Chapter 20
The Harbinger…
They didn't have time to waste. Ratchet and Rafael were working furiously to grab any equipment that they wanted to take with while Jack and Miko patiently waited for them to finish.
Suddenly a voice rang through the comm link on the central panel. "Ratchet, come in." said Ultra Magnus. "What's you status?"
"Just packing up the final essentials, Commander." Reported the medic. "We need to make sure that we have all that we need as there will probably be no possibility of returning to this ship. As soon as we have everything you can expect our bridging to Hangar E."
"Understood." Said the commander. "We await your arrival." He signed off, allowing Ratchet to return to his packing. Raf looked up from rolling up some cables. "Do you think we'll need those auxiliary switches?" he pointed to the groundbridge control panel at some funny looking knobs.
Ratchet glanced at the panel before back at the young boy, surprised that the child would be able to remind him of the very important devices required for the construction of a new groundbridge at the new base.
"Uh…of course." He replied. "I was just about to detach them."
Raf nodded and went back to his cables. Jack and Miko shared a small grin at Ratchet's mannerisms.
They had been beyond relief when Magnus had reported Optimus Prime's return during the battle of Darkmount. Worry and tension were too weak words to describe how they felt during those last few hours as the Autobots fought to infiltrate the decepticon citadel. At one point their hearts almost stopped beating upon overhearing on the comm link Ultra Magnus telling Megatron he wouldn't say where Optimus could be found, but that was soon over when he retold the Prime's impressive entrance. Currently, the rest of Team Prime was waiting along with their leader at an undisclosed military base in the desert, waiting for Ratchet and the kids to travel there from the Harbinger.
10 minutes later, they were ready.
"Shame about this place." Said Miko. "Would have made a great secret hideout."
"Not so secret anymore, Miko." Explained Ratchet. "The decepticons have probably deduced by now that we were operating here due to the fact that we hacked their communications system with their own technology."
"That's why we're taking all this stuff now in case they show up here." Added Raf. "Plus, the new base has a better internet connection."
Miko slumped her shoulders in disappointment but said nothing. Jack watched on in anticipation of seeing his mother and Arcee again.
Ratchet stood up straight. "Well, that should be everything." He looked at the young humans. "Are you three ready to depart?"
"Lock and load!" said Miko excitedly.
Suddenly a beeping noise was heard and flashing readouts began appearing from the central monitor. Ratchet frowned and walked over to the control panel. "Ratchet, what is it?" Asked a concerned Jack.
Ratchet's eyes widened. "A signal has begun transmitting from this location." He said tapping a few buttons. "It's an open broadcast GPS frequency!" He spun round to face the kids. "Who's using their cellphone?!"
The kids took a step back and while doing so revealed their empty hands. "Chill dude, we know not to use them." Said Miko quickly.
With a look of fear on his face the medic turned back to the monitor. "We need to stop the transmission! The decepticons can see it." He stabbed at buttons frantically, trying to find the off switch. It was to no avail and the signal continued to transmit.
"It's not coming from the Harbinger's mainframe." He quickly deduced. He tried a different approach. Using the systems available to him he set about pinpointing the signal's exact location.
"The GPS is emanating from the top deck of this ship." He said.
"Somebody's outside using their cellphone?" asked Raf.
Ratchet looked at the readouts. The signal was displaying coding that was not regular with normal cellular phones. At least, not by the children's phones.
But then he saw the phone number by which the phone was operating.
"Hang on," he started. "That looks like…"
The Nemesis…
Megatron had a headache the size of Unicron. Knock Out had given him something to deal with it, but they weren't helping much. The decepticon doctor had also ordered him to lie back on the examination table for a while in order to get some strength back. By now he was feeling a bit better physically, but the headache still acted as a reason to take it easy.
He was furious.
Darkmount had fallen. By both Autobot and human hands. Somehow by sheer luck and a newly-upgraded Optimus Prime, the enemy had won the battle. Sure, they may have still had their warship, but it was humiliation without end on their part.
"Shockwave," he greeted as the scientist walked into the med bay. "Has there been word on the whereabouts of the beast?"
"None, Lord Megatron." replied Shockwave. "We have been unable to locate where the autobots groundbridge transported it to. Our most logical option is to wait for it to follow its homing instincts and find its way back to the ship."
Megatron sighed in annoyance. Could this day get any worse?
Suddenly without announcement Soundwave strode into the room, pushed straight past Shockwave and came to stand at Megatron's left side.
"What is it?" he asked.
A geographical map appeared on Soundwave's visor showing a mountainous area with a peculiar looking object set in it. On top of this object a red dot blinked and tiny readouts of data began scrolling down next to it.
"Why are you showing-" Megatron began.
But then he stopped as he looked at the data scrolling down.
The red dot was a signal.
A GPS signal.
Megatron's energon began to boil. Rage began to build up as he recognized the signal and what it represented.
It represented mockery.
"He will pay for his deception!" he roared as he lifted himself off the examination table into a standing position.
Shockwave moved forward. "My liege, it is not advisable-"
"Out of my way!" Megatron pushed his science officer out of his way as he rushed out the door. "Soundwave, open up a bridge to the signal's location! NOW!"
The Harbinger…
The sun cast a great glare over the top deck of the abandoned warship. There was a hiss of hydraulics as a hatchway opened and Ratchet stepped out into the daylight with the kids following close behind.
Stepping to face the deck, Ratchet immediately saw what he was looking for.
There, near to the edge of the deck, back turned towards them with cellphone in hand, was Alex.
The kids also saw him and looked in amazement.
"Alex!" Raf called out.
Alex turned round to face them. A look of concern on his face.
"Good, you guys are still here." He called back.
"Alex, you need to turn the GPS off now!" shouted Ratchet. "The decepticons-"
"Can see it, yes." Cut in Alex as he put his cellphone in his pocket. "With any luck they'll have picked it up straight away."
Jack started "Alex, what are you-"
"Don't say anything." Alex cut in again. "One wrong word can ruin everything. Say nothing and we can all get something out of this."
"What do you mean?"
Alex said nothing.
There was a brief silence. Suddenly a groundbridge portal just off the far edge of the warship's deck came into existence. A second later a giant silver bullet shot through it into the air. The sound of transformation could be heard as the leader of the decepticons landed on the deck with a terrible thud, sword already drawn.
The three children leapt back in surprise and fear and Ratchet drew his blades and stood above the kids in order to protect them from the imminent fight. However Alex remained standing where he was but took an almost battle-like stance.
The moment Megatron touched down he advanced on the teenager with frightening speed, raising his weapon and roaring with rage.
In a split-second a ball of orange energy had appeared in Alex's hand and grew rapidly in size and power. Without hesitation he threw to the ground just in front if the titan. The energy hit the floor with a shattering crack and a shower of sparks leapt up momentarily knocking Megatron off balance, forcing him to pause his attack. The floor was left smoking as Megatron regained his concentration and stared at the boy. He roared again in fury and moved to continue his attack. However he was stopped as Alex immediately held up his hand.
"We could either fight, during which I could possibly blow your head off, OR you can stop for a moment and listen to what I have to say!" he said quickly and out loud.
"And why should I listen to anything you have to say?!" Megatron shouted back, itching to reach the boy and crush him underfoot.
"Because you don't want your head ripped off?" Tried Alex.
The response to that came in the form of a snarl.
"Because we have things to discuss." He said simply, keeping his hand up.
Megatron hesitated. The kids and Ratchet were amazed at how Alex was capable of keeping the 'con at bay. However that didn't stop them fearing what could potentially happen next. Ratchet didn't move a muscle as he stood over the three young ones.
Incredibly, Megatron tensed down and lowered his blade, though keeping a very angry look on his face. At the same time, Alex lowered his hand, but kept his battle stance.
"First things first," Alex started. "Hello Megatron."
"Specimen." Megatron grumbled spitefully.
This annoyed the teenager. "My name is Alex. Please learn it."
"Forgive me if I find it difficult to grant you any sort of courtesy considering how you lied to me." Said Megatron angrily.
Alex sucked air through his teeth. "So, you found out about that huh?"
"Oh, indeed." Snarled Megatron. "And I am surprised the autobots and their pets still stand to be in your presence after you lied to them as well."
"That is because they had no idea that I was even here. And more importantly, Ratchet and the kids are acting as witnesses to what I am currently doing." Alex explained.
"And what exactly are you doing?"
"Showing them where I stand in all this, even though they may still not trust me afterwards."
Megatron snorted. "Why seek their trust when you already have Optimus Prime's?"
Alex shrugged. "I haven't seen Optimus since I left the Autobot base a day before they left for Cybertron. And thinking about all the things that have been happening, I really have no idea how he's going to react when he sees me." He explained.
Suddenly Alex had a brainwave. "Hey, that could act as an example of how I don't know what's going to happen."
Megatron's optics narrowed. He wasn't swallowing this.
"You're lying 'Alex,'" he said. "You are lying because when we last met, you told me that future events had been changed due to your presence in this conflict. This was proved a lie, as you technically admitted it just moments ago. You also lied to me about not having knowledge of your own future, as you knew to come to this abandoned ship and await the autobots arrival." He took a step forward.
Alex held up a finger. "Ah. That last one wasn't a lie." He explained. "There IS NO mention of me. None whatsoever. Still don't know why. And in my defense for the first lie, at that time I was going under the impression that because I made contact with the autobots, the future had already been changed. But as you can see, I was proved wrong of that."
"And can I be sure that you are not simply lying to me again?" asked Megatron angrily.
"You think I'm stupid enough to pull the same trick with you twice?" asked Alex.
Megatron considered this. This human was indeed watching what moves he made and what he said to him. This little confrontation was turning out to be him trying to protect himself. This was a self-preservation stunt. But it wasn't working.
"Very well," he started. "Say you were telling me the truth. If so, that means you still have knowledge of future events. What is there now to prevent from using all my available resources to track down and torture you for that knowledge? Or better still, simply you returning with me back to my warship?"
"Because you come any closer to me and I will put a large hole in you." Alex held up his hands. "But more importantly, because you didn't. We shouldn't be even having this chat right now. You're supposed to be back on your ship recovering from your little 'accident' with the fusion core."
Megatron shifted uncomfortably.
"And that's what I'm going to recommend you do now." Alex continued. "I suggest you use the next few days to regain your strength. You're going to need it for what's coming."
"And that would be?" Asked Megatron with seriousness in his voice.
Alex lowered his hands. "Ultimately, I don't know. My knowledge only extends so far. But for the next few days possibly weeks…"
A tiny grin began to appear on Alex's face. "Spoilers." He said.
"That was so worth it." He thought.
Megatron glanced back at their audience. Ratchet had been watching this with complete concentration and fascination, taking in every word for future preference. The kids were now just staring open-mouthed at Alex and Megatron.
Megatron turned back to Alex. "So, I have gained nothing by 'answering your call.'" He said rhetorically.
"Not at all." Alex quickly said. "In fact, I'm about to give you what you wanted from the very start."
"And that would be?"
Alex took a deep breath. "Information."
"What?!" exclaimed the kids.
Megatron raised an eyebrow. "You're willing to disclose details about future events?"
"Alex what are you doing?!" shouted Jack.
"Jack be quiet." Alex said forcefully without looking back.
"No doubt you are careful about what you reveal about the future. How do I know that the information is of value to me?" Megatron asked.
"Granted, right now it won't seem valuable." Replied Alex. "This is stuff is to be used in the long-run. But before I give you anything, I want your word that when I'm done, you're gonna leave here without a fuss. The autobots have work to do and I need to see Optimus again. Do I have your word?"
There was a pause. Meanwhile Megatron considered Alex's request. Eventually, he nodded.
"Excellent." Said Alex. He opened his mouth to speak again but he was interrupted.
"Alex the team will never forgive you." Ratchet said. He had taken all of this in and realized what the implications were of Alex's revealings.
The kids also joined in sensing the danger. "Alex don't do this." Jack said.
"This is us getting something out of this?!" said Miko.
Alex looked to the youngest of the three. Raf had been completely frightened of the mere fact of Megatron standing before him, and he was far from comfortable even though he knew Alex was keeping the giant at bay.
"Raf, do you trust me?" Alex asked him.
The kid looked at Alex. Despite the fear, anxiety and confusion running through him, he gave a small nod.
That was enough motivation for Alex to go forth. Spinning round he faced Megatron, ready to give his closing.
"Right!" he started. "Megatron, I am now going to tell you two things. Pay close attention please as I will not be repeating them."
Megatron lowered his head a bit with a deep frown on his face.
"Number one." Alex began. "Megatron, while I am not able to advise you on what future actions to take, I can tell what actions NOT to take. Therefore this piece of info comes in the form of a strong warning."
He paused for a breath.
"I will now direct your attention to the three humans standing behind me." He gestured to the back of him. The kids stood to attention when they heard them being mentioned but then started shifting uncomfortably where they stood due to the fact that Megatron was now looking straight at them. Ratchet also looked down at them in surprise.
"You might remember them. You stuck them in jars, shipped them to Cybertron and exchanged them for a bunch of keys. An act which I approve of. You saw how much the autobots cared for them, and from what I've seen in other cybertronian scenarios, it is more than you realize. So much that if you kidnap, maim, hurt or kill any one of them, there will be no place for that you could run or hide from Optimus Prime's wrath. So simply put, you go anywhere near the kids, you guarantee the autobots an overall victory, and there's nothing you would be able to do to prevent it."
Megatron looked back at the kids. They were taking turns looking at Alex and then at Megatron, obviously confused and surprised at what had just been said.
Alex didn't waste time. He continued. "Number two, and this comes in the form of an experiment. Megatron, because of there being no mention of me in the timeline, I don't know if my presence here was meant to be or not. That in turn brings up the question of whether anything I do in the future could affect the outcome of events."
He took a breath. Megatron remained attentive to him.
"You see, the majority of forthcoming events are due to and based around an idea that you had after the fall of Darkmount. An idea that will take the war into a new direction and is what my knowledge is predominantly on. You may have already had this idea but I cannot be sure of that. Therefore I am going to now tell you what this idea is. You must then say either you have had this idea already, or that this is the first you have heard of it. If in the case of the latter, it means that I was meant to give you the idea and will signal that any future actions of mine will not change anything, whatever I may end up doing. If in the case of the former, it means I will have to distance myself from this conflict if I want things to play out as I know them. And based upon the future I know, I think it is in everyone's best interests that my version of the future is the one that happens. Understand?"
Megatron continued to frown at Alex but he muttered "Understood."
"Good. Here goes." Alex leaned forward a bit. "That predacon of yours, the one that Shockwave cloned. Are there plans for any more of them?"
Megatron remained quiet for a while looking at Alex. It was evident that he was thinking deeply. Upon hearing this question being asked Ratchet instantly tensed up.
"Yes" Megatron said eventually. "It is a project that is being considered. However resources-"
"Good!" Alex threw up his arms. "That is all I needed to hear. Sorry but I must ask you not to reveal anything else. We do have an audience here, you know."
Megatron shut his mouth. Slightly annoyed that he had been cut off but weary of revealing information to the Autobot and the humans.
"Now," Alex stood up straight. "That is all I needed to say. I am now going to depart with Ratchet and the kids and you are going to head back to the Nemesis for some recovery time."
Megatron continued to gaze at Alex for what seemed an eternity. Finally he said "Soundwave, re-open the groundbridge." Almost immediately the green portal appeared behind. Megatron then looked to Ratchet and the kids.
"Tell Optimus he may have won the battle but the war continues." He said. He started to move but then he turned back to Alex, a look of utter menace.
"This is not over, 'Alex.' Do not think you can delay anything by merely, what do you humans say? 'Sweet-talking.'" He threatened.
Alex wouldn't take this threat lying down. He had just held the leader of the decepticons at bay by talking. He was on a roll.
"Meanwhile take comfort in knowing that I'm not allowed to kill you." He replied in dark and low tones.
To receive such a threat from a human was surprising to Megatron to say the least. Despite of it he simply sneered before turning around and walking into the swirling green vortex. It closed behind him leaving silence.
For a few seconds nobody said anything. Alex was breathing heavily and constantly blinking while the others looked at him to respond.
Suddenly he giggled quietly. It escalated into a throaty laugh. Frowns appeared on everyone's faces as Alex clapped his hands.
At the moment, there was nothing on Earth that could match the level of cockiness and relief Alex was at. Suddenly he leapt into the air and whooped for joy. Spinning round he faced his audience and pointed a finger.
"AND THAT'S HOW YOU TALK TO A TITAN!" He shouted. "DAMN, I'M GOOD!"
Ratchet and the kids, having seen what had just happened, could find nothing to say.
"You were wondering what you would get out of this, Miko?!" Asked Alex as he hopped towards them. "I basically just saved you three's lives! Sorry I can't say the same for you, Ratchet, but I doubt you're in any danger anyway. Now then!" he said excitedly as he walked right past them. "Let me just grab my stuff and let's get the hell out of here. You have no idea how sick of this place I am and how big my craving for coffee is right now." He was almost at the hatchway leading inside when he heard a voice.
"Alex, stop right there." Ratchet ordered sternly.
Surprised by the medic's first words Alex stopped and turned round to face them. "Yes, my good doctor." He asked cheerfully.
The frown on Ratchet's forehead was deep enough to leave permanent lines. "While I may have some understanding of what just happened here, you are going to have great difficulty explaining-"
"That's because I'm not going to." Interrupted Alex. "I am going to let you guys explain it to the others for two good reasons. One, everybody already has trust issues with me so they'll have a hard time swallowing anything I say. And two, you three's autobots aren't going to give me chance to explain because they will most certainly have their weapons trained on me at all times. I can already see that happening."
"You're not scared about what team Prime might do to you when you walk into the new base, or what we could do to you now because of what you didn't tell us?" asked Jack with evident anger in his face.
Alex looked at the teenage with raised eyebrows, amazed that he was so blind to what he had just seen him do.
"My dear Jack," he said with his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I just gave Megatron himself a talking to and then threatened him afterwards, Putting a massive target on the back of my head! That combined with me not being able to see my family or friends ever again, you can begin to see that my value on my life is decreasing rapidly. The only person who scares me currently and whom I'm worried about right now, is Optimus Prime. But I'm pretty sure he'll be quite understanding after hearing how I just took the heat off you three."
The three children were shocked at how cocky Alex was acting. Ratchet's eyes were full of concern about how the autobots, particularly Arcee, would react upon Alex's return.
A smile on his face, Alex said "Well, are we just gonna sit here or can we get going?"
The Nemesis…
Shockwave was cataloguing his tools on his workbench when Megatron stumbled into the lab. The scientist immediately looked up from his work and stood to attention.
"Lord, Megatron. You have returned." He said. "I strongly recommend you rest. You suffered quite-"
"Shockwave," Megatron said. "What did you require to clone the predacon?"
"My liege?" asked a confused Shockwave.
"And is it possible for you to clone more of them?"
The sudden interest in his work surprised Shockwave. Nevertheless he answered.
"Of course, Lord Megatron." He said. "It is merely a case of finding a sample of their CNA to clone them from."
"Excellent." Said Megatron. "We will divert our resources to the finding of such material."
"Why the sudden interest, my liege?" asked the decepticon scientist.
Megatron smirked. "I have come with a promising idea for a new project."
To be continued…