New World 2 Chapter 25: Settling In, a transformers fanfic

Chapter 24 - Settling In.

The arrival of Lockdown's ship was surprisingly low-key. 'Beat and Blue had driven Poppy and Phil to the flat plain to the north of Metroplex and, with much of the rest of the city's population also in attendance, had watched while the massive construct had, very slowly and somewhat haltingly, descended to the ground. Both Starflare and Skyfire guided it down, Wheeljack working the controls with a combination of will power and brute strength: he'd not been able to fully repair the ship on the moon, and it had fought him all the way. Hopefully, with Jolt and Huffer, Perceptor and a little help from several others who'd arrived with the city, they would be able to fix the damage and have the ship operational again.

Which, as Prime had remarked to Poppy, would be a good thing. They needed the security systems in good order as soon as possible. The ship generated a distinct energy signal, and it would not do for any passing scout or cruiser to detect it. There were too many... acquisitive species in this galaxy alone to leave the ship - and Mars, and earth - undefended.

Poppy had stared at Phil, wide-eyed. That simply hadn't occurred to her. But after all, if the Cybertronians had found earth - admittedly because of the AllSpark, but it wasn't like humans were discreet, with all the noise they made - why not other alien species?

Later, swimming leisurely side by side, something they'd taken to doing most days, she brought the subject up again.

"From things I've heard them say, there are a lot of people out there..."

Phil nodded and twisted to swim on his side, facing her.

"And a lot of them aren't all that friendly. I personally am very glad that Prime is thinking of establishing a permanent colony here. If nothing else, it may warn aggressors off. But I'd hope we could count on our friends to defend us if the worst happened."

"Even after our so-called leaders forced them off-planet?"

Phil frowned pensively.

"Prime seems very protective of earth. Of life as a whole. He really seems to live the whole, 'Freedom is the right of all sentient beings' thing."

"All the same, they aren't obliged to help us. They really have done an awful lot already, and not been very kindly treated in return."

They reached the edge of the pool, and Phil turned to rest his shoulders against the deep, soft red moss. There was a sudden tightness around his eyes and his voice was very low.

"I know. I'm not happy about it."

Poppy duplicated his pose and frowned at him.

"What have you heard?"

Phil hesitated, but there was really no point in keeping anything from Poppy, not anymore.

"NEST is being disbanded. No, terminated. Morshower thinks that we may be branded traitors to the human race, though he's fighting that. There are other military and pseudo-military groups being assembled to 'combat the alien menace'. Skywatch, Earth Defence Command, there are rumours of a mobile unit successor to Cemetery Wind..."

"Where does that leave you, and Matthew?"

"In the wind at the moment. What's left of NEST has retreated to Diego Garcia."

"And Matthew is head of Security at Iacon House, so safe for now." Poppy chewed at her lower lip, frowning. "How long will the island be safe?"

"We don't know. The original inhabitants recently appealed for their land back. It was denied, but the way things are shaping up on earth, they could try again. Public opinion is very much against us at the moment, and with the... unfortunate political situation just about everywhere... it's not really possible to say. But I don't think it'll be a safe retreat for very long."

Poppy sighed and turned to climb out of the pool.

"I feel I should be there, helping, but I have to admit I'd much rather be here."

Phil nodded, noting absently that she seemed to have lost a little weight. It quite suited her. Not that she'd been overweight before of course...

xXx

Everyone had assembled; even Perceptor had dragged himself away from his research. Now they circled the dais, optics wide, gazing at the seven sleek shapes floating a little distance above the surface.

The seeds.

The way to make Mars their own in days rather than millennia.

Knock Out grinned widely, excitement :bubbling: in his field. Ratchet could hardly blame him: they were all energized, hopeful, eager.

Optimus Prime gazed around at them, his people, his friends, strong, staunch and true. They had all been through so much, together and apart. Now they had the opportunity to make a new home for themselves, here in this little backwater of the galaxy, on a world where the resources they needed were abundant, and with everything else they were ever likely to need within reach of their flyers.

And they were close enough to earth that, should the humans need their help, they could provide it within hours. If they asked. And this time, they would have to ask. Prime had no intention of endangering any more of his people on the behalf of organics that - mostly - hated them.

There'd been a loud ::cheer:: from everyone when he'd announced that decision.

Now they had to decide how to proceed...

"Sir, may Thundercracker and I petition for one of the seeds?" Starstream folded his digits together, gaze sombre and determined. "We have found the ideal location for our own city, a new Vos, at the far end of the Valles, on the Eos Chasma." He glanced a little shyly at the larger flyer, then back at the Prime. "We would like to attempt to repopulate."

Knock Out snickered: Ratchet slapped the back of his helm.

"Behave, brat."

The crimson medic grinned at Starstream, then back at Optimus.

"Sorry, sir. I just... It would be good to have the skies full of flyers again. It would feel more like home."

"Not for a while." Thundercracker frowned. How fast did the ex-Con think they could breed, anyway? Even if the other flyers and starcraft were willing to assist?

"Oh, I know. But it is a fine and fitting ambition. And if I may assist, be assured I will do all in power to make it happen."

"... thank you..." Somewhat nonplussed, Starstream returned his attention to the Prime, who held his servos open to the gathering.

"Would we all be in agreement?"

Wheeljack inclined his helm.

"One out of seven - seems fine to me. And between Perceptor, Jolt and myself we will find a way to work the metal, force it into predetermined forms before we detonate the seed. Create your city as you want it. The core of it, anyway."

"You can do that?" Ratchet was sceptical. Wheeljack :grinned:.

"Given enough time we can do anything."

The Prime glanced from mech to mech, seeing no dissension, then :nodded:.

"So be it. One seed for the Seekers, to build New Vos."

Starstream quietly raised a servo.

"No. Let it be called Eos. A new name for a new world."

The Prime's field :brightened:.

"As you wish." He turned to Wheeljack. "Estimated time for the work to be done?"

"There are workshops on Lockdown's ship with the tools we think we need. Give us... oh, a decacycle?... to investigate, and I'll wager we can deliver the re-engineered seed within two."

Starstream's field :shivered: with happiness: Thundercracker laid a servo on his pauldron, overjoyed when the smaller Seeker leaned into the contact.

"Thank you, Prime. Thank you."

"Sooo - can we use one of them to make a really long smooth racetrack?"

All optics turned to Knock Out, and Ratchet batted him across the back of the helm again. The Prime fought back a smile.

"Not with a seed, no. But I do not see why we can't add something of that nature to our plans. After all, we'll need an easy way for us to get from Metroplex to Eos. And to any other settlements we devise."

"Perhaps, for the moment, we should work on expanding the territory around Metroplex. It would give us more of a foothold, more land to work with. Not that we're exactly cramped, but it's always wise to futureproof if we can." Wheeljack triggered a holographic map of the immediate vicinity, digit-mounted laser pointers indicating the area slightly to the north, between Tharsis Montes and Noctis Fossae. "I suggest here. Two seeds should do the job. It's fairly flat, easily recognisable from orbit, and ideally placed to expand outwards from the citymech. It's also far enough away from the Consulate that our resident human friends shouldn't be in any danger."

"I will take them flying, in any case." Starstream leaned forward, :expression: earnest. "The detonation effect is very fast, if I've understood it properly. They could watch it from above."

"Takes no more than an hour, earth time, and usually a lot less."

"Very well." Optimus inclined his helm. "We will leave Wheeljack, Perceptor and Jolt to work on re-engineering the seeds, and meet back in three decacycles. If there is anyone else who would be helpful, invite them to participate."

"Oh, there are plenty!" Wheeljack :chuckled:. "And I already know they're keen to help. I'll comm. them all and we'll get started right away."

Ratchet lingered as everyone left to get back to their tasks. Optimus :frowned: enquiringly: his old friend :looked: troubled. He spoke without dissembling.

"What about Megatron? I mean, Galvatron that was? Ironhide reports he is still at large."

Optimus :sighed:.

"I am aware of it. And this time, it is the humans' own fault. But they have made it clear we are not welcome, and as their Cemetery Wind proved, they are now quite capable of terminating us by themselves."

"So it's their problem? What about our friends? What if he brings more 'Cons to earth?"

Optimus laid a servo on his shoulderplate.

"Let us establish ourselves here first. Once we have our new home, and Lockdown's ship is fully operational, we shall be in a far better position to counter any threat Megatron may offer. And we should respect the humans' desire for no more contact - until or unless they ask us to help them."

"I don't like it."

"I am not entirely happy with the decision myself. However, all we seem to have succeeded in doing so far is causing a great deal of damage and the deaths of a lot of humans. Let us try standing back for a while."

Ratchet :grunted:, dissatisfied.

"Very well."

"I am sorry, old friend. But for now, we should focus on our new home, and celebrate the end of our war."

The medic brightened.

"Hm. Yes. Perhaps it's time for a party."

Optimus chuckled.

"I'm sure I can rely on you to organise things. The minerals here should prove interesting additions to any high grade energon anyone would care to experiment with."

Ratchet :grinned:.

"I'm going to take that as permission to start making some. Well, have some made, anyway..."

xXx

Beverley looked tired, Poppy thought. Tired and dispirited.

"You are honestly in the best place right now. What with the orange abomination over the water and the disastrous UK referendum... Poppy, it was awful. Forty years of progress straight down the drain. When I think of the children those idiots have let down I could cry... As for that selfish old bastard crying he'd got his country back... I could kick him. It's not his country. It hasn't been for at least half a century. He'll be dead in a few years: the future belongs to the young..."

Poppy reached out to the screen, wishing desperately she could do something. She'd read the reports of course, staring in horror and disbelief. She'd honestly thought her fellow Britons had had the sense not to just accept the scaremongering - and as for the ones who voted to leave the European Union as a gesture of revolt, not believing for one moment that it would actually happen...

She sighed and rubbed her hand over her face.

"I'm so sorry, Beverley. Is there anything I can do to help? I could come back..."

Beverley shook her head.

"No, there's nothing, Poppy. You're better off there, out of it all... Damn, I feel so helpless." She was silent for a moment or two, then tried to smile. "Sorry. How are things there?"

Poppy managed a small smile.

"Well, the ESA mission seemed to have enjoyed exploring the Cydonia region. Gathered a lot of data, at any rate, but it'll take them a while to analyse it all. NASA were more interested in the polar regions. We invited the crews of both missions to dinner before they returned to earth. They all seemed to enjoy themselves, once they'd got over their awe."

Beverley chuckled. It was a little forced, but genuine for all that.

"Bet Steamy loved that!"

"Oh, he was absolutely in his element. Steamed Martian trout in Martian white sauce, roast Martian duck with home grown vegetables, and a platter of mixed home grown fruit as dessert." She giggled quietly. "He was most particular to stress the 'Martian-ness' of everything. Give us a few years and he'll be cooking everything in Martian wine - we already have a couple of fledgling vines coming along nicely in the garden."

Beverley laughed.

"Show off!"

"Yes, but it's very cute, bless him." She grinned. "It was also very tasty, but then you'd expect that with Steamy."

"Indeed..." Beverley smiled - a real, unforced one this time. "It's good to talk to you, but I should get back to work. And you look like you could do with a rest. You look tired, and I swear you've lost a bit of weight. You aren't pushing yourself too hard, are you?"

"No. Phil and Optimus won't let me, and heaven forbid if Ratchet thought they were! He can be seriously scary sometimes - curmudgeonly old grandpa that he is."

Beverly laughed delightedly.

"Don't let him hear you say that!"

Poppy grinned widely.

"I don't. At least, not as far as I know. But I doubt he'd mind anyway." She sighed. "Take care, and don't work too hard yourself. I'll speak to you in a couple of days your time. Comm. me if you need to though. Oh, and say hi to Matthew for me?"

"I will, and will do. I know he'd love to come and visit, and we're exploring whether it would be possible. I'll let you know next time we speak."

"It would be great to see him, and I know Phil would enjoy having another man about the place for a bit." She waved a hand. "I'll catch you soon. You take care too."

As the screen blanked, Poppy leaned back and sighed. She didn't know what she'd done to end up with such an interesting life, but she was certainly glad she had!