BIG MOUNTAIN
MATRIX TITAN CHAPTER NINETEEN: EYE KNOW
"DA FUCK YOU WANT TERRA?!" Listening to a crude ruffle noise from the background, as the geokinesis was being flipped right off her seat, along with something being shattered. Hah! He would've enjoyed his snickering by her startled reaction from his sludge hammer voice, if it didn't hurt so damn much. Wincing between his indignation of the ongoing muscle tightness around his abdomen, after adjusting himself from the bed. The little short ass was least expected to be identified out of the blue. Cyborg devilishly smiled as Terra was still shaken at catching her breath.
"How, how do you know who I was?" She trembled at gaining back her firm persona.
Admittedly, if he was at his usual stubborn self, he would've disconnected the line in a matter of a second. However, hunger began to suddenly flare within him after a grand idea have struck him. Hacking into the whereabouts of her location by communicator. It might take a moment, but shit, that's all he needs by keeping this fool talking long enough.
"I don't think that's none of your damn business. But if you must ask, I have my way around of who I know, and don't know, and a little bit of a hell of a lot more than some. Dammit I hope this is a miss call, cause you got a lot of nerve in contacting me after that last stint we have."
"Please I beg you! "Terra dwindles in desperation." I know my apologies don't mean nothing for the actions I've have done, would not be forgiven. But please Cyborg just hear me out just this once. It may sound crazy, but it was not me who cause a great deal of harm towards you guys, and the city, but my clone. I know it was just for a moment, but I know you long enough that you're the only person among the team, that I know who won't shut people out before saying their word. Or at least in theory I hope. That is the very reason why I felt comfortable enough in contacting you first."
She knows him too damn well. Cyborg savagely vent. Desperately fighting beyond his means from crushing his device with his bear size hands, after having zero luck of pinning down her exact location.
"Hello ... are you still here?"
"Unfortunately, you have no idea. "Cyborg drowse of rubbing his worn eyes after losing the drive to sleep. " And don't worry about that. We already been informed of your little background, as well with the connection of Cadmus after your clone have run amok across jump city. Terra, please get to the point on where you going with this crap." Sensing her damned blossoming smile being spread from the other end. Slamming his head back against the pillows from what he just said.
"I promise, this won't take long. First, the whole situation of me being involved with your father is not what you think. I'm actually an undercover agent for a certain organization….No, wait that's not right, 'I'm actually working under one of the main people whose with the organization."
Yeah sure, as if he's going to play along with this dumbass game as to guess who the fuck this is? Then up hers!" It sounded to me like you've been reunited with.…"
"It's not Slade."
His face, taking a morphing effect of a black puffer fish by her subdue tone. Dispensing from his puffer expression by taken a huge deep breath before exhaling, with liquid contents being sprayed from his perturbed lips. "Terra, I'm fighting myself real hard here of not losing my damn mind, and preventing myself from shooting my communicator. Oh, I'll definitely will regret it of getting my ass chewed out. But hey, I will at least get the satisfying results of making you bleed from your earlobe after my gun goes off. Unless you hurry up, and tell me who it is, were done." Cyborg being the deceptive craftsman as he is, lied. And through his heavy heart, really missed his primary weapon.
"I can't exploit the identity of this person. He would know if I did!"
"Terra."
"Okay, okay just give me your word you won't tell anyone. Not even Robin. I don't think he would like the idea who he is. Deal?"
"Yeah sure whatever just spit it out would ya?"
"Okay fine! Its Batman. There, your happy!?" She sarcastically court.
"Cared to repeat that?" Cyborg daze from his abrupt shock.
"I said its Bat…"
"Yeah, yeah I've heard you the first time. I meant to say how?" He loosely said. Already close to consideration of contacting jazz at requesting a little something special for his nagging migraines. The thin thumping beats of his brain being whack against the cranial cavity suggest so. And starting to bang even harder from what Terra was about to say next.
"It's a complicated story. Let's just say the great detective has been keeping a microscopic close eye on his former apprentice after the ruckus with Trigon, and my copy being turned to a statue. It was no coincidence that your father was also doing the same at filling in a couple of spots, after Slade and Red X have bailed from his royal pledge. I wasn't lying when I said your father help me a great deal of gaining complete control of my powers on the spot, after my clone memories have zip right to my head. Like literally by a simple touch. So, I made a simple vow, but not without being apprehensive because something was off about him that seems to fit the description of stranger danger. So, instead of going out of my way in try to reunite with you guys, I decided to move straight to Gotham and gain Batmans attention….by vandalizing his Batmobile. It's a cut and dry with that man after giving me a simple choice of redemption, or to face punishment. It wasn't hard in which one I pick."
"So that's what Robin was afraid of. Prompts on getting Batmans attention by the way." Cyborg said at standing straight up from his bed, while allowing his Energon cells to have free rain in circulating his stiff body." Man, Robin is going to be pissed if this gets out. Anyway, I'm not really all that sold from the story you just told. That skirmish we had at the leading light is self-explanatory enough. Still, batman of all people, really?"
"Yeah I know right? And he dangerously made it clear with me of keeping things classified from everyone. And second, I have to make this fight real convincing, otherwise my cover will be blown, duh."
"Alright I get what you're saying, and it's not like I believe you or anything since I can tell you're not lying. And no, I'm not telling you how, I just do alright? What I'm trying to say is that it's going to take a while to patch things up between us. So, I'll ask again Terra, what do you want from me?"
"Nothing, I just want someone to hear my side of the story is all. And trust is the last thing I want from you, including the others. I'm only trying to undo the things that my clone has cause. As well as Beast Boy. Seeing his hurt face still makes me weak just thinking about it. That's why I would rather let my actions do the talking."
"Well you could let your actions start doing the talking, starting with Aqualad, and what my father is planning on, including the information regarding the data."
That's the strange part, we were assuming that you guys were going after Starscream and the data of the curse matrix that he obtained. We were not aware that there was another data lurking within the ship. "As for what he's planning on once everything is collected? Beats me. Well, beside the dawn of ultimate peace shall come, or some B.S. he's been preaching about. Other than that, he's just been sending me, and Aqualad in collecting heaping amounts of those things called Energon. Ever since aiding with Aqualad in braking Johnny out, things have really started to pick up, once the manhunt for the matrix has started. As for Aqualad? I'm sorry Cyborg, but he's really been hell bent in being committed on whatever task they throw at him. Unless you could find a way to beat some senses into him, he's gone for good."
"Yeah it figures." Cyborg gruff.
"But you know what's funny? The orders we've been given, is not through Silas, but by an unknown person who's goes by the name of Unicron. Ever heard such a weird name like that?" Terra said, causing Cyborg to almost crush his communicator.
"As a matter of fact, I do. Terra listen, that person you're working with is all kinds of bad news. Batman maybe a complete hard ass, but just like Robin, I'm quite sure he heavily emphasizes the term safety. As in you've better get your shit now, and leave! Dammit woman I'm trying to tell you that I take back everything I said. And I hundred percent for give you!" Cyborg sincerely dumping all his lenience to the former teammate. Waiting for any form of response from the other end over a long moment of mute silence, before hearing a light sniffle. Like she is about to…Oh no she is not! Cyborg panicked." Terra, cry later, ass moving!
"I'm not crying!... I just have something in my eye okay? Geez….. and thank you. But its not going to be enough to cover the debts to everyone that I've hurt. I have to get going. I'll keep in touch with you soon."
"Terra you dumb…. just don't die on me twice, alright?"
"I take that as a deal. And don't worry, I kept our little exchange and superman a secret from Batman. Have a hunch you will be confined indefinitely, like I have, if it were to be disclosed. Your welcome!" She cheerfully teases in disconnection.
"Appreciated!" Cyborg faulting back down to his bed. And once again that damn vegan, and his taste for blonds. Yeah okay, she may not have much going on in terms of her physique, but she was downright gorgeous at her own right. That is exactly the reason why he back himself off to the far background. Clearing much space as he can for Beast Boy, after the changeling have fallen completely head over heels for the former teammate. Living through the series of silly ass hijinks was their in-depth interaction during their limited time together, but was enough to get the gist of her personality. And there's not much to say, other than she's a little bit like Beast Boy in a sense of being an airhead. Yet in actuality, the whole thing was just a master façade while keeping her insecurities well hidden. Afraid at being alone in a snap if they were to find out who she really was.
But this Terra he had a chat with, was like talking to a different person, based on her tone alone. A much calmer demeanor in self-assuredness, being lifted with confidence after he had face her. And unlike her clone that has been plague with self-doubt and insecurities, this one has the will to make other people insecure just by her presence alone, if she were to get pissed off.
"At least your sense of humor has not change." He peevishly grumbles. His fretful mood became none existent after reading his father's notes of the monster that attack him and his mom through Sarah's laptop. Turning the screen off with a blank look after reading the descriptive gore fest before moving on at checking the government secured files. Searching for certain individuals that came to mind. Who knew that he could so easily hack to any private information with a simple touch to any computer that he so chooses. And through his satisfied inclusion omission, made his leave after gotten the information he needed. "Ignorant by self-degradation of not knowing that themselves are gods, after the fact that we make life our heaven, but also the archetype of designing the ideal hell for the immoral. That all by itself, is chaos." Discreet mostly to himself when headed towards the main area of the facility. Having high hopes that being surrounded by various machines would in theory, help him relax his agonizing body to blissful state of peace.
"Okay enough being dark, and pissed, because there's only one room for that, and your taking my thunder. "
His disheveled eyes shifted downward to the cast iron look of Raven after she have risen herself from the dark void. "Nah, just an old saying my old man never shuts up about. Soooo, uh you need something Rae?" He nervously chuckles at the dark sorceress who was wearing just her leotard.
"No. not really. Thought I check on my teammate, after I just heard something interesting. As if he was having a lengthy conversation with someone very important, through my enhance hearing. You know? Being a half demon and all. "Raven, mildly lumbering each word before dropping the ball." So, how's Terra." Out of share impulse, her thin lips were greatly being envelope by Cyborgs bear sized hand before she was swooped off to the unisex restroom.
"Alright, how much did you hear?" Cyborg swells from his throat. Looking at the dark sorceress as if he was about to die, while his hands were firmed to her slim shoulders.
" A lot more than you might think. Plus, my room is right next to yours." Raven stoically said before Cyborg, through his deflated look, melts away in backing against the wall.
"Everything huh? Well, I didn't exactly make a pinkie promise to have someone ease dropped into our conversation." He shrugs of not giving a damn at this point. "As you might have heard, it looks like Unicron is the one who's been pulling the strings. Plus, she doing us a big favor by keeping certain information from Batman. So yeah, to my personal judgment, she's cool with me." Cyborg said as he drags himself towards leaving the restroom." I 'm going to ask Springer about this Unicron guy, after I got some relaxation."
"If you're okay with Terra's trust, then I have no concern. And Cyborg, whatever you decide to do with the information you have gotten, is your call. The secret is safe with me. Although, I can't make any promise's if something where to come up. I'll join you shortly after I catch up on my herbal count." Cyborg flatly wave as Raven teleported back to her room.
As expected, he did not miss nothing at all when coming over to the main room. Giving them a quick wave of hello to both Sarah, and Robin as they were having their lengthy discussion of the last mission, before the doctor gestures him to the table where the Hardballer was laying on top with a white sticky note attach, being written of its recalibration. Envious of Beast Boy, who was sleeping soundly on the elastic reclining office chair at the other end of the room, as he himself was in search of finding his own comfort after stowing his Hardballer back to his hoister. Spreading out his arms after settling on the cushy office like sofa, not exactly the most comfortable compare to the one from the tower, but perfect for his size. A quick glance to the master computer doing its works of decrypting the data, and Springer keeping a close eye on the monitor. Allowing the sweet beneficial soothing sounds coming from multiple processing units to take its course in carrying him to a light slumber. He could do quiet no problem, but the thick light motions of various machines, were his number one lullaby. Oh yeah, theory, problem, solved.
"May I please join you?" Scooting himself with his eyes closed to Starfire's reserved words, as she settles herself with Silkie, playfully fluffs between her arms.
"I hear someone is feeling a little better." Cyborg smile with one eye peeping to her subdue grin.
"A little, yes, but the heeling will not be completed anytime soon, or not at all. All the more reason why I much prefer to fight on, then to closed myself in grief."
"Yeah, I've been meaning to ask. Is that how you became next in line for the crown? Is through constant battle?" Cyborg question while being shoved by Raven at making room for her, and her book, along with her armor looking suit being equipped.
"That's part of it I'm afraid." Starfire stroking her long red hair back, preventing Silkie from nibbling her hair with his sharp teeth." There are many royal trials that I have to go through in order to be crowned. And when that person completes all their trials, he or she shall rule Tamaran that is certain. However, at that time it was forbidden for two siblings to rule under the same crown, as it would cause conflicts for the people, and the world as whole. Which is why a special dual was held. A dual to the death. In which I have won, but only by default, due to my sister long term illness. And of course, being who I am, refuse to take her life. That is why my sister despise me so, after she was banished by the high council.
"Damn, I never knew that side of the story. Sorry Star, didn't mean to pull your arm in reliving that nightmare." Cyborg said in leaning his head back in shame.
"No, not at all. As a matter of fact, I feel quite relief of getting this feeling off the chest." Starfire kindly said
"Hey, come on Star, you know my ears is always available for anyone who need to get that stress off their chest."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"I wasn't talking to you Raven!" Cyborg drowsily spat as Sarah made her way over to the small group along with the tired, and fester look of Robin." Sup guys, anything new that we need to be informed?"
"Nothing particularly. Just went over a few things with Springer regarding the data, should not take long to decode. However, I take it that you read his notes, I hope?" Sarah question as Cyborg bit the tip of his lower lip in a resentful matter.
"Yeah, I did, not what I have expected. I mean everything went by so damn fast, I didn't get a full glimpse of whatever that thing that attack star lab." And that thing that attack us was no gelatinous monster, but a mutated figure from cybertron right?" Cyborg dismayed at shaking his head. "And I have seen the unedited video of how my father have beaten Superman after he have destroyed that monster. Doesn't change the fact that I'm still reliable for what happen."
"Your maybe right, but that's not where I was going exactly. It's now became relevant, because that Decepticon that attack star lab, happens to be his old experiment. I check his files several times just to make sure I wasn't seeing things." Sarah rubbing one of her eyes, not liking what she about to address after sending a darted look at Cyborg." Icky, that experiment he performed, dated back several thousand centuries."
"Wait, what?" Cyborg dreaded." Wait a minute, how da…..are you trying to tell me he's practically immortal? Because dammit I believe it. Hell, I wouldn't be surprise if he were to time travel. After all, he has the brains to do so."
"Yeah, I'm with Cyborg. The whole thing just sounds out right insane." Robin fighting within himself at collecting a lot of sense from the nonsense of what he had just heard.
"Yes, the idea of time travel is somewhat absurd in theory, but him being immortal is not far off." Sarah calmly said to the near irate look of Cyborg." Icky, I used your DNA to study in searching of who you really are before my suspicions was right. And well, it's sort of complicated to say. While you are human to say the least, yet you've also shared the similar DNA match that of an Energon, however it's not the same like the typical Cybertronian, like Springer here. The dark Energon that's coursing within you also further proves my second suspicions. That it was not manned made, but rather you were born with it.
"Sarah, are you trying to tell me that Silas Stone, is not my real father this whole time?" Cyborg looking as though he was about to puke.
"I can't say, since I don't have access of his genetic samples. And that what's throwing me off into a limbo, after his back-ground check seem so superficial at best." Sarah dimly affronting to the latest nagging set back.
"I knew something was foul coming from my sensor whenever I'm near you." Springer looking at Cyborg like a living bomb waiting to go off at a moment notice. "The unnatural ability of hacking both the global networks, and the communications lines faster than any supercomputer, has been kicking my mind since. After what your doctor just said, it's all been connected in what I've been thinking. The dark Energon that you been carrying, is extremely toxic to us Cybertronian and extremely deadly to humans, like Superman, depends on how raw the dark Energon is. The rawer it is, the deadlier on both ends. And even though the dark Energon share a similar make up like ours, it's not Cybertronian at all, nor it came from Cybertron. There's only one person who's share the same blood as you that I could think of, and that would be none other than Unicron. Strange, a lowly earthling like you could possibly be related to the legendary dark god. I most certain if the Cybertronian council was still around, they will have themselves purged before the rebellion have the chance to reach them." Springer smirks at the expense of Cyborg's misery, as he himself shrouded his entire face within his hoodie.
"While we are on that topic, I believe Cyborg have a question for you. Who exactly is Unicron? Please answer, or else someone might have to beat the bitch out of him. By force if necessary." Raven said.
"How bout two." He affirmed. "I'll try to give as much as I can in who he is, because the only person who can give you the full depth, is my leader. After all, he used to be the head of the historic data archives before being promoted with the matrix of leadership. But according to legends, and old data alike, he was a person who was just as old as Cybertron itself. We have very little knowledge of how our world was formed, or how Unicron came about. Constant wars have made sure of that. But we do know that he alone was responsible for consuming multiple universes, during his reign of terror, before Primus himself assemble the thirteen primes to end his destruction. Vector Prime, as you've guys all have seen, is the last remaining member of the thirteen primes.
"Living so long, only to see your close comrades fall with no end in sight. Yep, I can see the reason why he snapped." Raven said.
"Can't disagree, war does that to people after all." Springer shafted in bitterness. "As for the second question? the data we been waiting on, has been decrypted. However, the information that's been written, is in ancient Cybertronian. Think you can have it translated for us." Looking at Cyborg who simply shrugs without a word as he got himself up from the couch.
"Well?" Springer ask, with Cyborg closely re-reading the complicated language with a musty look.
"Yeah, give me a sec, its' been written in a Quintessons language. Ever heard of it? Because it said right here in case your wondering." Cyborg carefully said while reading the ancient text for the fourth time." Oh yeah, I believe I've found something about the whereabouts of the dark matrix. Damn, the only problem here is that it's all written in scatter notes. As if someone was in a rush in writing it down at the last minute. Hey Sarah, by any chance do you have both a pen, and a piece of paper?"
"Sure." Sarah handing him the note pad, with the pen attach from her coat pocket. Audibly scribbling the information down while still reading the seemingly endless bounds of information. Tearing off two sheets before handing the pen and note pad back to Sarah.
Flipping back, and forth between the two notes and comparing them to the data before turning to the awaiting looks from the team, with a tear drop sweat being poured down from his nervous look. "Sorry for the wait guys, had to cram out most of the least important information, and downsizing them to these. And well according to this, the dark matrix, is located back in the prime reality, at the remote communication station, just a few light years away from where we got the data."
"Okay, so we simply go back, head to the station and get the matrix, don't really see the fuss." Robin not seeing the problem at all through his indifference.
" Nope, there is a problem. The information also disclose that the station has been infiltrated by the Unicrons forces. What I'm saying here, is that the dark matrix has been relocated to somewhere else."
"Don't get down on yourselves so easily. This is to be expected in a galactic war like this. Blasted item like that, never stays in the same place for a short period of time." Springer lightly scuff at giving the computer a good light kick.
"Damn." Robin cursed.
"So basically, we've been on a wild goose chase this whole time?" Beast Boy said in utter disgust after being wide awake from his short nap.
"Pretty much. And I don't know what to say, other than it looks like were back to square one." Cyborg crumbling the two notes, and tossing them over to his right shoulder." So, any suggestions? because I'm shit out of luck."
"Cyborg, you sure that's all the data contains?" Raven firmly said.
"Yes, surely there must be something of sorts, perhaps a clue from within?" Starfire suggest before their questions were shot down.
"Nah, I'm positive guys, I glaze through them twice just in case I miss something." Cyborg said before an idea came to mind when glancing back at the doctor." Sarah, I hate to ask another favor, but you don't mind if I check out your laptop once more?"
"like to see for yourself in cracking into his files? Then please, by all means." The doctor pointing at the table where the laptop lays.
"Like to see if my old man knows the info through his damn files. Although its slim, but it just might lend us the information that we needed." He thoughtfully frowns as he carefully looks at the screen." Damn, talk about a shit ton of files in one drive, sheesh. Alright screw it! Time is short as it is, so I'm gonna try this instead." Cyborg carefully placing his hand on top of the keys. Quickly feeling an angry small jolt of shock coursing through him for a brief moment, till the computer monitor combust.
"We probably should've see that coming by now. "Raven, sharing the same dunce expression like everyone else from Cyborgs unfortunate mishap." Sorry about the lost Sarah."
"Not to worry." The doctor dismissed." The current files are contained within the indestructible flash drive. Plus, I have plenty more laptops available. Although I never expect something like this to happen."
"Man! About to become a human bomb whenever I touch stuff, damn." Cyborg cough in waving off the smoke from his face before being plowed all over with white foamy powder of the fire extinguisher." Really?" He deadpanned at Beast Boy.
"Uuuh, you were on fire? Beast Boy nervously chuckle at tossing the extinguisher to the far background, before hearing the window being shattered.
"As I was about to say." Cyborg growl in wiping off the white contents off his face." That security fire wall he created was hell. Crazy ass old fool, and his issue of trust, but yeah, I got what I needed. And it looks like our next stop is at the major base of Star lab, in Oil City Washington. That's where the dark matrix resides. I hope."
"Alright that's great news, because the warp gate is fix, and good to go, including myself." Springer refering to his repaired arm." So, hurry up, and get yourself ready, and let's go. Because Primus, it irritates me to no avail when kept on being contacted by Jazz every second! Seriously Jazz! Stop it!" Springer hysterically shouted before slamming down the lever to the warp gate.
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Title credit: De La Soul.
Aquaman/ Arthur Curry. First appearance. More Fun Comics num73. November 1941=Technical Data
Strength:=========9
Intelligence:========8
Speed:========8
Endurance:=========9
Rank:==========10
Courage:==========10
Fire blast:=========9
Skill:=======7
Jazz. First appearance. Transformers G1 Issue Num1. The Transformers 1984=Technical Data
Strength:========10
Intelligence:========8
Speed:========8
Endurance:=========9
Rank:=========9
Courage:==========10
Fire blast:=======8
Skill:========8