Direct Current
"Always going in one direction, never looking back." –DC
Ch 1
0000
Grand Maximus(1 or Autobot Grand City (A.G.C.) as he knew it was called, but he knew it was more than just a city. It thrived like any other, its walls containing some of the most advanced systems the Autobot's could provide to accommodate the living cities inhabitants and to keep them safe. The actual city its self was huge, and covered an immense area from outer wall to wall. The ground, its self, was bought by the Autobot's from the United States government and stretched miles in a 360-degree radius.
Seating near A.G.C.'s northeastern walls was a smaller settlement provided for the humans whom worked in the city. The roads that led in and out of the city were well provided for the newest and best security systems. Rigorous scans that were two times better than any human made security X-Ray's that scanned semi trailers for potential deadly items. Including people.
That and any one-mostly the human personnel, had to have and ID to prove they had proper access and were suspected to have all files submitted, which included DNA, finger prints, iris scans, and other tedious things that kept the city safe.
A.G.C was forever changing, forever growing, and at the heart of the massive city was a spark that belonged to the city itself. The city lived and if the time came to it, it could transform into a city ready to defend itself and its inhabitants. And a few points in the past it could literally transform and rise up like its smaller Cybertronian counter parts.
It was well none for its galactic port that accommodated ships that were arriving from off world and allowed runways for ships, shuttles, and, in some cases, large Cybertronians who needed to take off for space.
For one ship in particular that was just arriving from Earth's atmosphere with transmission giving them permission to land. Landing gear lowered as its navigations officer sent out the commands to do so. The, considered, medium sized ship was designed to transport nearly two dozen passengers alone with a small crew to pilot and keep the ship airborne to and from its destinations.
The ship had a unique if not simple name, the Xenos, which was caring seventeen passengers from a small moon that orbited a newly Decepticon controlled planet. So the Transformers inside who were watching the massive Cybertron/Earth Autobot City coming closer under them. They were or could be considered refugees and it was finally sinking in for them.
The smallest of the 'bots on board but still wasn't mini-bot standard, attention was out of the pothole just to his right behind him, duo optics wide, his mouth slightly ajar. The sight below was just awe inspiring. He hadn't been around long compared to some of the mech's on board would probably seen a millennium at least but he'd been to a couple of planets.
This one by far was just. . .he couldn't find words.
"Hey kid! Are you deaf or something?"
Nearly jumping out of his armor snapping around the small white mech looked up meeting the irritable gaze of one of the ship crewmembers. He was a slightly bulky mech but the white and black couldn't figure out what type of alter mode he possessed. It was some sort of land craft but that's all he could narrow it down to. Dole colored mostly gray and brown with tri of yellow the only thing that stood out was the Autobot's log on his chest and his blue optics.
The ivory youngling hadn't caught the big mech's name he was too skittish for introductions and it was likely the bulky mech would careless if the smallish black and white knew.
"Designation and primary function," he stated with menace
The white youngling looked down at the data-slate in the mech's grasp realizing it admittedly what it was. "A-Artificer sir and. . ."
". . .And?" This mech was getting frustrated or something alone that line
Looking down at the floor, "I h-have no pr-primary function, sir."
Newly named as Artificer was easily intimidated by just about anyone but in truth he'd learned to control his stuttering over time but sometimes you'd never know it, like right now. The bulky mech gave the small mechling an odd look before grunting and walking off to another refugee down the line of mech's. Watching him go from the corner of his duo optics Artificer slide his hands between his inner thighs near his knee joints and bowed his head in shame and embarrassment.
It wasn't that he hadn't ever worked, matter a face he did mostly work as a filer keeping track of stocks, personnel, shipments, in and out, stuff like that. On other times he went around repairing stuff, it varied greatly. He just didn't have a set function like everyone else. No one had ever given him in recognition, given him the chance.
"It's alright," Art, snapped his head up to face the mech that was seating to his left "Ya got a lot of time ahead of ya. Your still a youngling practically, no one suspects you to have a function quit yet."
He went back to studying the floor and muttered under his breath. "Apparently only you."
He jumped slightly when he felt an arm snake around the back of his shoulder and a hand grip his right shoulder. The mech was leaning toward him a half-cocked smile on his face.
"Hey it's alright." He said. "Ya can either live your life lettin' bastards get to ya and living in a slump or ya can not give a frag about what they say and live your life. What have ya?" titling his head to one side and like that his grin suddenly turned sheepish "Pardon my language."
"I guess your right."
The white and black mech leaned back to his original position taking his arm off the smaller mech's shoulder. Chin held high he never ceased smiling. "Perfect answer."
A loud deep beep echoed through the chamber signaling for them to buckle down because the ship was preparing to dock. Artificer looked up as a series of long red lights lit up on the chambers ceiling. Looking down Artificer slide his hand down and clicked open the container piece that held the belt that went around his thin waist. For once he didn't jump when he heard something clatter behind him.
"You've done this before haven't you?"
Artificer couldn't help but let a grin cross his faceplate under the plate that covered his olfactory(2. Gripping onto the harness Art flipped it over his shoulders as if it were a completely natural thing for him. Beside him the black and white mech with the glassy blue visor had a little trouble but figured out how to adjust it and pull it down over his shoulders.
"More times than I'd care to admit." Artificer said his small smile still on his face
"I hate flying." Artificer turned to face the slender mech to his left again. He could tell the mech wasn't even trying to hide his nervousness even though he that smile still on his faceplate. "I'm a grounder an all ya know." Taking a quick glance over at the smaller mech. "I prefer all four wheels on solid ground."
Chortling, "I don't mind it, but yeah I understand."
Giving a nervous filled chuckle himself "You're braver than you let on then." To Artificer surprise the mech leaned over extending his white and black hand. "Names, Current, but for you, ya can call me DC(3." Giving Art that half-cocked grin of his. "Always going in one direction, never looking back."
Artificer smiled "Clever" raising his own hand that was mostly indigo except for a maroon plate that ran over his 'knuckles' to take the offered one to shake. "Artificer but you can call me Art."
The ship gave a jerk rattling the mech's in their harnesses that dropped over their shoulders. Artificer looked over his shoulder one last time and watched the metal scenery fly pass his window before the transport shuttle came to a slow steady halt jerking their passengers and crew.
He grimaced and Current caught it. "What is it?"
Leaning forward as much as the harness would let him he looked down toward the front of the passenger bay where the doors were sailed shut near the bulkhead and answered.
"The pilot needs to go back to where he learned to be a pilot." Current just laughed out loud as the ship finally came to a jerky halt.
000
Grand Maximus: Fortress Maximus' little brother; Appeared in Masterforce, Super God Masterforce, and the Zone series.
The plate over Art's nose and across his cheeks: think of G1 Blaster from both the original comics and artist Emiliano Santalucia awesome new reincarnation of him.
DC or Direct Current: welding current, electrical current that flows in one direction only. Direction the current is flowing is called polarity. Two Polarities: Direct current electrode positive (DCEP) & direct current electrode negative (DCEN) (Source National Center for Construction Education & Research, Trainee Guide L1)
A/N:
Should I be starting another story when I haven't finished my others? No, no I shouldn't. But I am, heh.
Transformers and all related char(s) belong to HasTak and associated co.
Except for Artificer(Art), Current(DC), and the plot, are mine.
Names of/and char(s) are entirely coincidental