Transformers: Still Before the Storm
V3.0.1
By Waspinatrix (waspinatrix@hotmail.com)
Legalese: Transformers, Autobots, Decepticons, Cybertron and the Matrix concept are trademarks and copyrights of HasKen. They are used without permission for entertainment without profit.
This story, The characters: Pi, Stray, Tork, Prima Omni, Roc, Raz, Loq, Winger, Cord, Trak, Tesh, Ping, Straxion, BlackIce, Tricrom, AlphaWave. The Seuq game, and the Shade/Shadow assassin concept are copyright of Waspinatrix 1997-2000. The story is not to be redistributed in whole or part with out my permission. Please do not use any of my characters without my permission.
Part Five:
To strengthen a delicate hybred rose,
It is usually grafted to the rootstock
Of a more robust variety.
--James Underwood Crockett (Roses: Time-Life)
Stray waited, quietly, studying the frail and withered Transformer he called 'Master.' Stray could easily shatter Tricrom with the slightest of touches. The traitorous fantasy caused an involuntary shiver to trimmer through his back. More than one "Con had threatened or challenged Tricrom openly.
More than one 'Con had been found on some recycling pile, with optics ripped out, audio receptors punctured and voice emulator shredded. Tricrom was protected and served by something unnatural, some said unliving. The Shadows of Unicrom, the Whispering. Stray would not tempt ill fate.
"You think that Trak makes an excellent Decepticon?" Tricrom spoke languidly, barely moving from his relaxed repose. "Despite his rebellious nature and mild insanity."
"Uh-" Stray commented. His verbal assessment of the twins had never mentioned 'insanity' and he wasn't sure how exactly Tricrom had come to that conclusion. "Yes. -I believe that Trak's wild-spark can be curbed."
"Tell me of Straxion."
"My Lord," Stray complied. "Straxion gives the bare minimal effort on training and drills. His free time is absorbed with toys that he'd grown out of vorns ago. While he has the character strength much desired for Decepticon command, he shows no interest, no inclination."
Tricrom half-raised one brow, then nodded agreement to his own musings. "See to Straxion's re-integration to the labor scion, let him build to his Spark's content.
"And Stray, moderation of discipline, yes? We don't want Trak broken."
"Yes, Lord."
His face a mask of boredom, Tricrom watched Stray depart. This was indeed a delicate time in the game. Trak in spite of his potential lacked the resilience of his younger twin. The molding of this pawn required a deft touch.
"Are you sure that Straxion could not sense your presence?" Tricrom inquired again, almost wistfully.
"Yes, my Lord..." whispered a soft breeze.
"Pity." Tricrom murmured. Confirmed beyond reasonable doubt... Straxion failed his intended purpose, on all levels. It was a disappointment, but not necessarily a set back to the plan. Straxion would fill another useful role; Tricrom smiled as his alternate strategy percolated in his processor, his optics focusing on one particular monitor.
"Prima Omni's report is grim, my friend. Our energy supplies dwindle by the vorn." He commented. "Her solution is radical, and cost prohibitive - as my opponents would say." He smiled again. "Let us see what Straxion does with this challenge."
Plans seemed more and more often to bring memories of the past, and speculations of the future. Tricrom mulled in the quietude of the moment, staring off into the unseen distance. "Have you ever had the fear of Primus in you?"
"Once... Perhaps..."
Tricrom laughed to himself, strangely amused by such an answer. The hardy chuckle strangled and died in a choking gurgle. "That," Tricrom whispered in-between the shallow breaths of recovery, "is one virtue I shall always lack... A key element I'll need to succeed in this game."
He touched a monitor at his side. "I think, my friend, it's time Omni introduced her son to this antiquated religion of hers."
**
Part Six:
Shak Ala Lem
--Reiki (Accountability)
"Will you greet Pi, for me?" Trak asked hopefully, looking at his brother. Straxion stiffened uncomfortably as he kept his optics locked on the egress ahead. They had almost reached the end of the corridor.
"No," Straxion said evenly. He was angry with Trak for even mentioning their mother's name. "There is no reason on Cybertron to ever see her again."
"Strax. She had no choice," Track pushed, boring into the core of Straxion's resistance.
"Are you so sure, Trak?" Straxion bated. "Have you ever bothered to read the contract she had agreed to?"
"No." What contract? Trak wondered. He had never been aware of any pact.
"If you are so interested in the past, go look up the contract. Read it. You try to figure out which one she should have given up. Why ultimately neither of us were good enough for the slagger." The last came out in a barely controlled hiss.
Trak was stunned. He had never thought that Pi's abandonment of both sons was voluntary. His hand clenched as he remembered he walking away, never even looking back. Straxion laid a calming hand on his brother's shoulder.
"We're both about to embark on new lives." Straxion murmured. "Let us not live in the shadows of the past." -Or the pain. A prolonged moment of awkward silence moved between them, as they came to their point of parting.
"Bye Strax," Trak whispered, as he subconsciously bit his lip. Resisting the urge to hug his brother good bye. Straxion had always been the model of 'strength' and 'self-sufficiency'. He would not disappoint his brother in a parting guffaw.
"..." Straxion choked down the sentiments that caught in his throat. He could not express his vulnerabilities. One crushing blow of watching a beloved family member walk away was one too many for a lifetime. And here it came a second time. His fuel pump was heavy and felt ready to burst. Wordlessly Straxion turned away, passed Stray and entered the transport.
Stray automatically backed away. The 'Bot was already Stray's height. When Straxion reached full maturity, he'd be a walking skyscraper. And Trak wasn't far behind.
**
Part Seven:
The ME* it carries to perfection.
Its words are for utterance....
Its words are gracious oracles.
--Partial description of the Dirga Chamber of Enlil
*This word had been left un-translated.
"Nothing in excess," Omni mouthed reverently, as she read the ancient inscription over the entry. "Know thyself." She had thought she had understood these axioms. But that was vorns ago, and her experiences had slowly eroded that foundation of faith and knowing. The arrogance of certainty was gone. She felt almost blasphemous entering the Holy shrine for Primus.
AlphaWave Prime looked up to see her approaching. Immediately he rose and greeted her with open arms. A warm smile on his aged face. "My daughter has returned!" He proclaimed to the attending acolytes. "Make haste! Prepare a feast to celebrate this blessed orn. Our priestess is home!"
"No! Please-" Omni objected quickly. "I am unworthy of such honor."
The acolytes waited for AlphaWave's final instructions. He looked at them and shook his head, he need a private moment with the Priestess. With hasty bows of acknowledgement, they left. AlphaWave turned back to his daughter.
"How is this so?" He asked, as he gestured for her to sit and be comfortable. Omni's optics flickered. AlphaWave followed the clue and looked down to his grandson asleep in her arms. Omni was looking away, afraid to see her father's reaction to this unplanned Pit-spawn. She loved her son, but a Decepticon was a Decepticon...
AlphaWave lightly brushed his grandson's head with kind fingertips. "You are married to him, Omni. There is no shame in the child. Did you truly expect life not to happen while you made other plans?" He rebuked her gently.
"There is no love, AlphaWave." Omni retorted, her voice growing bitter as she continued to speak. "There is no marriage. Only a five-vorn contract, a political union between church and state. And--!"
"Hush child, hush." AlphaWave soothed, as he placed a reassuring arm around her shoulders. "There are more important things than frivolous love in a temporary marriage."
"You told me that the orn you announced my intended betrothal to the Decepticon Leader." Omni retorted. "I believed you... I believed I could make a difference!"
"You have Omni," AlphaWave said, nodding towards her son. Omni silently processed his words, as she looked upon her sleeping son.
"Father-" Omni hesitated. Did she dare ask? She, who'd been derelict in her duties to church and creator. She who had not insisted that her son have some proper moral values instilled in him. She had to ask. "Father... Will you sanctify the name of my son? Will you dedicate his Spark to Primus?"
AlphaWave watched her struggle to ask him this. He could well imagine what her stumbling blocks were. "I will perform the rite, Omni. But only the Oracle can accept of reject him."
Omni bowed her head in acquiescence. "I have called him Winger, in hopes that he flies the true path."
"My dearest daughter, have faith in yourself. I know you will guide him well." AlphaWave reassured her warmly.
*
"What's dis, Omi?" Winger asked enthusiastically, as he reached for the shining orb that danced nie him. Omni quickly blocked his efforts by gently taking his hand into her own.
"Shhh, Winger," She instructed. "You must be reverent in the presence of Primus."
"What's Primas?" Winger asked, mimicking his mother's hushed tones.
"Our creator," Omni answered, placing her index finger over his lips to quail the next outpour of questions. "I'll tell you all about it in good time. Okay?" She told him with a reassuring smile. Winger nodded accepting her command.
She turned back to listen to the benediction. It gladdened her heart to know that her son was showing an interest in their religion, even if it was a late introduction to it. She had been afraid that her son would grow up a godless heathen like so many Decepticons were. Yet this brought up a whole new line of suspicion of Tricrom when he went from refusing to allow religion to 'taint' his son, to encouraging Omni to submerge Winger in it. The old Decepticon never did anything that didn't benefit him in the end. What was it that Tricrom had to gain by subjecting his son to a religion that he had denounced vorns ago?
"OMI!!" Winger cried out, as he dove into her arms, trying to dodge the shinning orb that had suddenly taken interest in him. Time seemed to slow, and Omni was overly aware of the situation as she broke from her reverie. The orb was headed dead center for Winger's chest. Fear ripped through, crushing Omni, as she realized that she could not react fast enough to protect her son.
Her fuel pump stopped; the orb hovered, frozen, just short of touching Winger. It remained for what felt like an eternity, then just as suddenly as it had fained the attack; it lazily floated away in a random meandering swirl. Omni grabbed Winger, and spun him around rapidly. She meticulously inspected him, she found no damage.
Startled more by his mother's reaction than by the impending danger of the orb. Winger became upset. Omni held him to comfort herself as much as to comfort him. The sudden relief left her feeling frazzled and drained. She looked up at the orb, as she continued to sooth Winger. The orbs were usually harmless in their constant wandering dance around the holy chamber, though by their vary nature they were deadly.
AlphaWave was watching them with concern. The orb had reacted oddly at the same moment in which he had dedicated Winger's name to Primus. It was an omen, portending of things to come for this youth. Though he didn't understand it, if his suspicious were right... AlphaWave shook his head.
**
Part Eight:
Seeing his days are determined,
[...] thou hast appointed his bounds
that he cannot pass.
--Job 14:5 (clipped)
"The Eye of Primus has seen him."
Tricrom folded his hands and thoughtfully rested his chin on his fingers. A ghost of a smile playing across his lips. So, Primus has shown an interest in the son of his priestess wife. A confirmation of his long term plans. It amused him that the Gods followed in his footsteps.
**
Part Nine:
Cry unto the Lord
That he will not confound
Wisdom of our words.
--Oria (Inspired by Ether)
"What do you mean by that?!" Omni hissed in frustration, trying to keep her voice low so as not to wake Winger. "How can you say that the orb wouldn't have hurt him!?"
AlphaWave shook his head sadly. "You have forgotten much in the three vorns you were gone from us."
"Still," AlphaWave continued with concern. "It was an omen. One I feel must be taken directly to the Oracle."
**
(More to Come...)
V3.0.1
By Waspinatrix (waspinatrix@hotmail.com)
Legalese: Transformers, Autobots, Decepticons, Cybertron and the Matrix concept are trademarks and copyrights of HasKen. They are used without permission for entertainment without profit.
This story, The characters: Pi, Stray, Tork, Prima Omni, Roc, Raz, Loq, Winger, Cord, Trak, Tesh, Ping, Straxion, BlackIce, Tricrom, AlphaWave. The Seuq game, and the Shade/Shadow assassin concept are copyright of Waspinatrix 1997-2000. The story is not to be redistributed in whole or part with out my permission. Please do not use any of my characters without my permission.
Part Five:
To strengthen a delicate hybred rose,
It is usually grafted to the rootstock
Of a more robust variety.
--James Underwood Crockett (Roses: Time-Life)
Stray waited, quietly, studying the frail and withered Transformer he called 'Master.' Stray could easily shatter Tricrom with the slightest of touches. The traitorous fantasy caused an involuntary shiver to trimmer through his back. More than one "Con had threatened or challenged Tricrom openly.
More than one 'Con had been found on some recycling pile, with optics ripped out, audio receptors punctured and voice emulator shredded. Tricrom was protected and served by something unnatural, some said unliving. The Shadows of Unicrom, the Whispering. Stray would not tempt ill fate.
"You think that Trak makes an excellent Decepticon?" Tricrom spoke languidly, barely moving from his relaxed repose. "Despite his rebellious nature and mild insanity."
"Uh-" Stray commented. His verbal assessment of the twins had never mentioned 'insanity' and he wasn't sure how exactly Tricrom had come to that conclusion. "Yes. -I believe that Trak's wild-spark can be curbed."
"Tell me of Straxion."
"My Lord," Stray complied. "Straxion gives the bare minimal effort on training and drills. His free time is absorbed with toys that he'd grown out of vorns ago. While he has the character strength much desired for Decepticon command, he shows no interest, no inclination."
Tricrom half-raised one brow, then nodded agreement to his own musings. "See to Straxion's re-integration to the labor scion, let him build to his Spark's content.
"And Stray, moderation of discipline, yes? We don't want Trak broken."
"Yes, Lord."
His face a mask of boredom, Tricrom watched Stray depart. This was indeed a delicate time in the game. Trak in spite of his potential lacked the resilience of his younger twin. The molding of this pawn required a deft touch.
"Are you sure that Straxion could not sense your presence?" Tricrom inquired again, almost wistfully.
"Yes, my Lord..." whispered a soft breeze.
"Pity." Tricrom murmured. Confirmed beyond reasonable doubt... Straxion failed his intended purpose, on all levels. It was a disappointment, but not necessarily a set back to the plan. Straxion would fill another useful role; Tricrom smiled as his alternate strategy percolated in his processor, his optics focusing on one particular monitor.
"Prima Omni's report is grim, my friend. Our energy supplies dwindle by the vorn." He commented. "Her solution is radical, and cost prohibitive - as my opponents would say." He smiled again. "Let us see what Straxion does with this challenge."
Plans seemed more and more often to bring memories of the past, and speculations of the future. Tricrom mulled in the quietude of the moment, staring off into the unseen distance. "Have you ever had the fear of Primus in you?"
"Once... Perhaps..."
Tricrom laughed to himself, strangely amused by such an answer. The hardy chuckle strangled and died in a choking gurgle. "That," Tricrom whispered in-between the shallow breaths of recovery, "is one virtue I shall always lack... A key element I'll need to succeed in this game."
He touched a monitor at his side. "I think, my friend, it's time Omni introduced her son to this antiquated religion of hers."
**
Part Six:
Shak Ala Lem
--Reiki (Accountability)
"Will you greet Pi, for me?" Trak asked hopefully, looking at his brother. Straxion stiffened uncomfortably as he kept his optics locked on the egress ahead. They had almost reached the end of the corridor.
"No," Straxion said evenly. He was angry with Trak for even mentioning their mother's name. "There is no reason on Cybertron to ever see her again."
"Strax. She had no choice," Track pushed, boring into the core of Straxion's resistance.
"Are you so sure, Trak?" Straxion bated. "Have you ever bothered to read the contract she had agreed to?"
"No." What contract? Trak wondered. He had never been aware of any pact.
"If you are so interested in the past, go look up the contract. Read it. You try to figure out which one she should have given up. Why ultimately neither of us were good enough for the slagger." The last came out in a barely controlled hiss.
Trak was stunned. He had never thought that Pi's abandonment of both sons was voluntary. His hand clenched as he remembered he walking away, never even looking back. Straxion laid a calming hand on his brother's shoulder.
"We're both about to embark on new lives." Straxion murmured. "Let us not live in the shadows of the past." -Or the pain. A prolonged moment of awkward silence moved between them, as they came to their point of parting.
"Bye Strax," Trak whispered, as he subconsciously bit his lip. Resisting the urge to hug his brother good bye. Straxion had always been the model of 'strength' and 'self-sufficiency'. He would not disappoint his brother in a parting guffaw.
"..." Straxion choked down the sentiments that caught in his throat. He could not express his vulnerabilities. One crushing blow of watching a beloved family member walk away was one too many for a lifetime. And here it came a second time. His fuel pump was heavy and felt ready to burst. Wordlessly Straxion turned away, passed Stray and entered the transport.
Stray automatically backed away. The 'Bot was already Stray's height. When Straxion reached full maturity, he'd be a walking skyscraper. And Trak wasn't far behind.
**
Part Seven:
The ME* it carries to perfection.
Its words are for utterance....
Its words are gracious oracles.
--Partial description of the Dirga Chamber of Enlil
*This word had been left un-translated.
"Nothing in excess," Omni mouthed reverently, as she read the ancient inscription over the entry. "Know thyself." She had thought she had understood these axioms. But that was vorns ago, and her experiences had slowly eroded that foundation of faith and knowing. The arrogance of certainty was gone. She felt almost blasphemous entering the Holy shrine for Primus.
AlphaWave Prime looked up to see her approaching. Immediately he rose and greeted her with open arms. A warm smile on his aged face. "My daughter has returned!" He proclaimed to the attending acolytes. "Make haste! Prepare a feast to celebrate this blessed orn. Our priestess is home!"
"No! Please-" Omni objected quickly. "I am unworthy of such honor."
The acolytes waited for AlphaWave's final instructions. He looked at them and shook his head, he need a private moment with the Priestess. With hasty bows of acknowledgement, they left. AlphaWave turned back to his daughter.
"How is this so?" He asked, as he gestured for her to sit and be comfortable. Omni's optics flickered. AlphaWave followed the clue and looked down to his grandson asleep in her arms. Omni was looking away, afraid to see her father's reaction to this unplanned Pit-spawn. She loved her son, but a Decepticon was a Decepticon...
AlphaWave lightly brushed his grandson's head with kind fingertips. "You are married to him, Omni. There is no shame in the child. Did you truly expect life not to happen while you made other plans?" He rebuked her gently.
"There is no love, AlphaWave." Omni retorted, her voice growing bitter as she continued to speak. "There is no marriage. Only a five-vorn contract, a political union between church and state. And--!"
"Hush child, hush." AlphaWave soothed, as he placed a reassuring arm around her shoulders. "There are more important things than frivolous love in a temporary marriage."
"You told me that the orn you announced my intended betrothal to the Decepticon Leader." Omni retorted. "I believed you... I believed I could make a difference!"
"You have Omni," AlphaWave said, nodding towards her son. Omni silently processed his words, as she looked upon her sleeping son.
"Father-" Omni hesitated. Did she dare ask? She, who'd been derelict in her duties to church and creator. She who had not insisted that her son have some proper moral values instilled in him. She had to ask. "Father... Will you sanctify the name of my son? Will you dedicate his Spark to Primus?"
AlphaWave watched her struggle to ask him this. He could well imagine what her stumbling blocks were. "I will perform the rite, Omni. But only the Oracle can accept of reject him."
Omni bowed her head in acquiescence. "I have called him Winger, in hopes that he flies the true path."
"My dearest daughter, have faith in yourself. I know you will guide him well." AlphaWave reassured her warmly.
*
"What's dis, Omi?" Winger asked enthusiastically, as he reached for the shining orb that danced nie him. Omni quickly blocked his efforts by gently taking his hand into her own.
"Shhh, Winger," She instructed. "You must be reverent in the presence of Primus."
"What's Primas?" Winger asked, mimicking his mother's hushed tones.
"Our creator," Omni answered, placing her index finger over his lips to quail the next outpour of questions. "I'll tell you all about it in good time. Okay?" She told him with a reassuring smile. Winger nodded accepting her command.
She turned back to listen to the benediction. It gladdened her heart to know that her son was showing an interest in their religion, even if it was a late introduction to it. She had been afraid that her son would grow up a godless heathen like so many Decepticons were. Yet this brought up a whole new line of suspicion of Tricrom when he went from refusing to allow religion to 'taint' his son, to encouraging Omni to submerge Winger in it. The old Decepticon never did anything that didn't benefit him in the end. What was it that Tricrom had to gain by subjecting his son to a religion that he had denounced vorns ago?
"OMI!!" Winger cried out, as he dove into her arms, trying to dodge the shinning orb that had suddenly taken interest in him. Time seemed to slow, and Omni was overly aware of the situation as she broke from her reverie. The orb was headed dead center for Winger's chest. Fear ripped through, crushing Omni, as she realized that she could not react fast enough to protect her son.
Her fuel pump stopped; the orb hovered, frozen, just short of touching Winger. It remained for what felt like an eternity, then just as suddenly as it had fained the attack; it lazily floated away in a random meandering swirl. Omni grabbed Winger, and spun him around rapidly. She meticulously inspected him, she found no damage.
Startled more by his mother's reaction than by the impending danger of the orb. Winger became upset. Omni held him to comfort herself as much as to comfort him. The sudden relief left her feeling frazzled and drained. She looked up at the orb, as she continued to sooth Winger. The orbs were usually harmless in their constant wandering dance around the holy chamber, though by their vary nature they were deadly.
AlphaWave was watching them with concern. The orb had reacted oddly at the same moment in which he had dedicated Winger's name to Primus. It was an omen, portending of things to come for this youth. Though he didn't understand it, if his suspicious were right... AlphaWave shook his head.
**
Part Eight:
Seeing his days are determined,
[...] thou hast appointed his bounds
that he cannot pass.
--Job 14:5 (clipped)
"The Eye of Primus has seen him."
Tricrom folded his hands and thoughtfully rested his chin on his fingers. A ghost of a smile playing across his lips. So, Primus has shown an interest in the son of his priestess wife. A confirmation of his long term plans. It amused him that the Gods followed in his footsteps.
**
Part Nine:
Cry unto the Lord
That he will not confound
Wisdom of our words.
--Oria (Inspired by Ether)
"What do you mean by that?!" Omni hissed in frustration, trying to keep her voice low so as not to wake Winger. "How can you say that the orb wouldn't have hurt him!?"
AlphaWave shook his head sadly. "You have forgotten much in the three vorns you were gone from us."
"Still," AlphaWave continued with concern. "It was an omen. One I feel must be taken directly to the Oracle."
**
(More to Come...)