The Black Death

by Nikkie2010

AU: Polyhex: a filthy, gang-infested city where surviving takes skill, courage and loyalty. For Ricochet, it's all about fighting for him and Jazz to survive everyday gang fights and looming starvation. For Ratchet, it's all about surviving two vorns of an internship placement he never wanted. Yet his nightmare worsens as an unknown virus spreads, and there is no cure.

1. Prologue

The Black Death

Time units:

Click – minute

Joor – hour

Orn – day (36 joors)

Decaorn – Cybertronian week (10 orns)

Quartex – month (4 decaorns)

Vorn – year (20 quartexes)

(Dark solstice: the furthest point of Cybertron's rotation from its central star, reached every 2.5 vorns.)

Prologue

"Is it ready?" A baritone voice asked as he walked around the lab, examining various experiments meticulously categorised according to the logical mech's specifications.

"We are entering the final phases of testing. The results have to date been satisfactory, but I require a testing field." The single-opticed scientist stated as he stood unmoving in the centre of the laboratory room.

The second mech stopped wondering through the lab and turned towards the purple scientist. "When do you require this?"

The scientist was silent as he contemplated. "You requested this weapon to be ready by the dark solstice. In order to achieve that objective, you will need to provide me with what I require within the vorn."

"That leaves eleven quartexes." The voice stated matter-of-factly. "I am not sure if it can be arranged."

"Then I am unable to assure that the weapon will be ready by the time stipulated."

"You do realise that billions have been invested in this project, and it is also the main reason why the Senate has turned a blind optic to the 'rumours' running around regarding your 'experiments'." The voice warned.

The yellow optic narrowed. "Give me what I require, and you shall have your weapon."

TBC

Yes, I'm starting a new story, no I have not abandoned Shattered Crystals, but I am at a bit of a writing block and this one has been lying on my laptop for over a year. So I'm publishing just to get back into the groove and once more work on improving my writing skills.