Maelstrom 1

Homecoming: Part 1

Author's note: This story is part of a LONG series called Maelstrom. It is strictly Gen. 1 - sorry, but that was all that was out when I started writing. If you have not read the nine original Maelstrom Comics and the preceding text stories, I strongly suggest you do. They can be found at http// illmatar. deviantart. com I have put double spaces between the addy here or FF . Net eats the link.

This scene contains strong language and violence. Rated M for adult themes! Really! Transformers characters belong to Hasbro. Critiques adored!

Cybertron spread out beneath them at last, glowing and beautiful. Looking down at his home from orbit, Rodimus couldn't decide what to feel. They were waiting for landing clearance, and it gave him plenty of time to reflect. The humanized Autobot had envisioned this moment countless times with hope and dread. There was so much about him that was different that had nothing to do with physical appearance. One thing he hadn't counted on was the raw impact of Cybertron on his ultra-sensitive human senses. Whatever else he might feel-this was home. He belonged to it.

Sitting beside him in the co-pilot's seat, Lancer fought to control her emotions as well. She was also startled by the depth of emotion this (alien?) world inspired in her. It was her first visit to a planet she knew with all the secret intimacy of a native. Even so, even though she had fought so long to reach this place, struggled with all her heart and skill to bring Rodimus home, she felt no triumph. While they were marooned and traveling, Cybertron had seemed an unreal, unreachable goal. Now they were here. It was over.

Lancer sighed inwardly, and hoped Rodimus was too distracted to pick up on her fears. He had enough to deal with. This was going to be even harder than her worst fears. Since the link between them opened, Rodi had shared more and more memories with her, and visa versa. Lately the young woman had found herself missing people she'd never met, and reliving things she'd never done. She knew Rodimus sometimes had similar confusion with her memories. It had been fun, after a while, to truly walk in his shoes. As for the memories they'd made together....well, that was over.

Now Lancer found herself in the awkward position of visiting total strangers and viewing them as "family". She tried to view Cybertron as a foreign realm. Instead, she felt home. She let Rodimus do the talking when it was their turn to request landing clearance. He gave them a false name for the ship, a false planet of origin, false names for himself and Lancer, and of course a completely false reason for visiting. Lancer shook her head. Rodimus was so good at lying - she was glad he was so honest or no one would ever be safe.

He sighed. "This shouldn't work."

"It will," Lancer assured him.

Rodimus frowned. "It won't for much longer," he growled determinedly. "We are in a stolen ship full of smuggler's compartments under false pretenses. W e murdered the crew, and we're even lying about where we came in from, and they aren't even scanning us. That was supposed to be S.O.P. BEFORE I got snatched!" He drummed his fingers in irritation.

Lancer just glared down at the planet in disgust. "You certainly have your work cut out for you," she said, just as they received permission to land.

The docking platforms were crowded with busy beings from many worlds. They swarmed around the area to transport tubes which whisked them to various points on Cybertron. In many ways, it was exactly like the other ports Rodimus and Lancer had passed through on their way here. With one difference. One of the ships which landed just ahead of them wasn't a freighter or passenger ship full of tourists. It was an Autobot shuttle, and the passengers disembarking were Springer and Arcee. Rodimus froze - his mind numbed by the sight of his friends. Lancer managed not to let his turmoil garble her own wits, and scanned the two oblivious Autobots. Why would they notice two more fleshlings in the swarm?

"It's hard not to just run right up to them," Rodimus finally said, "I've really missed them."

Lancer put her hand on his arm, "I know, but you were the one who decided that was not the best way to handle things. C'mon. Lets go find your human friends."

Rodi nodded, and they turned to leave, but he couldn't help looking back at Springer and Arcee as they passed. Arcee noticed the little red-head staring back at them before turning away quickly . She wasn't entirely sure that he'd been looking at them, because she couldn't imagine why the sight of them would make a human so sad. She watched after him for a moment before losing them in the crowd of other humans.

"What's wrong?" Springer asked, taking her hand.

Arcee hesitated, "Nothing, I guess."

"Which way?" Lancer wanted to know.

"Hmm..?"

"Snap out of it! I know this is hard for you, but they are still after us. Don't make it TOO easy for them to nail you. OK? I'd be pissed if all my hard work getting you here went to shit."

Rodimus didn't respond to her needling, which meant he was even more upset than she realized.

"I'm afraid," he said.

"I know. Let's hunt."

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Lancer and Rodimus finally found their target after about fours hours of walking and subtle inquiries. Lancer let Rodimus do most of the talking again, and they targeted female clerks at the EDC academy, posing as friends here on a "surprise visit". They had found on their journey back to Cybertron, that Rodimus could charm answers out of just about any humanoid female with little more than a smile. He didn't even need to work at it in most cases.

Their target was sitting in a courtyard near EDC academy where he was currently enrolled as a cadet. He was reading a text of some kind, and eating some of the greasy junk food college students seem to thrive on. Rodimus recognized him from afar, even though the young man was sitting with his back to them. They waited until a table nearby cleared out, but even then Rodimus hesitated.

"Lets go Rodi," Lancer prompted.

"I'm fine," came the tense reply.

"Sure you are. That explains why you're standing here like a deer in headlights. He's just a kid. I'm sure he doesn't bite as hard as I do."

They took their seats at the round white table behind the target and to the left, and prepared to say their prearranged lines.

Rodimus took a deep breath, and briefly wondered what it was that made that a calming gesture for humans. He stared at the back of Daniel's head without moving. Lancer elbowed him.

"S..so, its been a while since I've been fishing," he finally stammered, making sure his voice carried over the noise in the courtyard.

"Oh yeah?" Lancer said, "Why?" She was the picture of polite interest.

"Well, the last time, I went my friend and I both got hurt." Rodi said, a little more calmly.

"Really, what happened?"

"Well, these goons jumped us. My friend got a compound fracture in his left arm, and I ended up on the operating table." Rodimus said, his voice gruff with emotion.

"Uh-huh. Chest wounds, right?" Lancer said, looking sideways at Daniel. He was still holding his book, but he was sitting bolt upright, not looking at it.

"Yeah. The worst part was having to walk home. I didn't think I'd make it, so I told my friend to go on without me."

"Did he go?" Lancer asked, looking at Rodimus. Daniel was glancing quickly over his shoulder-trying to pretend he wasn't listening to every word the two strange people were saying. She felt Rodimus' heart skip a beat, as he noticed their plan was really working.

He continued their ruse. "Not right away. We both thought I would die. He didn't want to leave me. He yelled at me about it, but I told him it was alright and that I wasn't afraid." Daniel slowly turned around and looked right at them.

Rodimus met his friend's eyes, trying to put all he felt into his expression for once. Daniel grew visibly pale as Rodimus continued.

"The last thing he said to me was that he'd miss me. I've been gone so long...I wonder if he has." Daniel slowly stood, and came over to stare down at Rodi's face. The cadet's eyes were wide and brimming with tears, but he was silent.

"Hi Kid," Rodimus said gently, "You grew up on me."

Daniel leaned down until he was a mere foot from Rodi's face. "I shouldn't believe this," he said, in a calm, deep voice. A man's voice. "I just know it's you. Hi Rodimus. You've changed...and I did miss you."

Rodimus stood up so quickly his chair tipped over, and he grabbed Daniel in a crushing bear-hug.

Lancer turned away.

Daniel sat down at their table while Rodimus picked up his abused chair, and then the explanations started. Well, a version of them anyway. Lancer watched Rodimus with his friend and tried to enjoy the first decent cup of coffee she'd had since the accident with the teleporter.

Finally Daniel asked, "What are we going to do now?"

"Can you get us into Central? I need to talk to Optimus, but I knew better than to just waltz in on him like this," Rodimus said.

"It's not that easy to get in to see him anymore. He's changed since you've been gone. I suppose my dad could probably manage it."

Damn it partner! What's wrong with you? Since when is Danny an unwelcome visitor? Rodimus thought with concern.

Worry about it when you see him. It may not be as bad as it sounds, Lancer sent back. The problem was, underneath it all, he knew she didn't believe it either.