Disclaimer: Oh my, sorry for the long wait. I'v been so very distracted with everything going on lately. Hopefully, this latest chapter will make up for my tardiness. Thank you for your patience.
I don't own the rights to Transformers.
Chapter VIII
Optimus Prime and Windblade continued on their way back to the Alchemor with the Allspark in their possession. As they were within reach of the ship, Windblade noticed two large figures moving in between each other. The Alchemor was in the area along with another vessel. Optimus Prime suddenly banked to his immediate right and Windblade followed his lead. They reached the single space rock under which both Primal and Breakaway was hiding. No words were exchanged, but Primal directed Optimus Prime's attention to the ongoing fight.
Optimus looked toward the fight and was able to clearly make out Volcanicus. The other figure was unrecognizable, but it had the telltale aspects of a combiner. Volcanicus and the mystery combiner continued their fight, landing blow after blow that knocked them back. The mystery combiner managed to gain a brief upper hand and sent Volcanicus into a nearby space rock. Volcanicus took a moment to recover before his opponent nearly waylaid him and a brief pause followed.
"WHAT THE SCRUD ARE YOU?" Volcanicus bellowed.
The mystery combiner hoarsely replied, "I… AM… PIRANHACON!"
Volcanicus growled and launched right back into the fight against the combiner called Piranhacon. They collided and wrestled for dominance, slamming each other into space rocks. With each slam, they sent smaller bits of rocks flying in every direction. Volcanicus and Piranhacon broke off from their grappling and proceeded to trade punches back and forth. Both held their ground, which seemed ironic given they were fighting within Saturn's ring.
Meanwhile in their hiding spot, Breakaway asked Optimus Prime, "We've got a plan for that thing, right, Optimus?"
"We have no choice but to allow Volcanicus to distract this new enemy while we get to the Alchemor." Optimus Prime said.
"Optimus, look." Windblade said while she pointed toward the Alchemor.
The Terminus was inching closer to the Alchemor. Several figures started emerging from the Alchemor, and Primal instantly recognized the as his fellow Maximals. He also noticed Sky-Byte and Waspinator among them and that the other were unresponsive. He put two and two together and launched toward the Terminus in a fit of rage. Sky-Byte took notice of the incoming Maximal leader but couldn't stop Primal from colliding with him. They spiraled over each other, during which Primal laid into Sky-Byte with rabid punches.
As they were fighting it out, Waspinator was distracted. He turned his head and mused in dismay as Breakaway came right after him. Breakaway opened fire on Waspinator, who zipped around the blasts as they came. Waspinator proved his cowardice when he took shelter behind one of the disabled Maximals, Metalhawk. Breakaway was forced to hold fire, but Waspinator was free to fire on him.
Primal continued pummeling Sky-Byte before they briefly broke off. "I should've known you'd stab us in the back, Sky-Byte. But I never thought you'd sell out to Lockdown."
"Lockdown pays pretty well, all things considered. And, he's at least realistic about a lot of things." Sky-Byte countered.
"We have the Allspark. We can restore Cybertron, we can go home. Don't you get that?" Primal asked.
"Cybertron's dead and you know it. There's no sense trying to save a planet killed by eons of war." Sky-Byte claimed.
"I don't believe that." Primal said.
Sky-Byte deployed a sword and said, "Then you're more naïve than I thought."
Primal deployed a pairs of battle swords and rushed Sky-Byte, who did the same. They collided weapons and started a swift battle of slashes and swipes. They each managed to avoid any immediate damage from the onset. Then Sky-Byte gained the upper hand, putting Primal on the defensive. Primal was able to block or deflect Sky-Byte's assault which consisted of numerous strikes and slashes. Each blow drove Primal back before the Maximal leader shifted his position.
Then Primal deployed a pair of shoulder mounted cannons and fired two blasts directly at Sky-Byte. Sky-Byte managed to deflect the shots and charged forward. Primal charged to meet him and they collided again. As they fought, Optimus Prime and Windblade moved in on the disabled Alchemor. Windblade moved to the view port and found the Autobots inside similarly disabled. Optimus Prime moves to the open hatch and placed the Allspark on the ramp.
Windblade regrouped with Optimus Prime, who said to her, "Windblade, take the Allspark inside and try to revive the crew."
"What about you, Optimus?" Windblade asked.
"I will attempt to recover the Maximals. Now get inside the ship." Optimus replied before he jetted away.
Waspinator continued to hold Breakaway at bay while he hid behind Metalhawk's frame. Breakaway waited for a pause in the firing before attempting to make his move. He quickly got to flying but Waspinator continued firing on him. Breakaway made his move and jetted straight at Waspinator, but Waspinator finally landed a shot. The shot sent Breakaway spiraling into a nearby space rock, and Waspinator chuckled.
"Rwah ha ha ha, Waspinator has jet bot where Waspinator want him. Waspinator will enjoy scrapping jet bot."
"You talk too much, you know that?" Breakaway defiantly replied.
Waspinator chuckled more and prepared to finish the job, saying, "Say bye bye, jet bot."
"Bye bye!" a voice suddenly called out.
Before Waspinator could react, he heard a sound approaching from behind him. He spun around just in time to see Metalhawk flying right at him with a sword deployed. Metalhawk came in too fast for Waspinator to move, and he was instantly cleaved in half. His lower torso and legs flailed and drifted away, leaving his upper torso to drift aimlessly in place. Breakaway saw his opening and fired a blast at the hapless bot.
Waspinator screamed out, "NOOOOOOO…." before he was blow to bits. His head floated away, still whimpering.
Metalhawk reached Breakaway and held his hand out to aid him. "You good, kid?"
"I'll live," Breakaway replied just before he noticed the Terminus drawing the other Maximals into its structure… and Dark Steel was among them. "Oh no!"
"We've gotta get the crew right now." Metalhawk declared.
Before they could make their move, the hulking mass of Piranhacon loomed them. The beastly combiner took a swipe at both bots and sent them flying. Metalhawk managed to recover but Piranhacon was already on top of him. Before he could do anything, Volcanicus arrived and plowed into him. They struggled against each other, landing punch after punch and throwing one another into any space rock they could find. In doing so however, they sent even more debris flying and unknowingly making it more difficult for Metalhawk or Breakaway to reach the Terminus.
There was still a chance, though. Optimus Prime was making his way to the Terminus. The ship opened fire on the incoming Autobot leader, but most of the shots missed their mark. Optimus Prime managed to avoid nearly every shot while deflecting others with the Star Saber. He then avoided one shot and closed in on the Terminus, but he looked back and saw that same shot heading directly for Primal. Primal was still fighting Sky-Byte and was oblivious to the incoming attack.
"Primal!" Optimus Prime called out.
Primal's attention was drawn to Optimus Prime's call and he spun just in time to see the shot coming. Sky-Byte bailed out while Primal fires his shoulder cannons at the incoming blast. The projectiles collided, and the ensuing detonation sent Primal spiraling into a nearby space rock. The impact knocked Primal out and left him out cold. Optimus Prime was left in a state of conflict before rushing to recover Primal. In doing so however, it allowed for the Maximals to drawn into the Terminus. Sky-Byte watched Optimus Prime recover Primal but didn't attack him, instead returning to the Terminus.
In the control center for the Terminus, Lockdown watched Optimus Prime recover Primal. He checked the other Maximals and appeared satisfied with the haul. "Sky-Byte, we've got what we need. Head back inside."
"Already on board. What about Primal?" Sky-Byte asked.
"He won't be a problem." Lockdown claimed before hitting a switch on the console.
A large cannon appeared on the underside of the Terminus, and it moved into position adjacent of the Alchemor. Optimus Prime managed to get Primal to the hull of the ship and turned to see the Terminus in a firing position. The Terminus fired the cannon, sending a straight line of violet energy streaking straight at the Alchemor. Optimus Prime was already airborne and ready to take the hit, even knowing it would've liking killed him. But before he was able to, Volcanicus jumped right in front of the beam.
The impact sent a blinding white light expanding in all directions, but Volcanicus took the full force of the beam. He bellowed in outrage, but he held on for all he was worth. Of the six Dinobots that made up his mighty frame, only one was thrown clear of the blast and onto the Alchemor's hull. The one component was Quickstrike. He assumed his robot form in time watch his fellow Dinobots vanish in infinite white. An explosion followed, pushing the Alchemor back.
From the control center of his ship, Lockdown watched the explosion and saw nothing more than debris. But then he saw that the Alchemor was intact but drifting. The debris was from the combiner that jumped in the way of the cannon blast. Lockdown leaned back in his seat as Sky-Byte entered the room. Sky-Byte looked at the screen to see the Alchemor, but he noted that Lockdown seemed nonplussed.
"The Seacons are on board and accounted for, but we lost Waspinator." Sky-Byte reported.
"What about the Maximals?" Lockdown asked.
"We've secured four of the six, plus the one called Dark Steel. That leaves only Primal and Metalhawk." Sky-Byte said.
"Better than nothing. Let's take the Maximals we have to Cybertron." Lockdown said as he worked the console.
"We're not going after Primal and Metalhawk?" Sky-Byte wondered.
"We've got Primal's crew. He'll come to Cybertron for them." Lockdown reasoned.
"I doubt our employer will appreciate the lack of Primal among the group." Sky-Byte said.
"I don't much care what he thinks, just as long as we get what we're owed for bringing him the Maximals." Lockdown said.
The Terminus shifted away from the Alchemor and started flying away. On the Alchemor's hull, Optimus Prime, Breakaway and Metalhawk aided Primal in recovering. Then they watched as a small piece of what used to be Volcanicus floated by. Another piece floated along, one that clearly belonged to Grimlock. Optimus Prime grasper the piece of his friend and gripped it tightly.
Elsewhere on a nearby rock, Quickstrike stood upright watching the remains of his fellow Dinobots float by. One such piece came to him and he caught it. It was clearly the wingtip of Swoop, charred but still recognizable. Quickstrike stares at the wingtip for a moment before he gripped it. He quietly mused at the loss of his brothers, then became angry and started growling. Then, Quickstrike let out a bellow of pure rage.
"GRAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!"
The cavernous structures that made up the underbelly of Cybertron seemed to go on forever. Alone without the Technobots, Brainstorm and Sari knew they had to stay together in the twisting maze of their surroundings. Maybe it was pure luck that Brainstorm was able to pick a energy spike. So it was natural, and probably wise, to follow it. But there was also the obvious mystery of from where the spike originated. That alone gave the two, Sari in particular, more than a little cause for concern.
But Sari trusted Brainstorm in more ways than one. Ever since the revelation of her own Cybertronian nature, he stuck with her and supported her. He'd almost become like a big brother to her. As sentimental as it seemed, Sari knew she could put her faith in Brainstorm. So she continued to follow him down the catacomb-like structures of Cybertron, hoping that the energy spike would lead to some kind salvation.
"Sari, you want to try contacting the Technobots again?" Brainstorm asked.
"I can try, but I'm still getting used to my… systems." Sari replied, sounding confused and flustered.
Brainstorm stopped short and knelt down in front of Sari. "Take your time, okay? It's just like I showed you."
Then Brainstorm inched his one finger near the right side of Sari's head, almost directing her to do the same. He kept focused, but Sari felt awkward to the feeling of cold steel on her still Human face. She managed to get it together and pressed her fingers to her ear. Something clicked in her head and she could hear a faint static-like noise. Brainstorm gave her a nod and backed away, allowing Sari to act on her accord and at her own pace.
Sari then said, "Sari to Scattershot, can you hear me," There was no response, but Sari tried again. "Strafe? Afterburner?"
Brainstorm knelt back down. "Keep trying, Sari."
"Lightspeed? Nosecone? Rattletrap," she cringed, and Brainstorm humorously waved off the last name. Sari sighed in frustration, "It's no use. They can't hear us."
"It's okay, Sari. It's likely that the closer we get to the energy spike, the less likely they'll hear us." Brainstorm said.
"Ironically, that energy spike is the only lead we've got."
"Yeah, so like it or not, we've got to follow it." Brainstorm said.
Sari could only sigh and commented, "I hope this doesn't go anymore south than it already has."
"You and me both." Brainstorm replied.
Sari chuckled a bit before changing the subject. "So this idea you mentioned back on Earth... what is it exactly?"
"It's a little something Wheeljack, Highbrow and I discussed. The idea more or less involves a Human and a Cybertronian, how do I put this, interfacing to form a kind of symbiotic relationship." Brainstorm explained.
Sari was flustered and said, "Whoa, you mean like a courtship or something? I think that's reserved exclusively for Human."
"Not like that. Human and Cybertronians already coexist, but what I'm talking about is maybe there's a way for both to work together as one." Brainstorm clarified.
"You mean like a Human operator inside a Cybertronian body, like a car on Earth." Sari said.
Brainstorm added, "Not quite like an Earth vehicle. I'm talking like a Human partnered with a Cybertronian; a symbiotic pairing. The question is where to keep said Human when we're in our robot forms."
"Whoa, Brainstorm. That's really deep... and oddly enticing." Sari quipped.
Brainstorm chuckled, "Yeah. We should keep going."
The duo continued on in the direction of the energy spike, unaware that they were being followed. A short distance away, the two piloted vehicles from before inched along. In the jet vehicle, Giga monitored Brainstorm and Sari closely. The tank vehicle that Mega control inched forward just a little bit but stayed close to the jet.
"Giga…" called the voice of the mysterious third party.
"The two are making their way to you as we speak. Should we do the same?" Giga asked.
"Shadow them for now. Let them come to me but remember; the girl is not to be harmed."
"And her companion?" Giga asked.
"The Autobot is… expendable. Bring me the girl." The voice demanded before cutting out.
"How do you want to handle this, Giga?" Mega asked from the tank vehicle.
After some thought, Giga replied, "Let's show that Autobot what our two vehicles can really do. Activate the Overlord Protocol."
The two vehicles then closed in on each other. The tank took a stationary position while the jet hovered above it. Then the shifting began. The tank shifted first, forming a set of burly legs and a lower torso. The jet followed suit, shifting into a chest and arms. Other pieces shifted as the two vehicles connected to one another. In their place stood a hulking figure, complete with burning red optics.
Brainstorm and Sari continued on their trek through the catacombs of Cybertron, following the energy spike that was their only lead. The tunnel they traversed still seemed to go on forever, but Brainstorm was sure they were closing in on the source. Sari grew more concerned that something was off. She put it out of her mind and followed Brainstorm further, unaware of three sets of glowing eyes were watching them.
The pair continued onward and started to notice a steady increase in brightness in front of them. Onward they went, and the brightness now illuminated the space they occupied. After the long trek, they appeared to find the source of the energy spike. An enormous structure stood before them, adorned of a silver and jet black color scheme not unlike the rest of the planet Cybertron. But then Brainstorm noticed something unusual and he pressed his fingers to the side of his head. Sari guessed that Brainstorm was scanning the structure, but then he suddenly stopped.
"You've got to be kidding me." He said to himself.
"Brainstorm? What is it?" Sari asked.
Brainstorm turned around to face Sari and told her, "We're right at the feet of Fortress Maximus."
"You mean that big tower we saw earlier. Didn't you mention that Fortress Maximus was decommissioned?"
"He still supposed to be decommissioned, but that energy spike is here and piquing. So either he's been at minimal power all this time, or…" Brainstorm trailed off.
"Or what…?"
"Or someone's reactivated him." Brainstorm finished just as he and Sari heard a loud footstep.
"What was that?" Sari asked, and another footstep sounded.
Brainstorm didn't waste a moment and took a defensive stance with Sari right behind him. He armed up and waited for the footsteps to draw closer. They sounded metallic but heavy, so whoever was approaching had to be big. Very big. Brainstorm wasn't about to back down, not after so many of his friends were gone. He was going to stand his ground, all the while doing whatever it took to protect Sari.
The footsteps drew closer, the sound of metal on metal growing heavier. Brainstorm saw what appeared to be large shadow approaching. The light from Fortress Maximus was the only thing illuminating the area, but that was enough for Brainstorm to just make a pair feet approaching. He looked back at Sari, and she wasn't backing away. To his surprise, Sari looked like she was ready to fight. Brainstorm couldn't help but admire her courage given what she'd endured.
But the sound of those heavy footsteps drew Brainstorm and Sari's attention. They stood ready for anything. They just weren't ready for the reveal of their intruder. They were made to look up, and up, as the hulking mass of steel loomed over them. The giant robot, with a color scheme of silver, blue and purple, looked down on the duo with glowing crimson optic and a scowl on its face. Then it reached down at near lightning speed and grabbed Brainstorm by the neck and lifted him up by one hand. Brainstorm flailed in the grip of this monster that had him in a proverbial death grip. Sari tried to rush the giant but she was kicked away.
Brainstorm laboriously asked, "What are you?"
The giant coldly and robotically replied, "Designation: Overlord."
Author's Note: Oh no, things just went from bad to so much worse for the Autobots. But they got the Allspark now so it's all going to be okay... or is it? Stay tuned for the next entry... and stay safe and healthy.
