Chapter 1: Good Spark
Within the stasis pod, the experimental Protoform X lay unconscious. As he stirred, his on-board computer gave a status report.
Initializing…
Status: Online. All systems fully operational. Suitable local lifeform scanned and implemented.
Motor Functions: Pending.
Weapons: Online.
Communicator: Online. No channels set up.
Beginning startup. Please stand by.
'Well I'm alive, so that's a start,' he thought. 'Now if I could just move or even speak. Seems I landed a little harder than I would've liked.' X then heard what he thought were voices.
"Perhaps it did expire," came a soft, yet firm voice. X recognized it almost immediately as his "handler," Optimus Primal.
"What is this thing Big Bot," a younger voice chimed in.
"The dark secret of Axalon's journey."
'I see. So it would seem my stasis pod was ejected. But why,' X mused as he continued to listen to the conversation in his immobile state.
"It was originally an attempt to replicate Starscream's mutant indestructible spark with a Maximal."
"Indestructible? 'Fraid not," the younger bot said as he flicked one of X's newly acquired crab legs.
"Well, it was a mistake to even try. Though brilliant, it was hopelessly treacherous, and incapable of being recycled. Or at least that was the official statement. I don't buy it. I think that was just a cover up."
"Either way, why was it put on our ship?"
"To dump it. Somewhere far. Someplace barren."
Suddenly, they were interrupted by a nearby explosion.
"Predacons! Claim that protoform," came a new voice.
'Predacons!? Well that certainly explains my emergency ejection.'
"This is unnecessary! Its spark was extinguished! We were too late!"
"Pardon me if I don't buy that load, monkey!"
Startup complete.
That was all X needed to hear. He didn't feel like sticking around for this one. Instead, he snuck off in the ensuing commotion to hide somewhere and finish getting his bearings.
'If it's a protoform you want, prepare to be disappointed.'