Sari and Chandra go visit Zone Base and meet Holi and the Rescue Patrol Team. Another famous Autobot comes as well!
The next day, Sari and Chandra woke up from their stasis rest and met Clipper in the living room. "Hi, Clip!" Chandra greeted Clipper. "Good morning, you two!" smiled Clipper. "You ready to meet my friend Holi?"
"Holi!" clapped Chandra.
"I'd say she's looking forward to it," said Sari, "as am I. And I've always wanted to see the Zone Base. I've heard so much about it, and what an amazing base of operations it is."
"Yes, it's a giant hub," said Clipper. "It's where our planet coordinates all of the various Micromaster teams' operations. Holi and the Rescue Patrol Team will be expecting us, so if you're ready, we can be on our way!"
"Sounds good, right Chandra?"
"Yay! Zone Base!" Chandra clapped. Sari raised an optic and tilted her helm toward Clipper. "'Zone Base'? New word for her!" With that, the ladies headed out the door and down the elevator to street level. Taking the moving sidewalk over to Shuttle Central Station, they boarded the ship that was destined for the Micromaster's base of operations. On the way, Sari and Clipper engaged in small talk.
"So Clipper, how did you happen to work with Mirage?" Sari asked.
"Well, I worked for many stellar cycles here on Micro with Governor Riker, but then a rare opening came up to attend the Academy of Science and Technology on Cybertron, so I grabbed the slot and went to Cybertron to get my technical training. After graduation, I went to go work on Moon Base Two's radio dish systems."
"You did?" Sari thought back to a visit she made to Moon Base Two many years ago. "I don't suppose you ever worked with a bot named Quorra?"
"Quorra? Why, yes, I did," said Clipper. "She headed up thruster systems. We didn't work side by side, but we had many opportunities to share projects, why do you ask?"
"I helped her out with a little glitch in their thruster programs quite a while back, when I was visiting Moon Base Two," said Sari. "Funny that we both knew her; small Autobot Commonwealth, eh?" She smiled.
"Wait a minute. I remember that incident! We couldn't aim the moon properly; it was a big deal. You were the bot who fixed it?"
"Yep, that was me," Sari replied with a smile.
"By Primus! All we ever heard was that a visitor got it working. I never knew who it was!" Clipper could only smile and shake her helm at the sheer coincidence at finally meeting the bot that fixed the thruster glitch. "Well, nice to finally know the one who got it working – better late than never, eh?" Clipper laughed.
"Anyway, it was on Moon Base Two where I met Mirage. She was leading a team that was gearing up to go work on the Salvvatan System. They were about to begin their training for the mission. She liked what I was doing with the radio dish technical design specifications, and asked me if I would be interested in joining up. I jumped at the opportunity!"
"You really like doing the technical work, huh?"
"Oh, very much so! It's highly satisfying, figuring out the systems, and helping bots take things from concept to design to final end product."
"Do you ever miss working with the Governor?"
"Well, sometimes. I was his right-hand bot, helping with planet-wide administration."
"I'll bet he was sorry to see you go," Sari smiled.
"Oh he was, but he knew that those academy slots didn't open very often, so he actually was the one who encouraged me to apply. He's a really great boss! I helped him find my replacement, and we got a good one: Windrazor. She and Governor Riker make a good team."
"Windrazor, the motorcycle mini-con?" asked Sari.
"That's her," said Clipper. "She's a very hard worker, and I hear from my friends that things are going very smoothly."
The outline of Zone Base appeared on the horizon. "Look, Chandra, you can see the Rocket Base," said Clipper. "That big rocket is the Galaxy Shuttle."
Clipper kneeled on her seat and looked out the window at the shuttle, getting larger as they came nearer to the Zone Base landing site. Her optics opened wide. "Wow!"
Viewed from the sky, Zone Base resembled a giant sprawling space terminal, with interconnected station complexes separated by long covered pathways. A large main central backbone section, called Airport Base, brought all the various parts together. The Rocket Base with its Galaxy Shuttle ran across the end of one section of the backbone. It was the second largest of all the bases – after Airport Base, and together with Airport Base formed a giant "T" against the landscape.
The shuttle landing area was on the roof of Airport Base, and once at the terminal, Sari, Chandra and Clipper entered the main gate. "Let's go over to the Visitor's Center," said the Micromaster femme, "it's got a good audio-visual display of the entire complex." Inside the Center was a floor-mounted three-dimensional model of the entire Zone Base, with interactive display controls that let bots select and highlight specific areas to learn about their purpose. Sari selected the button for Zone Base:
"The Zone Base is the primary headquarters for the Autobot Micromaster teams operating on the planet. Formed from numerous interlocking Micromaster Stations, the Zone Base acts a staging area from which they deploy to protect planets all throughout their sector of the galaxy."
"This place is amazing!" said Sari, looking at the layout. She then selected the buttons for each of the five bases:
Rocket Base
"The enormously powerful Rocket Base is a potent force for good in the universe. Whether it's serving as the headquarters for Star Saber and the Rescue Patrol Team, or shuttling interstellar hero Countdown around the galaxy, it is a beacon standing tall against Decepticon tyranny. The base converts from a mobile launching pad and rocket into a full command center."
Gasoline Base
"Manned by Glasspit, the Gasoline Base is the "mess hall" of the Zone Base, supplying energon to the Micromaster warriors stationed on Zone Base. Like all the components of the Zone Base, the Gasoline Base can transform into a defensive battle station, and is armed with the tremendously powerful 'Energy Missiles' to repel attacks."
Fire Station
"Manned by Hot House, the Fire Station packs an amazing amount of weaponry. The mobile base converts from a garage and repair station into a treaded tank with a battering ram, missiles, rockets, and cannon."
Construction Station
"Manned by communications expert Ironworks, the Construction Station contains many diverse and random elements: a crane, an interstellar communicator, an iron forge, and a missile launcher. The station normally functions as a construction site, but can convert to a heavily armed communications tower mode."
Airport Base
"The Airport Base is a key component of the Zone Base, serving as the complex's spaceport, where owner and operator Overair welcomes visitors from all over the galaxy. Like all the components of the Zone Base, the Airport Base can transform into a defensive battle station, armed with surface-to-air missiles to intercept any intruders into Micro airspace."
"This place is huge!" Sari remarked. "Very impressive!"
"Like the display said, the Rescue Patrol Team are headquartered over in the Rocket Base," said Clipper.
"Let's go there first," said Sari. "I'm sure you're anxious to meet up with Holi."
"You know it!" replied Clipper. Looking at the display, they found the tram boarding site. "Next stop, Rescue Patrol Team headquarters!" Sari told Chandra as the tram took off.
Riding the tram from the Visitor's Center to Rocket Base, they passed by dozens of Micromaster bots going to and fro, working at the various stations. Chandra, kneeling on her seat, waved at all the bots as the tram passed. "Hi!" "Bye!"
Finally, the tram got to the end of the "T", where Rocket Base was located. Getting off, they walked through the entrance. "I'm so excited to see Holi!" said Clipper.
"Holi! Holi!" said Chandra.
The first bot they first saw at Rocket base was Pīpō, the ambulance Micromaster. "Pīpō!" Clipper called out. "So good to see you!"
"Hey! Clipper! Long time, no see!" He waved and walked over to the trio. "Everyone's upstairs, getting the place in tip-top shape, preparing for the arrival of the Supreme Commander!"
"Star Saber's coming?" said Sari. "I've always hoped to meet him!"
"Oh! Where are my manners!" said Clipper. "Pīpō, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine; this is Sari Sumdac, from the Earth system. Sari, this is my friend Pīpō, one of the members of the Rescue Patrol Team."
"So nice to meet you, Pīpō!" Sari held out a servo.
"Likewise, Sari!" shaking back. "And who is this little one?" said Pīpō, looking down at Chandra.
"Pīpō, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Chandra; Chandra, say hello to Pīpō."
"Chandra giggled. "Pō!" and held up her little servo.
Pīpō laughed and took her little servo in his, "Well, so very nice to meet you, Chandra!"
"So, when is Star Saber due?" asked Sari.
"Very soon, Sari. I'm glad you'll have the opportunity to meet him. He's been very busy in this sector. We've had some nasty attacks here lately from mercenaries hired by Strika."
"Strika!" Sari nearly spit out the name. "I've been chasing that Decepticon around the galaxy for nearly 20 stellar cycles.
"You have?" Pīpō raised an optic. "What exactly do you do, Sari?"
"Sari's a powerful Cyber-Ninja, Pīpō," explained Clipper, "and you can say she's her sector's equivalent of Star Saber."
"Oh!" Pīpō looked back at Sari with a sense of awe. "Please, forgive any disrespect, Sari! I had no idea!"
"Oh, think nothing of it!" Sari replied.
"Pīpō! Have you finished cleaning up down there?" came a shout from upstairs.
"Not yet, Holi!" said Pīpō. "By the way, your girlfriend's here!"
"What?!" Holi came running downstairs, nearly tripping. "Clipper!" He nearly ran into her. Boater and Fire followed behind. "Oh ho! Hey, look! Holi's girlfriend's arrived!" Fire said.
"Quiet, you!" said Holi. He sighed, looking at Clipper.
"Still no respect, eh?" smiled Clipper, cocking her helm to one side.
"I'm working on it," said Holi, holding her servos in his. "It's so good to see you, Clipper!"
Sari smiled at the reunion. Clipper turned to Sari and Chandra. "Holi, I'd like you to meet some friends of mine. This is Sari Sumdac, Earth's Cyber-Ninja protector, and her daughter, Chandra."
"Very nice to meet you, Holi," said Sari, holding out her servo. Chandra laughed and clapped. "Yay, Holi!"
"Well! So nice to meet you two!" he said, shaking Sari's servo and kneeling down, putting a servo on Chandra's shoulder. "Cyber-Ninja? Glad to have you here! Forgive our mess; we're straightening up, getting ready for a visit from the Supreme Commander, Star Saber."
"Yes, Pīpō told us. I'm looking forward to meeting him," said Sari. "While we're waiting, can we help you out?"
"Yes, Holi," said Clipper. "Let us lend a servo." And with the ladies' assistance, the Rocket Base was made ready.
"Excellent job, everyone," said Holi, "and thanks for your help, ladies. Sari, let me take you and Chandra around; and Clipper, I want you to see some of the new things we've added."
They went over to the main command center, where multiple monitors lined the walls and control consoles ran the length of the room. "Here, we can communicate with our counterparts in planets across the sector, and be alerted to any Decepticon activity or natural threats. We can also stay in communication with our bots out on assignment, whether they're here on Micro, one of the moons, or working elsewhere."
Holi then took them down the hallway to a large door, which led to a huge outside area. "This is our training site," he explained. There was a six-story building with crash-test dummies on every floor, and the building looked like it had been set on fire multiple times. "This is Fire's training building. We set the building on fire, and he then drills on rescuing those dummies out of it."
Next to the building was a large rectangular body of water. "As you might guess, Boater uses this area for his drills. If you look way down the end, you can see what looks like a low building; that's our mock-up hospital, and Boater drills on ferrying the crash-test dummies that Fire brings down from the building to the hospital. Naturally, his alt form is used for water rescues, such as the time when there was a Decepticon attack on an aquatic amusement park. Boater was very busy that day!"
Alongside the waterway was a four-lane highway. "The highway is used by Pīpō and me. We drill on bringing the dummies from Fire's building to the hospital in our alt modes – Pīpō in his ambulance, me in my police car."
"Of course, once we arrive at the hospital, we transform out of our alt modes and carry the 'injured' into the mock-up hospital. Naturally, our drills are timed and we always strive to improve."
"Hostages and injured are very lucky to have such dedicated bots as the Rescue Patrol Team," said Sari. "I've done rescues myself, and I sure could have used your team by my side," she smiled.
"Thank you, Sari," said Holi. "That means a lot, coming from an Elite Guard member and a Cyber-Ninja."
Going back into the Rocket Base building, Holi continued with the tour. "Down this hall are our quarters, and here on the right is our recreation room."
Rounding the tour, they came to the staircase – the one Holi nearly fell down rushing to see Clipper – and he led them up. "On the second floor is our exercise room." They saw all of their equipment, from benches and racks, to treadmills and free weights.
"Impressive!" remarked Sari. While she was chatting with Holi, Chandra walked over to the free weights and picked one up. Clipper looked over and saw her. "Chandra! Be careful with those!" Everyone turned to see Chandra pick up one of the heavier free weights and hold it over her head. "Weight!" she shouted.
"Oh, sweetie! Let me help you with that!" and Sari hurried before Chandra might lose her balance. Sari picked it up. "Thanks, Chandra, that's a heavy one!" and put it back on the rack.
"Uh, did she just lift a 120 kg weight?" Holi asked incredulously, optics wide.
"Oh, you should see her rearranging my furniture at home!" said Sari.
"Whoa, that's one strong little bot you've got there, Sari," replied Holi.
"Ha! Tell me about it!" she laughed.
"Holi! Star Saber's arriving!" Fire called from downstairs.
"Alright! Let's get ready, everyone," Holi responded, and they went downstairs to greet him.
Star Saber entered the Rocket Base, as the Rescue Patrol Team stood at attention. Sari, Chandra and Clipper stood behind.
"Welcome, Supreme Commander!" said Holi, saluting.
"Thank you, Holi!" said Star Saber, returning the salute. "At ease, Rescue Patrol Team. It's good to be back."
He then spied their guests. "Well, Clipper! So good to see you again! And do my optics deceive me? Is this Sari Sumdac here with us?"
"It is I, Supreme Commander," said Sari, nodding her helm in greeting. "I am honored to make your acquaintance."
"The honor is all mine, Cyber-Ninja. And who is this young bot with you?"
"This is my daughter, Chandra. Chandra, say hello to Star Saber."
Chandra held up a servo to shake hands. "Hello, Star Saber," she said. Sari and Clipper looked at each other, amazed that she'd not only said his name in full, but uttered a complete sentence.
Star Saber chuckled and kneeling down, returned her handshake. "Well, so very pleased to meet you, Chandra."
"So, Sari, what brings you to our sector?" he asked.
"Clipper is on furlough from her assignment, and Chandra and I have come to visit her home planet. I've always wanted to see Micro, and have a chance to meet the Rescue Patrol Team. I was especially excited when they told me that the Supreme Commander was due to visit as well," she smiled.
"Well, I hope you two enjoy your stay! Micro is one of the most beautiful planets in this sector." Said Star Saber.
The conversation was interrupted by an alert on the command console. Holi rushed to study the output. "Supreme Commander! There's been an attack on the plasma energy plant by Black Shadow and Blue Bacchus. The command center is on fire, with many wounded."
"We must head there immediately!" said Star Saber. "This is Strika's doing; I've received intel that she's been hiring mercenaries to weaken this sector's defenses in anticipation of an attack."
"Star Saber, let me help you!" said Sari.
"We could certainly use your assistance," replied Star Saber. "Rescue Patrol Team! Prepare to leave!"
Holi and the team got ready to board the Galaxy Shuttle to head to the energy plant. He went to Clipper to say goodbye. "It seems like we just said hello, Clipper," holding her servos in his."
"I know, Holi," she said, giving him a hug. "I will wait for your return."
"Clipper, can you watch Chandra for me?" Sari asked.
"Of course!" replied Clipper. But Clipper cried and wouldn't let go of Sari's servo, "No, Mommy, no! Don't go!"
Clipper then had an idea. Kneeling down to Chandra, she said, "Chandra, will you do me a favor?" Chandra nodded. "Holi has to go with Star Saber, and I will miss him. Will you please tell him to be sure to come back for me? And I will tell mommy to be sure to come back for you, OK?"
Chandra said, "OK, Clipper," and she walked up to Holi. "Holi?" Holi kneeled down to Chandra. "Clipper will miss you. You come back, OK?" Holi put his servo on Chandra's shoulder and said, "I will Chandra, I will."
Then Clipper walked up to Sari and said to her, "Sari, Chandra will miss you. You come back, OK?" Sari put her servo on Clipper's shoulder and said "I will, Clipper."
Clipper then walked back to Chandra and took her servo and said. "OK, we will wait for them."
Chandra said, "OK, we will wait."
And they both waved goodbye, and Sari and Holi left.
Sorry for the long delay in putting out this chapter. I've been working with LuisJM on his story, "Transformers Prime Season 3 Episode 1: Rebirth" – it's an excellent one based on Transformers Prime, check it out!
So Sari's going to go assist Star Saber battle Black Shadow and Blue Bacchus; should be a good fight! I'm sure Sari's not going to let them get away! Chandra and Clipper will wait for Sari and Holi's return. Thanks for reading.
