direction?
Anyways, have fun with the first chapter!
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„Come on, 'Ria! We'll be late!"
„I'm coming!", I called out as I raced down the Ark's corridors after Sideswipe, towards the rec room. What we were hurrying to? As of this morning, our communications relays were finally fixed, so we could contact Cybertron! After 4 million years (and a few orns spent fixing the equipment) we could send the news that we were still alive.
I skidded to a stop in front of the rec room door, almost running into Sides who was nearly vibrating with excitement, too.
„Do you think they're still fighting?", he suddenly asked me quietly.
„Probably.", I replied. „I mean, this war's gone on for longer than I've been alive. They've probably continued without us." Honestly, I had no idea whether I liked this or the alternative. The only thing I hoped was that they hadn't completely forgotten us.
We were the last to enter the rec room, but my smaller size secured me a place close to the huge screen nonetheless. Sides simply squeezed in next to his brother Sunny. The room was completely packed, no one had wanted to miss this, but it was strangely quiet. Only a few whispers could be heard as the anticipation and tension rose.
Directly in front of the huge screen, Optimus was discussing a few last-minute-things with Prowl and Jazz. I fidgeted in place, looking around. Why was this taking so long? I was actually really close to asking this question out loud when finally, something happened.
The screen began to flimmer and, as one, we turned towards it.
Kliks passed as the connection was established, then the screen went black, a monotone voice droning: „Unidentified caller, please identify yourself."
My first thought about this was something along the lines of: What the frag?! That sounds like a drone! Not normal... Over the sudden buzz of conversations I didn't even really hear what Optimus said in response to the creepy voice. Apparently, who- or whatever was at the other end didn't really hear him either, as the monotone came again.
„Your identification could not be understood, your call will be relayed..."
Everyone fell silent again, waiting.
The image that appeared shortly afterwards was one of a green-optic'd mech sitting in front of a communications console, obviously a neutral, but something was wrong... I leaned forward curiously, careful not to get into our camera's radius. However, it was only when the mech spoke that I realised it: His face was blank, his optics dim, and the monotone voice was his!
The air practically vibrated with comm chatter as the realisation spread, though everyone stayed outwardly silent.
::Ria, do you see this symbol in the background?::, Sunny asked over comm, sounding confused. ::I think I know it from somewhere, but me and Sides can't remember from where...::
::Where is it?::, I replied, staring intently at the screen, searching.
::Upper right corner, on the wall.::, Sides said, making it a three-way-comm. ::It looks familiar, but...:: He trailed off.
Now knowing where to look for it, I spotted the symbol almost immediately. Really, it wasn't surprising that Sunny had been the one who had seen it first: It was small, but as an artist, he had an optic for details.
It was indeed familiar-looking... After only a few kliks, my search led me towards where I'd filed away my history lessons. Those had been rare and often interrupted by attacks and such, but it was more than enough for me to know this symbol...
When I found an explanation, I almost fell over, freezing in shock.
„Frag... Quintessons!", I blurted out. Everyone turned to look at me, silent.
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That's it! I hope you liked it!