My Life as a Teenage Robot copyright Rob Renzetti
Transformers copyright Hasbro
War For Cluster Prime
Chapter 11: Return To Cybertron
BEEP-BEEP!
BEEP-BEEP!
BEEP-BEEP!
(("hey...i think she's coming around.")) said a voice
((Vega?...you awake?!"))
Vega slowly opened her eyes, groaning as she did.
her vision and hearing was blurry at first...but, they soon cleared.
the first thing Vega saw was her mother, Vexus her best friend, Jenny...and, the giant face of the Autobot, Red Alert.
Red Alert smiled.
"welcome back...you've been in stasis for a LONG TIME."
Vega groaned again.
she then sat up slowly.
Vega looked and noticed the "weird" looks that Vexus and Jenny were giving her.
"wa-what is it?...What's wrong?!"
Red Alert sighs sharply.
"well...it's kinda "difficult" to explain." began the Autobot Medic
"the Spark Transplant was Sucessful (more or less)
though, there have been some "Unforseen Side-Effects."
Vega looked confused.
"W-What side effects?"
Red Alert sighed sharply, scratching her helmet.
she then looked to Jenny and spoke softly.
"Jennifer...get me a mirror."
Jenny noddeed, then walked off.
Vega eyed Red Alert, getting annoyed.
"Red, your not making any-"
"GOT IT!"
Jenny came back, approaching Vega.
she sighed sharply...then, held up the mirror.
Vega then gasped upon seeing her Reflection.
her Golden Metallic skin was now Fleshly and Caucasian-Colored.
instead of a helmet, she now sported pink hair with upright pigtails.
her green optics were now human eyes (which were still Green, none-the-less)
Vega stared with wide-eyes, shocked at what she saw.
she then took teh mirror and stared at her reflection, her eyelids refusing to blink.
"i'm...i'm HUMAN?!"
"not FULLY, no." began Red Alert
"because Alex spark is a fusion of Organic Flesh and Robotic Circutry when you joined his Spark with your own...you inherited HIS Technorganic Properties."
Vega touched her fleshy cheek...which felt REAL.
"it...it feels...REAL."
"that's because it IS.
however (like Alex) you should still be able to revert back to a Robot."
"robo-"
Suddenly, Vega's new Flesh and Hair degraded into liquids and receeded back into her robotic body her metallic clothes and hair-like helmet mechanically covered her body, returning her to "Normal."
Vega (almost) looked disappointed to see her Old Face.
"Will she be like this Forever?" asked Vexus
"I'm not sure..." began Red Alert
"the last time TWO Sparks shared the same body was when Hot Rod temporarily kept Optimus Prime's spark is HIS body."
"and, what happened to him?" asked Jenny
"he underwent both Physical and Mental changes...
Hot Rod aquired both Optimus's Special Function...AND, his Personality."
"Did he return to Normal when Prime's Spark was removed?" asked Vexus
"Eventually, yes.
but, the "experience" of the whole thing lingered."
Red Alert sighed.
"though, Alex Spark is a special case...being Technorganic.
i have NO IDEA what the prolonged effects of HIS Spark will do to Vega."
Vega finally sat at the side of the slab and began to get up.
"How are you feeling, Vega?" asked Red Alert
Vega held her head.
"i'm...f-fine, Just Fine."
Vexus eyed her daughter.
"that's NOT what Red Alert meant, Vega...
she means: "Do you feel "different?"
Vega paused for a moment.
she then looked at her mother and best friend.
"a...a little.
aside from the new "Human Mode", i DO feel...different."
Vega began to pace around slowly, thinking hard.
she then touched her chest, placing her hand where her "heart" was.
"i...i CAN feel him...feel ALEX." began Vega
"It's like he's Alive...within ME.
I can feel his Thoughts and Feelings...like their my own.
I his Memories...i...i can see them, so Clearly.
as if I was there with him when it all happened."
Red Alert nodded.
"Alex Lifeforce and your own are "feeding" off of each other, becoming ONE.
it's possible that if Alex IS conscience within you...he's undergoing a "similiar" experience."
Vega looked at Red Alert.
"you mean...HE'S becoming ME?"
Red Alert shrugged.
"who knows?" began the Femmebot
"the long-term effects "sharing sparks" hasn't been properly studied.
MAINLY because the process is So Risky, that NO BOT has been willing to try it."
Vega touched her chest again.
"it feels so...so strange.
and, yet...so RIGHT, like we were Meant to be "together."
Vega looks at red Alert again.
"what about Alex Body?...is he Repaired?"
Red Alert frowned.
"not quite..."
Vega looked at Red Alert, confused.
"what?"
Red Alert stepped back..revealing Alex's still inactive body.
only NOW, it was sealed in a capsule with a front glass shell.
Both Goldbug and Vexus wee sitting near it, sad looks on their faces.
Confused (and, Concerned) Vega ran over to it.
"a-alex?"
Vexus looked up at her daughter and sighed sharply.
"R-Red Alert and Carly said that Alex's is too heavily damaged.." began the former Cluster Queen
"they say they can't repair him..at least, not on EARTH."
Vega looked at her.
"not what?"
"Human Medicine is quite "primitive" compared to Cybertronian Technology.." began Red Alert
"If we ever expect Alex to function again..
then, we need to get him to Planet Cybertron, the Autobot/Decepticon Homeworld."
"which is IMPOSSIBLE." said Nora Wakeman, joining in the discussion
Vega looked at the aging woman.
"what do you mean IMPOSSIBLE?!"
Nora crossed her arms and scowled.
"Because the Autobot and Decepticons first came to earth when both their flagships CRASHED into the planet during the Prehistoric Era.
they didn't awaken until "1985", which was Twenty-Five Years Ago!
they stayed on Earth due to their ships being unable to fly, despite attempts at repairing them."
Vega took a moment to process this.
"so, there's NO WAY to get to this 'Cyber-Tron?" questioned Jenny
"No..no way AT ALL." replied Nora
Vega's eyed then flashed white for a moment.
"wait.."
Vega looked at the group, her expression 'trance-like.'
"wa-what about the Space Bridge?"
Brit raised an eyebrow.
"Space Bridge?"
"Optimus and Megatron used it to return to Cybertron."
Vega then held her head as soon as she finished her sentence.
"wait..h-how did i know that?"
"It is TRUE.." said Red Alert
"we DID use Space Bridge Technology to travel back-and-forth between galaxies.
but, that takes up ALOT of Energon..and, the Cons destroyed 'our' Space Bridge."
Vexus faced the Autobot Medic.
"Can't you just build another one?"
Red Alert scowled at the human-sized robot.
"It took the cons MONTHS just to construct one on Cybertron.
and, it took Longer-Than-That to build one on Earth."
at that moment..and Idea popped in Vega's head.
"what about my Teleporter?"
everyone looked at Vega.
"what?"
"I have a Teleporter..Cluster Design.
i use it to travel from Earth-to-Cluser Prime instantaniously."
Vexus grinned, overcome with joy.
"That's RIGHT!..when i, errr..waged war against the earth i used Dozens of Cluster Teleporters to send my robots to combat XJ-9."
Jenny eyed Vexus angrily.
despite this, Vexus continued her explaination.
"i eventually used it to transport my armada to Earth when i..
((cough-cough)) (muttering) invadedtheearth."
Sheldon pondered this.
"you know..if we knew Cybertron's spacial coordinants.
we COULD reprogram Vega's teleporter to send us Anywhere on Cybertron."
Red Alert touched her chin with her finger, pondering this.
"you know..that Juuuust might work.
BUT, we'd better call Ultra Magnus and consult him over this First."
[Later]
"..and, That's the plan, Magnus." finished Red Alert
Red Alert was staring at a monitor which had an image of Ultra Magnus, next to an audio wavelength scanner.
(("Do whatever it takes to help him..Alex IS our future, afterall.
but, Cybertron can be dangerous.
so, i'll be sending Arcee to accompany you."))
Red Alert nodded.
"good, we'll await her arrival."
with that, the transmission was cut.
Red Alert look back at the others.
"Mission is a-go."
"GOOD." said Sheldon, who was fiddling with Vega's Teleporter.
"Because we've almost got it."
Brit eyed Sheldon.
"how do you even know the cybertron's coordinants?"
Sheldon eyed the african/british girl.
"I don't spend ALL my free time in my room.
i actually Have been to other Planets, and CYBERTRON is one of them."
Jenny was sitting on a chair.
her legs crossed and hands cupping her cheeks.
"i'm Still having a hard time 'understanding' this whole thing."
Nora Wakeman then patted her 'daughter' on the shoulder.
"trust me, Ex-Jay-Nine...you WILL."
Vega remained with Goldbug at Alex's side.
standing at afar was Vexus, who had her arms crossed and frowned.
she was in both despare and rage.
but, mostly..consumed by Guilt.
Afterall..it was HER Clone that did this to Alex.
Just then, a pink-and-white sportscar drove inside.
it immediatly transformed into the femmebot 'Arcee'
who walked over to where Alex was being kept and stared down at him.
"oh, no.." said Arcee, distraught
Vega grumbled, then looked towards Sheldon.
"IS IT WORKING YET!?"
"almooost-"
suddenly, the device charged and shot open an energy portal in the air.
"GOT IT!"
Everyone left their respected places and approached the energy vortex.
"so..on the other side of that thing is Cybertron." said Vexus in awe
"and, Alex's Last and ONly hope." added Carly
Arcee looked at everyone.
"so..whose all going?"
Vega looked at the 'giant robot'
"what do you mean "whose going?!"
we ALL should go!, Alex NEEDS us!"
"no question about THAT.
but, Tremorton is Still being attacked.
and, we can't all leave it undefended..or, leave the autobots without back-up." said Arcee
a long silence befell everyone.
"I'll stay.." said Nora, finally
"If the Autobots become damaged, they will need me to repair them.
Besides, i still have connections with the Sky Way Patrol..i am needed HERE."
"I'll stay, too..Nora might need an assistant." said Carly
Arcee nodded, then looked at the others.
"well?"
Vega narrowed her optics.
"I carry Alex's spark Within Me.
and, even if i wasn't..i'd go to the ends of the universe for him."
"i'm going, too." said Vexus
"Somehow, i feel responsible for all of this."
Jenny eyed Vexus.
"well..then, i'd better go too.
if anything to keep Vega SAFE."
"BEEP BEEP-BEEP-BEEP..Boooop." said Goldbug, clenching his fists
"i'll go, too." said Sheldon
"i'm due to upgrade my Silver Shell Armor and it's weapons, anyway."
Brit Crust remained silent.
then..she finally spoke.
"i'm not going anywhere..not while Sunstorm is still loose."
Jenny and Sheldon looked at the now lone Crust Cousin.
actualy feeling sympathy for her (despite how Mean and Cruel she had been to them both.)
"fair enough..you can stay." said Arcee
CHA-CHA-CHAK-CHIK!
Arcee and Goldbug both transformed into vehicle mode.
though, THESE vehicle modes looked more "space aged."
their doors then opened.
"hop in."
Vega (with Alex's capsule strapped to her back)
Vexus, Jenny and Sheldon got in Arcee.
Jenny looked out at Red Alert.
"hey..aren't YOU coming, too?
we need a medic to properly opperate on Alex."
Red Alert shook her head.
"no..i am needed HERE on Earth.
Besides..a more 'capable' Autobot Medic is on Cybertron.
just find teh one called "Ratchet", he will handle everything."
"oh..okay."
"Careful, Children!" called Carly
"Planet Cybertron is NOT a nice place to be, anymore." added Nora
(("we know..we know.")) said Arcee, her tone saddened
both autobots drove into the vortex..which closed behind them.
Red Alert exhaled sharply.
"may primus watch over them all..and safely guide them to optimus." whispered the Autobot Medic
[Planet Cybertron]
[Ruins of Iacon]
The group shot out of the vortex and into a wide open space.
the others got out of Goldbug and Arcee (who transformed)
and, they all looked around at their surroundings.
Jenny, Vexus and Vega stared in shock and awe at a completely metallic (and, Massive) world.
they appeared to be in a city..which was nothing but a crumbling ruin.
"what..IS this place?" said Jenny, finally
Arcee frowned as she walked forward and stopped.
"Iacon..once the capital city of Planet Cybertron." began Arcee
"it served as the homebase of the Autobot Faction when the war started.
but, after Megatron learned to weaponize Dark Energon..the Decepticons 'Devastated' it."
Vega looked around..then, gasped at the sight of hundreds (or, maybe Thousands) of 'aged and inactive' robot bodies.
they all wore either Autobot or Decepticon symbols on their armor.
and, they all had varied forms of damage (most severe) on their bodies.
Vega backed away, horrified at this.
"oh my COG.." said Vega, finally
"s-sso many..DEAD."
Arcee closed her optics and looked down.
"the Fall of Iacon was a tragedy..
butm it was NOTHING..compared to the day Megatron first waged war on us.
THAT..was a massicre."
Jenny stared blankly was the sight before her.
being a Robot..she always felt uneasy on 'Robot Violence'
even if she WAS built specificly for Combat.
but, to see this..this kind of Carnage: it almost made her sick.
Vexus wasn't enjoying herself either.
"Now i understand.." said Vexus, finally
the others looked at the former queen
"Now i see why Alex was so concerned for Cluster Prime.
He was afraid that THIS would happen..if Civil War errupted."
Vega looked back at the battlefield/graveyard.
suddenly, her eyes flashed as a memory and mental images flashed in her mind.
memories and images that she KNEW was not her own..but, ALEX.
She saw the Cybertron War..but, thru Alex's eyes.
it looked at though he was being carried..like an infant.
she saw so much carnage and 'oil shed'
so many running in fear, other fighting in vain to repel the threat.
then..she saw a massive golden starship.
and, dozens of Autobots were running for it at Decepticon Jets fired upon them.
One words popped in her head: "The ARK."
Vega then saw something that wasn't a memory..but, a Nightmarish Vision.
one of a similiar war being fought on her homeworld of Cluster Prime.
so many of her own friends either Dead or Dying.
places she knew demolished, and the garnd city of Robotropolis..reduced to a Crumbling Ruin.
and, Herself..DEAD.
it was enough to drive her Insane.
Vega finally held her head, groaning.
"y-yes..i know." said Vega, finally
CLICK-CLICK-CLICK!
Jenny suddenly turned and looked in a direction, startled at a faint sound.
"d-did you hear t-t-that?!"
the other listened..and, heard the sound again..only LOUDER.
Arcee and Goldbug quickly shifted their right forearms into weapons.
both Autobot looked around, trying to get a fix on what was obviously stalking them.
"w-what..is it?" whispered Vega
Arcee was silent, narrowing her eyes and scowling.
"insecticons." said the Femmebot, finally
Jenny and Vega's metallic heart's nearly stopped upon hearing this.
"i-i-insecti-"
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRHH!"
Suddenly, a giant robotic beetle flew over the group.
Arcee and Goldbug fired rapid shots at it.
"GET TO COVER..NOW!" shouted Arcee
Jenny protested this.
"B-But, I-"
"NOW!" repeated Arcee
Vega was the first to run, concerned over Alex safety if anything else.
the others soon followed, heading towards a large piece of shredded metal.
But, two other giant Insecticons suddely burst from a pile of junk.
they then transformed into nightmarish looking robots and made a squealing roar at them.
"SCREEEEEEEEEE!"
"SCREEEEEEEEEE!"
"AAAAAAAHH!" screamed Vega
Sheldon scowled as he activated his only working forearm blaster Jenny activated her own, shifting both arms into weapons.
the two fired rapid shots at the Monsterous "Robo-Bugs"
but, sadly..their armor was Waaaay too dense.
and, all their shots did was bounce off them.
"SCRAP!" cursed Jenny
One of the Insecticons punched at the group who narrowly evaded the attack, but her knocked back by the shockwave None-The-Less.
Vexus snarled, getting angry.
she looked back at Arcee and Goldbug and, saw that they were 'engaged' with their Insecticon Foes.
Then..(to her Horror) an Insecticon grabbed Vega (causing her to drop Alex's Capsule.)
the beastly mechanoid began to crush her in it's claw-like hand.
Vega herself gritted her teeth feeling overwelming pain as her metal clothes and skin slowly implode within her.
"NOOOOO!, VEGAAAAAA!"
Vexus flexed her claw-like hands.
in angerm she leapt up and attempted to attack the Insecticon.
but, the Predacon just swatted her away..like a Knat.
Vega looked back at her Mother..and, felt a rush of fearful worry.
"MOTHER!"
Vega's eyes then flashed white.
she then narrowed them and glared at her captor.
suddenly, a 'warrior-like' instict took over..and, she shifted her free arm into a Gun.
Vega aimed the Cluster Weapon at the Insecticon's face and, fired a power laser beam that both blinded and burned it.
"RAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" cried out the Insecticon, releasing Vega
Now free, Vega began to fire rapid shots at it's head.
Then, finally charged her gun and fired a powerful force beam.
which shattered it's chest armor and shot it across the arena.
Having defeated her enemy, Vega finally regained her senses.
she stared at her gun arm in shock.
then, quickly transformed it back into her hand.
"wow.." said Vega, amazed at her 'new' combat skills
"VEGA!"
Vega looked and saw her mother run over to her.
Mother and Daughter immediatly embraced on another.
both near tears at seeing each other near death.
Then..Arcee and Goldbug ran over.
"WE GOTTA MOVE, TEAM!" said Arcee, urgently
"These Insecticons are Scouts!
meaning the rest of the Swarm won't be far behind."
"I NEVER RUN FROM A FIGHT!" exclaimed Jenny, who continued to battle an Insecticon
"This time you'll Have To!
unless you 'WANT' to battle Hundreds them all at once."
Vexus looked and saw a dark 'humming' cloud approaching at a distance.
"Jennifer, Arcee's RIGHT." said Vexus
"This is a Lost Battle..we must Retreat and Regroup!"
Jenny looked and saw the approaching Insecticon Swarm.
Growling in her mechanical throat she reluctantly withdrew from the battle and ran with the others.
Arcee and Goldbug grabbed them, transformed around them and, sped off as fast as they could down the broken-up highway.
The team eventually got some distance away and, hid within a demolished building as the swarm passed them by.
Arcee and Goldbug silently transformed into Robot Mode.
Everyone was deathly silent as they listened to the air.
all Hoping and Praying that the robot bugs wouldn't find them.
"are they..g-g-gone?" whispered Vega
Goldbug took a chamce and carefully stepped out an inche.
a visor lowed from his helmet as he scanned the area.
the visor then retracted and he looked at the other.
"beep-bop." said Goldbug, giving an "A-Okay" hand gesture
Arcee exhaled.
"clear."
the group stepped out into the open, all relieved.
"w-wa..what...WERE Those Things!?" said Vega
"Insecticons.." said Arcee
"a type of Decepticon Predacon.
and, one of Shockwave's "pet projects"
Ever since Cybertron went dark, those 'underdwellers'
surfaced to scavenge for whatever Energon they can find."
Arcee then looked at the group.
"MOST of the time..from unlucky Autobots, and even other Decepticons.
They pretty much roam OWN the city streets.
which is one reason why Autobot Headquarters relocated to Cybertron's Moons."
Jenny eyed Arcee.
"Moons?"
"Moonbases One and Two.
it's the only true Safe Haven for Autobots on Cybertron."
Arcee then looked up at the sky.
"and, by the looks of it..
we got a Looong way to go before we can even Contact HQ."
Sheldon scowled.
"Then..we better get moving.
unless we WANT some Robotic Monster to find us."
"Agreed."
Arcee transformed and opened her doors.
(("get in."))
the four (plus one) got inside Arcee, who drove off.
Goldbug also transformed and drove ahead of Arcee.
Inside, Vega clutched the capsule containing Alex Body.
holding it tight as if it were Silver and Gold.
so many things were going thru her mind..
but, for now..her Main Concern was Restoring Alex.
Until then..nothing else mattered.
Author Note: Sheesh, sure took me awhile to get this updated..
but, at least i got it updated (no doubt thanks to inspiration from "Fall of Cybertron")
Anyway, i send the 'heroes' to Planet Cybertron.
both to restore Alex, AND to see just what a Robot Civil War can do.
The "Insecticons" that appear in this chap
are based on the 'Fall of Cybertron' and 'Prime' incarnations of the characters (but, mostly 'Prime')
I have a few more surprised in store, so stay tuned.
