pbChapter 1/b

p"Let's see . . ." Optimus Primal said to himself, "We need a science officer and mechanic . . .Cybertron said that Dionico II is a great choice . . .The best one I've seen so far . . .Computer, Down load all of Maximal Dionico II files to the Axalon. Well, one down, two to go. Next . . .communications officer, Tweeter, Gassel, or Dipper . . .Tweeter gets along great with others, but if we get into a bad situation, she won't know how to defend herself . . .Gassel . . .he'd be good . . .no, he's still off planet, I need him now . . .oh, well . . .Dipper, he has an attitude problem, and doesn't follow orders well, but he can fight, if needed, and has been looking for away to get off Cybertron . . .he'll have to do. One more bridge crew to go. Netpeaker and Starchaser . . .both have been trained to explore . . .both can fight fairly well, but Netpeaker has had more experience. I guess I'll go with him." 'I really don't know Starchaser anyway . . .he's only a cadet . . .' Primal thought as he looked at the young bot's record. He was about to place it back down, when he caught something on the diskette . . .From the Cybertron State Orphanage. Primal stopped in mid move as he read those words. 'Primus! The kid's an orphan . . . no wonder he signed for this job . . .' Optimus picked up the disk again and placed it back in the computer. He scanned though the file. This is some of what was wrote . . .

pi...A young Maximal Cybertonian was placed in the 'Cybertron State Orphanage' after cyber troopers found the young bot, a street fighter, wounded in an alley. The troopers later discovered that the cyberteen's mother and father were war heroes that fought in a battle with Predacon spies about 8 Cybertron years ago. General Starhopper took in the young bot after the death of both parents. When General Starhopper died four years ago from terrorist attack, Starchaser, the young bot's name, went into the streets and became a street fighter. Last year, he was wounded in a battle with a fellow street fight and was brought in. He remains in the orphanage until' he is adopted or sent on a mission. He is capable to survive dangerous missions, most likely, deep space explorations. A great scout and a fair fighter. Very loyal to his commander. Very highly recommended . . ./i

pThat was all Optimus needed to hear. "Computer, enter Dionico II, Dipper, and . . . Starchaser as the Axalon bridge crew."

p"Affirmative, Optimus Primal. New bridge crew's files are entered into data tracks."

p~o~o~o~

p"AAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"

pStarchaser woke in a start. He looks around the room that the orphanage had given him since he came here one year ago. I'm glad I have my own room . . . I hate those dreams. Starchaser got up and stretch his bot form. Then there was a beep from his computer. Starchaser rose from his bed and went to the computer on his desk. "Hmm, e-mail . . .wonder who's on the computer at this time at night." Starchaser sat down and logged into his computer. Then a female voice said, "Good morning, Starchaser." Yeah, right! He clicked on his mail box and read the letter . . .

pStarchaser ,

pYou have been selected to become a member of the bridge crew of the Axalon. The Axalon is an exploration ship. Its take off time is three Cybertron Days. Your commander will be Optimus Primal. You must follow all his commands and show him the respect that he deserves. Good luck and keep safe.

pSergeant S. Pacer.

pStarchaser read the message to the point he could memorize it from heart. Then, he smiled and cheered. 'I finally get out of here!' he thought. The he yelled, "Yes!" and left his room to tell the head master of his dorm.

p~o~o~o~

p" . . .And I'm going on an outer stellar mission . . .So I won't be able to visit you for awhile . . .but it's better this way . . ." Starchaser spoke softly to the metal surface of the grave. He knew he couldn't leave Cybertron without saying goodbye to his parents and "The General". His parents were buried in the memorial down where he used to grow up. And "The General" was placed in the memorial down the street where he lived with when he was in the orphanage. He already said goodbye to his parents, and there were a lot of tears. But now he had to stop crying cause "The General" never like crying . . . "You told me not to dwell into the past . . . to live in the present . . .and to dream of the future. I will always remember you . . .and, um . . .always love you as a father . . .and . . ." Oh, Primus! This is always hard to do . . . "I'll . . .miss you . . ." Starchaser's voice died out as the wind carried it away.

p"Good-bye's are never easy, are they?"

pStarchaser jumped at the sound of the voice. He wiped the few tears from his face and straitened up and then turned around. There, in front of him was a big, army-like bot. The bigger bot looked down at Starchaser and gave him a little smile. Starchaser blushed and turned away. He was embarrassed that someone had caught him crying. The bigger bot then placed his hand on the smaller bot's shoulder. Starchaser slowly turned around and looked up at the older bot and shrugged. "Sorry . . .I'm not usually like this . . ."

p"That's alright. I'm Optimus Primal, by the way. Your Starchaser, aren't you?" Optimus Primal asked.

pOh, Primus! I was caught crying in front of my new commander! "Optimus Primal? Yes, sir. I'm Cadet Starchaser. At your service, sir."

p"You don't need to do that, Starchaser. Just call me Optimus."

p"Yes, sir. Wh-what are you doing here, uh, Optimus?" Starchaser stuttered.

p"To pick up you. I know I'm a little early, but I figured you would have been up by now." Optimus stated, "And it looks like I was right."

pStarchaser glanced at the stone tomb beside him, the looked back at Optimus. He smiles a little smile and said, "Yeah . . . I was saying good-bye to a friend."

pOptimus saw the sadness is the young bot's eyes and asked, "Do you need anymore time?"

p"No." Starchaser stated proudly. He looked down at the tomb and pointed to it. "He . . .always said to let go of the past. And this mission is just the thing to keep the past in the past. If I spend anymore time here," he swiftly moved his glaze to Cybertron City, "I'll never be able to do so . . . so . . .I'm ready when you are . . .Big Bot."

pOptimus chuckled when he heard his new nickname. 'I'm really going to like this one.' He thought with a laugh. "Come on, let's get your stuff and head to the docking bay."

pStarchaser stared down at the tomb for one last time and then ran after Optimus.


pPrologue
brChapter 2