Chapter 14 – Ice Shield
"Admit it Trailbreaker…we're lost!"
"We are not lost Cliffjumper."
The two Autobots bicker in the freezing cold as they and the others all huddle around one another in their robot modes. In the center both Spike and Sparkplug shiver as they helplessly watch the robots talk back and forth. Both roll their eyes and give a sigh as they're standing out in the cold having to listen to all of this again.
"Alright, if we're not lost…then where are we?" The bitter mini-bot shouts.
"We're in the Arctic stupid." Brawn snickers as he taps the small red robot's head. "You know…cold, snow, ice…ringing any bells in that crampt space in there?"
Cliffjumper quickly smacks his friend's hand off his head. "Cut it out Brawn! I know we're in the Arctic…but this is nuts! We can't just keep heading out deeper into the north without knowing if we're actually getting closer to the source or further away."
"I'm the one in charge here Cliffjumper." Huffer soon interrupts as he points to himself with furor. "It was my call to keep going and if you've got anyone to say somethin' to…it's gonna be me!"
"Ok then." Cliffjumper says folding his arms. "Tell us…Leader! What's our next move? We've gone as far as we can…do we turn back or continue on looking for something that may or may not be out there?"
"I told you we are going to look didn't I?" Huffer now points at him. "I only wanted to stop here so Trailbreaker and I could get our bearings. So zip that mouthy lip of yours or head back home and wait for Prime to comeback to lock you into that room of yours!"
Remembering that he was stripped of rank and supposed to be confined to his quarters, Cliffjumper finally took the hint and pouted without saying another word.
"Now then…" Huffer states trying to relax his tone. "Are we lost Trailbreaker or what?"
Trailbreaker gives a sigh as the same question hits him again.
"Alright…alright we're lost, ok! I can't get an energy signature or even get the dang compass to work for that matter. Its like were…."
"In a dampening field." Wheeljack suddenly speaks.
"What did you say Wheel ol' buddy?" Brawn glances up at him.
"It all makes sense…no magnetic or energy signatures…that's not a natural occurrence." Wheeljack continues to say as he looks at all of them. "Only a dampening field could mask those types of energies, it's a perfect way to keep someone literally out in the cold from being detected. But I wonder…where would someone project that kind of field within such a large distance?"
"I bet I know…" Bluestreak says as he looks up into the sky. "Where have all of our problems with Archeville been most of the time."
Everyone gazes up into the dark, snow filled sky and give a wide-eyed expression of realization.
"Satellites!" Spike gasps. "But I thought we took care of them all in orbit…didn't we?"
"I wouldn't put it past Archeville to invent one that can't be seen Spike." Wheeljack says rubbing his chin. "For a human, he's pretty damn crafty…I'll give him that much. But we don't know how many he still has in operation…we may have only taken out a few out hundreds still hanging in space."
Sparkplug gives a shiver and tries to bring warmth to his feet as he starts to walk out of the huddled group.
"Where are you going off too?" Trailbreaker snickers at him.
"Hey…when a human guy has to go….he has to go."
"Go? To do what?" Bumblebee questions as he scratches his head.
Spike taps on his leg to bend the yellow robot down and whispers the answer in his ear.
"Oh." Bumblebee says with surprise.
Spike just smiles as he watches the robot friend bend straight back up again with a look of disgust. Brawn, looking somewhat curious about what he said, leans over to Bumblebee and asks quietly.
"So…what did he say? What did Sparkplug mean by going?"
"He's….got to drain his oil."
Brawn gives a little chuckle and raises his hand. "Say no more. I think I get the picture."
The group continues to talk as Sparkplug continues to walk out in the stormy snow laden climate and tries to find the right distance to do his business. The icy conditions make his breath visible as he gasps for air from the long strides through the snowy tundra. Looking back he could see his friends in the distance, the walk was further then he'd like but preferred that it was far enough away so that he didn't have all those Autobots staring at him as he 'drains his oil'. A few flinches and a unzipping of a fly, Sparkplug let out a sigh of relief and gazed out into the north wild. The dark storm seemed to mask the entire area from anything a human eye could make out. White was the only thing he could see, not even an outline of a snow bank or an ice ridge was visible to him. It wasn't until he had finished having his pee break that he started to see a dark shape through the misty snow blanket beyond.
Peering out and full of curiosity, the construction worker walked out further to see what the dark mass was. It was moving towards him, that much was certain, and it was getting larger as it approached. Unsure as to what he should do, he lowered to the ground with hesitation and continued to look at it coming closer and closer.
"I can't see a darn thing in this snow Ravage!"
Ravage, the name was all too familiar to Sparkplug. The man let out a gasp as he soon saw the large Decepticon appear out of the curtain of white with the black panther transformer walking by his side. The voice of the large robot was familiar too…as was the name on his lips as he utter to say it.
"Thundercracker!"
Suddenly Ravage froze in his steps and looked out towards Sparkplug's direction. He should have remembered those keen ears of his; a simple whisper and the cat heard him. Ravage growled as his eyes flashed red, he began surveying the area and tried to hone in on where the sound had come from.
"What is it?" The other decepticon asks as he turned around. "You smell something Ravage?"
Sparkplug remained on the deep snow covered ground, his gloved hands covered his mouth as he tried to remain silent. The wind and blowing snow made it hard for Ravage to gaze through; even Thundercracker was having trouble as he used his right hand to shield his eyes from the cold.
"Bah!" He snarls. "It's nothing. Just the wind carrying on…we've got to circle back to the ship."
Ravage agreed and followed him as they both casually walked away into the snowy mist. Sparkplug remained where he was until the coast was clear. He rose up out of his spot, full of the icy cold snow on him, and blinked as he heard Thundercracker's words.
"The ship?" He questioned with concern. "The Decepticons are still alive? This is bad…very bad for us all."
Sparkplug began running back through the snow and then suddenly stopped. His previous tracks were gone. The howling wind and the snowstorm did its job by covering all traces of it. No matter where the construction worker looked, the direction looked the same. Frustration in his face crept in as he frantically looked and ran in every direction. He was totally lost. He dare not yell out to the Autobots, incase the Decepticons heard him and came over. For now, he was a lost soul trying to find his way back. He chose a path to take and began walking swiftly; he had to reach the Autobots before it was too late.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"The Autobots are responsible for the war?"
The large white transformer questioned, as he stood there confused.
"Yes, they were the very reason we fled Cybertron." Megatron replied as he turned around to smirk as he lied to the robot. "They've drained the planet of all the natural resources and killed many innocent Cybertronians with their petty lust for power. We had to leave to search for a new source of energon before our entire world dies out."
Together both Skyfire and Megatron walk out of the room he was found in and back onto the bridge of the ship where the other Decepticons were working. Chip Chase and Doctor Archeville watched the duo come out as Starscream soon exited after them.
"But I don't understand Megatron." Skyfire says rubbing his head as the walk. "Why would they do such a thing? Surely they would have realized draining the planet of energy would result in hunger?"
"They're own hunger for more power is what drove them to do it." Starscream now adds to the lie. "Think about is Skyfire…the more control over the flow of Energon they had…the more they could control the people of our world."
Skyfire stopped walking and rubbed his chin in thought.
"Yes…that…that does make some sense. I suppose."
As he turned his head and looked down to the ground, he saw the two humans standing there looking up at him. The scientist within him began to spark again as his eyes grew wide with wonder at the sight of them.
"Bi-ped humanoids! Astonishing…where did they come from?"
"Huh?" Megatron says as he looks over his shoulder to see Skyfire staring down at them. "Oh pay those creatures no mind. They have little intelligence…the Autobots have been using them as their pets and fodder for war here on Earth."
"Earth?" Skyfire says trying to remember. "Ah yes…you told me that is the planet I am on. So these are Earthlings then? Interesting…what is their culture like? Have they grown into industrialization yet?"
Starscream stood in front of Chip and Archeville and blocked them from his friend's view, he points at him and gives him a stern look.
"Forget about these creatures Skyfire! You're here to serve Megatron and concentrate on winning this war."
"But Starscream…" The giant transformer says as he tries to peer around him. "Aren't you the least curious on the developmental process of these beings? Perhaps they have the capacity to learn and too…"
"SKYFIRE! ENOUGH!" Starscream shouts at him as he pushes him back. "You are a soldier…nothing more. You're scientist days are over. Got that?"
Shocked by his gruff attitude, the large white robot kept back and shook his head in disappointment.
"There was a time you were a great scientist like me as well Starscream. Does that mean you do not stay in practice even in war?"
"There is no time to be analytical when the Autobots still live. Besides humans are a waste of our talents. There's nothing interesting about them…they're mindless, stupid animals that are nothing more then an amusement."
"I resent that remark Starscream!" Archeville now speaks as he listens to them argue. "True, the rest of my kind are mere mindless shells…but I, Archeville am the most brilliant human of them all."
Chip rolls his eyes and folds his arms in disgust.
"Yeah right…"
Moving Starscream aside carefully, Skyfire looks down at them and smiles.
"They can talk! And they have a grasp of humor…see didn't I tell you Starscream? I've always said that the biological evolution of species would result in higher brain functions and the ability to adapt. Humor seems to be a universal concept on every world…well…except maybe Taraxian four…a boring species to say the least."
Megatron looks at Starscream and signals him to straighten is his friend out.
"Skyfire. Its time you began your patrol duty." The air commander sighs at him.
"Huh? Patrol duty?" The bulky cybertonian questions.
"Yes…you are a Decepticon soldier and you are required to do your duty. So do it! NOW!"
His bitter scream made Skyfire look over at Megatron. He could see the leader getting frustrated at him and giving a rather grim look. The large white robot nodded to both of them and walked away from the two humans he was fascinated in meeting.
"What are…your orders, Megatron?" He simply asks.
"Proceed outside of the craft and take over for Thundercracker and Ravage, do a sweep of the area until someone relieves you. Is that understood?"
"Understood…" He nods.
"Then get going…and welcome to the Decepticon faction." The silver leader grins as he places a faction symbol to his chest.
"Long live the Deceptions." Megatron adds proudly.
"Long live…the Decepticons." Skyfire says with a bit of hesitation.
The bulky robot walks out of the bitterly cold looking bridge and cocks his laser rifle as he steps out. Megatron shakes his head with disappointment and looks at Starscream.
"Keep an eye on your so called 'Friend' Starscream…the minute he shows disloyalty, end his life. He is now your responsibility…"
"Understood, Mighty Megatron."
The leader now walks over to Chip and Archeville and hovers over them as he rests his hands on his thighs.
"Now then Doctor…where were we? Ah yes…Project N. Tell me more about it."
"What's to tell Megatron…" He scoffs at him. "You're standing in it."
"Indeed." The leader frowns.
Suddenly Soundwave approaches Megatron and whispers in his ear. The low muttering of the robots synthesized voice makes Archeville curious as to what he's saying to the leader. Megtron's face soon becomes contorted with anger, his eyes peer down at the human below and scowls at him as soon as Soundwave finishes and backs away.
"So…there is an energy barrier over us."
"What?" Starscream inquires. "An energy barrier?"
"Yes…" Megatron growls under his breath. "Tell me good Doctor…why is the entire north cap covered with one of your energy barriers?"
The Doctor laughs sheepishly and folds his arms defiantly.
"I don't know what you mean…energy barrier? I know nothing about it."
Now the Leader bends down to him and brings his face closer.
"Oh but I think you do. It is twice the size since the last one you tried to use against us when we first encountered you. But it seems this one is much stronger as well…one that can block magnetic readings."
"Doctorrr…." Chip says with fear as he leans over to him.
"Be quiet you fool." The old man snaps.
Megatron sensed the tension between them and quickly scooped up Chip Chase in his hands. Chip gave a scream as the robotic hand of the leader slowly tightened around him. As he was lifted up, Archeville watched as the young man trying to pry himself out of the silver leader's hand as he stood back up.
"I think there is more to this Project then meets the eye." Megatron states. "Tell me what it is doctor…or watch your friend here slowly die in my clutches."
Chip let out a sharp yelp as the leader gave a slight squeeze of his hand. The pressure was slowly getting worst as Megatron closed it like a trash compactor. Archeville just stood there without any expression. The emotionless eyes of his gave no signs he cared one way or the other.
"I have nothing to say to you Megatron. This is the Project…this is all there is."
Chip screams again as the pressure once again increases.
"Reconsider that last thought doctor…" Megatron growls as his eyes burn red. "Or watch your friend die!"