Transformers: Phasma Phasmatis, A love story
Prologue: You want me to go where?
Cosmos shot through space as fast as his engines could take him, this was the call he was waiting for, the call from Optimus Prime. He had been stationed on Regulon 4 to aid the Wreckers defend the planet from the Decepticon, Six-Shot and his forces. Aiding the Wreckers was no easy task, But Cosmos was key in several victories. When Six-Shot was pushed back beyond the Silver Veil,And the planet appeared secure. Optimus Prime contacted Ultra Magnus to request that Cosmos be sent to Earth to aid the Autobots there.
To say Cosmos was excited was an understatement, It wasn't that he didn't make friends with the Wreckers, He often found them too extreme for his personality core. Still he was a loyal Autobot and wanted to do his part in the Autobot fleet. Throughout his time in the galaxy there was one place he long to visit again and that was the planet Earth. He had an encounter there many years ago when he crash landed there due to a wayward solar flare. In crashing on the planet he met his first Human. Everything he had been told and assume about them were completely wrong. He made friend in the Human named Annie.* (ref. see Transformers Prime:Annie) She nursed him back to functionability as he waited for the Autobot rescue craft to pick him up.
Many cycle passed since that then, in that time Cybertron had been lost and the Autobot fleet scattered, He had often thought that one of the reasons Optimus chose to come to the Earth was on his recommendation that the Earth and its inhabitants would one day proved to be valuable allies. It was of course the talk of the Autobot channels that Prime was leading the fight against Megatron and the deceptions on Earth. Cosmos even knew of a separate team led by Elita-One that guarded the Autobot's reserve of Energon on one of the planets shorelines. News of their exploits reached all over the Autobot fleet and instilled a renewed sense of hope that one day the Autobots would defeat the Decepticons and one da bring life back to their world of Cybertron.
As soon as Cosmos passed the asteroid belt and then sailed by Mars he sent the call to Autobot Base one. " Autobot base one! This is Cosmos! I am in route and will be arriving in one cycle! The Autobot UFO announced. He soon heard the familiar voice of Ratchet come into his communicator.
"We read you loud and clear Cosmos! It will be great to see you again old friend!" Ratchet greeted.
"Tell me Ratchet what is the solar year there? I'm curious how long has passed since I last crash there!" He asked the Autobot medic.
"Well we recorded the current solar year here to be 2012, You last were here in the solar year of 1885, That makes it precisely 127 years since you were last visit, Is there a reason why?" Ratchet asked.
"The last time I was there I made a human friend, I'm just curious to look her up and see how she's doing!' Cosmo said happily as a very long pause from Ratchet followed.
"Cosmos," Ratchet finally said "You do know that humans have a very short lifespan right?"
"How short are we talking? Can't be more than 400 or 500 years right?" Cosmos said with pure innocence.
"no my friend, Humans have an average lifespan of about 70 years , maybe.." Ratchet announced.
Cosmos did the math in his head "Do you think she might still be alive?"
"I'm sorry my friend, but I can assure you she has long expired." Ratchet said with a tinged of sorrow for the Autobot.
"I think I'm going to sign off for a bit now….." Cosmos said with a tiny crack in his voice.
Earth
Two good cries and one cycle later, Cosmos found himself entering Earth's atmosphere. Following the directions beamed to him, Cosmos returned the area near the small town of Jasper, Nevada. Descending down he could see the Autobot base in the missile silo approaching.
"Cosmos to Team Prime, I've arrived and on approach." He announced as the metal missile bay doors on top opened up as he entered the base from above.
"Whoa!" Miko Nakadai and Raf Esquival gasped in awe as they saw the green UFO land and then transform into a short stocky Autobot.
"Cosmos, Welcome!" Optimus Prime greeted "You must be exhausted after a long journey, Allow Ratchet to check your systems and administer you some energon"
"You're too kind Optimus!" Cosmos said as Miko wasted no time in fawning over him and asking more questions that he could keep up with.
As evening fell and the Autobot human allies left for the day, Optimus Prime gathered Cosmos for his mission briefing, Cosmos eagerly awaited his orders.
"Thank you again for requesting me Optimus! , What's my purpose here? Will I aid you? Or will I aid Elita-One and her team?" Cosmos asked with such enthusiasm That Arcee couldn't help but chuckle.
"Unfortunately the assignment I have for you, you will be on your own." Prime said as Cosmos's personality core dropped to his feet.
" Since our arrival here , we have been the guests of this planets inhabitants, Their representatives have requested that in addition to monitoring the Decepticons activities , That we also keep an eye out for any activities from other humans that might cause harm to their world. " Optimus said.
"So, you want me to spy on the humans?" Cosmos asked with a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"I know how it sounds old friend, But I am asking you to only report on serious activities that might threaten the humans on a greater scale, Your priority are the Decepticons. We need your skill on reconnaissance and communications to keep us abreast on the Decepticons, as not only Megatron is a threat but also his chief scientist Shockwave as well.
On the view screen it showed two images of Megatron's flying warship The Nemesis, and then Shockwave's ship The Enslaver. Both have large warships in active duty on the Earth. " Optimus said as he pulled up map of the United States on the computer screen.
"Agent Fowler has arranged for you to use an abandoned Coast Guard base in the town of Salem, Massachusetts here on the East coast of America. You are to remain in covert at all times, we can't afford for the Decepticons to learn of your existence and we will be helpless to assist you if they stage an attack on your midair. "The image was of an aerial view of a tiny state in the northeast of the country.
"From what Agent Fowler tells us, Salem is a small town. In addition to your UFO alternate mode you are also to assume a vehicle mode as well. In case you are needed to venture out into the populace. One other thing and I know this will be hard, but you are to avoid any human contact if possible. Yes we have human allies here, but you will be on your own and again we can't risk your cover being blown by humans. "
"Be careful," Arcee warned "Some humans love to search for Alien life forms."
Cosmos nodded, "I understand optimus…" He said sadly.
For Cosmos loneliness came with his job, He worked best if was in the upper atmosphere of a planet. There he could monitor any communication and report back on suspicious activity. He was one of the few Autobots who could achieve escape velocity and achieve planetary orbit without any assistance. This often set him apart from his fellow Autobots. He was a little letdown to learn he was being brought to Earth to do the same thing he was doing on Regulon 4, Sure he was good at it but would a little change of pace hurt?
Cosmos received additional briefing on the status of Decepticon activity on Earth and soon it was time for him to leave for his new "home" Ratchet opened the ground bridge controls as the green swirling vortex opened, on the other side his new base beckoned.
"Report to us frequently, if you need anything do not hesitate to ask!" Optimus said as Cosmos gave a curt salute and transformed into his UFO mode and traveled through the portal. As soon as he went through the portal he was greeted by a heavy rain in a night sky.
"Oh great!" Cosmos cursed as he quickly looked for a vehicle to scan. He came across a car dealership and chose a Hummer to scan. As soon as his green beam finished copying the form of the vehicle he transformed and traveled to the coastal base. Keying in the special code the large metal gate of the base opened up and he traveled to the farthest building that was already prepared for him by Ratchet with a Computer terminal, a medical bay and a garage to rest.
He sighed as he didn't bother to transform into robot mode as he powered down, first thing tomorrow he was starting his "work".
Meanwhile a few miles on the outskirts of town, Tom Aldred was on his way home. It was pouring rain outside and visibility was getting difficult. On his car radio an 80's song played as he thumped his thumb on the steering wheel with the beat. Soon off in the distance he could see something on the side of the road.
He slowed his car down as he squinted to see it was a person walking in the rain alone. Instinctively his dad side kicked in as it appeared the person was a young girl. Stopping by the girl he rolled down his window.
"By the saints' young lady!, Get in!"He said as she got in the front seat.
She looked to be about maybe 13 or 14. And she looked to weight about 100lbs soaking wet, which she was. Her white head scarf head was soaked with the rain as her hair fell around her face. She was dressed in a black dress with a wide white collar and she wrapped a shawl tightly around her tiny frame.
"Goodness child!" he chastised " It's nearly one in the morning and you're out here by yourself!, where's your house? I'll drop you off!"
"I'm just a little lost, "she said quietly " I live up the way just take a left on Throckmorton avenue. It's the last house at the end of the street."
"Oh ok! You live near Gallows Hill!" Tom said as he gained his bearings.
The rest of the ride was spent in total silence as Tom figured the kid was just tired, sure enough it appeared as if she were sleeping as he pulled up to the house. He stopped the car at the dimly lit brick house.
"Hey we're here!" he said as he turned to her, seeing she was asleep, Tom chose to get her father so he could carry her in.
He left his car door open so he could see her in the passenger's side light. He knocked on the door as a Goth looking woman in her mid-20's answered.
"Can I help you?" She asked.
"Yeah I picked up your little sister or daughter walking home, she's out so could you take her inside?" Tom said pointing at the figure in his car.
She rolled her eyes as smirk came across her face, "Is she this tall with a black dress and a white collar? Kind of dressed like a pilgrim girl?" She said as he raised her hand to the young girl's height.
"Y-Yeah" He answered.
"Yeah, uh hate to tell you this but that's Elyssa, she's a ghost!" she said nonchalantly as if she were used to this already.
"G-ghost? Hey now don't play around! There she is in the passenger's seat! See!" He said still pointing at the young passenger in his car.
"I'm telling you she's a ghost, we get people like you here every few months. "She said as Tom had the look of utter disbelief "Look see for yourself! Go wake her up!"
Tom blew a breath out of his nose as he went to his car, all the time keeping the girl in his sight, but as soon as he opened the passenger door she was gone. All that remained on the soaking wet seat was her wet shawl.
He looked back at the woman as she gave him an "I told you so" look and closed the door.
NEXT TIME: The story jumps into full gear as Cosmos starts his job here on earth as he gets a little more acquainted with the town he's been assigned to. Plus, the mystery of Elyssa the ghost starts to unfold as Cosmos breaks Autobot protocol with a fateful meeting on a lonely road…..