Author's Note: ^^ XD I thought I would expand a little one some characters and introduce others. ^^ XD I LOVE THIS STORY!!!!!!!!! ^___________^ hehehehe, makes me so happy. looool.
Disclaimer: I own Lancer and the crew of the Relic^^ but nothing else.
Please review^^
Lancer was sprawled on his back, feeling Ratchet and First Aid working on him, glad that Bluestone had gone after the pair of rather sneaky Decepticons and Bee. Triage had exhausted himself with worry, the little Medic ending up curled on the cot in Ratchet's office, clearly not being able to answer any questions put to him.
Optimus Prime was seated beside the berth, troubled expression showing that he had a feeling the story this Autobot would tell him was far more dark then he had ever heard before. "If you are certain…"
"No… I really…" He really wanted to say it, his dark blue optics flickered slightly gazing at the Prime and hoping that in some small corner of the powerful Mech's processors he might find a little approval for his actions. Though his stubbornness was probably what had gotten them there in the first place, off to one side, Flintlock stood like an unmoving statue, arms resting across his powerful chassis, watching each and every Mech suspiciously, taking the job of guarding Ironlancer very seriously.
"I guess I should start… at the beginning…" His optics dimmed slightly, catching one look at the black frame of Ironhide who remained silent as he watched the younger Mech, not knowing quite what to make of the battle worn soul that greeted him, with flickered glances.
"Megatron rose to power swiftly with his Decepticons at his side, they outnumbered us… however some in their number were not so keen on the killing of civilians… I don't know exactly what triggered the war… No one remembers… It's probably somewhere in the… the archive…" His voice dropped softly as he spoke of the numerous bodies of the fallen that were carefully stored within the bowels of the Relic, the bodies of Bots he had seen alive and functional here… in this strange reality where the Autobots were winning slowly but surely. Bumblebee, Prowl, Barricade… the list was endless…
"Some stood against him… they died soon after his rise to power over Cybertron. Others hid and tried to survive… at first the Autobots were about to fight back. But when Praxus fell… It was the beginning of the end for us."
"I was amongst some of those that fought under you, Sir."
At least Optimus noted he had existed…
"It was only shortly after my… Creators were murdered by Megatron personally… that the Cullings began."
Ironhide visibly flinched, the black Mech stiffening to know he had died so early on in this fight, that he had been taken down by Megatron, however he had not expected his Mate to be Chromia. Though he liked the Femme as a friend, he had no interest in her… Dark optics flickered towards Optimus for a moment, before he gazed back at his… son?
"It was almost indiscriminate at first.. The young the old… anything that moved was cut down by the Squads, nothing was safe from Megatron's anger… his need for Mech fluid. Soon enough he turned his optics on his own faction as well, those who did not take pleasure in the violence were quickly culled. Some escaped… fleeing to join up with your group Sir, when you took up the Autobot flag in Iacon."
His optics dimmed slightly at the memory, being the oldest of the survivors he had been amongst the action since he had been Sparked, upgraded far faster than he should have been to have one extra set of hands to fight with.
"I was based at the edge of the Rift when a team allowed me to join them on a raid to one of the Culls Megatron was personally intending. It was there we found the butchered body of Starscream, who had been attempting to protect Megatron and his Sparkling… Nightrave. I… got it into my head to face Megatron one on one… I actually beat him off enough… getting my leg permanently wounded but I rescued a battered little Seeker, one who changed my life forever."
"When I returned to base with him, the medics refused to tend to him… and when Megatron discovered where we were and started bombing the base, I knew I couldn't leave Rave to die as the medics said he would. We did escape together, heading across Cybertron on foot, staying one step ahead of Megatron's Decepticons. I promised myself I would not let any more Autobots or Decepticons die at Megatron's hands…"
Optimus was horrified… for once completely speechless as he listed to the tale of a world that had ended.
"From that point on, Rave and I fought hard to save all we could from the Cullings, its how we rescued Bluestone and Razorwire… we weren't fast enough to save more… The Cullings were so quick…"
"You did what you could, Sir." Flintlock suddenly interrupted, his dark optics flashing with strong emotions as he regarded Lancer, startling the wounded Mech. "You carried me from the battlefield yourself even though you were wounded and I would slow you down. You are a hero."
"I'm not… I'm a soldier who…"
"Pig-Iron!" Flintlock growled. "You are the Mech who saved us all. We would be dead a thousand times over if you hadn't held us together, somehow held Decepticons and Autobots in line."
"Do you feel you can finish?"
Nodding slightly, the Mech was letting out a quiet sound. "We discovered the Relic on a scavenger mission… It took vorns to refit her… And with a base we could save the Sparklings that would overwise have died… It was during this time Sir, you were killed and…" He froze for a moment, knowing he hadn't said anything about it earlier. "Your two Sparklings soon joined us, Optime and Pax. Both are fine Bots…"
"My… Sparklings? With… who?"
"Elita-One." But he only paused briefly on that. "We tried to save as many as we could find… But all of Cybertron was dead around us, every other pocket of resistance was crushed. The Relic lifted off just in time to watch Cybertron explode as Megatron was determined to wipe the last resistence out… He followed across space for Vorns… hunting us down… until finally he cornered us… just before we… fell through that Space Vortex of yours…"
"That is quite a story…"
"Condensed I assure you…" Ironlancer whispered softly, before he was slowly pushing himself upwards on his elbows, before a hand pushed him back down again, gaining a sound of protest from him, his optics flashing slightly before he stayed down that time. "But every word I assure you is true."
Optimus looked on with something akin to awe at the young Commander who lay before him, his hand reached out to lightly touch against the strong shoulder before finding Ironhide on the other side of the Mech, before glancing back at the Medics. "It's a lot to take in, but I'll consider everything you have told me… Ironhide, if the doctors permit, maybe you would like to spend some time with our young guest."
Hope blossomed on Lancer's features, glancing between Optimus and Ironhide, before finding the black Weapons Specialist smiling at him uncertainly before reaching out to lightly clasp the wounded Mech's servo, squeezing it once in apology for the way he had reacted before.
"Certainly, I would be honoured."
"Fath…" He stopped himself.
"It's alright."
"Father." Lancer whispered, feeling the strong arms curl about him, his optics blurring slightly with tears, his frame trembling under the weight of so much that had rested upon his shoulders for so long. "Let my men help you search. I have several expert trackers…"
"The help would be welcome."
"Maybe we can come to some sort of agreement between us… over what will happen…"
"I hope we can, Optimus Sir, I do not wish to imagine… going back…"
Raven black in colour the brief flashes of blood red of his protoform and frame beneath his armour had an effect of making him appear he was actually covered in blood. The dark etched lines of the Decepticon symbol was engraved on each powerful shoulder, his movements were like that of a true Decepticon, a predator keen on the scent of prey. His optics studied the security displays before his dark ruby gaze, studying the holographic display of the Autobots working on Ironlancer, his denta grinding, his body shifting uncomfortably.
Though he had to admire the security systems he had hacked through, they were surprisingly familiar to him, and a devilish smirk touched his lips, Red Alert's work that was for certain. Optics flickered slightly with a touch of worry as he observed the repair work being done on Lancer, relaying the images to Nightrave, reassuring his superior that Lancer was in good hands. Shifting slightly in the shadows, he cursed sharply the moment he felt the presence of the Autobot entering the security junction of the Autobot Base. The slender white and red form was making Bloodshade stare hard at it, feeling his Spark shiver slightly at the sight of…
'No weapons.' Came the quiet reminder from Rave, making Shade snarl slightly, hand pulling away from his blaster hidden within one of his subspace pockets. 'Get out if you can.'
'Too late.' Bloodshade snickered, his blood hued optics following the progress of the Autobot and looked almost bemused for a moment.
"I know you're here." Red Alert cleared his vocal components, arms crossed and clearly not expecting exactly who had hacked his security systems. "I don't know how you hacked my security grid so fast, but I can still lock you out."
Shade felt the heavy encryption suddenly fill his logic computers, but as easily as they had been erected he input one of Red's own ciphers and it fell apart again.
An angry growl escaped Red Alert as he felt his security lockout cracked within moments with one of his own personal security passwords. "I'll give it to you, you are fast. But… I will not let you…"
"So angry." A low purring laugh escaped Bloodshade, his powerful frame stepping from within the shadows his black armour glinting slightly as he studied the white and red Mech with a shrewd look. "I doubt you would be able to stop me if you really tried." Those optics glinted with a cunning intelligence, the two of them battling within the field of the Autobot security systems, something he had had Vorns of training in, considering he was the Security Chief of the Relic.
"Decepticon spy!" A gun was instantly raised and pointing squarely at Bloodshade, the power charging instantly to full, his comm link already open and calling for Inferno to back him up.
"Spy?" A wave of bemused chuckles escaped him, lips turning upwards into an almost playful smirk. "I guess in this case, I may be." His optics glinted with delight the moment he caught the look of consternation on Red Alert's features, knowing he was clearly annoying the Autobot Security Chief. "But I have my orders…"
"Orders from Megatron."
A snarl of pure rage flared up within Bloodshade in an instant, his optics narrowing before he was quite ready to prime his weapons at being accused of working for the likes of Megatron. "Don't you dare accuse me of working for that Monster."
Suddenly a hand was catching the strong shoulder, restraining Bloodshade, the white and Black frame of the Tactician appearing beside his companion. "Calm yourself, Shade. Think of what Lancer would say…"
A grumble escaped the bigger Decepticon before his shoulders drooped, his anger fleeing as quickly as it had come, accepting the reprimand from Razorwire, but pulled his shoulder free from his grip. "He accused me…"
"I know, but he doesn't know any better. Remember to them we are…"
"Prowl? What's going on…?" Red Alert questioned the black and white Mech, watching the doorwings twitch slightly, before being met with a crimson gaze from features that were akin to Prowl's, but there was something in that face that was distinctly not the familiar Tactician's…
"Red?" Said Tactician appeared from behind Red Alert with Inferno trailing only a step behind, gazing at the pair of unfamiliar Decepticons and let out a troubled sigh. "Ah. I see we have more guests."
"Oooh…we get to be guests." A hand lightly patted against the black chassis, Razorwire smirking at the Autobots.
"Guests that should be in the Brig." Red Alert grumbled, glancing from Razorwire to Prowl then back again, looking more puzzled then anything, the two looked so similar, right down to the chevron, though the Decepticon's was swept clean against the black helm, the edges of it swept upwards like the sharp antenna that ran across the edges of his helm.
"You know… you're smaller than I thought you would be." Razorwire regarded Red Alert for a long moment, before tipping his head back to regard Bloodshade, lightly nudging the large Decepticon in the side, before his smirk grew. "I guess you got it from Blackout."
A grunt was his only response.
"What in the Pit is going on?" Red Alert growled out.
Prowl sent Red a data packet that left the Security Chief staring at Prowl, pale blue optics wide and his mouth dropping open. "What… that can't… that can't be true…!"
"I'm afraid it seems to be. We have a ship load of guests from another dimension."
"I prefer alternative universe." The black and white Decepticon added much to Prowl's irritation.
"It seems…several of our guests happen to be the Sparklings of several members of our current outfit." He had already been seen for himself the five Autobots that had arrived on base one of them gravely injured. "And amongst their number were several Decepticons. I assume that you two are part of the Relic's crew? Identify yourselves."
"Security Chief Bloodshade of the Relic." The taller of the Mech's answered before he regarded Red Alert with a rather strange expression before clearly going to identify something else about himself. "Offspring of Decepticon Tracker Blackout and Autobot Security Chief Red Alert."
Red suddenly paled as he stared at the grown Mech before him, his mouth dropping open, pale optics wide as his mouth twitched slightly, trying to work out whether to belief the massive Decepticon's words or not. But that keen mind left him wondering what on Cybertron to say or do. Before his optics turned towards the second of the Decepticons, the one that looked rather distinctly like Prowl who instead of wearing the expressionless mask of the Tactician had a rather dangerous smirk on his lips.
"Tactician Razorwire." His optic ridges twitched slightly, not knowing what to do when he regarded Prowl for a long moment, for once in his life looking for a little approval from someone… "Offspring of Decepticon Infiltrator Barricade and Autobot Tactician Prowl."
Both Prowl and Red Alert was glitching as they stared the pair of Decepticons, Prowl staring at the black and white Mech, this Tactician who shared so much of himself…
There was a sigh from behind the two Autobots, the blue and yellow frame of Bluestone standing in the light of the corridor, his head cocked slightly to one side., one hand resting on his hip and looking slightly disapproving of Razorwire and Bloodshade. "Please do not tell me the pair of you are tormenting these two…"
Razorwire's smirk just seemed to grow wider, but there was something in his expression, before his attention turned the reason why he had followed along behind his Commander, his precious Bluestone. "I'm just having a little fun, Baby Blue." His head ducked slightly, before he was greeting his Lover with a whisper of gentle delight.
"Both of you get your afts to Medbay. Lancer would prefer you to be 'visible'…"
Bloodshade and Razorwire were both suddenly looking a little relieved, all of the Relic's crew depended heavily upon the leadership of Ironlancer, the Mech held them together, in the optics of their Commander both Decepticons and Autobots held the same value and meaning.
"Is he?" For once Shade was looking hopeful, his expression softening, amazing both Prowl and Red Alert with the change in attitude.
"Recovering well, Ratchet and First Aid have his repairs well in hand."
"Thank Primus." The Security Chief let out a sigh sending the message to Rave, how was equally grateful for the news.
"Have you seen Bee?" Bluestone asked softly as he was stepping past Prowl and Red Alert, his doorwings twitching in worry, the little Scout had a way of 'vanishing' off if they didn't keep an optic on him. Soon enough he was at Razorwire's side, a hand reaching out to press against the warm black and white chassis for a moment. A strong arm instantly wrapping about his waist tightly, pulling him closer, Bluestone leaning into the contact, his blue optics dimming in gratitude for the strong presence the other offered to him.
"I'll find him." Bloodshade offered, but soon got a look from the other two. "Sir." The Decepticon regarded Red Alert for a long moment, before bowing his head slightly for a moment, knowing that he needed to offer some respect to the other. "I would be much obliged if you could locate 'Mini' Bee… before he gets himself into another mess…"
There was suddenly a cry from down the corridor…
"Too late."
Bright blue optics were staring, wide and blinking at the sight of the bright yellow form of the Autobot Scout before him, his entire form was quivering in uncontrollable excitement, his helm peaked around the edge of the door, feeling his entire body shiver in hope, a desperate hope. He had been tracking the presence, the moment he had felt it his Spark had burned madly, his optics waving with the feelings that were set loose within him.
The bright yellow Camaro was glancing back over his shoulder just as 'mini' Bee ducked his head back around the edge of the doorway, Bumblebee was curious as he felt a pair of optics on him. His Spark bubbled with delight at the knowledge that the presence was that of a Sparkling of that he was certain. It there was one thing that Bumblebee loved it had to be Sparklings.
Chirping softly, Bumblebee was turning around towards the door, head ducking slightly before chirping softly, coaxing the little Sparkling to come to him. His Spark was shivering within his chassis, excited far more than he realised as he was clicking softly in Cybertronian again.
"Come on… come here…" He whispered softly, both arms stretched out slightly before he was dropping to one knee, catching the slight flicker of blue and yellow around the edge of the doorway. "Please?"
"You're… functional right?" The voice was soft and hopeful, but the question was definitely one that surprised the Autobot Scout. "You…"
"I am quite well Youngling, I assure you. Thankyou for your concern." Bumblebee however was surprised by how hopeful that voice sounded, his Spark brightening before his head tipped to the side a little more, attempting to meet that blue gaze when it peeped in at him. "I don't mean to scare you…"
"Scare me?" The little Sparkling was tipping his head a little more forwards around the edge of the doorframe. "You don't scare me… I'm not scared of anything… 'cept… Megatron… and…and… Shockwave…"
"Well… I'll tell you a secret. I'm scared of Megatron too."
"You… you're scared of… Megatron?"
"Yeah." Bright optics wavered slightly at the memory of what had happened at Tyger Pax. However, Bumblebee was hopeful his admission would reassure the little Sparkling. "Its all right…"
Before there was a flash of yellow and white and Bumblebee suddenly found his arms filled with the slender body of a small youngling, one with the biggest blue eyes he had ever seen. Slender ams were coiling tightly around his neck and face pressing into his armour and there were soft sobs escaping the Youngling.
"Shhh…" Bumblebee swept the little body upwards, easily picking up the light frame in his grip, fingers lightly rubbing back and forth against the yellow helm, chirping soothingly at the little being who held onto him so tightly.
"Dad." The little Sparkling breathed helplessly, face buried against the warm chassis, hands clinging to the golden armour, latching on and clearly not about to let go.
"I'm not your…" But one look into the face that was gazing up at him and was almost gasping, the pretty little Sparkling was so much like him that Bee was letting out a strangled little chick of disbelief.
"You are! You are…" The Youngling sobbed helplessly, face pressing into the warm chassis, desperate to reassure himself that Bumblebee was indeed whole and unharmed. "Dad! Please… don't go again… Please… I saw…" Bright eyes were shimmering with tears, the usually clever and resourceful scout reduced to actually being allowed to act his age. "Don't go… please…"
"I don't…"
"Bee." A black and red frame was suddenly filling the doorway, the markings that of a Decepticon.
Instantly Bumblebee was tucking the Sparkling close against his side, canon instantly raised upwards with an angry look, but clearly quite prepared to defend the Sparkling with his life if it came down to it.
"Bumblebee." The Decepticon was not addressing the large yellow Scout but the tiny Sparkling. "Rayline."
Blue optics lifted from where they were half dimmed as he clung to the armoured frame of the one Mech that meant the world to him. Shaking his head, he was clinging even more desperately to Bumblebee, he wouldn't let go, his Carrier was right there! He was alive.
"That isn't your Carrier." Bloodshade coaxed softly, others standing behind the Decepticon, startled to find out that the little Scout's 'carer' actually happened to be the rather 'terrifying' Decepticon Security Chief. "I know he may look exactly like him, Ray, he may feel like him… but that isn't him."
"It is! How can you say he's not? How can you!"
"Because I was there when Bumblebee was permanently offlined, Ray, you know that." The Decepticon swallowed hard before he was slowly approaching Bumblebee, that cannon soon level with his chassis, but he was unafraid of being shot. "This isn't our world, Rayline."
Bumblebee was staring at the Decepticon that had just told him he was dead, before a wave of fierce possessiveness flared through him, his arm tightening about the little Sparkling, cradling him tightly against his armour. This little one needed him! He wasn't about to abandon the tiny life that had sort him out, pleaded with him not to let him go. He wouldn't let some Decepticon tell him…
"He stays with me, Decepticon."
"Dad." The Sparkling whispered at the protectiveness of the larger Scout, attempting to re-establish the Sparkling-carrier bond that had long since been dead…
"You aren't helping, Shade." Bluestone was squeezing his way between the almost Sparkbroken Decepticon and doorway, before he was attempting to sooth Rayline, known to most as 'Bumblbee'. "Maybe just this once… Let him."
"Blue…"
"We all feel the same way as Bee does." Bluestone was attempting to be the voice of reason, his warm optics softening at the look on the Decepticon's fetatures, "Well… most of us." Knowing that Nightrave and several others didn't quite fancy some of their Creators in the slightest. Bluestone hadn't even seen either of his quiet yet, not knowing what he would do when he did. "Bumblebee was one of the last to offline before…"
There was a whimper from Rayline as he buried his head against the warm shoulder of Bumblebee, trembling badly with the feelings that were soaring through him.
"Cybertron was destroyed."
XD Bee and XD little beeXD AWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!