The battle against the TechnoCons and Predacons is underway! The Skystrikers and Autobots are defending New York City, with a newly-found ally.
The TechnoCons and Predacons were engaged, out-numbered - and losing.
Sari and Jack battled Skysword. The Cyber-Ninja disciple, having practiced zazen as taught to him by his Sensei, didn't allow his anger to control him now. He was calm, collected, focused, and this made him all the more dangerous to the enemy. In addition, his Processor-Over-Matter was improved, and he was able to use it to deflect orbs shot his way by the TechnoCon. His Sensei held back to let him take control of the battle; a sense of pride in her Gakusei warmed her Spark.
"You are losing, Skysword," said Jack, waving left and right arm, pushing every orb away with ease.
"You're the loser, fry cook!" spat Skysword, and in a fit of frustration, flew at him with falchion swords drawn and out, ready to slash the young Cyber-Ninja. Jack remained motionless.
Sari watched, a little concerned.
"Jack?"
He responded back with one word. "Metallikato".
Sari held back, but kept her P-O-M at the ready.
Seconds before Skysword attacked, Jack let out a loud yell! He raised his arms faster than the optic could see and brought forth his energy blades. Looking the Decepticon straight in the optics, he brought the blades down on the falchion swords and cut them off! Their purple glow dissipated and fell to the ground. Skysword screamed in pain! Jack then gave him a roundhouse kick to the helm, sending him flying back.
The Decepticon Technorganic recovered from the kick and looked with disbelief at the stumps where his swords had been; they were leaking Energon.
"Stand down, Skysword," said Jack.
"Not while I can still fight!" Skysword pulled out his hyperspace mallet.
"As you wish," replied Jack, and took a defensive stance.
"Got a surprise for you, Cyber Punks!" Thought Skysword, as he rushed toward Jack.
"Now, Adam!" He said in his comm. And from a distance, the red & white TechnoCon hurled a huge slab of concrete right where Sari and Jack were hovering. The intent was for the Decepticon leader to jet up at the last second and avoid getting hit.
What the two didn't count on, however, was Cyber-Ninja sense. The moment the slab would have made contact, Sari and Jack turned to give it Chōryūken kicks, which caused the concrete to shatter into hundreds of harmless shards. Skysword and Adam watched the shards splatter in the air, their faces in complete shock.
"Care to try another tactic, Skysword?" Asked Sari, turning back toward him.
The Dinobots were fighting the Predacons tooth and nail. Their conflict was possibly the most terrifying and brutal.
With Grimlock out of commission, it was up to the remaining four to fight Lazerback, Darksteel and Ripclaw. Lazerback managed to get out of Swoop's grip, and turned to attack him in the air. "Is that all you've got? Grab me and blast me? What did Shockwave replace your processor with, anyway? Spare parts from his dumpster?" He flew at Swoop, slashing him with his claws. The Dinobot turned to chase after him, firing his missiles at the Predacon. "Eat this, retro rat!" One missile made a hit, damaging Lazerback's tail. "Not bad for a spare parts processor, eh?" he laughed.
Slug meanwhile, was going after Darksteel. After getting thrown against the wall, the Predacon took to the sky. "Afraid to come down here and fight, coward?" yelled Slug. He transformed back into bipedal mode and fired his high-energy laser rifle again and again at the Predacon; it was all Darksteel could do to dodge the blasts. "C'mon, coward, I can do this all day!" he taunted. "I'm no coward, tunnel-drone!" yelled Darksteel, and charged down at the Dinobot, flames blasting from his mouth. "That's all I'm askin' for," thought Slug, "c'mon a little closer." As soon as Darksteel was within striking distance, Slug bent down to shield himself from the fiery blast, then took out his energy sword and jumping up, slashed the Decepticon across the chest, cutting into his armor! It wasn't enough to penetrate, but it was painful nonetheless. Darksteel landed on the ground, screaming from the cut. "I'll kill you!" he roared. Slug gestured at the wounded Predacon, palm up, digits waving, calling him to attack. "C'mon, I'm waitin' for ya!"
Sludge and Snarl kept after Ripclaw. The brontosaurus bot kept his huge pede on her tail, preventing the Predacon from using her Siphon-Claw. "Get off me, you stupid piece of vapor trash!" she yelled at him. "Shut yer yap!" yelled Snarl, "or I'll chew it off!" She blasted the stegosaurus bot in his face. He was forced to shut his optics. "Hot enough for you?" she mocked.
"Thanks for keeping her down guys, but that bitch is mine!" came a voice from their left. Sludge and Snarl turned to see Miko, back to the battle in Predacon form! They stepped aside just as the purple Predacon girl crashed into Ripclaw with a furious body slam that sent the two of them tumbling through several brick walls! They ended on the ground with Miko back on top, looking down at Ripclaw with ferocious intent. "That was for Grimlock!" she roared. She slashed the Decepticon's chest with her sharp claws, making her bleed Energon, then picked her up by the neck with her strong jaws and swung her like a whip, slamming her hard into a retaining wall.
Trying to defend herself, Ripclaw struck Miko again and again with her Siphon-Claw, in an attempt to use her Mech-venom, but the needle couldn't penetrate the thick plating. "That doesn't work on me! I've got Predaking's armor!" Miko roared in her face. Weakened and wounded, Ripclaw lay on the ground, as Miko climbed on top of her.
As before, she started to form a huge fireball in her furnace. Holding the Decepticon down forcefully, she told her coldly, "you are going to die." Ripclaw looked up with fear.
Watching this beat-down, Sludge and Snarl transformed into bipedal and ran to find Captain Sari. "Captain!" yelled Snarl. "Miko's back! I think she's gonna kill Ripclaw!"
"I think it's some kinda vendetta," added Sludge.
"No!" said Sari, and rushed to where Miko and Ripclaw were. "Miko!" she yelled, "Stand down!"
"But this piece of s**t brutally attacked Grimlock!" protested the Japanese girl.
"Autobots do not practice vengeance. Bulkhead wouldn't do it, would he?"
Reminded of the one Autobot she respected the most, Miko backed down. "No," she answered, lowering her fireball and releasing her grip. Staring coldly into Ripclaw's optics, she told her, "Get out of here."
"Vengeance may not be your practice, Autobot, but it is mine," replied Ripclaw. "We will meet again," and getting up painfully, flew away.
Miko flew toward the Skystriker leader. "I'm sorry, Captain," she said.
"That's all right," Sari replied. "You and I will keep tabs on Grimlock when we get back. Minerva is taking good care of him, I have no doubt."
The remaining Autobots, Hound, Springer and the Primes were with Raf and Ben engaging JoAnne, Scott and Osgood. Springer was more tangled with Osgood, the young TechnoCon eager to land a devastating blow against the veteran Autobot - and failing.
"Your arrogance is your weakness, Norman. You think yourself superior only based on your high intelligence. But that is also your greatest fault. It's quite pathetic when you look at it."
"SHUT UP!" Osgood bellowed, firing orb after orb at Springer, each of which he masterfully struck down with his light saber.
Meanwhile Ben was doing very well against his enemies. He was quite skilled with his javelin, using it to slap away many of JoAnne's energy whip snaps, and pointing it at Scott, he prevented the surfer from getting near him with his acid digits.
Once, he landed a jab right on JoAnne's thigh, piercing the armor. "Ow!" She yelled, "you'll pay for that!"
"Give it your best shot, sweetheart!" He yelled back.
"Sweetheart?! SWEETHEART?!" She screamed. She flew at him, arms down, huge jets of red-hot flames coming from her wrists that melted cars below.
"Cha!" laughed Scott, "you're in for it now, dude!"
Of all the TechnoCons, JoAnne seemed to be the most inclined to kill Ben.
"Guess she really doesn't take rejection well." - the young Technorganic thought, flying away from her fury. She raised her arm to shoot a huge orb. Ben fired his own orb that collided with hers; the resulting orb contact caused a huge explosion that shattered windows and set off car alarms for several neighborhood blocks.
"Whoa ho ho! Awesome! Totally awesome!" yelled Scott.
"You should have taken my offering, twerp!"
"HAA-MEE-NA HAA-MEE-NA HAA-MEE-NA-HA!" - Ben began making another super-orb move.
"Crap!" moaned JoAnne, "here we go again!" and flew away yelling to Scott, "Incoming!"
"Don't hafta tell me twice!" yelled the surfer, and sped away.
Hound watched this, and just shook his head. "Pathetic."
Megatron and Starscream watched this Decepticon debacle on Soundwave's monitor. "My Lord! Shall we send reinforcements? They are losing!"
"On the contrary, Starscream, they are doing quite well, quite well indeed," said the Decepticon leader with a smile.
His Lieutenant sputtered, "Uh...pardon? Forgive me, but...I'm not quite following."
"That is because you never competed in the deathmatches on Kaon. Tell me, Starscream. What is the prime directive in gladiatorial combat?"
"Er, uh, defeating your opponent?" he asked meekly.
"WRONG!" he glowered down at the cowering Starscream. "The prime directive in winning a deathmatch is to cause you opponent to unwittingly draw out his strongest hand. That way, you leave him defenseless. Then, you kill him."
"So, our Technorganics are serving the purpose of drawing out every Autobot. I see!"
"They have served their purpose. We have seen the enemy's hand. Call the Technorganics back."
"And Starscream, I wish to have a word with them, after they've arrived."
Skysword received a comm from his commander. "Cease your battle! Call out a retreat and return to the ship!"
"Retreat? But we can continue to…"
"Are you questioning our orders? Do as I say!"
"Yes, Commander."
"Retreat!" He yelled at those fighting, as a bridge opened next to him.
Ben watched the Decepticon bridge open, and yelled at the retreating TechnoCons and Predacons. "See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya!" JoAnne, still helping Skylinx who had been injured by his minicar-sized orb, turned to glare at him. "You're dead, scumbag!" she thought to herself, "I will see to that personally."
"Ben, we do not mock our opponents in retreat," chided T:Prime Optimus, "they will be back."
"I like your fightin' style there, little buddy, but Prime's right," said Hound. "Besides, you've likely got a price on your head for sure once Megatron learns about ya."
"I know, but come on! You guys have seen me in action. I'm the best Ben in town. I've kicked so much bad guy butt, my feet hurt!"
Sari approached the bragging young Technorganic. "Ben, come with me."
His optics lit up! "Sure thing, beautiful!"
She ignored that and got on her comm. "Bulkhead, bridge us back."
"Where are we going?" Ben asked her.
"A safe place for Autobots - and you."
The ground bridge opened up, and everyone entered. Ben followed close beside Sari with a goofy grin on his face. Captain Sari just rolled her optics and chuckled to herself.
Entering the transport nexus, Ben looked around. "Whoa! This is your headquarters?! Awesome! I'll definitely wanna chill out here a lot!" He flew up to Bulkhead's helm and "saluted". "Wassup, big guy?" he smiled.
The TFA transport specialist looked curiously at the new bot and scratched his helm. "Uh, Sari, who is this?"
"He's a new Technorganic we found in New York," she explained, "I'm talking him to Minerva for an examination."
Ben got a worried look on his face. "What?! Examination? Uh, I'm not too good at taking tests."
"No, not that kind," she laughed. "Minerva is a medical bot. She will give you a Cybertronian examination."
He landed back next to her. "Cyber-whoonian?"
"Cybertronian. The bots here are from the planet Cybertron," she explained. "We want Minerva to examine you to see whether or not you are Cybertronian - I'm assuming you don't know?"
"I have no idea, babe."
Sari tilted her helm and looked him straight in the optics. "Uh, Ben? I'm flattered that you find me attractive, and this being the very first time you've met a Technorganic fembot that's not trying to kill you it's understandable, but you can address me as either 'Sari' or 'Captain Sari', which is my proper title."
Ben gulped, "um, OK. No, I don't know whether or not I'm Cybertronian - Sari."
"That's fine," she smiled, "after you're done with Minerva, we'll sit down and talk with the two Primes."
As the two were leaving the transport nexus, Bulkhead smiled. "Wait 'til ya meet Bumblebee, Ben!"
They entered sick bay, where they saw Greenlight watching over Grimlock. "How is he?" Captain Sari asked.
"Doing well, Captain," the nurse bot responded. "That Predacon injected him with quite a large amount of Mech-venom; but he's a tough bot," she smiled.
Sari flew up to his side and put a caring servo on his helm. "How are you, feeling?"
"Grimlock better, little girl bot," he smiled, "thanks. Purple girl was by before. Glad she's OK."
She patted his shoulder. "You rest up."
Returning to Ben's side, he jerked a thumb at Grimlock and asked her, "how come he talks funny?"
Turning to him angrily, she put her index digit on his chest and responded, "Grimlock is a brave soldier, Ben, don't you forget that. His processor - his Cybertronian mind - and his vocorder - his means of speaking - were severely damaged a long time ago by the enemy. Are you familiar with the term 'wounded warrior'?"
Intimidated by her strict response, he backed down. "Y-y-yes."
She pointed back to the injured Dinobot. "Well he's one of them, and I suggest you show some respect!"
Ben lowered his helm. "I'm sorry, Captain."
"Well alright then. Let's go see Minerva."
They entered the back area, where the medic was adjusting some equipment. She turned to the two. "Well, greetings, there, Captain! Who's this?"
"Incredible as it may seem, we actually came across an unknown Technorganic in New York City. This is Ben Tennyson. The Primes and I would like for him to be examined."
"Well! Hey, Ben! Nice to meet ya! Hop on up to my examination table here and let's have a look at 'cha, eh?"
"This isn't gonna hurt, is it?" He asked warily.
Minerva laughed. "Naw, not unless ya think a green light hurts! C'mon up!" And Ben hopped up and lay down. A green light covered his body, and two bright laser-like beams crossed over him, intersecting back and forth several times, going slower and slower with each pass until they finally stopped. Several three-dimensional models of various parts of Ben's body appeared on large monitors, and a great deal of data began scrolling down others.
"Hmm. Interesting," said Minerva. "Well, you definitely are Cybertronian, Ben, and a Technorganic at that. How'd you wind up in New York?"
"I live there," he answered, sitting up.
"All by yourself?"
"No, with my parents. They were the first to leave when the attack happened. I made sure they were safe."
"I'm glad, but don't they know what you are?" Sari asked.
"Nope." Ben shook his helm. "Never told them. Or else they might ground me forever. Most of the time I come home late at night. Crooks usually like to stay up late."
"Crooks? What crooks?" The Captain questioned.
"The crooks I fight. I'm a crime fighter! Ben Tennyson, resident hero at your service!"
"You're a vigilante?"
"What's that?"
"Someone who takes the law into their own hands."
"Not exactly, no. I don't dispense justice on my own. I...help the cops. Like, if someone's robbing a store, I'll slow 'em down so the police can catch them."
"Slow them down, how?" Sari wanted to learn a little bit more about this new Technorganic, and his motivations - especially if he used excessive force against humans, whether they be good or bad.
"I'll throw something in their way to trip them up, like a trash can, or if they're in a car, use my orb to take out a tire."
"You've never seriously hurt anyone, have you?"
"Me? No! I don't wanna be a bad guy! Sometimes the crook attacks me, and I defend myself, but I'll never hit him; I could break his bones, or worse - that'd suck!"
"OK, thanks, Ben for being honest," she replied. She was feeling a little bit better. Slightly immature and a bit of a braggart, but he is a young teenager after all; so is Miko, she chuckled to herself. His Spark seemed to be in the right place.
"One last question. You say you made sure your parents were safe, but I assume they don't know where you went. Don't you think they might be worried about you right now?"
Ben hadn't thought about that! He slapped his helm with his servo. "Oh, geez! I forgot all about it! Is there a phone or something I can use to call them?"
She smiled back. "Sure. As soon as Minerva's done, we'll get you to a comm device."
Minerva noticed something while studying his chassis scan. "Hey Ben, your tank's dirty. What've you been drinking?"
"Drinking?"
"For your energy intake. Looks like you haven't been drinking Energon, that's for sure. Looks like...oil."
"Yeah, oil's what I take in when I'm in my robot mode. What's Energon?"
"What's Energon? Boy, you have been on your own! Energon's our primary fuel! I mean, oil's a substitute when there's nothing else. I had to survive on oil back when I crash-landed in Quebec. But it's nowhere near as efficient as Energon. I'll give you some, but first, I've gotta clean your tank." And she reached over to grab a hose.
"Aaah! How you gonna do that?"
"Aw, don't worry, I'll use my EMP first to sedate you."
"EMP? Sedate?!"
"EMP is what bot medics use to sedate Cybertronians, Ben," explained Sari. "Don't worry, it doesn't hurt, and you'll be out as if she put you under in 'human' mode."
He looked at Minerva. "How do you do it?"
"Like this," and she aimed her EMP gun at his helm, giving him a shock. He immediately fell back onto the table into a mild stasis and closed his optics. She then proceeded to snake the hose down his pipe to clean out his tank. "So you all found this guy in New York City, eh?"
"Actually the Primes and Hound found him. The TechnoCon JoAnne was leading an attack on his neighborhood, and he showed up and took her on. Did quite a good job, I hear."
"Did he now? Well, good on ya, Ben!" she chuckled. Of course, he didn't hear her, being in stasis.
"Ben? Ben? How are you feeling?" asked Greenlight.
He blinked his optics, and looked up at the nurse bot. "Oh, man! What a knockout!"
She smiled back. "Well, your tank's all clean." She helped him up into a sitting position. "Are you ready for your Energon?" She held the glowing pink cube before him.
He took it in his servo and stared at it. "That's all I need?"
"That's all you need," she smiled. "Energon is ten times more efficient than oil."
He drank it, and as soon as it hit his tank, he felt an incredible surge! "Whoa! That's intense!"
"I imagine it would feel that way, since you've been drinking oil ever since you manifested your 'bot' mode," explained Greenlight. "With Energon, all you need is one cube a day."
Sari returned to Ben's bed. "Good to see you up and about, Ben! Before our meeting, let's get you to a comm so you can call your parents."
"How long was I out?" he asked.
"Only about 25 cycles or so," said Greenlight.
"Cycles?"
"Less than 45 minutes," explained Sari. "You'll eventually learn Cybertronian units of time, as well as other things."
"I love this alien stuff!"
Greenlight chuckled and put a servo on his shoulder. "Not exactly alien to you, Ben; This is part of who you are!"
He smiled back. "Yeah, you're right!"
He jumped off the table and went with Sari. On the way to the comm unit they were met by a familiar Unit:E figure.
"Ben? I'm Agent Fowler of the United States government," he said holding out his hand to shake Ben's servo.
"Oh no! You're not gonna lock me up and experiment on me, are you?"
"No, not at all, son. I'm with a special covert division called 'Unit:E'. We deal with extraterrestrials. Captain Sari here is a member."
He looked back at her. "Really? Cool! Just like 'Men in Black!'".
Fowler chuckled. "Something like that. Before you make that call to your parents, let's talk a bit." And the three went into a human-sized conference room.
"Now Ben, I want to make arrangements to protect your family," he explained. "I also understand that they don't know you have manifested your Cybertronian half, is that true?"
"Yeah. I first started changing into a robot when I was 10. It was weird! I was riding my bike, and saw some guy mugging an old lady. I started chasing him on my bike and followed him into an alley. It was a dead-end, and he turned and took out a knife! I thought I was a goner, but I yelled back at him anyway, "Give back that purse, you louse!" I felt my whole body pounding, and I suddenly wished I had some powers or a way to get that purse out of his hands and also to protect myself. Then, all of a sudden, my body went all tingly, and there was some kind of flash! Next thing I know, the crook looked at me all scared-like, dropped the purse and ran away! I was like 'What the heck?' and after I picked up the purse, I saw myself in a broken mirror. I was this robot! It scared the heck outta me! I backed away from the mirror and said to myself 'No! No! I gotta be human!' and then another flash, and I was me again! I got back on my bike and returned the purse to the old lady."
"Ever since that time, all I have to do is think about it, and I can change myself. Except now, I like to yell 'It's HERO time!' before changing," he smiled.
"And did your parents ever talk to you about things like, what hospital you were born in? Any pictures of your mother with maternity clothes on? Things like that?"
"Yeah, they have pictures of her pregnant, and they told me I was born in a hospital."
"Hmm. OK, if it's alright with you, I'd like to talk with them. When you make the call, how would you feel about introducing me, and letting me chat briefly with them as well?"
"Sure, I guess."
"Alright then. Let's make that call. And a polycom phone rose up from the conference room desk. "Go ahead and dial the number, and we can all communicate together." Ben dialed his father's cell phone.
"Hello?"
"Dad?"
"Ben! Where are you? Are you all right?!"
"I'm OK, Dad. Better than OK. I'm, well, Dad? There's something I need to tell you."
"What? What is it Ben?"
"I'm not 100% human, Dad. I'm guessing you and Mom already knew that?"
There was a few seconds of silence. "Ben?" he sighed. "Your mother and I were afraid this day would come."
"It's OK, Dad. Listen, I'm with someone from the government, he wants to talk to you and Mom."
"The government? Are you in trouble?"
"No! He wants to help me."
"Where are you now?"
"I'm not sure, but can I let him talk to you?"
Another sigh. In the background, Ben mother is heard saying "What's going on? Where's Ben?" He tells her "It's OK."
"Sure," he replied.
"Mr. Tennyson, my name is Agent William Fowler. I'm from a special division of the United States Government. Ben is safe, and he's here with me. Would it be alright if one of my associates brings you and Mrs. Tennyson here where we are, so the four of us can talk?"
"Well, why can't you and Ben come here?"
"Trust me, and I will explain later; it would be safer for Ben if he stays here. The alien forces that attacked your neighborhood may be looking for him. We have your son in a safe location right now."
Mr. Tennyson sighed. "Very well. Can my wife speak to Ben?"
"Of course." She got on the cell phone. "Ben! Oh my God, are you alright?"
"I'm fine Mom. I'm in a safe place. Someone's going to come and bring you and Dad to be with me."
"What's wrong with your voice? Why does it sound metallic?"
"Oops," and with a green flash, Ben changed to "human" mode so that his voice was not Cybertronian-sounding. "Sorry, is this better?"
"Yes, but I'm confused. What's going on?"
"Mom, I found out I'm not 100% human. I've actually known since I was ten years old."
His mom's voice became teary. "Oh, Ben. I'm so sorry!"
"It's OK Mom! When you get here we'll talk. I've got some things I have to tell you, too!"
"OK, Ben, OK. Will see you soon. I love you!"
"I love you too, Mom." Mr. Tennyson got back on the phone. "Agent Fowler?"
"Yes, sir."
"We will wait for your associate."
"Very good. Give me your exact location, and you will see a round opening form near you. My associate will step out, and escort you in."
"Round opening?"
"Don't worry, he will explain. Ben and I will meet you when you arrive."
"OK." And after getting the coordinates, they hung up. Fowler gave the information to the Unit:E agent who would escort Ben's parents to Area 51.
"Well, Ben, let's go to the bridge nexus. How shall you greet them: 'human' mode or 'bot'?
"Human, I guess," and Ben remained in "human" mode.
"Care to join us, Captain?" asked Fowler.
"If it's alright with Ben."
"Sure!" Then he wondered. "Uh, 'human', or 'bot'?"
"I guess 'human'," she replied, and with a blue flash, transformed into her "human" mode. Ben's eyes opened wide!
"Wow! You're…" - he cleared his throat and looked down - "Uh, sorry, Captain. I was going to say you're very pretty in 'human' mode, too."
"Well, thank you, Ben," she smiled. "A lady never minds being told those things."
They left the conference room and headed toward the transport nexus. Fowler led the way, with Sari and Ben close behind him.
"So...how old are you, anyway?" Ben asked her.
"28. Will be 29 in a few months."
"28?! Darn!"
Fowler laughed and Sari gave Ben a coy smile.
Ben was confused! "I gotta say, you're the youngest looking 28 - year old I've ever seen."
She explained: "As a Technorganic, your cells renew themselves when you reach your prime. Therefore you stop aging at eighteen."
"Wow, hold on now! You saying in sixty years my friends will be all old and wrinkly but I'll still look young? That bites!" - then he added. - "For them."
"Yes, there's a lesson regarding our lifespan that you'll have to learn eventually." - Sari sighed, referring to the fact he couldn't have a love relationship with a human. - "But that's for another time."
The little gears in Ben's head started turning. "So...when I turn 18, then you and I will kinda be...the same 'age', eh?"
Sari had a sense of where he was going with this. "Yes," she replied warily.
"Cool," he smirked.
"Ben, there's something you should know," Sari told him. "I already have a Sparkmate."
"Sparkmate?"
"A Cybertronian partner."
"Aw, man!"
"Sorry, Ben. But you'll find someone. Jack did."
"That other guy? He's got a Technorganic Sparkmate?"
"No, there aren't enough of us. We have Autobot Sparkmates. His is a fembot named Arcee. And there's my Sparkmate right there!" she pointed, just as Bumblebee was walking out of his office. "Hey, Sar!" the TFA Autobot said, waving.
"Hi, Bee!" She waved back.
"Hold the phone! You've got a 25 foot boyfriend?!"
Sari chuckled. "Cybertronian relationships are a lot different than human ones."
"I don't get it."
"You've got a lot to learn."
They arrived at the transport nexus. "The Tennyson parents arriving," said Bulkhead." And out of the tunnel came Ben's mother and father, along with the Unit:E agent. "Ben!" called his mother, running toward him.
"Mom! Dad!" he yelled, rushing up and hugging them.
"We were so worried about you! When that attack came, and you helped us out, you disappeared!"
"I, I went after the bad guys," he replied, "in my 'bot' mode."
"Bot?"
"Yeah." And with a green flash, he transformed into his "bot" mode. "Like this."
His mother gasped! "Oh, Ben."
Fowler and Sari approached the three. "Mr. and Mrs. Tennyson? I'm Agent Fowler, and this is Captain Sari Sumdac. Come with us."
As they left the nexus, Sari waved up to Bulkhead. "Thanks, Bulky!"
"Aaah!" screamed Ben's mother, pointing to the Autobot. "What is that?"
"We'll explain everything," said Fowler.
"Yes, I was pregnant, but I lost the baby," Mrs. Tennyson explained. "He was stillborn. I, I was devastated. After we left the hospital, we went for a drive upstate, to go camping and get away from it all. We stopped in the Adirondack Mountains. One night, we saw what I thought was a shooting star, but it wasn't. It crash-landed less than a quarter mile from where we were."
"We went to go see it, and found this, this silvery capsule." said Mr. Tennyson.
"A Stasis Pod," said Sari. "I arrived in a similar one."
"You, Captain?" he replied.
"Yes, I too am a Technorganic, like Ben. And I assume it opened the moment you arrived, and he was inside?"
"Why, yes, exactly! Well, it was a silvery robotic creature."
"And who touched it?" she asked.
"I did," said Ben's mother. "As soon as I did, I felt this enormous electric shock come up my arm! I was thrown back!"
"I caught her in my arms," said his father, "and laid her down gently. "I took out my cell phone, but there was no signal! I didn't know what to do! Then I turned to the - what did you call it?"
"Stasis Pod."
"Yes, Stasis Pod. The little silvery creature started changing! It glowed a bit, then after a few minutes, in place of the robot form, there was a human baby!"
"I came to, and saw him holding this baby in his arms," said his mother, tears in her eyes. She turned and put her hand on her son's arm. "We called you 'Benjamin'."
"And I assume you have a white streak in your hair, Mrs. Tennyson?" asked Sari.
"Yes, but I dye it out. How did you know?"
"My father has the same one in his," she smiled. "He is the one who touched me when he discovered my pod." With a blue flash, she transformed into her "bot" mode. "As I said, Ben and I are what are called 'Technorganics'. We are half-human, half-Cybertronian - the robotic aliens."
Ben's mom gasped. "Robotic aliens!"
"The ones that attacked us?!" asked his father.
"No. There are two factions of Cybertronians," explained Agent Fowler. "Autobots and Decepticons. The ones who attacked New York are the Decepticons. "Captain Sari, that green fellow you saw when you first arrived, and the others with which my unit works are trying to defend Earth. They are the Autobots."
"Your unit?"
"Unit:E. We are a - special - unit of the government, dealing with extraterrestrials."
"Mrs. Tennyson, when you touched his silvery form, called a Sparkling Protoform, Ben absorbed your DNA; that is how he got his human side, just as I got my father's human side," said Sari.
"What about Jack?" asked Ben.
"He got his human DNA from his mother," she replied.
"Where is she?"
"Well, that's a long story," she smiled, "I'll let him tell you that one himself."
"But there's still something I don't understand," said Ben's dad. "These...Stasis Pods...came streaking down to Earth, and various humans touched them. You suggest they came from this...Cybertronian planet. Who sent them here?"
"We don't know," said Fowler. "That remains a mystery."
"To be truthful, nothing is stronger in me than the desire to learn my origins," Sari explained, half in thought. "yet, I never had the slightest clue. In fact until I met Jack I thought I was one of a kind. But one thing I've strongly suspected is that as Technorganics we did not originate on Cybertron. The Cybertronians were never adept at organic technology. There might possibly be clues of our origin intertwined with them, but, in my personal opinion, I don't think we were created or sent here by the Autobots or the Decepticons."
"So I guess your purpose for being sent here is likewise a mystery?" asked Mr. Tennyson.
"To an extent," said Agent Fowler. "Unit:E has an extensive exo-genetic division, and there is one fascinating thing we have uncovered. The Cybertronian genetic makeup, known as CNA, when combined with the human genetic makeup, DNA, becomes a force-multiplier. Technorganics, with both in their bodies, are extremely powerful beings. I for one am glad they are on our side."
"The ones uncovered to date are with us, and not with the Decepticons. If that provides a clue to their purpose, that's good enough for me."
"Wait a minute," said Ben's Dad, "I thought I saw what looked like other Technorganics destroying our neighborhood! Were they Decepticon, or Autobot?"
"Those were Decepticons, Mr. Tennyson," explained Sari. "Their names are is JoAnne and Scott, and they were artificially created to be Technorganics by the Decepticon scientist. Those two were once completely human. The only natural Technorganics uncovered to date - the ones that came from the Stasis Pods - are Ben, Jack, and myself."
"Ben needs to meet with two leaders of the Autobots," said Fowler. "Since he is a minor, I think you should be with him, Mr. and Mrs. Tennyson."
"Of course!" said his father. "Who are they?"
"They are known as the Primes," said Sari. "There are two, one from this dimension, and one from another. I can explain how that occurs at a later time. Both named Optimus."
"What do they want with Ben?" asked his mother.
"Since he is a newly-found Technorganic, they would like to gain information so as to make the best decisions for his future, both in your hands and in ours. Ben has a foot in both worlds. My father, Isaac Sumdac, is very closely involved with the Autobots."
The two parents exchanged glances, then looked back at Ben. "Let's go," Mr. Tennyson said.
"Mr. and Mrs. Tennyson, it is an honor to meet you," said T:Prime Optimus.
"Indeed, It is always a privilege to meet the parents of a Technorganic," said TFA Optimus. "Isaac Sumdac is a great friend of mine."
"Thank you, both of you," said Mr. Tennyson. "Now, what about Ben?"
"I am afraid that now that the Decepticons have learned about Ben, he is in danger," said T:Prime Optimus. "Since he has sided with us, he has become their enemy."
"Then you must protect him! Keep him hidden, here!" said his mother.
"Mom! I'm not defenseless! I've been fighting crooks for six years!" said Ben.
"What?! What do you mean, Ben?"
Ben lowered his helm. "I'm sorry, that's what I wanted to tell you. Ever since I learned about my 'bot' side, I've been sneaking out of the house and fighting bad guys."
"Ben! Why didn't you tell us?" said his father.
"I was afraid. I didn't know that you knew I was a Technorganic. I didn't know what you'd think of me as a robot. I was afraid! Afraid you'd think I was a freak or something. I kept everything hidden. I'm sorry."
"Oh, Ben," his mother cried. "I should have told you about your origins!"
"We should have confided in you Ben," said his Dad. "We were wrong not to."
"It's alright," said Sari, "my father followed the same path. He was fearful that if it became known, the government might take me away from him, and experiment on me. He kept my true nature a secret from everyone, even from me. I too found out by accident."
"I'm not a helpless little kid," said Ben. "I can defend myself. And I want to help the Autobots! They need me!"
"To be honest, Ben has been a good fighter by our side," said TFA Optimus. "He has some very powerful mods."
"Mods? What are those?" asked his father.
"Mods are the specific types of weapons and capabilities that Cybertronians are given," explained Sari. "Let me demonstrate." And she stood up from the conference table.
"Ben, your robot form is different, said his mother, comparing the two.
"Well...yeah. I mean, she's a girl bot. I don't have a skirt!" That innocent remark broke the ice a bit - everyone laughed!
Sari chuckled. "We each have our own unique look," she explained. "And color scheme. Ben's chassis - his Cybertronian body - as you can see, is white and green. Jack's is gray and black. Mine just happens to be yellow and cream-colored."
"And your voice, it's different now than before, when you were…human," said Mrs. Tennyson.
"Yes. Cybertronians don't have vocal cords. When communicating, we use something called a vocorder, which transmits our speech patterns into phonemes that you can detect with your ears. It's an electro-mechanical device, which gives my 'voice' a slight metallic sound."
"So you were in your robot mode when you first talked to me on the phone?" she asked her son.
"Yeah, I forgot. Then I changed to human."
Sari continued with the demonstration. "Ben and I both have offensive and defensive mods," she continued. "A defensive mod that we have is our Skyboom shield." And with a thought, she brought it forth. Ben's parents heard the clicking sounds, and watched in amazement as a shield appeared in front of Sari's arm!
"An offensive mod I possess is my energy blade," and in her other arm she brought it forth. Its blue glow shone in the conference room. "Ben has something similar, a sword-like javelin. Each Technorganic is endowed with his or her own particular set."
"We have a very large number of other mods, which can be used as tools, in defense, or when needed, as weapons."
"And we can fly!" boasted Ben.
"What?!"
"Yeah! I fly!"
Sari chuckled. "Not in here, Ben!" She advised. "We have the ability to transform our palms and the soles of our feet into plasma jets and fly."
"This is all a little overwhelming," said his mother, "and I'm sure Ben has skills, but who's going to be with him?"
"Mrs. Tennyson, we Autobots are honor-bound to protect each other," said T:Prime Optimus.
"Captain Sari is the leader of a special force in Unit:E, called the Skystrikers," said Agent Fowler. "I would like to introduce you to the rest of the team after our meeting. There is Jack, to whom we have been referring; he is another Technorganic; Miko, a human-Predacon hybrid, and Raf, a super-soldier."
"Human-Predacon?"
"Another type of Cybertronian," said Sari.
"With your permission, I would like to invite Ben into the Skystrikers - as a junior member."
"Awesome!" yelled Ben.
"I figured you wouldn't have a problem with that offer, son," said Fowler, "but it's your parent's call, not yours."
They looked at each other, then looked back at Fowler. "You will protect him?" asked his father.
"To the very best of our ability," answered Fowler.
"Then we agree."
"Yes!" Ben did a fist-pump.
"Good. Let's go meet the rest of the Skystrikers." And they went to another area of the compound, where the Skystrikers were gathered after the battle. Jack and Miko were in "human" mode.
"Skystrikers, you've already met Ben in battle," said Fowler. "Let me introduce his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tennyson."
Raf came up first. "Pleased to meet you sir, ma'am," he shook hands. "I'm Raf."
"Likewise, Raf," they said. They were a little confused, since while muscular and tall, he looked perfectly normal and human. "Don't be misled," whispered Fowler, "Raf can bench-press 1,000 pounds easily and jump 30 feet straight up from a standing position."
Next came Jack. "Pleased to meet you both!" he said, shaking hands. "Ben's a good fighter."
"Good to meet you Jack," they said. "So you are a Technorganic, like our son?" asked Ben's mom.
"Yes. I found out when I was 16. I've known the Autobots for a few years now."
Finally, Miko bounded forward and waved. "Hey! Nice to meet you! I'm Miko!"
"Hi, Miko!" they said. Ben's father stared a little long at her eyes; his wife noticed this and elbowed him. "Don't stare!" "Oh, um, sorry," he said, embarrassed.
"Oh, my eyes?" she laughed. "Hey, no prob! Part of the Predacon-human thingy."
"Yes, Agent Fowler told us," she said. "What is a Predacon, exactly?"
"Ooh, you wanna see?"
"OK"
"Stand back!" And they took a few steps back. A yellow flash, and Miko transformed into her Predacon form. "This is a Predacon!" she said proudly, holding out her wings.
"Eeek! A dragon?" Ben's mom grabbed her husband's arm.
"Yep!"
"Well, this is...an amazing team you have, Captain Sari," said Mr. Tennyson.
"Thank you Mr. Tennyson! We're a tight, cohesive force fighting the enemy, and we watch out for each other."
She turned to her team. "Skystrikers, Agent Fowler has invited Ben, with his parents' approval, to become a member of our team," said Captain Sari.
"Outstanding!" Said Raf.
"Excellent!" Clapped Jack.
"Awesome!" roared Miko, still in Predacon form.
"Junior member," said his mother.
"Mom!" complained Ben.
Miko was the first to welcome Ben into the group. She transformed back into "human" mode and slapped him on the back. "Welcome aboard, newbie," she smiled. "You like Slash Monkey?"
"Not really. Not much into music."
"Ooh, strike one, Ben," Jack thought.
Miko rolled her yellow eyes and sighed. "OK, how about video games. You into Call of Duty, Skull Girls, Sumo Slammers?"
"Sumo Slammers! Now you're talking! I've got 'em all! Video games, comics, trading cards…"
The Japanese girl approved! "This guy's alright!" She grinned.
"And so this twerp jumps in and transforms." - JoAnne reported with an edge on her voice. Megatron was playing the clips taken by Soundwave of the battle, paying special attention to the ones of the new Technorganic.
"All we learned about that pigmy was his name, Ben." - Skylinx added. Scott, despite having witnessed the whole thing as well, didn't say a word. He was still very uncomfortable around Megatron.
The Lord of the Decepticons turned off the video and looked thoughtfully at his soldiers. In the meeting were Starscream, Shockwave, Soundwave, the TechnoCons and Skylinx.
"This unexpected development has raised many questions, indeed. While this Ben has branded himself an ally of the Autobots, his existence proves there might be other Technorganics on this planet." - Megatron said finally. He turned to his Intelligence Officer. "Play back that conversation he had with Optimus."
Soundwave played back the audio from Laserbeak that captured Ben talking to the Prime.
Optimus: "We thank you for your aid in the battle, friend. Though an explanation should be delivered at a more propitious time, I must know: who are you?"
Ben: "Me? I'm your average super-hero, Ben Tennyson!"
"Logic dictates that with Jack Darby and this Ben Tennyson revealed as natives of this dimension, the existence of more Technorganics upon this planet is a possible theory." Shockwave added.
"Oh scrap it! You mean there might be more of those abominable pests?" Starscream groaned.
"In spite of that, this changes nothing of the assault. Nonetheless I want surveillance increased just in case any more 'unexpected heroes' reveal themselves." - he turned back to Soundwave, who nodded.
"All of you, dismissed!"
They all began to leave the room, when Megatron said:
"Except for the TechnoCons."
The five remained, standing before the towering figure. He looked down at them with his glowing red optics. Seconds passed in silence, and Scott felt like he was going to throw up - if he had a stomach.
"Tell me," he finally said, "how do you think you did in this mission?"
"Against the humans, we did well," said Osgood. "Against the Autobots and Technorganics, poorly."
"And why is that, Norman?" Replied Megatron, deliberately using the same term that Springer had tauntingly used for him.
Caught off guard by his use of that name, he stuttered, "I - I - we, we didn't stay focused."
"And why is that?" Megatron repeated the question and it was Skysword who answered:
"Because...we didn't cooperate as a team."
"Correct." the warlord fixed them all with a hard glare. "All the power in the world is nothing if wielded by arrogance and stupidity." He emphasized those words and punctuated them with menacing feints at the five, making them cower in fear.
"You, Norman and Adam, must become more patient and not allow your enemies to cloud your reason with anger. And you, JoAnne, fell for the same flaw, even though it was an undisciplined Technorganic who blinded you and not an Autobot veteran. As for you, Skysword, you may be a Decepticon, but you are still the leader of the TechnoCons. If the team performs pathetically it is because the leadership is pathetic."
All the TechnoCons felt even smaller, as if shrunk by those words. Only Scott was slightly relaxed; he hadn't earned a place on Megatron's bad side. Until…
"As for you, Scott," the TechnoCon felt a chill up his spine as the warlord focused his bloodlust optics on him "I strongly advise you to become more committed. The Decepticons are an army of true warriors, not a social club!"
Then turning aside, Megatron talked to all in a more conversational tone.
"Have you ever heard of Dreadwing?"
"No, sir." Skysword felt he had to reply for the whole team.
"He and his late brother Skyquake were among my most loyal followers. Dreadwing was a powerful combatant who served with honor, pride, courage and devotion to the cause. A fine example of a Decepticon."
"What happened to him?" Adam asked. Megatron turned back to look down at them all and smirked widely:
"I slayed him myself for disobedience." That had the desired effect of making the TechnoCons gulp. One moment he was talking almost reverently of Dreadwing, the next he admitted with pride to have killed him.
Doing an about-face, he walked away from the five, toward his throne. "Let that serve as a warning for every Decepticon - or any who aspires to be so. Always follow orders before your own personal desires. Whether said desires derive from honor, wounded pride...or foolish power-lust." he added the last part thinking about Starscream.
He sat on his throne and waved his servo. "Dismissed!"
The TechnoCons took their leave, some with a quicker pace than others. They went to a private chamber of the ship to have a small meeting. One they didn't want the other Decepticons to eavesdrop on
"You heard Megatron," started Skysword, "we work together as a unit, or we meet the same fate as Dreadwing."
"We should focus our abilities on a single objective," said Osgood. "Take down one high-value target."
"I think I know who you're talking about," said Adam. "That Sari character."
"Precisely. We've heard Megatron refer to her several times as a thorn in his side - well 'thorn' is an Earth expression, but you catch my drift. We all take her down, that will show him we can be a powerful, cohesive force."
"I like it," said JoAnne. "She's their leader, and we take down the leader, we can then go after the others."
"Yeah, but doesn't she have that weird mojo-thing goin'?" said Scott.
"She does, but she's an Autobot, and all Autobots have a weakness that we can exploit," said Skysword with an evil smirk.
As before, another cooperative chapter written by yours truly and TheSealer!
Skysword has a plan in his processor for taking out Sari for good, and after the TechnoCons finalize it they will coordinate their attack with Starscream and Megatron as the final assault on New York City takes place. What's his plan? Will they succeed? If Sari is killed what will happen? We shall see!
Thanks for the Chapter 9 reviews – hope you like this new one! When Megatron unleashes his full assault, there will be quite a lot of Decepticons descending on the city.
Thanks for reading. Please review!