Chapter 2: Sandstorm
Hot Rod let go the second the light started, and yet by the time he disconnected the landscape around the three had completely changed. Instead of the wreckage of war, they were standing in the middle of nowhere. Emphasis on nowhere. There were no buildings, no sign of life. The ground shifted beneath his feet as he stumbled backward. Falling onto his aft, Hot Rod looked up. The once black starlit sky was replaced with a single blue hue.
"What the…" panted Hot Rod.
Thundercracker looked around, releasing Vector's wrist with an angry toss away. He spun around, kicking up dust and sinking slightly in the shifting ground. Vector whimpered, rubbing his released wrist before looking around himself. He raised a brow but shrugged, lowering his arms to his side.
"Well, that's unfortunate," Vector sighed, shaking his head.
"What in the universe did you do!?" shouted Hot Rod, attempting to find his footing. "Where the scrud are we!?"
"I did try to make an exit without causing trouble."
"Transporting us hardly seems like a fair trade," huffed Thundercracker, crossing his arms.
"Where on Cybertron are we?" mumbled Hot Rod.
"Clearly not Cybertron," Vector hummed, scooping a handful of the ground and allowing it to leak through his fingers. "Sand."
"Excuse me?" Hot Rod perked.
"Sand," repeated Vector, dumping the remainder of the material.
"Send up back!" ordered Thundercracker, grabbing onto Vector.
"Yeah, what he said," nodded Hot Rod, placing a hand on Vector's shoulder.
The smaller bot shrugged the two off him, beginning to walk away. Hot Rod and Thundercracker exchanged looks, optics narrowed. Hot Rod opened his mouth to speak, as Thundercracker raised his weapon at the departing Vector. Hot Rod gasped, grabbing the barrel and forcing the gun downward.
"Are you insane!?"
Vector stopped and turned around to see the two again, hands on his hips.
"If he won't return us, then I will force him!" Thundercracker hissed, pulling away from Hot Rod.
"And if he still refuses? You gonna shoot our only way out of this place!?"
Vector sighed, rolling his eyes, and walked back. He stopped in front of the two, arms crossed as he looked between them.
"First off, I'm right here! I can hear you!" Vector grumbled. "Second…it doesn't work that way."
"What doesn't?" Hot Rod asked.
"Transporting…" whispered Vector, kicking the sand. "I can't…control it."
"You what!?" Hot Rod and Thundercracker shouted simultaneously.
"You stranded us!" growled Thundercracker, picking Vector up by the shoulders. "I'll destroy you!"
"What did I just say about killing him!?"
"You just staid not to shoot him…"
"Listen, con," Hot Rod offered, placing a hand on Thundercracker's arm.
"It's Thundercracker."
"Right," Hot Rod nodded. "Look, whether or not he can control it…he's still our best ticket out…"
Thundercracker grumbled under his breath before dropping Vector. The smaller bot was quick to get back to his feet, brushing off the sand. The steaming seeker threw his hands up in exacerbation. Hot Rod sighed, trying not to strangle the nonaffiliated as well. Hot Rod perked, looking deeply at Vector. That name. His look. It reminded him of…
"You said your name is Vector, right?" Hot Rod mumbled, reaching out.
"Yes," Vector groaned, shoulders lowering.
"Like…'Vector Prime' Vector? Original thirteen? God of time and space?"
Thundercracker's optics widened as he slowly looked down at Hot Rod. After a moment of staring at the Autobot, his eyes shifted quickly to Vector. The latter groaned loudly, throwing his head back and walking away again.
"I'm not Vector Prime…not yet," he replied, waving back to them.
"What?" shouted Hot Rod, rushing after. "What do you mean you're not Vector Prime yet?"
"I expected you to be bigger," whispered Thundercracker, walking behind them.
"It's still early in my timeline," Vector stretched. "I mean, I know all about what I'm supposed to be but…I'm just not there yet."
"You have got to be kidding me!" Hot Rod forcefully turned Vector around to face him. "Vector Prime is supposed to be this great legend! You…you're just some kid…"
"Thanks…" Vector spoke flatly.
Thundercracker slid in next to them, optics wide. He placed a hand on both of them.
"We have a problem."
"What?" growled Hot Rod.
"That…"
Thundercracker pointed behind them. Turning, Hot Rod felt like this cycle was just getting worse. The so-called sand was apparently getting caught in the wind. This normally wouldn't be a problem, except that this wind seemed to be extreme, coughing up the sand and dust and leaving nothing visible beyond it. It was like a wall of grit was approaching them as great speed.
"Run!" called Vector, taking off in opposite direction.
Hot Rod and Thundercracker exchanged glances again before chasing after Vector. It wasn't long before the storm consumed them. Hot Rod felt the small particles scrap against his armor, whipping around in the pressure wind and entering every joint. Shielding his optics, he attempted to see clearer with his head lights on but it provided little aid.
"Vector!" shouted Hot Rod, feeling the sand enter his mouth the second it opened. "Thundercracker!"
He felt a hand land on his shoulder hard. He spun around, gun poised. He'd forgotten he was holding it. Thundercracker responded in kind, pointing the gun in Hot Rod's face. Recognizing the other, they both lowered their weapons.
"Where's Vector?" Hot Rod gasped.
"If he teleported, I swear to Primus…" grumbled Thundercracker.
"There!"
Hot Rod pointed through the storm, seeing the eerie red glow that he had seen before on Vector's gemstone. Hot Rod led the way. Thundercracker held onto him with a hand placed on his shoulder. The red light was beginning to shift colors as they approached Vector. The smaller bot was shielding his faceplate, optics tightly shut. Hot Rod reached out, hoping to grab onto Vector before the gem turned green. He felt the smoothness of the metal armor, narrowing an optic to try and get a better look.
"Vector!"
The red snapped to green and a bright light was released again. The storm quickly consumed it, leaving nothing.