Transformers: Fractal Web (section: 8)
By Waspinatrix (waspinatrix@hotmail.com)
Legalese: Transformers, Autobots, Decepticons, Cybertron, Energon, Vector Sigma, the Matrix, Primus, Metroplex, Springer, Rodimus Prime, Arcee, Galvatron, Cyclonus, Unicron (or Unicrom), Perceptor, Sweeps, StarScream, ThunderCracker, Charr, Prowl, the Arialbots, Spike Witwicky are all property of HasKen and are used without permission for the express purpose of entertainment without profit.
Buster Witwicky, Mutants (Homo Sapient Superior), and the Mutant Registration Act are properties of Marvel Comics and are used without permission for the express purpose of entertainment without profit.
Mara Benedict, Sarai Benedict, Anthony Benedict, Marcus Benedict, Charles "Charlie" Reagan, Lourdes Maria Maza, FlameDancer, WhirlBlade and NightShade are copyrighted to me 1992-2000. This story is not to be redistributed in whole or part without my permission. Nor are my characters to be used without my permission. Reviews, questions and critiques are always welcome. Happy bidding, er.. reading. :D
(Part 20)
Mara had tackled the personnel part, now it was time to acquire the equipment... She waited to optimize her chances of catching Charlie alone. She still smiled at the small piece of revenge she had extracted from her uncle. IT was most effective, considering Anthony's religious convictions.
*
Charlie was closing down his lab, as he reached to shut off the lights, he heard his computer boot back up. Spinning around, he saw the screen print out, "hello Charlie..."
"Mara?" Charlie asked, looking around. He spotted her lurking in a corner like a timid child.
"Will you help me once more?" the screen wrote.
"Anything to return you to us safely," he nodded.
It was Charlie's emphasis on 'us' that gave Mara pause. "Us?" she asked.
"Your mother and I."
"She's dead Charlie. Why are you speaking of her in present tense?"
"She'll be here soon."
"She is DEAD! We both know that!" Mara's fingers reflexively curled into fists. What kind of cruel mind game was Charlie playing?
"The body was never found --"
"Megatron atomized her. Or are you insinuating that she was alive the whole time?" Mara felt her heart paralyze. Please, let it not be the latter -- that was too bitter a pill to swallow.
"Neither, Mara," Charlie said, coming closer to her, "I managed to bring her back, finally."
Mara stared at him, hope warring with disbelief. It wasn't something beyond his capabilities, given time ... Time -- He must have breached the temporal barrier. A strange sense of fear and futility strickened her. This truth, when put into focus meant that she had wasted her life for naught. Revenge, the reason she had to live, shrank to a moot point! She wasn't ready to deal with this.
"What does she know?" The screen's cursor blinked in turmoil.
"She still thinks you've committed suicide, I haven't told her different yet," Charlie admitted.
"Tell her nothing, for her sake." Mara was ashamed of her life, of the fact that she was a slave. Afraid that her mother would condemn her for choosing the Decepticon way of life. She had to have a chance to figure out this newfound confusion before she could face the stranger so intimately connected to her.
Shifting to the subject she was prepared, she wrote, "Charlie, I left a file detailing what I need from you. I'll be back in three days to retrieve it...? She disappeared before Charlie could say anything.
***
(Part 21)
Sarai spent her last night on Cybertron listlessly wandering the empty streets of the city. She could feel Prowl everywhere, as she communed with his ghost, a meeting of memory with the present. She could almost hear his voice, speaking of the good times, and the bad. Of the beautiful connection they had in Mara. A connection that should have lasted beyond Sarai's lifetime.
"I can't be there for you," Prowl had told her that night, "not like you want, or deserve." The night she had asked him to stay with her. The bitterness of his rejection stung for months, before she realized that he hadn't rejected her, but had released her because he loved her.
How ironic that the vary thing she loved about him was what ultimately tore them asunder. In the end, she was grateful. He had given her Mara, and had brought out a side of herself that she liked. It was his love that had helped her to forgive the Transformers for the death of her foster-father; She had never thanked Prowl for the role he played in her healing.
"Peace be with you, Prowl, beloved, surely we've earned that much." She whispered her farewell to him.
***
(Part 22)
Mara found a reclusive corner of the storage bay to cache the exo-suits she had stolen from the Autobots. She locked away the experience of finding out her mother lived after all, afraid that she might cry. "No," she thought, stanching her harrowed spirit, "there are more important things on the agenda than bawling."
She mentally checked off what she had to get for a workable colony on Charr. Water; could be harvested from nearby asteroids. Food; grown in hydroponic gardens. Living space; she and Mark had agreed to on an underground complex spoking from the citadel. This was maddening, she couldn't concentrate properly.
*
Mara came as bidden by Galvatron. As she entered, she saw that his face was calm, set in stone. She knelt before him; aware of the way he scrutinized her. She averted her optics and waited as the long moment stretched, to finally dissolve. He asked, "how does your project go?"
~It goes well, Lord. I have made contact with a group who are willing to come, and have seen to their basic needs here on Charr. It will be only a matter of days before the first lot arives,~ she stopped, as she felt his presence draw near to her. His hand carefully brushing her hair aside.
Mara trembled at his touch. 'Fear?' Galvatron wondered, 'anticipation?' He guided her face up with his fingers. Their optics met. "These humans, they are your responsibility. Do with them as you will," he told her, "just don't let them get under foot."
She came close, and the brief contact between their lips startled him. She quickly retreated, projecting her thanks. Fearing that she had overstepped her bounds. She stood, backing into Cyclonus as she was about to excuse herself.
"Stay," Galvatron commanded her as he rose.
*
Cyclonus had watched the two, and was disgusted by Galvatron's hypocrisy. Mara had begun to prove herself trustworthy, but NightShade's warning founded his biasness. He wasn't at all ashamed to bust up their little party.
He made his scheduled report to Galvatron, still in the process of restoring his leader's faith in him. The solar collectors were on line. It would take only a day to replenish their dwindling supplies. Finished with the report, Cyclonus left, continuing in his task of Major Domo.
*
Left to themselves again, Galvatron faced Mara. His mouth still holding the vividness of their contact. "What was that?" he demanded, not sure what to make of it. Mara blanched, her hide turning a shade lighter.
~I'm sorry. Please forgive my audacious show of gratitude.~
"That was not gratitude! It was an emulation of something else, human," he said, "but of what?"
~My -- emotions, Lord.~
"Enough!" Galvatron interrupted her with a flick of his hand, "no more apologies. Leave me."
~As you command,~ Mara bowed, relieved to be let off of the hook. Galvatron waited until she was gone before returning to his throne. His fingers touching his tingled lips. The world had changed subtly for him. It could no longer be ignorantly categorize in black and white. What power she had to blur his simple, sharp vista of concepts.
***
(Part 23)
Springer frowned at the gravity of this turn of events, as he watched the re-play of the video broadcast. A human male, verging on maturity, wearing an exo-suit with a Decepticon emblem blazed on his right shoulder and left breast was standing in front of a large, stylized Decepticon banner. He began speaking.
"Nations of Earth and Cybertron, we of Charr declare ourselves a sovereign nation, with all inherent rights." He paused for his words to impact, then continued, "as a representative of the Charrnese government, I extend an olive branch of peace and invite other nations to join in opening diplomatic channels." He smiled, "Let us in brotherly understanding, find ways to mutually benefit each other." The Broadcast ended.
"God above," Sarai cursed, as she shut off the view screen, "how did he get involved with the Decepticons?"
"Do you know him?" FlameDancer asked.
"He's my nephew, Marcus," Sarai explained, "my brother met me yesterday, telling me his son was kidnapped by Mara..." Sarai spoke vehemently, "he thought it was my responsibility to rescue his son." She trailed off in thought. She remembered accusing Anthony of neglect and that Marcus had probably just ran away. She couldn't forgive her brother's sordid tale, but after seeing this broadcast. She was forced to consider the possibility that hew nephew was in trouble, much like Charlie had been twenty years ago.
Thinking of Charlie, Sarai looked at him. He seemed sick, shaking his head and swallowing bile. Trying to deny something he felt. Poor man. "Charlie," she asked, "are you alright?"
"Nothing... I -- It's just the whole day," Charlie stammered, praying she would leave it at that.
Sarai grunted an agreement, as she turned to Springer, asking, "what are the Autobots going to do?"
"First we'll want to make sure this isn't slavery," he said, "I sure hope this isn't legitimate, or it'll complicate things."
***
(Part 24)
FlameDancer pulled the cowl of the cloak over her head. The soft, smoky-blue cloth fell to partially conceal her face. The mosaic of golden orange and pale yellow on her arms shifted and flickered with a life of its own as she wrapped the cloak tightly around her slender frame. She entered the sacred labyrinth.
The maze leading to the heart of Cybertron was a dizzying number of twists and turns. She knew her destination, but how she would get there would always be a mystery to her. This infinity would take her to the Chthonic God, Vector Sigma.
The nameless Guardian appeared. FlameDancer bowed low before the quasi-organic being, saying, "I have come..." The Guardian's blood red optics flashed as it nodded in acknowledgment. Raising an emaciated hand, it gestured for her to follow. Leading in a vapor of robes, in to the depth of their world, to the face of God.
Overwhelmed by the power emanating from Vector Sigma, FlameDancer prostrated herself. Afraid to look directly at the awe-inspiring sphere of light. "Lord!" She beseeched her Creator, "hear me!"
"Rise child." A pervasive sense of peace enveloped her. "Fear not, you whom I have made." She wasn't sure if she heard words or simply understood meanings. It was hard to describe the sensation of their dialogue.
"I am concerned. Our sworn enemy, the Decepticons have enslaved humans."
"The Decepticons are not my enemy. They also are my children. I am aware of their actions. They only want to return home, to me. Be at ease, my daughter, make no hasty judgements. I will guide it though."
FlameDancer turned to see the exit loom in front of her. The half-day spent in the bowels of Cybertron already a haze.
***
(Part 25)
Ravage's low, metallic growl drew Mara's attention to Marcus. In his late teens, there was nothing noteworthy or remarkable about him. Average looking, and easily forgotten. Until one got to know the person inside. Mark was sharp-witted, and his ability of discerning truth in the spoken word gave him an edge.
"Hey," he radioed, as he warily approached the pair, "call off Rabies." Ravage, like most Decepticons disliked humans of any type. Marcus, being a mutant, was no exception. Mara placed a calming touch on the black cat's head, quieting him.
~How's it going?~ She asked. As he drew nearer he had to look up to meet her gaze. His six foot height was severely dwarfed four or five times by her. The question came though his exo-suit's com-link.
"The usual. You know, the kindness of neighbors," he said, nodding towards Ravage. The cat hissed. Marcus backed off a step, as he said, "we could use a hand."
~You need only ask,~ she smiled as she stood up.
His wry smile beamed from behind the helmet's faceplate, as he asked dryly, "didn't I?" His humor shining though for the first time in weeks. Mara was glad he retained something of his youth. The restoration was a backbreaking labor of love that would see fruition in his lifetime.
*
From his vantagepoint, Galvatron watched the motley trio approach. A smelting pot of emotions simmered under his composed exterior. Contempt for Marcus Benedict; he was human, the galactic equivalent of a cockroach, and kept here only by necessity. Hatred (Galvatron wouldn't admit fear) of the fleshling's uncanny abilities. Envy -- why was it that this human had such easy access to Mara's smile. She showed an aspect of herself to Marcus that Galvatron was denied. A part he hungered to know personally.
Mara. What was it about her that crept under his alloy hide? She was due to give a progress report on the Charrnese (as the humans insisted on calling themselves). Would she prostrate herself to him again? Probably. Would she touch him again? A shiver of anticipation ran through him. It was a dangerous game they played. Almost every value he held had been challenged or compromised in some way. Yet the easy solution to the problem wouldn't give him what he wanted -- her.
***
(Part 26)
~My Lord, all goes well with the Charrnese. The underground living units are almost complete.~ Mara said, bowing to Galvatron, ~the Autobots have acknowledged our message, and are preparing to welcome us.~ She sensed him circling her like prey.
"What Charrnese goes with you to Earth?" he asked, as his fingers touched her shoulder possessively. She trembled at the electric contact he made with her. The duality of her growing attraction for him waged war with her distrust.
~Lourdes Maria Maza. Her familiarity with diplomacy makes her perfect for this task.~ Mara remained vigilant in her address to the Decepticon leader. He was of the old school, where females were meaningless. Even though she and NightShade had proven those attitudes outdated, the seeds of change seemed to grow in dubious ground.
"Excellent," Galvatron murmured. It wasn't Marcus to be traveling in her company.
***
By Waspinatrix (waspinatrix@hotmail.com)
Legalese: Transformers, Autobots, Decepticons, Cybertron, Energon, Vector Sigma, the Matrix, Primus, Metroplex, Springer, Rodimus Prime, Arcee, Galvatron, Cyclonus, Unicron (or Unicrom), Perceptor, Sweeps, StarScream, ThunderCracker, Charr, Prowl, the Arialbots, Spike Witwicky are all property of HasKen and are used without permission for the express purpose of entertainment without profit.
Buster Witwicky, Mutants (Homo Sapient Superior), and the Mutant Registration Act are properties of Marvel Comics and are used without permission for the express purpose of entertainment without profit.
Mara Benedict, Sarai Benedict, Anthony Benedict, Marcus Benedict, Charles "Charlie" Reagan, Lourdes Maria Maza, FlameDancer, WhirlBlade and NightShade are copyrighted to me 1992-2000. This story is not to be redistributed in whole or part without my permission. Nor are my characters to be used without my permission. Reviews, questions and critiques are always welcome. Happy bidding, er.. reading. :D
(Part 20)
Mara had tackled the personnel part, now it was time to acquire the equipment... She waited to optimize her chances of catching Charlie alone. She still smiled at the small piece of revenge she had extracted from her uncle. IT was most effective, considering Anthony's religious convictions.
*
Charlie was closing down his lab, as he reached to shut off the lights, he heard his computer boot back up. Spinning around, he saw the screen print out, "hello Charlie..."
"Mara?" Charlie asked, looking around. He spotted her lurking in a corner like a timid child.
"Will you help me once more?" the screen wrote.
"Anything to return you to us safely," he nodded.
It was Charlie's emphasis on 'us' that gave Mara pause. "Us?" she asked.
"Your mother and I."
"She's dead Charlie. Why are you speaking of her in present tense?"
"She'll be here soon."
"She is DEAD! We both know that!" Mara's fingers reflexively curled into fists. What kind of cruel mind game was Charlie playing?
"The body was never found --"
"Megatron atomized her. Or are you insinuating that she was alive the whole time?" Mara felt her heart paralyze. Please, let it not be the latter -- that was too bitter a pill to swallow.
"Neither, Mara," Charlie said, coming closer to her, "I managed to bring her back, finally."
Mara stared at him, hope warring with disbelief. It wasn't something beyond his capabilities, given time ... Time -- He must have breached the temporal barrier. A strange sense of fear and futility strickened her. This truth, when put into focus meant that she had wasted her life for naught. Revenge, the reason she had to live, shrank to a moot point! She wasn't ready to deal with this.
"What does she know?" The screen's cursor blinked in turmoil.
"She still thinks you've committed suicide, I haven't told her different yet," Charlie admitted.
"Tell her nothing, for her sake." Mara was ashamed of her life, of the fact that she was a slave. Afraid that her mother would condemn her for choosing the Decepticon way of life. She had to have a chance to figure out this newfound confusion before she could face the stranger so intimately connected to her.
Shifting to the subject she was prepared, she wrote, "Charlie, I left a file detailing what I need from you. I'll be back in three days to retrieve it...? She disappeared before Charlie could say anything.
***
(Part 21)
Sarai spent her last night on Cybertron listlessly wandering the empty streets of the city. She could feel Prowl everywhere, as she communed with his ghost, a meeting of memory with the present. She could almost hear his voice, speaking of the good times, and the bad. Of the beautiful connection they had in Mara. A connection that should have lasted beyond Sarai's lifetime.
"I can't be there for you," Prowl had told her that night, "not like you want, or deserve." The night she had asked him to stay with her. The bitterness of his rejection stung for months, before she realized that he hadn't rejected her, but had released her because he loved her.
How ironic that the vary thing she loved about him was what ultimately tore them asunder. In the end, she was grateful. He had given her Mara, and had brought out a side of herself that she liked. It was his love that had helped her to forgive the Transformers for the death of her foster-father; She had never thanked Prowl for the role he played in her healing.
"Peace be with you, Prowl, beloved, surely we've earned that much." She whispered her farewell to him.
***
(Part 22)
Mara found a reclusive corner of the storage bay to cache the exo-suits she had stolen from the Autobots. She locked away the experience of finding out her mother lived after all, afraid that she might cry. "No," she thought, stanching her harrowed spirit, "there are more important things on the agenda than bawling."
She mentally checked off what she had to get for a workable colony on Charr. Water; could be harvested from nearby asteroids. Food; grown in hydroponic gardens. Living space; she and Mark had agreed to on an underground complex spoking from the citadel. This was maddening, she couldn't concentrate properly.
*
Mara came as bidden by Galvatron. As she entered, she saw that his face was calm, set in stone. She knelt before him; aware of the way he scrutinized her. She averted her optics and waited as the long moment stretched, to finally dissolve. He asked, "how does your project go?"
~It goes well, Lord. I have made contact with a group who are willing to come, and have seen to their basic needs here on Charr. It will be only a matter of days before the first lot arives,~ she stopped, as she felt his presence draw near to her. His hand carefully brushing her hair aside.
Mara trembled at his touch. 'Fear?' Galvatron wondered, 'anticipation?' He guided her face up with his fingers. Their optics met. "These humans, they are your responsibility. Do with them as you will," he told her, "just don't let them get under foot."
She came close, and the brief contact between their lips startled him. She quickly retreated, projecting her thanks. Fearing that she had overstepped her bounds. She stood, backing into Cyclonus as she was about to excuse herself.
"Stay," Galvatron commanded her as he rose.
*
Cyclonus had watched the two, and was disgusted by Galvatron's hypocrisy. Mara had begun to prove herself trustworthy, but NightShade's warning founded his biasness. He wasn't at all ashamed to bust up their little party.
He made his scheduled report to Galvatron, still in the process of restoring his leader's faith in him. The solar collectors were on line. It would take only a day to replenish their dwindling supplies. Finished with the report, Cyclonus left, continuing in his task of Major Domo.
*
Left to themselves again, Galvatron faced Mara. His mouth still holding the vividness of their contact. "What was that?" he demanded, not sure what to make of it. Mara blanched, her hide turning a shade lighter.
~I'm sorry. Please forgive my audacious show of gratitude.~
"That was not gratitude! It was an emulation of something else, human," he said, "but of what?"
~My -- emotions, Lord.~
"Enough!" Galvatron interrupted her with a flick of his hand, "no more apologies. Leave me."
~As you command,~ Mara bowed, relieved to be let off of the hook. Galvatron waited until she was gone before returning to his throne. His fingers touching his tingled lips. The world had changed subtly for him. It could no longer be ignorantly categorize in black and white. What power she had to blur his simple, sharp vista of concepts.
***
(Part 23)
Springer frowned at the gravity of this turn of events, as he watched the re-play of the video broadcast. A human male, verging on maturity, wearing an exo-suit with a Decepticon emblem blazed on his right shoulder and left breast was standing in front of a large, stylized Decepticon banner. He began speaking.
"Nations of Earth and Cybertron, we of Charr declare ourselves a sovereign nation, with all inherent rights." He paused for his words to impact, then continued, "as a representative of the Charrnese government, I extend an olive branch of peace and invite other nations to join in opening diplomatic channels." He smiled, "Let us in brotherly understanding, find ways to mutually benefit each other." The Broadcast ended.
"God above," Sarai cursed, as she shut off the view screen, "how did he get involved with the Decepticons?"
"Do you know him?" FlameDancer asked.
"He's my nephew, Marcus," Sarai explained, "my brother met me yesterday, telling me his son was kidnapped by Mara..." Sarai spoke vehemently, "he thought it was my responsibility to rescue his son." She trailed off in thought. She remembered accusing Anthony of neglect and that Marcus had probably just ran away. She couldn't forgive her brother's sordid tale, but after seeing this broadcast. She was forced to consider the possibility that hew nephew was in trouble, much like Charlie had been twenty years ago.
Thinking of Charlie, Sarai looked at him. He seemed sick, shaking his head and swallowing bile. Trying to deny something he felt. Poor man. "Charlie," she asked, "are you alright?"
"Nothing... I -- It's just the whole day," Charlie stammered, praying she would leave it at that.
Sarai grunted an agreement, as she turned to Springer, asking, "what are the Autobots going to do?"
"First we'll want to make sure this isn't slavery," he said, "I sure hope this isn't legitimate, or it'll complicate things."
***
(Part 24)
FlameDancer pulled the cowl of the cloak over her head. The soft, smoky-blue cloth fell to partially conceal her face. The mosaic of golden orange and pale yellow on her arms shifted and flickered with a life of its own as she wrapped the cloak tightly around her slender frame. She entered the sacred labyrinth.
The maze leading to the heart of Cybertron was a dizzying number of twists and turns. She knew her destination, but how she would get there would always be a mystery to her. This infinity would take her to the Chthonic God, Vector Sigma.
The nameless Guardian appeared. FlameDancer bowed low before the quasi-organic being, saying, "I have come..." The Guardian's blood red optics flashed as it nodded in acknowledgment. Raising an emaciated hand, it gestured for her to follow. Leading in a vapor of robes, in to the depth of their world, to the face of God.
Overwhelmed by the power emanating from Vector Sigma, FlameDancer prostrated herself. Afraid to look directly at the awe-inspiring sphere of light. "Lord!" She beseeched her Creator, "hear me!"
"Rise child." A pervasive sense of peace enveloped her. "Fear not, you whom I have made." She wasn't sure if she heard words or simply understood meanings. It was hard to describe the sensation of their dialogue.
"I am concerned. Our sworn enemy, the Decepticons have enslaved humans."
"The Decepticons are not my enemy. They also are my children. I am aware of their actions. They only want to return home, to me. Be at ease, my daughter, make no hasty judgements. I will guide it though."
FlameDancer turned to see the exit loom in front of her. The half-day spent in the bowels of Cybertron already a haze.
***
(Part 25)
Ravage's low, metallic growl drew Mara's attention to Marcus. In his late teens, there was nothing noteworthy or remarkable about him. Average looking, and easily forgotten. Until one got to know the person inside. Mark was sharp-witted, and his ability of discerning truth in the spoken word gave him an edge.
"Hey," he radioed, as he warily approached the pair, "call off Rabies." Ravage, like most Decepticons disliked humans of any type. Marcus, being a mutant, was no exception. Mara placed a calming touch on the black cat's head, quieting him.
~How's it going?~ She asked. As he drew nearer he had to look up to meet her gaze. His six foot height was severely dwarfed four or five times by her. The question came though his exo-suit's com-link.
"The usual. You know, the kindness of neighbors," he said, nodding towards Ravage. The cat hissed. Marcus backed off a step, as he said, "we could use a hand."
~You need only ask,~ she smiled as she stood up.
His wry smile beamed from behind the helmet's faceplate, as he asked dryly, "didn't I?" His humor shining though for the first time in weeks. Mara was glad he retained something of his youth. The restoration was a backbreaking labor of love that would see fruition in his lifetime.
*
From his vantagepoint, Galvatron watched the motley trio approach. A smelting pot of emotions simmered under his composed exterior. Contempt for Marcus Benedict; he was human, the galactic equivalent of a cockroach, and kept here only by necessity. Hatred (Galvatron wouldn't admit fear) of the fleshling's uncanny abilities. Envy -- why was it that this human had such easy access to Mara's smile. She showed an aspect of herself to Marcus that Galvatron was denied. A part he hungered to know personally.
Mara. What was it about her that crept under his alloy hide? She was due to give a progress report on the Charrnese (as the humans insisted on calling themselves). Would she prostrate herself to him again? Probably. Would she touch him again? A shiver of anticipation ran through him. It was a dangerous game they played. Almost every value he held had been challenged or compromised in some way. Yet the easy solution to the problem wouldn't give him what he wanted -- her.
***
(Part 26)
~My Lord, all goes well with the Charrnese. The underground living units are almost complete.~ Mara said, bowing to Galvatron, ~the Autobots have acknowledged our message, and are preparing to welcome us.~ She sensed him circling her like prey.
"What Charrnese goes with you to Earth?" he asked, as his fingers touched her shoulder possessively. She trembled at the electric contact he made with her. The duality of her growing attraction for him waged war with her distrust.
~Lourdes Maria Maza. Her familiarity with diplomacy makes her perfect for this task.~ Mara remained vigilant in her address to the Decepticon leader. He was of the old school, where females were meaningless. Even though she and NightShade had proven those attitudes outdated, the seeds of change seemed to grow in dubious ground.
"Excellent," Galvatron murmured. It wasn't Marcus to be traveling in her company.
***