While Sari was in Tibet, things were occurring back at the Autobots' base of operations...
The Skystrikers returned to Earth after training on Cybertron. "Whoa! When did all these Regulans arrive?" asked Miko, stepping out of the space bridge. A yellow flash, and she transformed into "human" mode.
"Probably a wise move, Miko," said Jack. "Those Regulans may not know you're with the Autobots."
Lt T'Resh had set up a camp for his fellow soldiers at the Meadowlands Racetrack, and the R'kurul had bridged a full battalion down; prior to their arrival, the owner of the sports complex had moved the horses to various stables further inland.
Raf marveled at their precise drilling. "What I've read is right! They certainly are fierce warriors," he commented.
"Heh, they got enough kitty litter?" joked Ben.
"Funny, Ben, funny," said Jack, rolling his optics.
"Welcome back, Skystrikers," said TFA Optimus, "we have a lot of work to do."
"Good to be back, sir," said Raf, saluting. "The training on Cybertron was intense, but well worth it."
Optimus returned his salute. "The Decepticons are not resting. They continue to push west and north, and we are managing to hold them back. The President has asked us to maintain a toe hold here in New Jersey and not let them cross the Hudson River or Long Island Sound. Unfortunately they have taken the rest of Long Island, and so we must not let them cross over into New England."
He turned to the Predacon hybrid. "How did your training go, Miko?" He wasn't going to speak of her new mod out in the open.
"Good," she replied. "Ben and I were talking about an idea for working together when we take on the TechnoCons."
"We'll discuss it later," he winked.
"You've no doubt seen members of the Regulan battalion. Lt T'Resh and two other officers you will meet, Captain P'kyrr and Commander F'rras, are meeting with Agent Fowler and your Optimus. The Regulans will be a great asset."
"Any other updates?" asked Raf, hoping to inquire about Sari.
"Nothing to speak about at this time. Come with me for a briefing." And he got on his comm to Skybolt. "Ro, five to bridge."
"Acknowledged, Optimus," and an opening formed before them. Going through, they entered the transport room of Skybolt.
"Welcome back, Skystrikers!" said Ro.
"Thanks!" said Ben, admiring the blue Sirian. "Cool eyes!"
Ro giggled. "Thanks, Ben!" TFA Optimus led them to a conference room, where they could speak openly without concerns from Decepticon eavesdropping.
"Any word from her, Optimus?" asked Jack.
"No, nothing yet. But when she came out of Zazen, she clearly stated that her mission was to go alone, and maintain comm silence, lest Soundwave pick up any Intel on her whereabouts. All we can do is wait and hope."
"Say, what can those cat guys do?" Asked Ben.
"'Cat guys'?" Smirked Miko, raising an eyebrow. "From the looks of them, I'd like to see you call the Regulans 'Hey, you cat guys' to their face."
"I'm just asking!" He protested.
"Alright, you two," smiled TFA Optimus. He turned to the super soldier. "Raf, you've studied Unit:E's extraterrestrial encyclopedia; why don't you answer Ben's question?"
"The Regulans are highly skilled metallurgists, and have fashioned some of the mightiest weapons in the galaxy," Raf explained. "Their blades can slice through Cybertronian steel like butter."
"One weapon they use in battle is a pair of clawed gauntlets which fit over their forepaws. They like to use these in fighting the Decepticons, by jumping up and ripping out their Spark Chamber."
"Whoa!" Yelled Ben.
"When entering into a battle, the leader lets out a blood curdling roar like a huge lion, which is then repeated by all. They then get on all fours, running at the enemy at incredible speeds. They break into packs, making them hard to attack. Before the foe knows it, they are all over him like a colony of wasps, clawing and tearing him apart."
"Geez!" Said Miko, her yellow-slitted eyes wide open. "I saw them drilling on weapons, too!"
"Yes. They carry several types of weapons in holsters on their back and legs; going bipedal, they can take them out as needed."
"Sounds like the kind of soldiers I'd like to have on my side!" Said Jack.
Latest Intel speaks of a new sonic weapon of some fashion, which can take down a nearby aerial foe," said Optimus.
"That would be good to have in our arsenal," said Raf.
"Unfortunately, it only works with their vocal cords," Optimus replied.
He then turned to the two youngest Skystrikers. "So, Miko, Ben, what's this idea you have?"
They looked at each other and smiled. "Well," said Miko. "You know how the TechnoCons rode in on their Predacons? What if Ben and I did the same? Hook me up with a saddle, and let him ride me into battle. Then, at the right time, I let out my other two heads! That oughta freak 'em out!" She laughed.
"Yeah!" said Ben, "and while she's shooting out those Hydrafire Blasters, I can throw out some of my big orbs!"
"Sounds like a plan," said TFA Optimus. "What do you two think?" he said, asking Jack and Raf.
"I'd prefer to clear it with Captain Sari, but if she's not back by the time we head out to battle, I think it's worth trying," said Raf.
"I'm with Raf," said Jack. "If the time calls for it, let's give it a try. "I'd give anything to see the look on Skysword's face."
Meanwhile, in Area 51:
"Optimus, Agent Fowler," said Captain P'kyrr, "the Regulan Empire is prepared to send an armada to assist in this war, but before that can occur, our people must have some agreement from the Terrans."
"What kind of agreement, Captain?" asked Fowler, half-anticipating what he was about to hear.
"Your people have remained in the shadows for too long, Bill," he replied. "My superiors want to know when the Terran governments will accept the fact that there are other worlds out there willing to enter into interplanetary agreements. We Regulans are interested in commerce, but before we can commit ourselves to any kind of defense treaty, your governments must unite and come to the table."
"Simply dealing with Unit:E is not enough."
Fowler sighed. "As you know, getting everyone on this planet to agree has been practically impossible. Perhaps this Decepticon attack is the final impetus for what you are asking. We can only hope. I would suggest a meeting with The President and the Joint Chiefs, and then if it can be agreed, we can reach out to the other world leaders."
Skyskater, being the Knockout-type Technorganic, was last on Starscream's list of candidates to accompany Kālī on her mission. Instead, he was given the task of patrolling New Kaon for any "loose ends" - that is, any humans or other organics (dogs, cats, or other animal) hiding or remaining in the streets or buildings. Once found, he would report them, and Starscream would dispatch Vehicons to "take care of the infestation". Skysword didn't particularly care for that part, and he'd fly away on his board, not wanting to witness it. Still, it gave him the opportunity to do what he loved most, and that was surf the streets, keeping to himself.
One afternoon, he was flying around the Chrysler Building, admiring its art deco style. "Cool building!" he said to himself, "glad they didn't trash this one!" when his optics spied a woman running down Lexington Avenue. "Whoa! What's she doin'? Haven't seen a chick in these parts for weeks!" He started to get on his comm to report, but he hesitated; it had been a while since a human was spotted. "Naw," he thought, "I'm gonna take care of this one myself!" He flew down to the street, chasing the woman on his board. "Hey, you!" he yelled.
The woman looked back, and screamed. "Please, don't hurt me! I'm looking for my baby!"
He slowed, and had second thoughts. "Aw geez," he said finally, "I ain't gonna hurt ya." He transformed into "human" mode, and got down onto to the sidewalk. "I'm sorry! Hey! Let me help!"
The woman cried, "you will? Oh, thank you, sir! Thank you!"
"Cha! Sure, babe! Let's…" Suddenly, he was hit from behind by an enormous bolt of energy! He fell onto the sidewalk, unconscious. A subway access hatch opened, and within seconds, groups of MECH soldiers picked Skyskater up and carried him underground.
"Good job, Ilinca," said Mehrdad, holstering his weapon.
"Trusting soul, isn't he?" chuckled the female super-soldier, as the two followed the MECH soldiers underground.
About an hour later, an unanswered comm from Skysword went out. "Skyskater! Report! What's your 20?"
General Levichev entered the MECH laboratory. He passed by the unit where they were reverse-engineering Scorpinok's corpse, and chatted with the head scientist.
"Any comparisons between this subject's processor and that of our recent acquisition?'
"Oh, quite, General," said the scientist. "This one is much more primitive. Barely sentient. I suspect it was controlled by its host."
"Interesting, doctor," Levichev replied. "Keep up the good work."
Further down, he entered the large lab where they were keeping Skyskater.
"Progress report, doctor," he asked the head scientist.
"Reverse engineering on the Technorganic is nearly complete, General," he replied. With the data that Aanan's team has downloaded from the Nemesis, we should be able to replicate the process. We will extract the subject's CNA shortly."
Levichev chuckled. "Yes, marvelous bit of luck, having the Decepticons take over New York, and then be foolish enough to land their ship where Aanan can easily hack into their systems. So much for the vaunted Decepticon strategizing."
"They believed they had nothing to fear from human technology," observed the scientist.
"Let them keep thinking that. Now, as for our new subject and this process, how does it work, exactly?"
"Extract a blood sample from the candidate for the procedure, then using their DNA, combine it with this Technorganic's CNA to build a new Technorganic clone. We've adapted the serum from the super-soldier project to accomplish that. Then, purge the candidate's organic brain and transfer it into the clone's processor. Bring the Technorganic to life. Not difficult for our MECH technology."
"Excellent. What is the Technorganic's status presently?"
"He is in stasis. We have installed the implants. He can be controlled by this device." And he handed Levichev a portable controller and showed him how to operate it.
"What was his name before they did the metamorphosis?"
The doctor checked his computer. "Scott Norville, from San Dimas, California. He lived with his mother. Father's whereabouts unknown. His mother had filed a missing person's report with the FBI."
Levichev chuckled. "Typical MO of the Decepticons, recruit outcasts."
"Apparently so, General."
He looked over at the unconscious TechnoCon. He was on an examination table, with cables connected to his helm, and stasis cuffs on his wrists, ankles, and neck. "Doctor, wake Mr. Norville, will you?"
"Yes, General." And the MECH scientist flicked a few switches on his console. Skyskater came out of stasis and opened his optics.
"Wha…? Where am I?" He asked.
"Greetings, Scott. I trust you had a fruitful rest," said Levichev.
The Technorganic turned to look at him. "Where the Hell am I?! Get me outta here! You'll be sorry!" He squirmed in the restraints. "I'll kill you!"
"Oh, you can try to get out of those stasis cuffs, Scott, but it wouldn't do you any good. Besides, I control your every move as I see fit." And Levichev showed him the portable controller.
"Wha..? What's that?"
"Oh, something we hooked up to your processor. Here, let me demonstrate." And he pressed a key. Instantly, Skyskater's digits began leaking acid.
"What the…?"
"Oh, but there's more! Marvelous bit of engineering, your processor. Far superior to primitive human brains! But there's a catch, you know; very susceptible to certain precise electro-magnetic pulses. For example, if I send this impulse…" And he pressed a button on his console; Skyskater started laughing uncontrollably.
"And if I turn this dial…" And he began sobbing.
"Stop it, man! Stop it!"
"Oh, but there's more, Scott! One quick pulse, here…"
And Skyskater's face suddenly froze! He then blinked and looked up at Levichev. "Wha…? Where am I?" He asked, "Who are you?"
Levichev chuckled. "Greetings, Scott, I trust you had a fruitful rest."
"Where the Hell am I?! Get me outta here! You'll be sorry!" He squirmed in the restraints. "I'll kill you!"
Satisfied, Levichev turned to the head scientist. "Doctor, proceed with the CNA extraction. Be sure we retrieve enough." And pressing some keys on his computer, a drill began approaching Skyskater's helm.
"Aaah! What the hell is that? Stop! Stop it man! Stop!" He screamed as the drill penetrated his helm and entered his processor.
Levichev started to leave the laboratory. "Once you are done with Mr. Norville, remove any traces of your work, purge his memory of any experiences here, and return him back to New Kaon."
Skysword and Firefly flew around Manhattan searching for the missing TechnoCon.
"He wouldn't abandon us, would he?" the female Technorganic asked Skysword.
"Not likely. He may not be the brightest bulb, but he knows better than that. There's nowhere for him to hide, and once Soundwave finds him, well…"
"It's been two days! You don't suppose he was captured by the Autobots, do you? For revenge?"
"I doubt it. Besides, revenge isn't in their vocabulary."
Suddenly, Skysword's comm came on "Skyskater here; nothing to report, as usual."
"What the hell...Skyskater! Where have you been?!"
"Where've I been? What're you talkin' about, man? I just saw you about an hour ago! Geez!"
"An hour…? Get back to base!"
"What's going on?" asked Firefly. "He's back?"
"He's back, yeah, but he acts like he never left!"
Knockout completed an examination of Skyskater. "Well, there's nothing that I can see. You say you've only been gone for a short time?"
"Yeah, man. I was patrolling like usual, then called in to report, and Skysword freaks out!"
"Skyskater, what day is this?" asked Skysword.
"Tuesday."
"No. It's Thursday."
"Wha…?" The two TechnoCons look up to Knockout, who shrugs his shoulders. "It's you Technorganic's problem, not mine!"
"I detect no alteration in Skyskater's processor or memory banks," said Shockwave, after he had completed his examination. "It is logical to assume that some external process was involved in this anomaly."
"Could the Autobots have been involved?" asked Starscream.
"It is not outside the realm of possibilities, although highly unlikely. As a rule they do not engage in such activities."
"Well, then, what could have caused this?" sputtered Megatron's lieutenant.
"I have insufficient data upon which to posit a theory."
"Well, aren't you the useful one," he grumbled in reply.
"So what, if anything, should we do, commander?" asked Skysword.
"Don't let him out of your sight!" Starscream spat back. "Doesn't he have a partner? Keep her at his side at all times!" And he stormed out of Shockwave's lab.
Meanwhile, in Tibet...
The Drigung Monastery had opened dinner for visitors who had relatives in the temple. Sari, again posing as 'Chodren' dined in the company of Aang and his mentor. Before anyone could eat, a tibetan prayer was to be said. Sari joined her voice to all the others who uttered in unison:
"The Supreme Teacher, the precious Buddha
The Supreme Protection, the precious sacred Dharma
The Supreme Guide, the precious Sangha
To these three jewels, the refuges, I make this offering"
Then they all began to eat. Unlike some other Buddhist nations, Tibetan Buddhism considers vegetarianism unnecessary. This comes from the fact that since ancient times, Tibet has had a very poor agriculture and the people couldn't afford a strictly vegetarian diet. Therefore it was no surprise that there was meat at the table:
"So what have you learned today, Aang?" Gyatso asked casually though he did have a knowing smile.
"Much, Gyatso! And Chodren was there the whole time. We shared a lot."
During the flight in the day, Sari had taught Aang all that she knew about their nature and origins: their connection to the Cybertronian race, abilities, lifespan and what was still a mistery.
"Aang, I'm glad you liked the things I told you, but not everything is beautiful." Sari spoke carefully. She had held back on telling Aang some things until the right time. "As you know, by now the Decepticons have become aware of the fact that there are more Technorganics. While they have no way to track them, they're cunning and resourceful. I'm afraid one day they might find you here."
Though Aang's ever present grin faltered, Gyatso remained impassive.
"There's something I haven't told you. After I passed through my near-death experience, I was given a mission to locate and gather all of my brethren. You're just the first of many. I don't yet know what else there is to do; but I do know I have to find them all." she looked him in the eye. "Jack, Ben and myself are helping the peaceful Autobots in their war with the Decepticons. You may be untrained in some aspects, but your religious life has taught you some other skills which we may need."
Besides sharing information, Sari had also asked Aang to display his capabilities while in the sky. The young Technorganic had practically no use for his combat modes, most which he didn't even know he had. Aang could create orbs but never had used them for combat, rather preferring to play with them. His weapon was a metal staff, which wasn't necessarily harmful. On the other hand, to Sari's surprise, Aang displayed some self-taught use of P-O-M. Sari felt in her Spark that he might make a great Cyber-Ninja.
"Sari," Aang frowned. It was the first time he looked rather serious. "Don't try to coax me. I'm a monk, not a soldier. I like helping people, not fighting."
"Aang, please understand. I'm not forcing you to become something you don't like, nor would I ever try to. But you can still help the Autobots, even if you choose not to fight."
She looked at Gyatso while still speaking to Aang. "When I experienced my rebirth, I came to understand that my new abilities were meant for healing, not fighting. It is true that I am still a defender of all beings and will fight when necessary, but my new purpose in life is to be closer to nature, to help and heal."
"I don't know." Aang looked at his plate somberly. "The monastery is my life."
"I have to disagree, my pupil." Gyatso spoke at last, taking a pause on his food. "This monastery is hardly your life, but simply the beginning of it. I always felt your place was out there helping those in need. Your apprenticeship is nearly over. I believe it's time to move on to greener pastures, Aang."
"Gyatso?" Aang turned to his mentor and akin to a father.
"I still remember that night fourteen years ago. When you fell from the stars and I touched you. I knew you were meant to change the world. Aang, don't you see this is your calling? The world needs your aid and you could make a big, positive difference. Nonetheless, it is still your choice."
Aang looked back to his meal and ate silently. Sari thought it wise not to probe anymore. When they were done, Aang excused himself to go for a late night meditation.
"What do you think Aang should do, Gyatso?" Sari asked afterwards.
"As I said, I believe he should follow his heart." then Gyatso retreated. "I have faith that Aang's destiny will guide him to the outside world. Good evening, Sari."
"Good evening, Master Gyatso," she replied. She stepped outside to look up at the stars. At this elevation it almost seemed like she could reach out and touch them. It reminded her of the time she and Bumblebee first came to realize they were meant for each other. Her Technorganic body was being repaired after suffering enormous damage from a Decepticon bomb, and she was temporarily inhabiting an Autobot chassis. After making repairs on Farside Beacon One's systems, she transformed into her alt mode and drove out on the lunar surface to see one of the new construction sites. Bumblebee had gone out there to inspect the latest developments, but when she arrived, he wasn't at work; she found him sitting on a flat rock gazing out at the stars. She never knew he enjoyed doing that - it was her love as well!
They sat down together, and her servo absent-mindedly rested on his. Embarrassed, she pulled it back. "He said, 'Hey, no one noticed but me!' she laughed to herself. She took her servo, and this time, held on to his side, pulling herself closer. Sari sighed happily, reliving these memories. She chuckled. "The bots and humans back at Farside Beacon One didn't hear from us for a long time, and wondered what the heck had happened! Fanzone finally got on our comms."
Smiling, she gazed wistfully at the stars above. "Love you Bee," she whispered out loud.
"Sari?"
Aang's quiet voice pulled her out of her reverie. She looked back. "Oh! Aang, hello!"
"Forgive me; I didn't mean to interrupt."
"Oh, no, that's quite alright," she smiled. "I was just thinking of a very dear friend."
He smiled back. "Human or Autobot?"
"Autobot. He's what we call a Sparkmate. His name is Bumblebee - I call him 'Bee'. But he's even more to me. We are Spark Bonded, which means our Sparks have been joined. I was just remembering the first time we two realized how much we were meant for each other."
"That's beautiful!"
"Thank you," she replied peacefully. "What can I do for you tonight, Aang?"
"I've been meditating and thinking diligently about what you and Gyatso have said. While I still feel very strongly about wanting to help, not fight, I trust you when you say that I can be a positive force in your efforts. If you truly believe there is a place for me, I want to join you."
"I'm glad," she said. "And yes, I believe there is a place for you! Come, let us make our plans."
The following day, Sari and Aang were ready to depart the temple. Gyatso and some of Aang's peers were present for the farewell.
Brother Chodak lined the students up, and they faced Gyatso, Aang and Sari. The Master addressed the group.
"Everyone, I'm sure you were surprised to see me bring this young lady in to our school yesterday. However, she is no mere visitor to our monastery, she is a powerful Sensei of her own spiritual disciplines, known as a Cyber-Ninja. Her name is Sari, and she has come to bring Aang with her to join her brethren in a very noble cause. Indeed, from the time I first knew Aang, I realized that he was meant for a purpose such as this, and after diligent meditation, he has accepted her call. Please join with me in keeping Sensei Sari and Aang in your thoughts and prayers, as they depart from our monastery to take up this mission."
Brother Chodak then led the students as they bowed before Sari and Aang. Gyatso did as well. "Farewell, Sari, Aang; may your mission always be guided by the highest purposes." Aang and Sari returned the bow. "Thank you, Master Gyatso," said Sari.
Aang bowed before Gyatso. Becoming emotional, he spoke somewhat haltingly. "Thank...you...father."
Sari got on her comm. "Bulkhead, two to bridge."
"Roger, Sari," he replied, and a bridge began to form.
Before they could step in, however, a red orb hit the ground next to them and exploded! Sari and Aang were knocked to the ground. "What was that?" Aang asked. Sari looked up and saw three forms flying at them.
"Decepticons!" She yelled. "Gyatso! Get everyone inside!" she yelled to the monk. "Aang! Transform and get behind me!" Sari then transformed into her silver and gold "bot" mode, taking out her light saber and crackling white energy hammer.
Kālī, Thunderbolt and Starfury landed. "Hand over the Technorganic," Kālī demanded.
Sari's optics were wide! She couldn't believe what she was seeing! "Kālī?" she asked.
"That's right," she responded, "and who are you?"
"But, that's impossible! You flew into my orb!" Sari replied.
"Your orb?!" She stared at the reborn Cyber-Ninja, then frowned. "Sari?"
"Yes?" she replied warily.
Kālī looked at the two Decepticons. "I thought you idiots told me you'd killed her!"
"We did! She died!" said Starfury.
Sari held out her light saber menacingly and smirked. "The reports of my death were greatly exaggerated."
"Bugger me!" Starfury said under his breath.
"So they gave you a new chassis. Cute," said Kālī. "I grow impatient. Hand him over."
"Never."
"Wrong answer!" Kālī replied, and holding up her palm, let loose with a powerful destructive force field. "Unnh!" Sari groaned, finding it a challenge to withstand the energy, and at the same time, protect Aang from its effects.
"Interesting," observed Kālī. "Most opponents would have been turned into dust by that. You see, my masters have given me some interesting new abilities."
"Your masters?" She asked.
"Yes, Sari, my masters. Yours too."
"Autobots have no masters," Sari responded angrily.
Kālī laughed out loud! "You think you're an Autobot? Really now? You fool! Where do you think you came from, Cybertron? You think you were born? No! Autobots, Decepticons and Humans are born. We Technorganics aren't born; we are built. And your creators - our masters - want you all back!"
"What?!" Sari's optics opened wide!
"That's right. And I was rescued by our masters from that little bit of hell you sent me into, for the sole purpose of repossessing their property. Get it now, slave? You, me, him," pointing to Aang, "ALL Technorganics are their property!"
Thunderbolt and Starfury were overhearing this conversation and not particularly liking it. "Bloody hell!" said Starfury finally. "We're not going anywhere!"
Kālī turned and gave the Brit an evil smirk. "Of course, you're not going anywhere, wankstain! You so-called TechnoCons are just by-products engineered by primitive Decepticon technology. Our creators wouldn't want you even if you gave yourselves up to them on a golden platter."
Thunderbolt chuckled at Starfury's expense, knowing how the pompous British TechnoCon boasted about the "superior" Decepticon genetics he now possessed. Starfury, knowing what he was thinking, glared at him. "Shut up, you!"
Sari took advantage of the distraction. She retreated her light saber and put the full force of her powerful energy hammer into a huge swing, planting it on Kālī's helm. She sailed half a kilometer away, landing on a hill, damaging the monks' well.
"I'll make sure you go to the grave, bitch!" yelled Thunderbolt, and lunged toward Sari and Aang with his energy hammer. "I'd keep back if I were you!" Sari yelled, putting a servo out and shoving the brute back with such force he flew backwards, crashing butt-first into a nearby hill. Starfury screamed and got out his energy staff, plunging it towards Sari, but the Cyber-Ninja used her light saber, cutting the staff in two "Aaah!" the Decepticon screamed in pain, seeing his severed weapon lying on the ground.
"You morons, go after the new one! Leave Sari to me!" yelled Kālī, flying back, and the two TechnoCons flew after Aang. Sari tried getting in the way, but Kālī crash-landed on her, sending her tumbling back. "Aang! Fly away! Defend yourself!" she yelled.
He shot off into the sky like a missile. Thunderbolt and Starfury looked up; he was nowhere to be seen. "Damn, he's fast!" said Thunderbolt.
"Then chase after him!" yelled Kālī, and the two took off.
"Not a bad first hunt," chuckled Kālī, holding on to Sari. "Two for one!" I'll take both of you!"
"You're not taking him, or me!" she yelled back, and looking the Decepticon straight in the face, shot bolts of pure energy at her from her white optics. The blast sent Kālī arcing backwards, losing her grip. Kālī shook it off, wiping her face. "Nice trick," she replied, "here's a new one of mine!" and slapped her servos together, causing a sonic shock in Sari's direction. "Aaah!" screamed Sari, feeling the blast shaking every molecule of her chassis. She stumbled back.
Aang meanwhile had shot up into the stratosphere. He was above the clouds, and thus liable to be seen, unfortunately. Never having had to engage in defensive - or offensive - maneuvers, he was at an extreme disadvantage.
Sure enough, within a minute his optics caught sight of the two TechnoCons headed his way. "There he is!" yelled Thunderbolt, and the two jetted toward him.
Now it became a cat-and-mouse game. Aang did the best he could with his superior agility, making use of his gravitic engines to avoid their red orbs.
"Dammit, he's too fast for us!" griped Thunderbolt. "We'll never catch him!"
"Hang on - I have an idea," said Starfury. "Forget the orbs. We'll use a sneak attack, but in order to do that, we've gotta try to get him lower, down to where the clouds are."
"Keep on top of him," and Starfury did a feint from above, driving him down lower.
"Gotcha!" and Thunderbolt did the same.
Meanwhile, Kālī and Sari were trading powerful blows. Sari blasted her with bolts of energy out of her servos, but they had no effect. "Megatron tried his plasma gun on me," Kālī told her, "each blast turned to harmless dust." Kālī took out her energy scythes. "Remember these?" and came at Sari, but she deployed her light saber in defense; making contact, the energy crackled loudly, but the weapons were evenly matched. Likewise with Kālī's chainsaw. "Your new weapons are well-suited for defense," the purple former Decepticon observed. "Not so much for offense - except for that hammer, I like it!"
Sari used Processor-Over-Matter to lift a huge bell, hurling it toward Kālī, but Kālī lifted a servo and used her own force to shove it aside. "Your Cyber-Ninja P-O-M is useless against me!" she yelled, "our Creators invented P-O-M!"
Unfortunately, Kālī's sonic shock attacks had drained some of Sari's energy, and she was weakening. Finally Kālī twisted and gave her a huge roundhouse kick to the helm, sending her flat on her back; she hit the ground hard, and getting on top, Kālī pinned Sari down. "Give it up," she told her, "no hard feelings for sending me into the orb, just to let you know. What I'm doing now is just...business."
"Your new chassis has some powerful mods, Sari," she remarked. "You'll be a great asset for our masters."
"I...will...never submit to you!" Sari spat back.
While this was going on, Aang was retreating through the clouds, unaware that this was the TechnoCons' plan. He was making his way back to the monastery, when suddenly out of the mist, he was attacked on either side by Thunderbolt and Starfury! Before he could respond, Thunderbolt struck him on the side of the helm with his energy mallet, knocking him out! He began falling down to Earth.
"Aang!" yelled Sari, sensing the loss of his consciousness. Kālī sensed it as well. "It's over Sari," she calmly told the Cyber-Ninja, "time for us to…" But then, with a white flash, Sari disappeared! "What…?"
"Don't let go of him," Starfury told his partner. He was carrying the unconscious Aang in his arms. The two were descending back down to where Kālī was. All of a sudden, there was a white flash right in front of Thunderbolt, and Sari appeared! "I'll take him," she said, and grabbed Aang, then another white flash, and she disappeared with Aang!
"What the hell just happened?!" the two said.
About five kilometers away, high on a mountainside, Sari and Aang suddenly appeared. She put him down before collapsing herself. She was severely injured from the battle, and began to glow. Aang started coming to, and watched in amazement as Sari's chassis began healing itself.
The two TechnoCons landed next to Kālī, who herself was pretty beaten up from the battle. She was sitting on a rock.
"Dammit, dammit, dammit!" yelled Thunderbolt, stomping around, slamming rocks. "I had him in my arms, and…"
"Shut up hammer-boy," said Kālī. She had her optics closed.
"What do you mean, 'shut up?' he complained, "I…"
"Thunderbolt! Zip it!" hushed Starfury. "Look!" he pointed at Kālī. The two Technorganics stood there, amazed, as the purple Technorganic slowly began to heal herself. They then looked at each other; Starfury shook his head, mouth open, afraid to say anything; Kālī was one powerful Technorganic.
After several minutes, she got up. "Very curious," Kālī began. "Sari obviously didn't just get a new chassis. She got some kind of incredible upgrade." She continued thinking out loud, pacing, pondering what this all meant. "Why did she receive so much power?" she said, looking at Starfury and Thunderbolt, although not directing the question to them. "It rivals my own!"
Finally, she said, "Maybe...it could have been them."
The TechnoCons had no idea who this mysterious "them" was, but they were too afraid to ask her what it meant.
She stopped pacing. "Back to New Kaon," she announced. "We've got a hell of a lot of work to do! Now, it's a race, between her and me." She started to get on her comm, but before she did that she turned to the two and said, "I don't intend to lose."
Sari's healing complete, she got up.
"Sari, are you alright?" Aang asked.
"I am now," she smiled. "How are you?"
"A little shaken up."
She put her servo on his shoulder. "I'm sorry you had to go through that so early. Those were the Decepticons. And an early opponent I thought I had dealt with permanently. When we return to headquarters, there is much I must report on. In the meantime, let's try one more time." She got on her comm. "Bulkhead?"
"Sari? Are you alright? I opened a ground bridge, but you never came through."
"We had a run in with the Decepticons. We're safe now; OK to bridge."
"Roger." And a bridge opened up. The two stepped in and entered Area 51.
So Sari and Kālī continue their searches in earnest! It will be a race to see who will find the hidden Technorganics on the Earth, since now they have become aware of each other.
But more to the point, Kālī has revealed to Sari the true nature of her origins - that she and all Technorganics are manufactured servants - or tools - of some as yet unnamed alien race. But if tools, what kind? With such powers, could they have been intended as - weapons of mass destruction? Drop one in a city of a less developed race and you don't even need to nuke it!
If that's the case, what happened? How did they wind up on Earth, absorb human DNA, and get adopted? That couldn't have been in the original plan, could it? We shall see!
Then of course, there is MECH. They now have enough data and raw materials to begin building their own Technorganic force. Should be interesting!
As usual, another cooperative effort by yours truly and TheSealer! Thanks for reading. Please Review.