After the darker bot left Charlie pushed his glasses back up on the ridge of his nose and shook his head at what was happening. They just wanted to see what was inside the mountain, they never suspected this. These were aliens, but unlike the ones on the sci-fi movies they weren't just one shape. They appeared to be as different as any human is to another human. What made them really unique was their metallic skin and their glowing eyes. That alone made them appear very intimidating.
"What are you doing here?" Asked the bot with no left arm. "It's not safe for you."
Buddy got a quizzical look on his face. "You speak English?"
"What is English?" The bot shook his head. "It doesn't matter. You need to get to a safe spot."
Charlie gave a quick nod. "You don't have to ask me twice."
They slowly headed to where
the smaller robot had pointed to earlier and Charlie was surprised to
see that they were heading to a very wide hallway. Gradually they
both began to walk down the corridor, careful not to trip on
any
debris.
The sight before them was quickly turning into something rather spectacular. So incredible in fact, if the government got wind of this it will most likely be ripped apart for experimentation then blown up to hide the secrets that lay within this structure. They knew for now that whatever this is, will have to be kept secret. No matter what lay within this place they couldn't tell anybody. Especially their family and friends.
"What do you think, Charlie?"
Charlie shook his head. "It's unbelievable. I wonder if there is any more of them." His voice faded as they reached a large, brightly lit room. "Oh, #$."
The room appeared as though a hurricane had blown through it. What was really surprising was the robot laying on the ground, his feet sticking straight up into the air. The robot was a little smaller then the one that was missing the arm and the only difference between them was his much thinner, black frame. Wonder why he didn't wake up like the others?
Curious Charlie slowly took a step toward the large robot, expecting for it to jump straight at him. And when it didn't move he knelt down to see a large hole in the robot's shoulder that appeared, by the singed edges, to have been caused by a burning object. It looked rather painful, if the robots did feel pain that is.
"I wonder what happened to him." Buddy began to study the injury with a smile. "This is amazing though. I have never seen anything like this before."
"Get away from him." Charlie spun around to see the bot with no arm standing in the large doorway. "When everything clears, you two will have to leave."
Buddy nodded. "Understood."
"Sonicblaze, we have a problem!" The smaller bot ran in cradling a man in army fatigues in his arms. "He's badly hurt."
"We have no way of dealing with this, Beltline."
"What! Can't you see he's badly injured!" Charlie ran up to the robot that was called Beltline and ordered for him to lay the man gently on the floor. "What had happened to him?"
Beltline shrugged. "Don't know, I just found him this way." The robot's glowing eyes actually appeared sympathetic. "What can we do to help him?"
"We need a doctor…"
Sonicblaze quickly shook his head at Charlie's suggestion. "No, I can't allow that."
"But if he doesn't get a doctor soon, he'll die!" Said Buddy as he shook his head. "How can you allow that to happen?"
"Maybe Red Alert can help this creature out. Or even Perceptor." Suggested the small robot.
"No, we have far more important things to take care of." Sonicblaze took one last look at the distorted body of the human and went to the main control panel. "We have a mission. Or did you forget that, Beltline?"
"I didn't forget." Beltline shook his head. "Can't you see though, if we help him then maybe the humans can help us in return."
Sonicblaze huffed. "What can they do? As you can see they don't do to well in combat."
"Then maybe we can make suits for them."
All them turned around to see a very wobbly, red and white robot with a rocket launcher perched on his right shoulder. He appeared to be uninjured, though he was rather jumpy. Just one sound from behind him nearly made him soar to the ceiling in fear. This got a chuckle from Beltline and Sonicblaze.
"It isn't funny! You never know what could happen to you!" The robot stepped into the command room to take a look at the injured human. "What happened to him?"
"He's injured and needs help!" Charlie shook his head. "Can you do anything for him!"
"I have never worked on anything like this before. I don't know if I can do it."
"Then he's just going to die!?" Charlie screamed.
"I'm sorry, but we have far bigger things to worry about." Sonicblaze turned to the dazed robot. "Red Alert, revive Naito. Once he's functioning, tell him to find Prime and the other Autobots."
"Right." Red Alert pointed to Sonicblaze's shoulder. "What about your injury?"
Sonicblaze shrugged. "I'm fine for now. Just take care of the others."
Mirror Blade stormed into his shuttle, surprised to see that Zero-3 had turned on the power. He went immediately to the stasis pods to see that every bot on his team escaped unscathed. Quickly he went and began to punch a button on every pod to awaken his team. It will only take a few nanoseconds for his crew to awaken from their stasis sleep mode and then he will debrief them on their real mission. While the computers did their job he went back into the control room to check on the crew there.
There was only two bots in the room, Redline and Firestorm, both in stasis in their seats. Firestorm is a must for the team, but what did Redline bring that was so useful to him? All he knew about the young Autobot was the fact he was a medic in training. He didn't know what Redline was capable of doing in battle and if he had any special abilities. He had to have something unique or else he wouldn't have had qualified for the Omnibots. Unfortunately, Mirror Blade didn't trust him. He won't till he saw him in battle.
"Where are we, sir?" Asked a voice from behind.
"A planet called Earth." Mirror Blade turned around to see Trigger, the team's sniper. "How are the bots?"
Trigger shrugged. "Nothing new to report. Do you want me to look at the crew in the command center?"
"Wake up Firestorm, as for that Redline, let him lay there for awhile."
Trigger shook his head. "He wouldn't have made the team, sir if he was weak."
"Why do you think that, Trigger?" Mirror Blade began to walk back to the command room. "He just got out of the Academy! How could he possibly have had any experience with fighting!"
"I was just saying, sir!" Trigger stepped over some debris to get to Firestorm. "And besides, he's our medic. And obviously," He glanced down at the mangled body of the main flier in the group. "We need one."
"You once trained to become a medic. Am I right, Trigger?"
"Once. I'm a sniper, Mirror Blade. I take lives, not save them."
Mirror Blade shook his head then waved his arm at the younger Autobot. "Very well, but he's going to be your responsibility."
Darkness. That is all that he could see, but he did sense somebody next to him. The beat of their spark reverberating in a nice, slow rhythm. The spark was that of Blade Runner, a very old and very wise Autobot. Knowing he was alive did bring hope that everybody else on the team was alive as well. Now the question was, was anybody damaged?
"Hello?" He slowly lifted his head to see if anybody noticed the movement. "Blade Runner, are you okay?"
"Yeah, how about you Echo?"
Echo nodded his head. "Doing all right, considering I have no idea where we crash landed at." He gradually got up, noticing quickly that his body was very low on energon. "Do you know where we are?"
"I heard that we are on a planet called Earth. Other then that, I don't know."
"Interesting." Echo stepped out of the pod, his legs a bit wobbly. "How is the rest of the team?"
"From what I gather there are a few that are damaged, but nothing too serious." He could feel as Blade Runner took hold of his arm. "Here, let me help you to the infirmary."
With Blade Runner's guidance Echo made his way to the infirmary where he noticed something very different. Something else was in the room, something that had slow, irregular beating. And with each beat he vaguely could see a shape. What was this strange object and why was it so small?
"Echo, come over here and sit down." Perceptor stepped up to his left side and directed him across the room. "I see you aren't damaged."
"What is that on the table over there?" Echo couldn't help but stare at the very strange creature. "Its spark, it's not like ours."
"No, Echo it isn't. The creature is called a human, they inhabit this planet." Blade Runner patted Echo's shoulder. "This one is very badly injured. Two more were killed and two are alive, and are right now in the control room with Naito, Sonicblaze and Red Alert."
"Interesting." Echo stepped up to the creature and placed his hand gently on it. He felt a sticky, warm liquid on his hand which smelled almost metallic. "What is wrong with him?"
"Mirror Blade tried to slice him up." Blade Runner's voice showed his anger. "There's really nothing we can do for him. Sonicblaze won't get a human medic for him. So, unfortunately he's going to die a slow, painful death."
"That's not fair. Is there anything we can do for the human?"
"Red Alert has never worked on such a fragile creature before." He could hear the older Autobot sigh. "Perceptor would like to try, but Sonicblaze won't allow him to."
"Why not? Is it because of the mission?"
"Yep, we actually have a hit on a spark several miles from here. We are going to send a team to check it out. And well, you're going to be on that team Echo."
Echo nodded his head. "I understand. What are we going to do about energon?"
"Sonicblaze is talking to the humans right now." He could hear Blade Runner turn then take a few steps away from Echo. "Well, let Perceptor take care of you. You need to be in good condition for the mission."
"Very well." Echo reached out for the frail creature again, the beat coming from it getting weaker and weaker. "I hope we get help for it soon. It appears to be fading quickly."
"Don't worry, we will." Blade Runner patted Echo's broad shoulder. "Now take care of yourself."
It was strange to be in the room with the robots, it almost appeared as though Charlie and Buddy were in a land of giants. The room was built for the robots which meant the chairs and tables were very large. In order to even sit down or use any of the consoles Buddy or Charlie will have to get a ladder. And then there was the sheer size of the shuttle. It was massive. So massive in fact that Buddy had asked one of the bots to write down a map just in case either one of them got lost while walking around.
Right now Charlie was studying the map to see where the infirmary was so he could see how the soldier was doing. He hated not able to do anything, especially when a man was in serious trouble. What made it worse was he could do something about it. He had a friend that was in medical school right now and was actually an intern in an emergency room. If only he could call him up and get him to come here then maybe, just maybe the soldier could make it.
"It seems that they don't care, Charlie." Buddy lit a cigarette then glanced at the entrance to the command center. He took a long, deep drag then blew the smoke out of the corner of his mouth. "So, what does that mean to us?"
Charlie's shoulders slumped at the sudden realization of what Buddy had just said. What did that mean for them? Did these robots plan to kill them once they had the information they needed? Or were they now prisoners to these robots? Destined to a life of hard work and possibly fighting for the robots. What if they did have to fight? What will they be armed with?
"#$." Charlie shook his head. "What will that mean for us?"
Very heavy footsteps approached the command center and at first Charlie had thought it was Blade Runner, the older robot of the group, if that was actually possible. Instead a very large, black robot came walking into the command center, his hand gently grazing the door as he stepped in.
The robot was massive with wings that hung on his back like a moth. His body shape showed he had immense power and yet could be very agile. He had several dents and scrapes in his armor, especially near the knees and shins. As though he ran into items on a regular, day to day basis. So, why didn't he have eyes like the others? Why did he have the metal plate?
"That's one big #$ robot." Buddy took a step back as the robot took a step forward. "Why is he so big?"
The robot's head quickly turned towards them. "You must be the humans that Blade Runner told me about." He stuck out his hand as though he wanted to shake. "My name is Echo."
Charlie slowly reached out and shook the massive hand. "Nice to meet you. My name is Charlie and this here is Buddy." He pulled his hand away in disgust. Blood, and lot's of it was caked on the robot's palm. "I take it you saw the sergeant."
"That's the injured human, correct?"
"Yeah, how is he?" Charlie wiped his palm on the side of his pants, disgusted at this robot for not knowing what he had on his hand. "Can you show us the infirmary so we can see him?"
Echo nodded. "Sure thing. Follow me."
As they entered into the large corridor Charlie noticed something he didn't notice before, a railing. A smooth pipe ran straight down the long hall, curving around corners, and stopping at doors. He only noticed it because Echo was using it to maneuver his way around the massive ship. So, they catered to his special need. How interesting.
"Why can't you see?" Charlie watched as Echo ran his fingers on a panel by each door. "Were you, uh, built blind?"
Echo's shoulders seemed to have sunk. "I was built like any other Decepticon, but for some reason only known to Primus I had an Autobot spark. Megatron and Shockwave didn't like that, so they made me suffer." His left hand went to his face and lightly rubbed the metallic visor. "They decided to make me the best sniper a Cybertronian can be."
Buddy flicked his cigarette to the ground. "Sorry to hear that, man." He blew smoke out of his mouth and shook his head. "So, you can't see?"
"No, but I have a sonar system that helps a bit." Echo rubbed his hand on a plaque and stopped. "This is it. I wish I could help the human, but I can't."
"Thanks." Charlie glanced at Buddy then stepped into the room to see only three robots walking around the room, all of them ignoring a small, prone figure on a large, metallic table. "Buddy, they act as though he isn't even there?"
Charlie quickly ran to the table, to see blood dripping over the edge. He tried very hard to see the soldier, but it was no use. The table was too tall.
"Can anybody help him!" Shouted Charlie. "Anybody!"
"Enough!" Sonicblaze stepped pass Charlie to take a look at the sergeant. "We can't do anything for him."
"But we can." Charlie pleaded. "I have a friend that's a doctor, he can fix him up."
Sonicblaze shook his head. "I can't trust him."
"Why can't you? This man, is going to die!"
A red and white robot nodded his head. "Sonicblaze, having a human medic aboard will come in handy. Especially if we are to have the humans help us."
"We can't trust the humans, Red Alert."
"You can trust my friend, Sonicblaze!"
Sonicblaze shrugged his shoulders. "Fine, fine. But if he even does anything stupid, he will suffer the consequences."
The telephone ringing snapped Terry Williams from his studies and he let out a curse. Who would be calling him at this time of the night? Better be something important. He grumbled as he went to snatch the phone up.
"This better be important." He said upon answering.
"It is, Terry. Listen, this is Charlie. You remember that dig me and Buddy went on?"
Terry rubbed his face, irratated. "Yes, and now you need a medic. Am I right?" When Charlie agreed he shook his head. "Get the military to cover that. I got to keep studying."
"I can't! Listen, you're the only one I can trust right now." His friend's voice seemed frantic. "Look, we have a seriously injured man. He's near death's bed. Gives you field training..."
Terry violently shook his head. "I had plenty of that in Vietnam. Can I tell you step by step on how to treat..."
His friend cursed, a rarity for Charlie. "Just come down here. And don't tell anybody! If you do, it could get all of us killed."
Terry's heart began to race. "What on Earth did you get involved with Charlie?"
"Actually it's something not from Earth. You'll see once you get here. Bring anything you need for major surgery. See you in a few hours."
As Terry hung up the phone he rubbed his face, his mind still trying to figure out what he had just got himself involved in. He knew he could fully trust Charlie and his decisions, which meant there was a man that needed him. He took a deep breath, went and closed his textbooks and began to pack his things. If Charlie was true he'll need to stop at the local clinic for supplies.
Two Days Later
The mission had been put on hold as the Outcasts began to rebuild, starting with the command room. To Sonicblaze's amazement the humans also helped out, though they couldn't do much they were able to clean up. And just within a couple of days the Rebirth shuttle was looking rather good. He even began to place his men in two bot groups to help patrol the perimeter around the shuttle. Life, though never normal for him was beginning to take on some form of discipline, not seen even on their days back at Cybertron. It was actually kind of nice.
"Sir, nothing new to report."
Beltline stepped into the command room, his new armor glistening in the shuttles dim lighting. Everybody on board had gotten new alt-modes to better match the vehicles that were found on Earth. The alt-mode for Beltline: a 1966 Ford Mustang. Which suited the mini-bot just fine. Though the missile launchers on Beltline's shoulders did not fit comfortably inside their new casings, which did seem to cause a bit of discomfort for the little Autobot, especially when he transformed.
"Good. How is the human?"
"Thanks to the human doctor the soldier is doing rather well." Beltline studied the screen in front of him that showed a flashing light near what appeared to be a mountainous region. "Is that what I think it is?"
"It's somebody all right." Sonicblaze crossed his arms. "But who, we can't tell until we get there."
"Should we order Echo to do a fly over?"
Sonicblaze gave a nod. "Yes, do."
It seemed as though time had stopped at the Hope shuttle where repairs were made then double checked then tripled checked. Mirror Blade had decided it was time to find out where the first Autobot was from Optimus Prime's team. And as Firestorm and Camshaft began to scan the area for the sparks of missing Autobots, Mirror Blade went to the cargo bay. There, he went to a special holding area that he made sure was specifically built for his unique delivery.
He carefully lifted one of the canisters to take a look at it's beauty. This will lead the Deceptibots to glory if he could just contaminate one Autobot and one Decepticon. Problem is, it will also contaminate his team as well. Wonder what he could do to prevent that?
"What is that, Mirror Blade?" Trigger stepped into the storage room, his optics narrow with suspicion. "Is that what I think it is?"
Mirror Blade slowly placed the canister back in it's holder. "Yes, it is. The problem is now, how to transport it without effecting us?" He turned to the sniper with a smile on his face. "Is there any way you can place the virus inside a projectile?"
Trigger shrugged. "I suppose, but it will be very tricky." He looked around then leaned in closer to Mirror Blade. "Who authorized this?"
"Shockwave. He doesn't want the Autobots or Decepticons to return to Cybertron."
"And why is that? What does he have planned?"
Mirror Blade shrugged. "I don't know, but I like it." He pointed to the canister. "So, can you do something or not?"
"I will have to ask Beaker to help me out."
"Then do so and get back to me when you have a plan."
Just a few miles behind Echo, Beltline raced on a highway, trying his best to stay at the speed limit. According to Charlie, who sat in the driver's seat the humans had rules for their vehicles. One being a certain speed limit on all pedestrian roadways. He had never had a speed limit before and it took some getting use to.
"He's turning left." Beltline quickly scanned for any way off the road and when he didn't find any he slowed down. "This isn't good."
"Just look for an off road. There has to be some around here for service vehicles."
"Right. Echo, we'll meet you there. Stay hovering, don't land till I tell you too."
"Copy that."
Charlie shifted in the seat then stretched. "How much longer do you think?"
"About another hour or two, your time."
"Who do you think it might be, Beltline?"
"I'm hoping for another Autobot, but you never know till Echo does a fly by."
Charlie nodded. "And what if it is a Decepticon?"
"Then we kill it."
Back in the Hope Shuttle Mirror Blade paced the command room, trying desperately to come up with some idea on how to transfer the virus. It was very risky since just one particle on his metallic frame could lead into a massive epidemic. And he didn't want that at all.
He cracked his knuckles and stared at the small screen perched on his massive desk inside his office. "There has to be a way, Beaker!"
The young Autobot shook his head. "I can't find one, sir." He began typing again, this time slamming on the keys as he did so. "You do know it's highly contagious to any Cybertronian, right?"
"Yes, I know that!" Mirror Blade slammed his hand on the desk. "I swear on Primus if you don't do this, I will kill you myself!"
"Mirror Blade!" Trigger pushed away from the wall and shook his head. "Beaker, don't listen to him. Just keep working and let us know." He glanced at Mirror Blade. "Let's go."
"Fine." Mirror Blade pointed at Beaker. "When I get back you better have something!"
The two Deceptibots walked into the control where Firestorm and Camshaft were seated, looking at a large screen which displayed a map with a few blinking dots. The dots indicated Cybertronian beings, but which kind, they didn't know. They won't know till they actually went to one of those dots.
"We have company approaching one of the beacons!" Camshaft rolled over to another console and began typing away. "Signals are unknown, which could mean only one thing."
Mirror Blade tightened his hand into a fist. "Sonicblaze."
"Coming upon the signal." Reported Beltline as he skidded to a stop right in front of Echo. "I repeat, we are coming upon the signal. It appears to be a Decepticon."
"Very well." Came Sonicblaze over the secure comm-link. "Make sure first and if it is, kill him."
"Copy that." Beltline allowed Charlie out then transformed. "Let's do this, Echo."
"Firestorm, take flight now! Kill those bots on sight!" Mirror Blade turned to Redline. "Follow him!"
Redline hastily saluted. "Yes, sir! What is your instructions once there?"
Mirror Blade knew his secret weapon wasn't quite ready yet, which was unlucky for him. And now he will have to quickly think of something to do. He knew Redline wouldn't be capable of killing another Autobot, so what could this robot do? Maybe a kidnapping. He smiled at the thought and decided it was the best option he had.
"Kidnap the bot." Redline appeared a bit confused, but just nodded his head. "Now, go!"
They were ten feet down when Beltline's shovel hit something metallic. A few more light hits with his shovel satisfied him enough to get down on one knee and began to dig with his hands.
"It's a Decepticon all right!" Beltline leaned back up and shook his head. "One of the many minions that serve Megatron."
Charlie peered into the large hole to see a dark blue and red robot whose body was badly distorted. He could see that he had fallen at a great height for his body seemed to be a lot thinner then it should be. It also appeared that he had tiny little cracks all over his armor. How this robot was still alive was a complete mystery to the human.
"He's spark is fading." Echo took out a large, thin rifle out from his back and shook his head. "We should end his suffering."
Beltline nodded as he slowly stood. "Very well."
He took a few steps back and motioned for Charlie to do the same. They both watched as Echo said a quick little prayer, held the rifle a few feet above the Decepticon and fired. They heard nothing, but the echo of the shot as it bounced against the mesas.
"The job is done." Echo placed the rifle back in his holder. "What are we going to do with the body?"
"Use it for scraps." Beltline again knelt down and dug through the dirt till he got a firm grip on the bot's arms. "Man, he's heavy. Echo, grab his legs."
Echo nodded. "Sure thing. Charlie, hit the robot with the shovel or a stick."
"Uhm, okay." Charlie found a stick then very carefully climbed down the hole. He glanced up at the blind robot. "Okay, here goes."
In the last few days Terry Williams sat next to Sergeant James E. Miller, making sure that he recovered properly. The cuts he suffered from the robot were deep, cutting straight through the ribs and slicing the lungs. What made it even worse, was the burn. The burn is infected which caused a high fever and shakes to rake the body already suffering from pain. This caused the man to moan and writhe uncontrollably.
He flipped through the magazine in his lap then glanced at his watch. It was time to clean the bandages and medicate the poor guy. It was a miracle he had even made it this long.
"Well, Sergeant Miller this will be painful, but it's for your own good."
He kneeled down next to the injured man and slowly began to pry the bandages off. As he did so, the man nearly slapped him. Frustrated he glanced around for any help, but saw he was alone.
"Great, just great." He took some water and began to wet the bandage. "Hang on, this will take longer if you fight it."
Heavy footsteps came into the room then stopped at the table. "Do you need help?"
Terry turned to see Red Alert, standing over him with his arms crossed and his glowing eyes locked on the injured man. "Yes, can you gently hold him down."
Red Alert gave a nod then laid his large, black hand gently on the man's upper-body. "What do you need to do to him?"
"I need to clean his wounds." Terry handed the robot the water bottle. "While I pull this, gently squeeze the bottle and make sure the water cleans the wound."
"Right." Red Alert took the bottle between two fingers and held it above the deep wound. "Can you teach me how to take care of a human?"
"Guess I could." Terry saw the infection was not spreading, which was very good news. "Okay, now since we have the bandage off, let's start cleaning it."
"So, will he get better?"
"Hopefully." He shook his head. "This guy shouldn't be alive."
Red Alert smiled. "That's good." The robot took a glance around the room then shrugged. "I never have thought that I will be helping out creatures like yourself and this man here."
"Red Alert."
The robot nearly jumped over the table at Naito's voice. "What the slag, sir!"
Naito chuckled. "Your always great for amusement, Red." The black, thinner framed robot stepped into the room. "How's the human?"
"Doing good." Terry began to pour peroxide into the wound which caused the man to scream. "Hang on, almost there."
"Is this necessary?" Cringed the robot medic.
"Yes, it is. This is lesson one, Red Alert, so pay attention." Terry glanced up at the robot. "Unfortunately the human body will suffer before it gets better."
