2- Megatron Returns.
Florrum
The Nemesis descended above a huge hole in top of a mountain. It opened its bottom hangar and some kind of elevator descended to the inside, in which was a lot of Decepticon miners working with a lot of energon crystals, so the elevator was used to transport the energon inside the ship.
"Of the energon deposits we have located while you were away, Lord Megatron, this one is by far the most significant. The drones have been mining without pause during your absence, and have amass quite a stockpile. You there, fetch me a sample!" Starscream asked once he finished reporting.
"Starscream." Megatron said, coming out from the shadows. "Now that I have returned, I will issue the commands."
"I…understand, Lord Megatron. Then as your humble servant, shall I ready the space bridge to bring forth the Decepticon army you have surely gathered during your long time in years on exogalactic space?"
"My army will come. But my time away has yielded a more intriguing means of materializing them." Megatron said as he showed a strange crystal, similar to energon, but purple and glowing with a sinister aura. "The solidified form of the matter the ancient texts refer to…as the Blood of Unicron."
"Unicron the Destroyer? But it is said that his blood is the Anti-Spark." Starscream said observing the shard.
"Plucked from cosmic shores. Gaze upon dark energon." Megatron proclaimed.
"Legend tells that it holds the power to revive the dead." Starscream added.
"We require only a cadaver to be certain. Are you willing to make the ultimate sacrifice?" Megatron asked to Starscream, looking at him sinisterly.
Starscream chuckled nervously. "That may not be necessary. If I may, Lord Megatron."
Two Vehicons brought the dead body of what looked like an Autobot soldier, probably perished long ago.
"Consider it a welcome home present." Starscream introduced, making Megatron smirk.
At the same time, in the Autobot base…
"And since you now know of our existence, I fear that as of last night, the Decepticons know of yours." Optimus said.
"So, exactly what we supposed to do if we see one of them? What is your frequency?" Luke asked.
"Can we go now?" Sky followed.
"Are you guys insane? I'm living a great chance here on Droid-swana, and I'm not going to allow you or anyone else to shatter it!" Han exclaimed.
"It is best that you five and your droid remain here under our watch, at least until we can determine our enemies' intentions." Optimus finished.
"Optimus, with all due respect, the human children are in as much danger here as anywhere." Ratchet intervened.
"Maybe, but we are not normal children." Leia said.
"Really?" Han asked interested.
"They have no protective shell. If they get underfoot, they will go…squish." Ratchet warned before he took a step to prove his point, making BB-8 to get scared and hid behind the children.
"Then for the time being, Ratchet, we must watch where we step." Optimus concluded.
In that moment, a green light started flashing at the same time as an alarm was triggered.
"Was going on?" Aris asked, a little worried.
"(Fear nothing. That's the proximity sensor, which tell us when someone is on top of our base.)" Bumblebee explained.
"Someone is on top?" Luke repeated.
Ratchet went to the terminal to check who was. The screen showed an adult human, followed by an astromech droid, a little bigger than BB-8.
"Is Master Skywalker." Ratchet recognized.
"What?!" Luke and Leia asked surprised at the same time.
"But I thought we were the only ones who knew about you guys." Han said.
"Some members from both the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic are our liaisons to the outside worlds of the galaxy, included some senators. They tend to visit only when there are issues. It may be best that you do not meet them at this time." Optimus explained before the children and BB-8 went to hide.
The elevator descended to the control room, and the very known Jedi and his droid companion entered the room. Immediately, R2-D2 reacted with happiness at seeing Bumblebee and went to say hello.
"(Hello, R2. Long time no see you since the last time we were in action together!)"
The droid answered in beeps very excited too.
"Don't misunderstand me, Bee. We didn't come here simply to say hello. The Royal Naboo Security Forces had sent numerous reports of possible combat issues near public places yesterday afternoon. There is something you haven't told me, Prime?"
"We have the situation under control, Master Skywalker."
"They're back, right?"
"If you are referring to the Decepticons, I had doubts that they ever left. Your galaxy is much too valuable." Optimus confirmed.
"Then it's time to move the army."
"Hear me, Master Skywalker. This menace is not comparable to what you and your republic army endured during the Clone Wars. We are your best, possibly your only defense against the Decepticon threat."
"What makes you think the Jedi Order can't deal with them?"
"Hey fleshy, did anyone get splattered on that place?" Bulkhead interrupted as he ripped off a mechanical arm from the instrument table. "Team Prime knows when to use force and how much to use." He squeezed it until he broke it.
"Bulkhead, I needed that!" Ratchet complained, but when he heard some beeps of laugh, he got mad. "And now to make things worse, the droid is also laughing at me!"
The children and BB-8 did their best for not laughing at that too.
"Enough!" Optimus demanded before turning at Anakin. "Military and Jedi involvement will only result in catastrophe. Perhaps you can condone widespread native casualties, Master Skywalker. I, however, cannot."
"Then do us both a favor and handle this, Prime. Under the radar." Anakin said as he went back to the elevator. "Or they will. It's the council's opinion, Optimus. Not mine. Come on, R2."
R2-D2 beeped as he accompanied his friend to the elevator and the two left the base.
"Pretty big bearings, for a Jedi."
"Master Skywalker is concerned for his people, Cliffjumper. As he should be." Optimus responded.
"I can't believe dad never told us about this. And that he told us all about his adventures." Leia said surprised.
"Dad?!" Bulkhead asked confused.
"Are you saying that you two are Master Skywalker's children?" Ratchet added.
"Makes sense, if their second name is Skywalker. They told us." Arcee reminded.
"So that means you are Jedi."
"Not exactly, Cliff. We are not even padawans." Aris clarified.
"Even so, our parents taught us many things by their own, so we can take care by ourselves if we need it." Sky added.
"So, you four are Force wielders?" Han asked, earning a nod from all four. "Now that's a surprise."
"It seems that you are more special than we thought at the beginning." Optimus expressed.
Meanwhile, at the Decepticon mine…
"Let us see if power born of darkness can reignite the spark." Megatron said, before he put the dark energon shard in the Autobot's spark chamber.
Instantly, the dark matter flowed into the corpse as the body started to shake. Moments later, the Autobot's eyes opened and roared. Even he managed to release himself from his restrains. Once free the reanimated Autobot tackled the closest Decepticon and started hitting him. He tried to fight back, but the undead cybertronian started to slice him in pieces, while Megatron watched interested. As he started to crush the Decepticon's head, the other Decepticon opened fire at the Autobot, but immediately he tackled him too and repeated the process.
"That's your plan? Bring Autobots back from the death to attack us?!" Starscream asked, horrified.
"That's no longer an Autobot. Just a mindless beast. It's only instinct to destroy anything in its path." Megatron theorized.
Once he finished with the guards, the undead Autobot turned his attention at Megatron and charged. But Megatron had already his sword ready and simply waited for the Autobot to get close enough for strike. And once he did, Megatron spliced his body in two, making it fall in the edge of the platform.
"There, Starscream, rise the indestructible seed of my army: Terrorcons. The ultimate weapon."
The upper part of the undead managed to grab his hand to the edge, but Megatron kicked him down, sending him to a lower level.
"Once I learn to control it."
Just in that moment, the Autobot's life signal was detected in the Autobot base.
"Blasted republic tech. An Autobot signal has been detected." Ratchet reported seeing the screen.
"That's good, right?" Luke asked.
"How is that possible?" Optimus asked.
"It isn't. Another bug. The system is chalk full of them." Ratchet theorized.
"But if there is one of us out there, he or she could need help, especially if is hurt." Cliffjumper encouraged.
"Cliff is right. That Autobot need us now." Arcee added.
"Ratchet, prepare sickbay, we might need it." Optimus instructed as he prepared his battle mask.
"Hey! What can we do?" Han asked.
"Remain with Ratchet." Optimus responded.
Han groaned disappointed, followed by Ratchet. Next a tunnel lighted up and a green portal appeared at the end of it.
"Autobots, roll out!" Optimus called.
The five Autobots changed to their vehicle forms and drove at the portal, disappearing.
"What just happened?" Aris asked surprised.
"I transported them to the designated coordinates by the ground bridge." Ratchet answered.
"What's a ground bridge?" Sky asked.
Ratchet sighed. "A scale down version of space bridge technology. Since we don't currently possess the means or the energon required for travel between galaxies…"
"You're stuck here." Luke finished.
"With the likes of you, yes. But I constructed the ground bridge to enable travel from here to any known planet of the galaxy. Well, at least we have enough for intergalactic travel, thanks to space cartography and galactic maps provided by our allies." Ratchet explained.
"Then why calling it ground bridge?" Aris asked.
"Yes, the name could make confusion, but since a space bridge is more powerful, I think that name can suit it." Ratchet answered.
"Woah. Does it work for organic lifeforms and droids?" Leia asked.
"Naturally." Ratchet responded.
"You mean I could just run toward it and visit my parents on Corellia?" Han suggested.
"Within moments. In fact, allow me to send you there immediately, all five of you and your droid." Ratchet suggested.
BB-8 reacted with beeps of annoyance and facing Ratchet very close.
"Watch it, Ratchet. BB-8 may be small, but he is a tough guy." Luke said laughing.
The ground bridge took the Autobots inside a cave, with energon crystals everywhere. Immediately, they changed back to robot form and readied their weapons.
"An energon mine." Bulkhead saw.
"Judging by its scale the Decepticons have been tunneling here for quite some time." Optimus added.
"And they still do it." Cliffjumper pointed.
The Autobots hid as they observed the miners using their lasers to cut the energon crystals into more little pieces.
"Let's find our comrade." Optimus ordered.
The Autobots came out from their hiding spot and advanced toward the Decepticons. As reaction, the miners left the area as the guards aimed their weapons at the newcomers, as well as the Autobots. And the fight started. Some miners even used the giant drills to charge against the Autobots. Bulkhead smashed the closest drill with his close combat weapon, wrecking balls, while the other Autobots charged firing. Arcee kicked the closest Con and grabbed with her feet the head of the next one before tearing it apart. Cliffjumper engaged a few big Decepticons engineers, which had tanks of energy on their backs which could turn into MTT, and simply slide around them as he turned his hands into blades and sliced their tanks, causing them to explode. Bumblebee jumped high and fired at the Con he had in front, and dodged in time a drill that was coming at him. The drill was grabbed by Optimus that fired it at its side before pushing it back. Bulkhead fired his turret at vehicle form at one Decepticon before changing his course and smashing one engineer with his walker's feet. At the same time, back at base…
"What is this, anyway?" Han asked looking at some device.
"Broken. Don't touch." Ratchet simply answered without even looking. Han was about to touch it anyway. "Don't touch that either."
"Is there anything in here we can touch?" Luke asked.
Before Ratchet could answer, the computer's screen showed a window which said Access Denied, which frustrated Ratchet.
"How come you guys are using computers of our technology?" Aris asked.
"It certainly isn't by choice. It was handed down from the previous talents when we inherited this former republic base. I made modifications as I see fit." Ratchet answered as he tried to solve the problem, but more windows appeared with the same message, making Ratchet groan.
"I think I can fix that. BB-8, come here." Aris called.
"Really? You know this is complex technology, don't you? I mean it isn't a child's toy." Ratchet reminded.
"You know Ratchet, no one knows more of informatic than Aris of all of us." Sky reassured.
Aris typed some things on her portable computer while BB-8 connected with the base network in the droid main entrance. After a couple of seconds, BB-8 gave Aris a thumb up with a flame.
"Try now." She said.
Immediately all windows disappeared and were replaced by allowed signals, Ratchet looked at Aris with astonishment.
"Although I'm a Jedi, that doesn't mean that I can't help by other ways." Aris said proud.
Back to the energon mine, Bulkhead smashed another drill away, sending the driver flying before being shot down by Optimus. The Autobots continued advancing as another wave of enemies approached.
"Maximum overdrive!" Optimus ordered as he and the other Autobots changed to vehicle form.
That allowed them to evade the Decepticons' shots. Arcee, Optimus and Bulkhead even returned fire with their vehicle form's natural weapons, while Cliffjumper and Bumblebee simply passed them. After that, they reached to the mine's main room.
"Quite an operation." Cliffjumper observed.
But immediately the Cons fired at them from everywhere, so they fired back. Meanwhile, inside the Nemesis, Megatron was in a chamber which stored all the dark energon that he found inside a force field.
"Blood of Unicron, how might I fathom the depths of your mysteries? Become worthy of wielding your astonishing power?" Megatron said, viewing the substance.
"Lord Megatron, intruders have been detected in the mines." Starscream reported through a comm-terminal.
"Optimus?"
"Indeed."
"I need more time to prepare an appropriate reception for my old friend. Ready the ship for departure." Megatron instructed.
"But the energon I've mined, the Autobots will seize it!" Starscream reminded.
"Then blow the mines."
The Autobots continued returning fire, until Arce spotted something in one of the upper levels.
"There he is. I have a visual." Arcee announced.
"We'll cover you. Go!" Optimus ordered.
Arcee advanced toward the ramp that leaded to the upper levels and changed to her vehicle form.
"Metal to the pedal, partner!" Cliff encouraged from the bottom.
Arcee made use of her vehicle form's weapons to eliminate the Decepticons that she found on her way up. She even used her acrobatics to finally reach the destinated level. She was horrified at seeing the Autobot with only one half of the body. But the things got worse when the Decepticons fired at the floor where she and the Autobot were, making it to start collapsing.
"Hold on!" She yelled.
She managed to grab the Autobot's hand during the fall, and the team terminated with the last Cons.
"Don't worry, soldier. We'll get you home." Arcee reassured.
But when the Autobot showed his monstrous face, Arcee was terrified at the point to lost grip of his hand, making him fall to his true death. The next they heard was a familiar manically laugh, which came from the upper level.
"What? How is it possible?" Starscream said, referring to Cliffjumper, but no one noticed it. "No matter. Prime! I'd stick around but I'm squeamish."
Starscream dropped a little device that made a repeating sound before jumping in the air and changing to his starfighter form, flying back to the Nemesis. The Autobots knew the nature of the device.
"It's a bomb!" Cliffjumper recognized.
"The joint's gonna blow!" Bulkhead added.
"Autobots, roll out!" Optimus ordered.
The five Autobots changed to vehicle form to get away as fast as they could from the incoming explosion going through the same tunnel from which they came. When the bomb exploded, it created a huge blue explosion which not reached to the Nemesis, but was coming right behind the Autobots.
"Ratchet, bridge us back! Use the arrival coordinates, now!" Optimus called through the com-link.
The team passed through the portal, and the explosion seemed to followed them too. But Ratchet closed the bridge just in time.
"Whoa." The children expressed amazed.
"Cutting it a bit close. How about the new recruit?" Ratchet asked.
But the Autobots' expression was more than enough to say that he didn't make it.
"What was that explosion? Was there a fight? Can I go next time?" Han started to ask.
"Whoa, take it easy, newbie. First let us handle all the experience of today." Cliff answered.
"Hey Han, let's go see what the Bots hide in their inside rooms." Luke suggested, in order to direct his attention.
"Seriously?" Han said.
"Arcee, what did you see?" Optimus asked.
"Not one of us. At least, not anymore." She said affected. "The poor Autobot was mutated, butchered like something from those Con experiments during the war." Suddenly she started trembled to her knees.
"(Arcee, are you okay?)" Bee asked as he was going to help her.
"I'm fine, just dizzy." Arcee reassured.
"Droids who get dizzy?" Aris asked surprised.
"Droids with emotions." Leia observed.
"Droids…who can die." Luke said.
"No doubt they are special." Sky added.
Ratchet started scanning Arcee with a blue scanner from his arm. Then he got a red reading when the scanner reached her hand.
"Hum. What is this?" Ratchet asked, seeing a purple stain on her hand.
"Don't know. But that Autobot was covered in it. Leaking it." Arcee answered.
Ratchet scrapped it off with a lab tool. "Go take a decontamination bath. Now."
Bumblebee helped Arcee to go to the sickbay.
"Optimus, I hate to interrupt but BB-8 can't get a signal. Not even our comm-devices." Luke showed.
"A security precaution: the base's walls isolate all radio waves." Optimus explained.
"Well, if we don't call our mom right now, she would not hesitate to send the security forces to look for us."
"Have you broken a law?" Optimus asked.
"Oh no, but because we are so young, we can't go out until so late. So, our parents would ground us for sure." Leia clarified.
"That goes for us too. We can get permission from our parents to travel to one very known planet to meet, but only if we promise to return at a very specific hour. And both Sky and me live in different star systems." Aris explained.
"Yeah, I better get home too soon. Or my parents will ground me for a year." Sky added.
"Native customs, I hadn't considered it. But the issue of your safety remains. Those of you who live in different planets will be transported there by the ground bridge, and accompanied by at least one Autobot guardian. Bulkhead, accompany Han home." Optimus called.
"Awesome, I will not have to get host parents. My parents will freak back in Corellia." Han said excited.
"And maintain covert surveillance in vehicle form." Optimus instructed.
"Curbside duty. Got it." Bulkhead nodded. That made Han groan in disappointment.
"Bumblebee, you will watch over Luke and Leia. Take them and BB-8 back to Theed." Optimus followed.
Bumblebee nodded as he saw the twins smiling at him, and BB-8 also seemed excited to have a new droid friend.
"Cliffjumper, you'll take Aris back home."
"Got it, Prime. So, where exactly you live?"
"In Mandalore's capital: Sundari." Aris answered.
"You're a Jedi and also mandalorian? You must be so lucky." Cliff said impressed.
"Ratchet." Optimus started.
"Busy." Ratchet answered immediately.
"Arcee, you will accompany Sky. Where do you live?" Optimus asked.
"Onderon. A little away from the city."
"Oh, of course, Optimus. But I still feel a little dizzy. Maybe we will need to wait for a little." Arcee said a little nervous.
"You're fine. Says your physician." Ratchet reassured.
Onderon
Once on his planet, Sky guided Arcee to his house. Just like he told it was in the outsides of the city, near to a peaceful lake and a small piece of jungle. At the distance the city was visible.
"This is where you live? It's a beautiful place." Arcee said amazed.
"Yes, it's a calm place."
"Are your parents at home?"
"Not yet. I have to go back home before nightfall."
Arcee decided to change back to robot form to take a better look of the place. "Woah, the views here must be incredible."
"Arcee, I just wanted to say I'm really sorry for your loss."
"What do you mean? Oh, you don't have to. I didn't know that Autobot, whoever was. But thanks anyway. So, who are your parents?"
But Sky didn't have time to answer, because suddenly they saw a speeder coming at them.
"Oh no, the Cons." Arcee said alarmed as she readied her weapons.
"No! They're my parents. Hide!" Sky shouted as he went to receive them.
"Sky?" A young female voice called.
"Mom, dad, welcome home. First, don't be scare, I can explain it."
"Why should we be scare? Of course, I hope you can explain this." A young male voice said.
Two persons exited the vehicle: a young man of blue eyes, light skin and brown hair and a young female togruta with the same blue eyes as Sky.
"What exactly are you referring?" Sky asked confused.
"This. What is this speeder bike doing here?" His mother asked, pointing at Arcee in vehicle form.
"Oh, that. I just found it this morning at the jungle. It was very dirty, so I planned to bring her home to give her a wash. And because no one was there I decided to also paint her a little." Sky invented.
"Her? I didn't know you consider it a girl." His father said.
"I guess the colors says everything. But honey, I don't think you should have it. You're still too young to ride a speeder bike."
"I don't want to ride it, mom. I just wanted it to keep myself occupied, or do something new. Besides when I'm with my friends."
"It's fine for me, since he has never done anything for which he could be grounded. You know our son is very kind and responsible, we taught him to be like that." His father reassured.
"Well, since you have done something as good as this, I think you're ready to take responsibility for something, even it is only an abandoned vehicle." His mother said as a green convor appeared flying and landed on her shoulder. "That's why I will entrust Morai so she would go wherever you go and stay with you to be sure you're okay. At least when you decide to test her here on Onderon. But at least take all security measures necessary. You're going to show it to your friends?"
"Of course. She is also very kind. I will go in just a minute; I'm going to park her inside." Sky told.
"Okay. Don't be late." His father said as he and the mother entered the house.
"Your mother is commander Ahsoka Tano?" Arcee asked surprised.
"What? You know my mom?" Sky asked surprised too.
"Well, Team Prime supported the Republic a lot of times during the Clone Wars, so it is not a surprise that sometimes I had an encounter with the former apprentice of Anakin Skywalker. Now I know why those white paintings on your face were so familiar, just like your mother's. Also, your father looks familiar to me, but I don't remember why. Tell me, your father is a senator?"
"Yes. He represents Onderon in the galactic senate of the Republic."
"Senator Lux Bonteri. Of course, why didn't I see that coming? Your second names are Bonteri and Tano. Surely you have special parents."
"Well, it's not a big deal."
"Something's wrong?" Arcee asked, a little concerned.
"Because of their roles they have to spend too much time far from home, so I do not spend much time with them." Sky said a little sad.
"So, you are a lonesome?"
"Well, not exactly. My mom taught me everything she knows about the Force, and my dad used to tell me about their adventures in the Clone Wars. There is the problem. All the time that I spend with them is only Jedi training or learning about the mistakes and lessons of the past. I wish I could pass more time with them and do more fun things, like a normal family." Sky expressed.
"I…didn't know it, Sky."
"That's why I prefer to stay with my friends, to have some fun and make good memories. But sometimes I wish I could have someone else to watch for me, someone who help them to take care of me, someone who I can count with when I need it. Like a big sister, you know… someone like you, Arcee."
That caught Arcee by surprise. "Oh. I…I don't know what to say. Hey, I have an idea. What do you think if tomorrow we start a new beginning? To do things and spend some time together? Just you and me."
"Really? You mean it?"
"If Cliff has no horns, I would not be being serious."
"Thanks a lot, Arcee. Good night." Sky said hugging her before he and the convor entered the house.
That night Arcee felt something new she never felt before, something she could only feel in her spark as she watched the starts.
Mandalore
Meanwhile, far from there, someone else was preparing to get home. Cliffjumper was taking Aris through Sundari, until they finally arrived to Aris's home.
"This is where you live? That's the Royal Palace." Cliff said as he whistled.
"Exactly. Now Cliff, I'm going to check if there is a possible room for you, but please don't get any illusions. My mother is a strict woman and have her own rules when it comes to vehicles."
"Don't worry, I have everything under control. That woman can be so hard at the beginning, but once you know her very well it doesn't look so bad."
"Huh?" Aris asked confused.
"Aris."
From the palace came a blonde woman wearing an elegant dress and escorted by royal guards.
"Hi mom. I was going inside very soon."
"I didn't expect you arriving very early, but I guess that means everything went just fine. I'm glad you're home, dear. And it's good to see you again, Cliffjumper."
"What?!" Aris asked in disbelief. "Mom, I don't know what are you talking about."
But immediately the Autobot changed to robot form.
"Relax Aris, there is no need to hide it. This is not the first time I visit Mandalore."
"You know my mother?" Aris asked.
"Indeed. I met her during the crisis of the civil war, caused by the Death Watch's great divide. I offered my support to the ally forces during the Clone Wars."
"Your assistance helped Mandalore to endure it's darkest hour. As I said it that day, you are always welcome here."
"You're welcome, duchess Satine." Cliffjumper thanked.
"Mom, I'm sorry I didn't tell you. Everything happened so fast and…"
"There is no need for you to apologies, dear. Of all possible companions of the galaxy that could accompany you, Cliffjumper is the best." Her mother said.
"Don't thank me, courtesy of Optimus. He asked me to watch for her." Cliff explained.
"Well, I would wish to hear it from you. Come on, dinner is almost made." Satine concluded, taking her daughter's hand. "So, does your father know about this?"
"No. I think it would be best that he doesn't know it for now."
"I agree with you."
Meanwhile, inside the Nemesis, which was in middle of space, in the chamber which contained the dark energon…
"I don't think you need to worry about further Autobot interference, master. Not with Optimus gone." Starscream said.
"And what evidence do you possess of this fact?" Megatron asked.
"I destroyed the mines, as you instructed."
"Optimus is not so easily destroyed. We have eons of battles behind us to prove it." Megatron pointed.
"Maybe you should take a break, my lord. I'm worried that too much contact with the dark energon might allow its properties to adversely affect you."
"Or perhaps, Starscream, I have not permitted myself contact enough." Megatron said as he ripped off a piece of dark energon.
Starscream started to get nervous, knowing what Megatron was thinking to do. "Wait, Lord Megatron. No! Not your spark chamber! You do not know what it will do!"
But Megatron didn't listen to him and did it. In the moment he inserted the dark energon piece in his spark chamber he started to feel how the substance expanded through all his body. Meanwhile, Ratchet was examining the same substance.
"Hum, the base elements of this goo are like nothing I ever encountered. Must been extremely concentrated to affect Arcee so rapidly." Ratchet analyzed as he used tongs to pick up the glass that contained the sample. "Unfortunately, complete results are slow coming without the use of proper diagnostic tools. Thank you very much, Bulkhead."
What he didn't realize is that a drop of the sample fell onto the mechanical arm that Bulkhead broke. Then the piece absorbed the substance and started to change, until it turned into some kind of small spider-like droid with one purple eye that started to crawl around like a living being.
To be continued…