Summary: The story of a secret colony, that struggled to flee from a future war. Set before and parallel with my Ashes Verse.
Disclaimer: I don't own transformers, but I do own every person in this chapter! Muahahaha! Bow to my insanity!
Story Title: Our Haven.
Chapter Title: Settling the Beginning.
- Until All Are One -
Time: Unknown
Location: Deep Space, unknown
He struggled with the controls, keeping his attention on the life-signs of his Wards, as well as tried to steer the ship to their destination. Only his determination and drive to complete his duty, and fulfill his promise to his Mentor, allowed him to continue. Optics flickered tiredly, as his servos disengaged the repetitive warning system, indicating a minor hull breach. The pods were strong enough to protect even the tiniest NewSpark from the cold depths of space, the fact that a meteor had only grazed the hull, yet managed to tear some shielding off, was only a minor worry. Re-routing unnecessary system power into the engines and life support, he ignored the fine ice crystals building up on his armor. So long that his Wards would survive, he could deactivate happily and without a care. He was a Guardian after all.
- Until All Are One -
Time: 6,967 B.C.
Location: Land Continent, North America
They'd made it, his optics flickered in exhausted delight. Several long vorns after they'd been sent off-world, they'd finally reached the organic planet his Mentor had sent them to. Landing the damaged craft was difficult, he was grateful that the dominant species had yet to spread thoroughly across the small planet. Setting the ship down in a wide barren plain with odd chasms, he slowly opened a hatch and stepped out onto a new planet. Sensors shifting, scanning over everything, he forced his weary frame to the damaged sectors of the ship. Upon scanning and a thorough examination, he was grateful that he had all the necessary parts needed for repair. Before he could let out his Wards however, he needed to build the solar absorbers, the Energon distillers, as well as locate a suitable place to build their colony. His Mentor had been adamant that the organics be unaware of them, or at least, most of them be unaware.
Cobalt turned, watching as a group of organics approached him. Their endodermic-plating was soft and darkly tanned, dark optics and a dark something flowing from their helms. Dressed in the endodermic -plates of the non-sentient organics, they carried crude weaponry and supplies. Their leader, a strongly-built organic mech, approached first. Kneeling down, he drew a blade and began carving a glyph into the ground, a welcome sight in the mech's tired optics. The Cybertronian glyph for friendship.
- Until All Are One -
Time: 6,963 B.C.
Location: Four Corners, Arizona
With the help of the Anasazi people, Cobalt managed to bury the ship deep into the earth, using the natural caves they themselves had used previously. His Mentor had apparently become good friends with the ancestors of the people he now looked upon fondly; since while they were wary of his size, they were eager to learn about him and his kind. It didn't take him long to figure out their language, especially since their younglings were fascinated with him, and happily pointed out objects, speaking their words for them. He ended up surprising them, with how easily he picked up their odd language; at least he figured that from the way they'd jump in surprise, after he asked a question fluently. The tribe of Anasazi he had met was called Odakotah, which he realized meant Allies. It fitted, he believed, their tribe was overly protective of him and his ship, always careful to keep knowledge of him hidden from other tribes.
They had only recently, about two generations, become sedentary here, no longer being a nomadic people. For his benefit, he was surprised. His Mentor was very wise, having decided to inform her friends, (their ancestors, she had referred to as the Sani), that refugees might end up landing on their planet. For the refugees' benefit, they had travelled and searched the lands, for areas that would protect and hide them away. They'd settled in this part of the world, where natural caves were large enough to hide their massive frames, as well as because there were plenty of resources for their people to survive easily. He found them very strange, they needed to devour the non-sentient organics in order to survive. Strange as well, they ingested the flora around them as well. Scanning their organic frames, he slowly began to understand what their complex, and sometimes disgusting, systems required in the way of consumption.
- Until All Are One -
Time: 6942 B.C.
Location: Main Odakotah Village, Arizona
It had been a quarter of a vorn, since he'd landed on the organic world. He had hidden the ship and its precious cargo, mined the necessary metals from the ground, as well as built the necessary Energon distillers and solar absorbers. His favorite part of this world, other than the delightful organic Sparklings, would have to be their sun, Sol, as he lovingly nicknamed it. His armor had solar absorbers in-built, so he never needed to touch the Energon kept in the cargo hold, besides, the solar Energon he created was far more refreshing. He had released several of his wards, mostly those who knew construction, and had them helping him design their home base. He had sent them data-packets about their new friends, and was happy to see that the organics were happily greeted by the relieved Bots.
Cobalt, with his five-mech crew, were able to dig deeper into the caverns, deeper into the planet's core, until they felt more than satisfied that it would take the humans thousands of vorns to discover them. Tunneling out the caverns were surprisingly easy, smelting and forming the metal for the colony, wasn't. Releasing more of his Wards, worried they would run off and be discovered, Cobalt was grateful when they understood his hesitance. With a now working force of six mechs, himself included, and seven femmes, their work became easier and faster. The femmes used high scanners to locate metal deposits, and willingly scouted out areas for mining. The mechs would mine the deposits and bring back the ores and minerals, where Cobalt, the only blacksmith they had unfortunately, would work in a deep cavern he'd converted into a forge. He noted, amusedly, that the organic Sparklings, Sparklings of his own friends, would climb down and watch him at work, thankfully staying far enough away to remain unhurt, at least when he was working and not recharging his solar absorbers.
- Until All Are One -
Time: 700 B.C.
Location: Main Odakotah Village, Arizona
"Cobalt!" one Sparkling shrieked, running into the cavern. He immediately ceased his welding, letting the sparks settle, before scooping the giggling femme up in one large servo. Humming thoughtfully, he lifted the battle-mask up, which he used to protect his optics while welding, and winked at her. Venting loudly, playfully ignoring the gleeful Sparkling, he lightly tossed her from one servo to the other, always careful to roll her between them.
"Hmm, Ah seem ta ha'e a visi'or," she laughed when he tickled her sides, "though Ah'm supposed ta be workin' righ' now,"
"Ah say, ye've got two options den Lad," the burly JuryRig muttered, wiping his servos on a cloth. Clean of dirt, he prodded the ticklish Sparkling, who squealed and latched onto a finger larger than she was tall.
"Oh, Rig? Wha' are mah options?"
"Ah say, ei'her play wit' da Sparklin', or toss hah ta meh!"
"Toss hah it is!" she squealed when the two gently tossed her between them, to the clamoring excitement of the other Sparklings who had rushed in moments before. Rig bellowed his deep chuckle, his old plates shifting as he looked down at his pedes, surrounded by excited Sparklings.
"Now, now, Sparklin's ain't ya'll suppose ta be learnin' yer less'uns?"
"Uncle Rig! We wanna play with you!" three boys climbed up his leg, finding nooks to place their hands and feet easily. Waiting patiently, he allowed them to climb all the way up to his shoulders, tucking down into the familiar gaps. He scooped up two older femme Sparklings, who sat more lady-like, but wore excited looks.
"Tell us more about Cy-ber-tron, the oldest pleaded, sounding out the name slowly.
"Aye, Rig, tell em more 'bout Cy-ber-tron," Cobalt laughed, bringing the Sparkling to his cheek, where she hugged and kissed him gently. At the hoots from the boys, he purposefully started his cooling fans, forcing his cheeks to 'blush' like the humans do, "Such a pretty lil' femme," he cooed, grinning at the boys. She laughed, hugging him tightly.
"Love you Uncle Cobalt! Marry me!"
"Hmm, when yer older, maybe, mah lil' Catori,"
"Promise?"
"If ye'll have an old mech like meh," he nuzzled her before setting her in Rig's palm with her older sister, Amitola. Rig went off about the stunning crystal gardens; carrying them away a distance as Cobalt went back to his welding. Setting the metal sheets to the side, he spotted Discharge approach and haul the sheets off. Continuing his welding, he kept careful observation on his smelting pots, skimming off impurities every few breems. StarGlide moved fluidly into the cavern, pinged a location she'd scouted that seemed rich in metal alloys and ores, before heading back down the unfinished tunnels. "So much work ta do, so lil' time," he grumbled, banging out the sheet he now worked on.
- Until All Are One -
Time: 600 B.C.
Location: Main Odakotah Village, Arizona
It took the thirteen Bots a little over a vorn to complete most of their new home. Deep in the caverns, they had dug in deep tunnels, now lined in protective neural metal. Aerodive, a femme scientist, had managed to perfect a signal bouncing chemical, which the metal sheets were now coated in. Similar to a radar-dampening field, the metal would absorb the signals as though nothing were there, and keep them hidden. Cobalt, having designed most of the base, had also decided not to simply have a metal home, but a friend and ally if they needed one. He and Aerodive designed and built an AI, housing it deep in the most protected area of the base. Utilizing the expertise of frame-engineers, TopKick and TopSpin, both femme twins connected the AI to their base's computer processor. They affectionately named her Gaia, in honor of their new home. Allowing their protectors entrance to their base was simple, they added bio-scanners so no unauthorized humans could gain entrance. With most of the base set in foundation, they easily modified it so the humans would be comfortable, and designed it so they could live inside indefinitely.
Their preparations were well-thought out, since more tribes were traveling the lands, and had come across the first sedentary tribe. Unfortunately, some were aggressive, and attempted to take the land by force. When that happened, Cobalt and JuryRig draped themselves with animal skins, covering their metal forms, and rained down terror without harming them. Legends started, about the Odakotah being blessed by the Great Spirits, and gaining great protectors. Some tribes desired to join the Odakotah, but they were quickly refused, and forced to settle a distance from the flourishing village. SkyTone, a young femme botanist, helped them begin planting, but the humans invented irrigation systems for their fields. Watching them flourish with nudges of help from them, Cobalt looked on fondly. With a settled environment, protectors that watched over them, and advances in technology and medicine, the Odakotah village grew, their people living longer. Hard work, simple living, both allowed them to enjoy the simple pleasures of their lives, and allowed family and friends to be the closest guarded treasure.
Cobalt slowly awakened his Wards, until most of them were awake and integrated nicely into their new life. He trained several others, who then took supplies and willing femmes and mechs, to explore the world and settle other areas. His hope: they would be able to defend their home from the coming invasion.
- Until All Are One -
Time: 1542 A.D.
Location: Main Odakotah Village, Arizona
Cobalt looked at the screen, smiling at the tweeting femme Sparkling from where she was held by her Mech Creators. JuryRig was visible in the background, he waved at his comrade, as the leader shooed the new Creators away from the vid-screen. "Dey're happy,"
"Happy? Ah t'ink outrageously delighted would be more appropriate," they chuckled softly.
"Dey're da first ta successfully Bud a Sparklin'," JuryRig smiled sadly. Cobalt winced, lifting his servo to brush his chassis. "Ah'm sorry, Friend,"
"It's a'ight Friend, if Ah'm meant ta carry a Sparklin', Primus will allow meh ta do so," they were silent in remembrance, Cobalt had been so delighted when Aerodive had confirmed he had Budded. Unfortunately, three orns later, he'd collapsed when the Bud Spark had extinguished. He'd been nearly inconsolable, but some precious organic Sparklings had brought him flowers and hope.
"We've go'en reports from China and Japan," JuryRig smiled at the interested look on the younger's face. "Bases have been completed, wit'out any unknown humans noticing. In a few orns, dey'll start operations."
"Excellent news, do dey need more supplies?"
"Dey'd love t'ree or four mechs, but would settle for some Energon distillers."
"Excellent, we've gotten several talented Younglin's who've just built some, we'll ask who wants ta help out, and see if dey'd be willing ts make more."
"How's da school comin' anyway?"
"Ah wish we had more teachers, unfortunately most of da mechs and femmes are too busy buildin' and deliverin' supplies. Ah've been coverin' fer two femmes since dey were injured in an acciden', but da older Younglin's have been teachin' da Sparklin's very well."
"How's da war?"
"We've managed ta keep da English and Spanish back, and have drawn up territory lines. We've closed down most of da routes outside of da territory, and have defended dem. We've also managed ta preven' da spread of dose strange human infections; a lot of villages nearby have been plagued by dem, enough dat we've sent out medicine. Primus, we're lucky dat Callie's here, if ya need her help, she'd be more dan happy ta come."
"Ah just might, we need her abilities ta hide our entryways, as well as secure da space-bridges. We're having difficulty wit' infection as well, but we've held off wha' dey've been callin' da 'Black Plague,' Ah t'ink dat's wha' dey're callin' it."
"She just finished groundin' ours, Ah'll send word ta her, and yours and mine could be da testin' grounds. Ah thought da Plague had ended some years ago?"
"Da bridges will be fine; our previous tests have all proven we've gotten it down. Apparently it made a comeback, but we destroyed it, or formed vaccines for it, ya know dat ain't mah area of expertise,"
"Still, better safe dan sorry, Ah'll send her over as soon as Ah can. Ah'm glad no more humans have suffered. Have ya heard from Canada?"
"Yeah, dey're finished wit' da turrets, and dey've got some bad news."
"Bad news?"
"Da war's comin', Cobalt, dey were finally able ta confirm wha' dey shot down vorns ago,"
"Wha'?"
"A Cyba'tronian, not just any Cyba'tronian, but Megatron himself,"
"Primus no!"
"Yeah, da war's approachin'." Tired optics flickered, understanding easily seen.
"Step up on defensive and offensive capabilities. Ah wanna know if he was 'lerted ta one o' our signals, Ah wanna know why he came 'ere!"
"Already on it, relax Cobalt,"
"No, Ah, ain't gonna relax, we gonna protect our home, we got ta!"
"An we will! We got time, he's frozen in da Arctic, he won't get free,"
"Humans will find 'im! We gotta extract him first!"
"No," the denial send him reeling back, as though slapped. "He's 'ere fer a reason, we'll lay low, keep our sensors on 'im, watch. We'll defend our home, but only when da humans realize dey need us, and da Autobots,"
"A'ight, Rig, Ah trust ya,"
- Until All Are One -
Time: 1963 A.D.
Location: Conference Meeting, all Haven bases.
"Da humans found 'im, now we got ta wait, and see," Cobalt rubbed at his face tiredly, the other Haven leaders nodding their agreement. Promising to keep in touch, they ended the meeting, needing to continue the upgrades to their weaponry and defensive capabilities. Cobalt slumped for a few moments, not caring when three femmes entered. TopKick, TopSpin, and Aerodive looked at each other briefly, before nudging their friend back to awareness.
"You need to rest and relax," Aerodive mothered, treating him like one of her Sparklings. He vented hard, then nodded briefly, looking at her and her Bondeds anxiously.
"How do you put up with your Quints?" he wondered aloud, feeling like he dealt with Sparklings every time he held a full meeting.
"Practice, patience, and plenty of alone time," TopKick smirked.
"The three P's," her twin piped, grinning at his groan.
"Leave him be," Aerodive shushed her twins, smiling. "Go for a drive, have a respite, and don't come back for at least three orns,"
"Ah can't femmes!" he growled. "Ah gots too much ta do,"
"And too little time," the three chorused, finishing his famous line.
-Until All Are One -
Time: 1969 A.D.
Location: Wisconsin
Cobalt grumbled softly as he drove through several scenic routes, pulling into a small town. The femmes had managed to chase him out of the base, and forcibly told him not to come back for at least five orns. He'd been wandering and travelling for three, and admitted that he needed the respite. Relaxing and watching the humans move about, he replenished his determination to protect them. Then again, some of them he would love to extinguish, he growled faintly at the harassing male he spotted. The male was harassing a femme, and even dared to pin her against his alt mode. Flicking his holoform avatar on, he chased the punk away and assisted the femme to her destination, waving off her thanks and gratitude. Deciding to wander amongst the humans, he explored the town before coming across something odd. He spotted the male he'd chased off, breaking into the home of the femme, before hearing her scream.
Rushing in, ignoring the broken door, he spotted the male strangling the woman. Shoving him off, he looked over her, to see a knife buried in her side. She was losing too much blood, he thought sadly, seeing her look up at him with glazed eyes. She murmured a request, before her heart stopped, and his rage exploded. Turning on the male, who was dazed, he gripped his throat.
"Yer wife! Da mot'er o' yer CHILD! Ya KILLED 'er!" his optics shifted to violet, and his frame shifted. The male gasped in terror, at seeing the gigantic frame out the window. Cobalt understood his fear, had wanted to see his fear, and was glad his frame was twenty-nine feet tall, covered in dark cobalt armor, with the edged sigils of his faith and status clearly marked on his frame. "Why would ya kill 'er? Tell MEH!"
"She wouldn't give me money!" he gasped out, before going limp. Cobalt dropped the unconscious male, turning swiftly to the tiny room in the back. Opening the door, he spotted the little girl. Dark red hair fell in a soft wavy down; large bright green eyes looked at him curiously. She was only two, an infant, and he was glad. Lifting her up gently, he tucked her into the crook of his arm, and gathered several supplies. She squealed when he passed a stuffed dog, so he grabbed it and placed it with the other things, diapers, clothes, a picture of her and her mom, formula, baby food, and three blankets. Carrying the infant and supplies, he kicked the unconscious male as he left. He heard the hissing before his olfactory sensors detected the gas. His frame shifted, scooping his holoform up, and leaped away, just as the house exploded. Scanning the blaze, he detected no life-signs, and didn't particularly care. Settling his holoform in his interior, he activated another hologram while shifting the one holding the infant into a femme. Driving sedately away, he swore on his Spark to protect his newfound Sparkling. His little Mallory Blake.
- Until All Are One -
The end of this chapter, I've got so many different ideas for this story, hope ya guys don't mind waiting!