The Awakening
Chapter 11

Preceptor looked around and was tempted to run a diagnostic on his optics. The Asguard seemed not to understand how interrupting his work could be a problem. They had beamed him out of the lab and into their council audience hall. There was an indignant sound from beneath him, followed with; 'Wh... What did you do that for?' It was Oh-Two. Preceptors second clone-Asguard creation. While he had been tempted to name her Eve he understood that it would not be the done thing.

Both her and her male companion Oh-One were at his feet and looking around. Preceptor was pleased with his work on the two of them. While physically indistinguishable from regular Asguard they were completely new, only a day or so old. Oh-One still had the mentality of a child but was learning at a geometric rate. Oh-Two had a personality that had some how turned out female and taken on a mothering role to Oh-One. As far as Preceptor could tell there was no degradation yet and their creation was the first step in repairing the Asguard genome.

'What have you done?' asked Wodon, Identified by his chain of office and voice.

Frya jumped up and pointed a small finger at the two at Preceptors feet. 'You had no authorisation to create those, it is against our highest law to create clones with out a mind to inhabit them.'

This was news to Preceptor. 'Why? Will it not replenish your lost numbers?'

'You do not understand. Their existence is proof that our bodies can achieve sentience on their own.'

'Far from that. I have made a few modifications to their genetic coding and it required the use of a transference device.' Preceptor had hoped to reveal his findings when they were complete. 'You see the main difficulty with creating life is it's own intrinsic energy field. That energy field that augments us and makes us all more than the sum of our parts. For Autobots and all Cybertronian life our spark is easy to locate.' Preceptor demonstrated by opening his torso and presenting his laser core. Deep inside his spark pulsed. 'This is the energy matrix we call our spark, it simply is our life source. Our sentient mind is this energy field, only memories are stored in our core processors. For organic life you have no dedicated laser core containing your sparks but you do have them.'

'What?' Various councillors gasped. Frya was still on their feet and said;

'I developed the cloning system! Know there is no such thing as a energy matrix in side me!'

'Actually your own research helped me. There is a by product of the transfer system. An energy pulse that you've been unable to correct. Without it your own notes mention that the subject is unstable, the memories and knowledge do not graft to the host mind correctly. In matter of fact I have discovered that increasing this pulse rather than limiting it as you have tried to do for centuries will add a further four generations to your cloning process.'

Preceptor was in his element now. 'I simply cloned a blank slate and recreated the energy pulse. The result was Oh-One. The next logical stage was to create Oh-Two. I created her using the same sample only that time I downloaded your medical database opposed to a single mind. The result was a perfectly functional member of society, after a cultural upgrade of course.'

'Cultural upgrade?' one of the Asguard leaned forward. Curious

Oh-Two answered for him. 'I wasn't that good to hold a conversation with. Preceptor downloaded our language and a concise history. I don't know a lot but Preceptor had left it to me to decide how I want to learn and don't. I am Asguard and so is Oh-One.' She put an arm on his shoulder and pulled him close. Preceptor watched the frightened child grab her hand with both of his, both eyes as large as they could be looking up at the council.

He tried to say a few words but couldn't form them. It came out as neither Asguard or basic English 'Qu-wer-bl-la.' Oh-One barked out before shying even further into Oh-Two's grip.

The family bond was growing. Preceptor noted this in his internal log and the attempt at speech. Even uneducated the Asguard was developing quickly. He decided to compare the development of both against each other, perhaps clone a third and only give them the ability to communicate It may be interesting to see them develop from somewhere between the two and without advanced knowledge. See what they chose to do.

His internal recording was interrupted by the spluttering Asguard called Frya. They were also unable to speak correctly but for a completely different reason. Preceptor himself had been in their situation and only hoped he had conducted himself better. It was a humbling thing to have someone with a fresh perspective destroy years of work.

'How can you dare come here and tell me I am wrong. We are the Asguard!' They eventually managed to say.

'He asked and we invited him.' The curious Asguard politely informed their colleague before turning to Preceptor. 'Are you absolutely positive in your findings that our clone bodies could not achieve this level of sentience without this energy pulse.'

'Given the nature of organic construction no one can be positive of any results one hundred percent. I am sure that without my interaction a clone form would simply be a blank slate. What happens to that slate after creation is, by definition, development and will have a result.'

'And that result?'

'As with all life it completely depends on those actions experienced and the choices made.'

Frya just looked in out right shock. 'How can you pander to this criminal? The crime has not been addressed!'

'I am afraid it has' Wodon leaned forward. 'Preceptor has not simply cloned bodies. He has discovered that spark of life that has eluded us for so long and offered us the option to replenish our numbers.'

'I must remind the council why we developed the cloning process in the first place. We did it to control evolution, to live forever and to put a stop to rampant population growth. As you recall our population was reaching epidemic proportions there was not enough food, resources or room to support our numbers.' Frya announced, continuing with;

'It is to that end we developed these bodies. To become more energy efficient and reduce our waste. Recall that thanks to my development our bodies are one hundred percent efficient in digesting our food. This, this mechanical deviant was agreed to come here to assist me in developing robotic forms. I have yet to meet him outside of this council chamber.'

'That is because I did not need to. You were proceeding on an assumption, that it could be done. It cannot, at least not in the way you would like it to.' Preceptor admitted. 'Without the discovery of your spark core your robotic bodies would have been useless to you. Even worse I have the moral obligation to point out that you would no longer be Asguard. All that once was Asguard would possibly be lost and as we develop the lines would become blurred. I firmly believe that within a few thousand years, despite our best efforts, the Asguard would become a Cybertronian faction. Losing your cultural identity.'

'How do you know we won't absorb your culture?' Wodon pointedly asked.Preceptor didn't want to insult his hosts but there were a few uncomfortable truths they had to accept. 'Quite simply you do not have the foresight supreme leader. I have lived for many millions of years, we Autobots have an exceedingly long operational span. As such we have become far sighted in the results of those decisions we have made. If you were equal in prudence you would have seen this catastrophe long before starting the cloning process...'

'We saw it coming and knew our technology could compensate' Frya interrupted

Oh-Two laughed scornfully 'Is that so. Why, then, is Preceptor here?'

No one said anything as a icy silence descended on the hall

'That is a fair question Frya, why don't you answer it?' Someone said from the shadows. Preceptor immediately recognised it as Thor's voice. Unable to tell the difference between Asguard visually Preceptor had assumed, until now, he was sitting with the council.

'Supreme Commander, You did not arrive when we summoned you. Your assistant could not locate you.' Wodon accused the corner of the room.

'I was already here.' Preceptor was about to switch over to high gain pick up on his optics when Thor stepped into the light. He looked completely different as he wore a dark brown jacket with metal plates sown into it. The short sleeves ending at his elbows he also wore a large belt pulled tight across his chests, the sash came down low on his right hand side where a stone and wooden hammer hung from a loop. 'And you have still to answer my friend's question.' Cold anger dripped from his voice.

'So Carter you've got the radio working?'

'Yes sir,' Jack's second in command answered. One of the Autobots had built a ramp in the main room so that he and Teal'c could look up. Finding their way around the Ark was getting easier now that they had figured out that the centre of the ship was this one huge room with all the others and corridors built around it. 'There was a bit of difficulty when we realised Blaster couldn't fit in the control room but he took out one of the windows and worked from the other side of the gate room.'

Both Carter and Hammond were on the Autobot video phone, there wasn't really any other way to describe it. It should be faster, more secure and have a longer range than the radio link, according to the Autobots. The General looked off screen, winced and turned back. 'They just removed the armoured glass and are now using some sort of laser to weld it back in place.'

'Well that makes sense.' Jack shrugged it off, he got the feeling stuff like this was going to happen often these days. speaking of; 'Carter, sir. We're going to need you down here. Prime's running out of reasons to put off the big day. If you catch my drift.'

They didn't know how much Prime had told his men. 'So he really is going through with it. Dr Jackson has done some more research into the Autobot data base. I don't like the reports I've been getting about these Decepticons Jack.' Hammond answered. After a moment of thought he added; 'We have to escort our friend here back there. It will take a few hours but I'm sure Optimus will welcome the delay.'

'We will talk with him General Hammond.' Teal'c intoned.

'It shouldn't be much trouble. See you in a few hours general.' Jack reached over and pressed one of the large buttons just in reach and cut off the transmission. Cliffjumper, one of the smaller Autobots who was given the job of escorting them around, looked down to them.

'You need to see Prime now then?

'Yeah, is that going to be a problem?'

'Not one colonel.' the red Autobot smiled and called across the room. 'Hey Brawn, you know where Prime is these days?'

The dumpy yellow and brown Autobot was busy rebuilding a wall Grimlock had walked through. 'I head him in the middle of some research into earth culture. should be in his office.'

Cliffjumper transformed into his little car mode and opened his door. 'I'll give you a lift.' Getting in Jack sat back and let the car gently drive away and down corridors.

'I could get used to this sort of thing. Self driving cars.'

'Indeed.' Teal'c agreed. Cliffjumper pulled up next to a smaller than usual door. the small Autobot transformed and knocked.

'Prime you in there?' he asked.

The door slid open. 'Yes, I take it Colonel O'Neill needs to speak to me.'

'That's right.' Jack spoke up

'Come on in Colonel. Cliffjumper would you mind...?' The red Autobot nodded and left. Jack and Teal'c entered to find a small (for the Autobots) room. A single monitor and chair inside. Looking around the walls were the usual red gold but there were a couple of decorations. A large blue cannon on a gun rack and a photograph of a large, golden, alien city. 'Cybertron, as it stood during the golden age.'

It looked impressive. Golden towers curved into the sky connected by roads that lanced from top to top. A grand golden moon hung in orbit, some of it's spires could be seen as could perfect indents revealing level after level of buildings and road ways going deep into the hollow moon. 'Nice picture'

'Indeed.'

Jack took a guess. 'That's not how it looks now though is it.'

Prime stepped up to it. 'No. When Hoist and Grapple built this ship they included this little room. They said it was for me, the moment I saw this I knew the real reason. The Ark was originally to find energon, with enough the war could finally be won. This was their next project, rebuilding Cybertron. Even though in the end we used it to save Cybertron from your asteroid belt.'

'Only two Autobots to rebuild a planet? I know you guys work fast but that could take forever.'

'Something for us all to do with the war over. Would you believe I worked the energy docks.' Prime pointed at what looked to be a river. 'We unloaded energon from the power plant up river. It was my job to keep track of how many cubes were brought in and how many went out.'

'You were a dock worker? I never would have guessed.'

Jack could tell Prime was smiling, reminiscing. 'I can't go back, not now. It could have been fun though but Elita would never let me.'

Teal'c asked; 'Elita?'

'In Earth terms she would be my wife. Now there is something I must show you.' He went back to his screen and pressed a few buttons. 'Telatran 1. Recognise remote access computer.'

'Recognised, all files access granted.' the supercomputer replied. Prime tapped finger against thumb and his index finger tip split in four parts

Pressing a panel it opened and accepted the finger. 'Recognise Optimus Prime, power signature and pass-codes. Grant access to hidden records and play message Primal zero-one-zero.'

'Warning, two humanoid life forms in vicinity. Confirm access.' Jack frowned, watching Teal'c's eyebrow rise. It looked like almost too much security. Prime twisted his wrist and the computer chimed 'Confirmed.'

The screen flickered and was replaced with a big blue head with gold banding. It looked a lot like Prime with a face plate and twin antenna but the large yellow eyes showed it wasn't. The middle of the face plate opened up to show a blue face. Whoever it was took a deep breath before starting. 'Greetings, I am Optimal Optimus Primal. Commander of the Maximal ship Axalon. I devoutly hope that this recording is never found for there cam be no alteration to time.

'Unfortunately I cannot be sure.' he raised a huge orange hand it looked strange compared to the rest of him. 'So much have changed and the universe is not what it once was. We Maximals are the descendants of the Autobots, years ago we developed Trans-warp Drive. A engine capable of warping space and time, allowing us to travel anywhere in the universe instantaneously.'

'I'm no expert.' Jack started and Prime paused the message. 'But that's not a good idea. I take it this is how you know times been screwed up.'

'Yes it is.' The big guy answered, for the first time Jack wondered if there was a mouth under his face plate but he un-paused the screen.

'The Predacon criminal known as Megatron, himself descended from the Decepticons, stole a transwarp ship and fled back in time. To Earth's past where you were frozen in status lock. His plan was to destroy you, Optimus Prime, and change our past so that the Decepticons were victorious.

'He would have succeeded if I did not take your spark within my own shell. It is out of fear that you can recall these events I have recorded this warning.' Jack could just tell the worse was yet to come, this was really going to be bad.

Optimal continued. 'By carrying your spark my body was changed, becoming more powerful. I was more than a match for my version of Megatron and he knew it. More importantly he knew why.'

'He didn't...' Jack could see where this was going but Teal'c couldn't.

'What is it O'Neill.' Jack just pointed at the screen as it continued;

'Megatron was impressed with the power and did something about it. He broke into the Ark and stole your Megatron's Spark. Becoming exponentially more powerful. Combined the Megatrons were a monster, their power unmatched but their cruelty and genius was even more devastating.

'We were able to defeat him and return the Spark. We are now preparing to leave. All evidence of the Beast Wars will be hidden, what we can't take with us will be stored in the upper shuttle bay. But there is still a concern.

'If you knew enough to find this, if time has been altered you must repair the damage done. Worst of all, if you know enough to find this file so does Megatron. He knows the result of the great war and his ultimate fate. He will be willing to do anything win. If he does time itself could be destroyed.

'Primus go with you Optimus Prime. I hope this message is never played again.' the recording ended with a new logo spinning in place, it looked like an animals head with pointed ears and two great tusks.

'You know about these Beast Wars don't you, you knew before watching this?' Jack asked dreading the answer

Prime extracted his finger and the logo vanished. 'Vague memories, flashes. A few faces and people. I'm willing to bet Megatron was joined with his counter part longer and suspect he has more than a passing knowledge.'

'So not only do we have to reactivate this walking cannon he knows he's going to lose? Please tell me this is the last surprise.'

Prime took a step back and his blue eyes darkened for a moment when they lit up again he wasn't looking at Jack but some distant future. 'For now it is. All the pieces are in place and you now know what is at stake. All of it. Now you know what is to come as do I.'

Prime looked up and dead on at Jack. 'How do you humans say it. Let's get the ball rolling.'

End chapter 11

Authors note:-
So with chapter 12 we enter the home stretch. Megatron back in action and the start of the war. Oh dear.

The Asguard story line is pretty much a reaction to how they ended up in the series. I hope to tie that up neatly but I'm afraid to say there won't be a ultimate end as there never is.

Speaking of ends you can already follow what happens next, with more crossovers between Kim Possible then Buffy and finally Smallville before coming full circle with the planned epic finale Warzone. I suggest you check my Bio for the links.

Mountain King