TRANSFORMERS: CYBERTRON SAGA
NOBLE DEMON Special #6: A Thin Line.
byline: Anubis C. Soundwave
Scene: 1
Crasher, seated on a hospital berth in a med bay within the Governor-general's mansion, scowls at Leader One. "Why is Fitor in jail?" she demands.
"I don't know," says Leader One, returning the scowl. "Maybe if you didn't look as though you got gang-fragged at a monster truck rally, I could have overlooked matters."
"You're such a pansy!" mocks Crasher. "I've laughed off worse than this during my derby career...though I will admit that Optimus is a very skilled boxer. Had he been sober, I would be in trouble."
"At any rate, the objective is to scare Fitor straight," says Leader One, "and hopefully allow time for that high grade to cycle through his systems. Fitor's horrible when he's overenergized."
"Can you convince Senator Karakawa to back off his alliance idea?" asks Crasher.
"...no," says Leader One.
"Then we ain't seen nothin' yet," says Crasher with a grin. "Ol' Fighty's got that Guardian battle subroutine running on overdrive and he won't stop whatever he's plotting until it's accomplished."
"Good insight," says Leader One. "Any ideas?"
"That Karakawa girl," says Crasher. "She's at the top of any to-do lists for political opponents of the Head Senator for arm-twisting purposes."
"Come on, Crasher," scoffs Leader One. "Fitor knows that'd be the first thing any first-term Guardian cadet would think of as a target."
"True," says Crasher, "and if he were thinking clearly-rather than tweaked on super-jet fuel-he would have already ruled that plan out."
"You...are so naive about Fitor that it's painful to watch," says Leader One.
"You mean he's planning something other than the patently obvious?" snorts Crasher.
"No: you're correct about that," says Leader One. "You're just wrong about Fitor's temperament."
"I've worked with him for six M-cycles," says Crasher.
"He had to work with an army of undisciplined nutcases for that period," says Leader One wryly, "so he's had to hold back. He can be cracked in his own right."
"Fitor?" asks Crasher, a dubious expression on her face.
"Yes," says Leader One.
"My Fighty, the old blowhard?" continues Crasher.
"Fine; you don't have to believe me. Ask Cy-Kill, the stupid bastard you recruited," smirks Leader One.
Crasher studies Leader One.
"Ask Cy-Kill about Academy Infraction Incident 13725," continues Leader One.
Crasher blinks at Leader One, noting the jetwarrior's smug, lopsided grin. "I'll...do that right now," she says, pouting as she contacts Cy-Kill via videophone.
Leader One chuckles.
Scene: 2
Tic-Tac answers, adjusting his visor. "Moshi-moshi. Yukimaru residence. Watashi wa Yukimaru Takateru desu," he declares.
"Taka," says Crasher, rolling her optics, "you don't have to be so serious. Where's Yukimaru-san?" she asks.
"He's resting, mother," says Tic-Tac. "In a state of quiet repose and meditation."
Crasher sighs. "Can I talk to Vespa-chan?" she asks.
"She went out with Mariner again," says Tic-Tac. "I suspect that they're an item."
Crasher mutes the videophone, then turns to Leader One. "As you can see," she says, "it will be next to impossible to speak with Cy-Kill as long as Tic-Tac is stupidly screening all of his calls: slavishly obeying Cy-Kill's slightest whim."
"To be fair," says Leader One, "it's probably the quickest way to ensure that Tic-Tac doesn't disturb Cy-Kill as he extracts due benevolence from his bondmate."
"Is that what they call marital congress on Earth?" asks Crasher.
Leader One nods. "Want to get married?" he asks inaudibly.
Crasher scowls at Leader One.
"I see you're still torqued about the powerballs," Leader One continues.
"Minature cubes of high-grade energon," says Crasher curtly, "hardly qualify as 'dessert'."
"No; that was the aperitif," says Leader One, a devious glint in his optics. "You were dessert."
"You're trying too hard," says Crasher, narrowing her optics as she de-mutes the videophone. "I need to advise Cy-Kill that Fitor's been arrested," she says to Tic-Tac.
Tic-Tac notes Leader One. "On what charges!?" he demands imperiously.
"He was an accomplice in an assault and battery of your mom," says Leader One, "which is why she looks like she was run over by Bigfoot."
"Then why is mother at your residence, Governor-general," sneers Tic-Tac, "instead of a proper hospital?"
"That actually is a valid-*" begins Crasher, interrupted as Leader One kisses her on her cheek.
Tic-Tac scowls.
Crasher punches Leader One. "Please ignore him," she says to Tic-Tac, "and tag Cy-Kill's internal radio. That way," Crasher continues, giving Leader One a warning glare, "you won't disturb him in his meditation."
Leader One rubs his jaw, wincing.
"As you wish, mother," says Tic-Tac. "I'll have him call you back. Good day." He ends the call.
"You're not supposed to slug a head of state," mutters Leader One.
"Heads of state should learn to respect personal boundaries," says Crasher, "if they intend to keep their heads on their necks."
Leader One levels a thin smile at Crasher. "Are we really going there, Rei?" he asks, a rueful expression in his optics.
"Look: if hitting you is a sanctionable offense, then sanction me, glitch," sneers Crasher.
Leader One stares a moment at an object behind Crasher.
Crasher tenses. "What are you looking at?" she asks, wary.
"Something behind you," says Leader One.
Crasher glances briefly behind her, noting nothing out of the ordinary-only for Leader One to pounce on her, pinning Crasher to the berth.
"I can't believe I fell for that," Crasher groans, annoyed.
"It's a classic," says Leader One quietly, lowering Crasher's head guard and kissing her neck. "Besides, if I sanction you," he continues, "you'd escape me; we couldn't do delightful things like th-*" Just as Leader One starts to feel for a sensitive node along Crasher's back, he is interrupted: by a call from Cy-Kill.
Crasher smirks, then kicks Leader One off.
Scene: 3
"Damn him," hisses Leader One, glaring at the videophone.
Crasher answers. "I take it you've received Tic-Tac's message," she says, grinning.
"Yes," says Cy-Kill. "He merely stated to contact the Governor-general's residence regarding Fitor's arrest."
Leader One scowls at Cy-Kill. "You do see the condition Crasher is in," he says evenly.
"Is that any reason to keep her under your roof?" asks Cy-Kill.
"You have one of my Guardian operatives, Vice Kanin, under your roof," says Leader One.
"Indeed," grins Cy-Kill, "except you and I both know that Kanin is here of her own volition and consent."
A femme moans softly.
"Given Daiza-kun's current state of distress," continues Cy-Kill, "I suspect that Crasher is calling to query me about Incident 13725."
"Wait-that was a real thing?" asks Crasher.
"Academy Incidents related to cadets aren't numerically-ordered," says Cy-Kill. "In this case, Incident 13725 refers to an altercation between myself, Fitor, Turbo's parents, and Leader One regarding an Academy assignment."
"Which was?" asks Crasher, staring at Cy-Kill.
Gently stroking Crasher's arm, Leader One pulls a dent removal tool from subspace and starts to remove dents.
Cy-Kill smiles.
Crasher pouts at Leader One and Cy-Kill, annoyed. "This fellow fancies himself an ad hoc mechanic," she says. "Please explain this incident."
"To put matters simply," says Cy-Kill, "My task was to serve as an enemy provocateur who had certain knowledge that a team of Guardians: Leader One, Fitor, and Turbo's parents-Tonka and Taiko-was tasked to extract. Fitor, knowing that brainstormers are worthless against me," Cy-Kill continues ruefully, "opted to drug me into submission, with Tonka and Taiko's enthusiastic support. Leader One, who ostensibly was the leader of the team in this operation, was the only one to protest this: but he was overruled."
"That...can't be true..." trembles Crasher, staring at Cy-Kill in disbelief.
"Under no circumstances, Mazaki Rei," says Cy-Kill tersely, "will I tolerate that 'say it ain't so' expression. You know how much I despise Catcher in the Rye, its insipid protagonist, or any of the ramblings of J. D. Salinger."
Crasher sighs. "That...was clearly a misstep in his wild youth, combined with the fact that he's a sore loser," she says.
"He hates to lose, period," say Leader One and Cy-Kill in unison.
"Fitor will stop at nothing to acheive his objectives," continues Leader One. "That has not lessened or abated with age."
"Then what are his plans for Karakawa Sakura?" asks Crasher.
Cy-Kill chuckles. "I assure you," he says, "that if you're thinking he intends to forcibly seduce her, don't bother with that angle."
"That ship has sailed," adds Leader One.
"And in that respect," continues Cy-Kill, "you will find in Karakawa-san a highly eager and enthusiastic young accomplice in her own seduction."
"So she's in no danger," says Crasher.
"Nobody said that," says Leader One. "She's definitely Fitor's target...now."
"Because of the eternal shortsightedness of her father, our dear Head Senator Karakawa," continues Cy-Kill, "Fitor has to use her as leverage."
"He won't be able to, of course," says Leader One, still removing dents from Crasher's body, "because Fitor assisted a known alien subversive leader in the assault...which is the reason she's in my med bay."
"As to why I'm not in a proper hospital," says Crasher, "Leader One has offered no clue."
"That's rather obvious," says Cy-Kill. "Our noble Governor-general wants to nurse you back to health personally," he continues, "and attend to all of your needs."
Crasher scowls at Cy-Kill, then turns to Leader One. "Were you able to retrieve Jeeper's neutron pistols from Fitor?" she asks the jetwarrior.
"I can't pull something out of someone else's subspace pocket," says Leader One, "and our dimensional scanners didn't detect the pistols."
Crasher glowers at the ground as Leader One ends the call with Cy-Kill, then switches off the videophone.
"Let me guess," says Leader One as he removes the last major dent, then sits next to Crasher. "Playing with me is the lesser of two evils?"
"No, it's the greater of two evils," says Crasher, "but it's the less-stupid of the two."
"Then," whispers Leader One, drawing Crasher close to him, "let me tuck you in for the night."
"You're not very good at this, are you?" quips Crasher.
"Shut up," says Leader One; he touches Crasher's lip components, then kisses her, feeling along her back.
Crasher pulls away. "What are you doing...?" she says, her words fading into a low moan.
Leader One, after locating the sensitive node on Crasher's back, gently strokes it as he resumes kissing Crasher.
Scene: 4
In an unused US Air Force bunker below Guardian Headquarters, a Guardian Intelligence operative completes his report.
The Director rises to his feet. "It pleases me to see," he says, "that some of us have not forgotten in a fog of overzealousness that we are Guardians first and foremost: sworn to uphold the will of the people of Gobotron."
The other Guardian Intelligence operatives study the Director.
"I am certain," continues the Director, "that you are burning with questions and commentary. Please feel free to speak."
An operative squares his shoulders, fixing his optics onto the Director. "Sir," he asks, "what have we gained by allowing the Autobot subversives their way in this matter?"
"We have avoided a rank act of genocide, restored peace to that solar system with minimal effort on our part, and ensured the freedom of that region of space from the Cybertron Empire's rapacious goals," states the Director, "which gives the Empire less energy to spread their dominion across the galaxy."
The operative blinks.
"Furthermore," continues the Director, "according to MRT-43's report, the Autobots have gained nothing material from their actions; her actions were within the bounds of the Beta Cygnus II Pact."
"Sir," says another operative, "we had long-standing casus belli against the peoples in that solar system, and we were free to do as we pleased."
"If you are referring to the tragic deaths of the Head Senator's parents and wife, you would be correct-if the native inhabitants' actions against the Head Senator's family were intentional," says the Director. "As they were not, it pleased us to spare those peoples' lives-and spare us the moral woe of needless bloodshed, which would have weighed heavily on the Head Senator's heart."
The second operative stares at the Director.
"Do not forget: whatever his feelings may be, Head Senator Karakawa Jigoro is a man of peace, chosen by the people of Gobotron. His will reflects the will of the electorate we serve," says the Director.
"If I may add," says MRT-43, "the best revenge, in the mind of the Head Senator, would be for the war on that homeworld-which took his family's life-to be ended, and for peace to reign in that solar system, which was the initial reason for his visit. With this right action, the Head Senator's mission is fulfilled, and his family didn't die in vain."
"I doubt that the previous Director would agree," mutters the first operative.
"Speak up!" demands the Director, scowling. "No one can hear you at such a pitifully-low volume."
"I was merely noting the difference between your approach," says the first operative, "and that of your predecessor."
The Director smirks. "I see. It is true," he says, "that I am a nicer fellow than my predecessor. While she would have accepted this favorable outcome," he continues, "those of you here who independently opted to hijack the mercenaries' mission...would all be dead."
The operatives are silent. One operative, a Mold-19, nods in agreement with the Director's words.
"So," says the Director, "while my approach deprives you of a means to slake your thirst and appetite for violence, you will live longer if you follow it."
"Some of us...disagree with your assessment, sir," says the second operative.
"I am well-aware of this," says the Director.
"Then you know that the previous Director would have seen the bigger picture, rather than bother with any regard for the lives of warring primitives," says the second operative.
The Mold-19 operative, MR-19, glances toward the Director's inner circle: MR-40, MR-41, and MRT-43; MR-19 turns to face the second operative. "You don't know what you're talking about," he says quietly, "but the Director's about to teach you."
The Director chuckles, then laughs, his expression bitter. "Indeed," he says, "let us speak on my predecessor and her grasp of greater perspective. Know this," he continues. "It was she whose sight of the bigger picture was grossly limited, and she paid the ultimate price for her willful blindness: in sanction and disgrace.
"
"That's easy for you to say," says the first operative. "You carried out MR-25's order of sanction."
"You are correct," says the Director. "I did not wish to, but her actions-and those of her chief subordinate-left me with no alternative. Their choice led them both to their demise, creating a grievous loss for their families, and for the Guardians."
"So if we don't follow your lead, sir," says the second operative, "then we'll end up like her?"
"Precisely," says the Director. "Let the fates of my predecessor and her cohort, both designated-like myself-as MR-07, serve as object lessons to you all..." The Director's words trail off as he answers a silent communique.
The operatives study the Director.
"I must take leave of you to address a private emergency," continues the Director. "Nonetheless, let my words stay within your minds. Know that I will never show any of you mercy if you choose, as she did, to lose sight of our purpose as Guardians. Moreover," he adds, "I expect the lot of you to show me the same courtesy, should I ever lose sight myself. MR-40, MR-41, and MRT-43: you will come with me. MR-19: end the briefing." The Director, his face set in an unreadable frown, exits the bunker with MR-40, MR-41, and MRT-43.
"What's going on, Nineteen?" asks the second operative. "The Director's never ended meetings abruptly before."
"If he states that his concern is private," says MR-19, "then we let it alone. Is there any other business?"
"Nothing except for Head Senator Karakawa's continued concern about his daughter's liaison with Choufunsha," says the first operative.
"Ah. Then as there's no business warranting our immediate attention," says MR-19, "then we'll continue standard monitoring of that situation. The meeting's adjourned."
The other operatives nod; all of the Guardian Intelligence operatives leave the bunker.
Scene: 5
"Forgive me, Optimus," says Skyfire. "I know you haven't been yourself for a while," he continues, "so letting you reap the chaos you've sown is the only way that I can ensure that you think going forward."
"By withholding the pain dampeners I need," groans Optimus.
"I can't believe you're just as impulsive as the Aerialbots," scoffs Skyfire.
"They're my friends," says Optimus, gripping his helm, "and they'll make you pay for this when they get back from their mission in Europe."
"What mission?" asks Skyfire.
Optimus gazes at Skyfire, a canny expression in his optics. "To secure Autobot objectives on Earth," he says.
Skyfire sighs. "I reject the idea that humans-if given the tools-will waste time destroying themselves before they've taken out the Decepticons first," he says, "so I'd imagine that the Aerialbots' mission is to destroy any Cybertronian tech in Latveria."
"Nanites," says Optimus.
"Who introduced the nanites?" asks Skyfire.
"This started shortly after we met Carly," says Optimus, "about four to five cycles ago."
"The Decepticons," says Skyfire. "Conducting more experiments on humans."
"Yes," says Optimus, "and it's another attack on Sparkplug. He can't catch a break from Megatron."
"Imagine how helpless he feels, Optimus," says Skyfire. "Sparkplug would do anything to be able to fight the Decepticons on equal terms."
"Earth has its own internal conflicts," says Optimus. "I won't add our weapons and technology to it."
"Swindle never had your scruples," scoffs Skyfire, "and was more than happy to sell his own teammates to people who would not only kill each other, but have the presence of mind to kill him and the other Decepticons with their newly-purchased weapons first!"
"That was a four-cycle nightmare...and it's still ongoing thanks to Destro and his company, MARS: the Military Armaments Research Syndicate," says Optimus. "My point is underscored by the fact that the company's name-or rather, acronym-reflects one of Earth's mythical gods of war."
"Which is also the name of a neighboring planet here in Sol system," says Skyfire. "There's no point to your efforts to cram the genie back into the bottle."
"You and Spike have been arguing again," says Optimus.
"He says it's practice for engaging with Creed," says Skyfire, "though I'm not sure why."
"Carly," says Optimus. "Spike's been attracted to her for years," he continues, "but until recently, she's fixated herself on Skydive. She's not very comfortable dealing with males from her own kind: likely due to some kind of trauma."
"Her mother," says Skyfire. "Being an assault victim, I recognize, can be hell," he continues, "but what are the effects of on someone learning that they're a product of that assault?"
"I can answer that," says Optimus, his optics narrowing. "Frustration. Lots of anger, an overwhelming sense of alienation-from feeling rejected: abandoned and unwanted."
Skyfire stares at Optimus.
"Carly feels somehow that we machines are easier to deal with than guys like Spike," says Optimus, "so I'm actually relieved that the US government wants her to inadvertently seduce Mr. Creed: who's wrestling with the same sense of abandonment from his mother-which he masks as hate towards all mutants."
Scene: 6
Outside the Xavier mansion, Marko casually tosses a tarp-covered mass in front of Xavier.
Lorna blinks, as does Xavier.
Kitty knocks on the object. "Sounds like metal," she says.
"I'm built with metal, fleshbag!" fumes the mass.
Xavier sighs. "I take it, Cain," he says, "that you abducted Motormaster in order to address your concerns."
Marko nods, unveiling the mass: a crumpled Motormaster. "Strong bastard," he says. "Put up a real fight, but I got the drop on him."
"You wouldn't be scrap without that stupid crystal!" counters Motormaster.
Marko chuckles. "Ain't the first time I've heard that shit," he says, "but it don't faze me anymore: not when I've heard it too many damn times from ol' Cyttorak himself."
"What am I supposed to do?" asks Xavier, a bemused smile on his face.
"Crack open this talking tin can's brain," says Marko, "to find out why he was in mine back in '85-and how he got in past my helmet."
Xavier touches his chin. "That is a valid concern," he says.
"Wait," says Lorna. "How were you able..!?"
"I'm the Juggernaut, bitch-if you'll pardon my French," grins Marko.
Motormaster refreshes his optics. "That's what this is about!?" he asks. "I'll tell you, since this dumb-aft beat me fair and square," he continues, scowling at Marko.
"You'll cooperate?" asks Xavier.
"Yeah, baldy," says Motormaster. "Ain't no need for you to probe my brain."
"If I may, Professor," says Kitty. "You must have patterned yourself after Juggernaut when you two met," she continues.
"He was robbing a bank in Oregon," says Xavier, "when the Stunticons began their radio-controlled attack."
"Had to go solo," says Marko. "Tommy was tryin' to go straight for Terry's sake. She's a loudmouth like her old man, but a real sweetheart."
"Family can be difficult," says Lorna, glancing between Xavier and Marko.
"So then," says Xavier, gazing into Motormaster's optics, "why?"
"Why him?" scoffs Motormaster. "Ain't gonna lie, don't worry," he says.
Xavier nods.
"It was the rhythmic cadence in his voice, combined with his straightforward uncomplicated thought," says Motormaster. "There ain't any noise in his head," he continues. "It's all signal and rich clarity."
Like music... muses Xavier. I would probe deeper, he continues silently, however, Motormaster has agreed to cooperate.
"You weren't actually saying shit," says Marko, annoyed. "I could just hear your thoughts, and feel you in my head-even though nothing should get in here with this." He taps his helmet with his fist.
"What's impossible for you humans ain't impossible for us," says Motormaster. "Also, you were distracted by your sudden increased levels of eloquence."
"You had me sounding like I was in some uppity Shakespeare play!" says Marko, blushing. "That was way too much words for me to say: 'I got the power to smash my stepbrother Charlie and his X-Men'."
"Personality grafts usually only work one-way," says Motormaster, "but you were still conscious, so there was a feedback loop."
"Aside from the need for clarity," asks Xavier, "why...?"
"I was trapped in my own head," says Motormaster. "My mind was in a neuroprison for 4.5 M-cycles-four-and-a-half million years for you," he explains, "but being conscious yet without control of your own body is way worse."
"Why'd you get locked up?" asks Marko.
Motormaster gives Marko a crude smile. "Treason," he says.
"You tried to turn traitor on Megatron?" wonders Marko.
"Yeah," says Motormaster. "My team and I ain't like you: a lucky deserter who got a magic rock to give him superpowers."
"If you picked up that much from my brain," says Marko, "then you'd know that I was buried alive for ten years. Ten years," he adds, "of eatin' slugs, mushrooms, and cave rats."
Xavier, Kitty, and Lorna stare at Marko.
"Not that I need to eat anymore," Marko continues, "but my stomach still growls at me, and I can still enjoy a medium-rare steak." He plucks a steak off a grill. "Don't mind if I do."
Logan sets down his kebab kit, then leaps at Marko as the latter wolfs down the steak.
"Juicy," grins Marko, chuckling as Logan bounces harmlessly off his back; he hands Logan a picked-clean T-bone.
"That was A5 Wagyu steak, bub," says Logan, glaring at the bone as he rises to his feet.
"Japanese steak," says Marko. "They give you one tiny slice-just enough to piss off the cavities in your teeth that you ain't gettin' any more. That's what you were gonna do with your T-Bone, Wolvie," he adds with a burp. "Cut tiny slivers."
"You're still angry about our unit's dinner in Okinawa, before we headed to the front in Vietnam?" balks Xavier.
"I tried to be nice about it!" pouts Marko.
Xavier smiles. "I know. I could visibly see the pain in your efforts," he says.
"All of us felt the same way," says Marko, "with your stomach rumblin' the loudest because you love steak, Charlie. I just had to be the jackass to say," he continues, "'Excuse me, I don't mean to be a rude American or anything, but...is there more?'"
"And the chef's answer amounted to a politely-worded 'no'," says Xavier, "as the beef is from a rare breed of cattle: very expensive to obtain because the cattle is raised and bred in a specific way."
"How were you able to get Wagyu, anyway?" Marko asks Logan.
"I got connections in Japan," says Logan, "but that was my last steak you ate in one gulp."
"Maybe you should just eat him," sneers Motormaster. "The free entertainment value from watching organic cannibalism will make up for me being reduced to living lawn sculpture."
"Temptin'," grins Logan ruefully, "but my healin' factor has its limits."
"He'll give us all indigestion," adds Kitty, "and he'd be tough and chewy."
"We'd have to stew him for hours," says Xavier wryly, "as Cain's muscles are overworked and he's old."
"Now Charlie?" says Marko, a crude grin on his face. "He ain't no spring chicken, but he's tender and sedentary."
Kitty gently squeezes Xavier's bicep. "Nah; his meat would be tough, too," she says, smiling. "The professor's marbling score would be lousy."
Xavier flexes his bicep.
"Your hindquarters' marblin' score is a bit too good for your age, Kitten," says Marko. "Your professor's gettin' hungry," he adds with a canny look in his eyes.
"What...?" wonders Kitty, confused.
"Go upstairs with Lorna, Kat," orders Logan; he gives Xavier a thin smile.
"Okay, old man," snorts Kitty. She and Lorna reenter the Xavier mansion.
"Logan, what the hell was that about?" asks Xavier.
Marko shakes his head.
"Don't get me wrong," Xavier continues. "Cain has never been subtle; he thinks I want to sate my carnal appetites with my students," he adds, rolling his eyes.
"All that clingy fabric on nubile, trustin' teenage girls," says Marko, unfazed as he folds his arms. "It's got to do somethin' to you downstairs."
"There are enough ethical ramifications involved to kill any enthusiasm 'downstairs'," snorts Xavier.
"Juggernaut ain't wrong, Chuck," says Logan. "I've seen the way you've looked at Jean and Storm over the years since I came on-to say nothin' about Rogue since she joined us."
"I've seen the way you've looked at Jean," counters Xavier, "and you are both my and Cain's elder."
"Yeah," says Logan, "old enough to take you over my knee: so don't give me any bullshit."
"From a reproductive standpoint," says Motormaster, "it makes sense for Xavier to mate with available young females. Functionally," he adds, "those two girls are basically adults."
"They're juvies," counters Marko. "They ain't grown women yet."
"I'm not fond of prison," says Xavier. "That will need to be enough reassurance for the both of you."
"Nope," says Marko. "I don't trust you that far."
"Your projection is trifling," counters Xavier.
"Yeah, I'm puttin' myself in your wheelchair and thinking about what I'd do with your powers," says Marko. "I also know how dishonest you are."
Xavier sighs, exasperated. "Enlighten me on my own id, please," he sneers.
"You could use your brain to tickle a girl in her panties, call her upstairs, and get her to give you a nice lap dance," says Marko.
"That's what you'd do," fumes Xavier, "not me!"
Marko shoves aside Motormaster, leaning into Xavier's face. "Ol' Cyttorak never wanted me, you know, dear stepbrother," he says. "He wanted you."
"The god of destruction wanted me to serve as his avatar," muses Xavier aloud.
"Yep," says Marko. "Too bad for him that I picked up his Crimson Gem phone call instead that day."
"You're dealing with Cyttorak's disappointment rather well," says Xavier.
"I've had too much practice from my old man wantin' you as a son over me-his actual boy," says Marko, a bitter smile on his face, "and unlike ol' Kurt, I don't give a shit about Cyttorak's approval, because he ain't even capable of love."
"He never wanted me," says Xavier, quiet: bitterness in his own eyes. "Kurt wanted my family's wealth, and was so jealous of my father that he admitted to murdering him when I confronted him about it. Frankly," he adds, "he should've been named 'Cain'."
"Are you frags done with me or what?" groans Motormaster.
"You've been very helpful; thank you," says Xavier. "Hot Spot will take you to Autobot Headquarters: hopefully to undo whatever the Decepticons did to you to force you back into their ranks."
Motormaster chuckles. "My pit crew went through the same scrap with me," he says, "and they're fighting the Protectobots now."
Scene: 7
"Are you sure this is wise, Your Majesty?" asks Road Ranger.
T'Challa touches his chin, then looks into Road Ranger's optics. "No; it's not wise at all," he says, calm. "In fact, it could jeopardize everything that my parents and the chief of Ororo's village had been working towards since we were infants."
"Then, as king," Road Ranger suggests, "couldn't you just skip the pre-consummation ceremony?"
"It's possible that if I followed your advice," says T'Challa, "then my people would not greet Ororo as Wakanda's new queen, but an intruder. The pre-consummation is the reason why the people of Wakanda can engage in wrestling matches to decide who rules Wakanda," he adds wryly.
Road Ranger sighs.
"By blood, we are all one people: sons and daughters of the kings of Wakanda," continues T'Challa. "The concept of a child being a 'bastard' or 'illegitimate' doesn't exist here."
"And before the king gets hitched to his new queen," drawls Road Tracker, "he has his pick of the women of Wakanda: whether they're married or not."
"If the women choose," says T'Challa. "The main stipulation is that the prospects are of childbearing age."
"Is Ororo aware of this?" asks Road Ranger.
"The bride is not told of this if she was born an outsider," says T'Challa. "If this were normal," he continues, "Ororo would be in her bedchamber with the elder women, who would explain the context of the pre-consummation to her."
Scene: 8
"The king of Wakanda is first Wakanda's husband," says Shuri. "His devotion is always to his people."
Storm crosses her arms. "So T'Challa gets to bed his people," she says, giving Shuri a thin smile.
"There are exceptions, Ororo," says Shuri. "As his sister through Father," she continues, gazing at a handheld photo of T'Chaka: T'Challa and Shuri's late father-and T'Challa's predecessor, "I cannot be a prospect."
"I...can understand," says Storm. "This unifies the people of Wakanda as one tribe," she continues, smiling, "and gets any desire to philander out of T'Challa's mind before marriage."
"The problem I have-and why I'm telling you this now instead of the elder women-is that my brother's not doing this properly!" spits Shuri.
"When was I to be told?" asks Storm.
"The pre-consummation ceremony has always taken place the evening before the wedding," says Shuri, "with the bride in her bedroom with the elders to anticipate her union with the king: for the wedding night where she becomes Wakanda, as the king is now hers and hers alone."
Storm rubs her arms.
Marko yawns, bored.
"I'm sure you figured this out when you were my bodyguard years ago," says Storm.
"Hey," snorts Marko. "My job was to keep you from getting kidnapped or killed, and when I asked-because I first heard about this pre-marriage bachelor king orgy shit from the Rhino..."
"You were both working for Klaw at that time," says Storm, "and my village's chief told me that you were the only one of Klaw's mercenaries that escaped Wakanda."
"Mr. Sytsevich we extradited to the US without issue: at your request," says Shuri.
"I ain't no genius," says Marko, "but Rhino's a real mouth-breathin' dumbass. His wife's the most patient woman in the world," he adds, "and I keep telling the idiot to go straight."
"You and he tried to fight the Hulk," balks Storm.
"I can handle the Hulk," grins Marko, thumping his chest with one of his beefy fists. "If Rhino survived, it was because the Pissed-off Green Giant was just peeved that day, rather than really angry."
"The Queen Mother asked Mr. Marko not to reveal the pre-consummation ceremony to you," says Shuri. "That's what she told me when I had asked her."
Storm gives Marko a questioning look; Marko nods.
"Brother shouldn't do this before the right time," says Shuri. "While I understand the reason he's a bit upset," she continues, lowering her lids as she frowns briefly: handing Storm a few photos, "it's clear that he's heeding bad advice."
Storm looks over the photos, her skin heated.
Marko snatches a photo. "Wonder what Charlie would say about this," he quips.
Storm takes back the photo. "It's none of the professor's business," she says, leaning into Marko's face. "I'll go to Wakanda," she continues, "and clear the air with T'Challa. This is a misunderstanding."
"How are you going to keep His Majesty from his tribal draught do senior bachelor orgy?" snorts Marko.
Storm pockets the photos, gives Marko a crude smile, exits the Xavier mansion, and flies off.
"So, Miss Shuri: your little country's about to be hit with a ton of mood-killin' rain," says Marko; he chuckles.
"Ororo has more self-control than that," pouts Shuri, giggling. "She'll have a rain cloud over Brother's head."
Marko laughs; Shuri joins him.
Scene: 9
"This is petty and unbecoming of you," says T'Challa, rubbing his arms as he continues to endure the localized rain over his head.
"You were going to pervert your kingdom's traditions," counters Storm, scowling, "out of spiteful, inane, and misguided jealousy. You will thank Shuri for her wisdom in warning me of your stupid plan."
"T'Challa, my son..." says the Queen Mother. "Please..."
T'Challa walks over to a garden. "It is an honor, Mother," he says, "to help you with your gardening."
Road Tracker grins; Road Ranger shakes his head.
"However unjustified you, Shuri, and Ororo believe my decision to be," continues T'Challa, "that doesn't excuse Ororo's indiscretion-especially with that man."
"I'll relent," says Storm, "when you're willing to listen to what I have to say: regarding the photos you saw."
"You don't have to 'relent'," scoffs T'Challa. "Speak."
"Your tone with me is wrong, Your Majesty," says Storm.
"I'm not in a good mood," says T'Challa, "as I've been drenched to the bone by a rain cloud controlled by a childish mutant who thinks in Looney Tunes."
"Perhaps," says Storm, "but I do think."
T'Challa glares at the ground, shivering. "Why were you kissing Magneto: your sworn enemy?" he asks, wiping rain water from his forehead.
The rain from the rain cloud softens to a light drizzle.
Storm sighs. "Now," she says, "I'll be more than happy to explain the truth."
Reluctantly, Storm gently broke the kiss.
Magneto stared at Storm.
Storm straightened herself. "I can't," she said, touching her lips. "No: I won't betray T'Challa."
"I'm not thinking about Wakanda or its king," said Magneto, folding his arms, "if that was your concern."
"I respect T'Challa as a man-who is my intended husband," said Storm. "This-as refreshing and pleasant as it was-will have to be the end of it."
"That will prove easier said than done, Ororo," said Magneto, "for the both of us. Nonetheless," he continued, "I will respect your wishes on the matter." He donned his helmet, then summoned his forcefield and took to the sky.
Storm trembled. I think, she mused, sitting on the grassy patch beneath a palm tree, near the oasis lake, that I'll call for the Blackbird.
"I...want to trust her," says T'Challa.
"Then trust her," says Small Foot. "Storm has no reason to lie."
"I do trust her, in fact," continues T'Challa. "After all, I had been heeding bad advice," he adds, glaring at an anthropomorphic panther woman, "from Bast's wicked troublemaker of a sister: K'Liluna."
"Tch," says K'Liluna, contempt in her eyes as she reverts to her true form: a brown-skinned woman, "and here I was trying to make a man out of you: when Bast would have you simper before this pathetic weather priestess."
"If you were a goddess of note," says Storm, cool, "then you would've advised N'Jadaka not to attempt to steal Magneto's power. Or are you upset that Magneto killed your sorry excuse for a champion?"
"Do not trifle with me, weather girl," says K'Liluna. "I am Ennead."
"I am blessed by the Ennead's elder, the lady Oshtur," counters Storm, displaying a lock of her hair.
"And we're all standing on Gaea," adds T'Challa.
"We're on Earth," says Small Foot.
T'Challa smiles. "That's what I said," he notes.
Scene: 10
"Why should I trust mankind: the humans of Earth?" asks Optimus, giving a dark-hared woman a penetrating gaze.
The woman returns the gaze. "I am the 'water-rock' on which you stand, Orion," she says. "In my side, where your ship is lodged, you and your warriors have rest and shelter."
Optimus sighs. "Gaea," he says, "the 'mother of all gods' who became one with this planet: Earth."
Gaea, the woman, nods.
"Then you must know the reason that I won't blindly share my world's technology with your children," continues Optimus, "as their blood has soaked deep into your 'skin' throughout human history."
Gaea scowls. "It's this very aspect that... I can't expect you to understand," she says.
"Please try," says Optimus, "if you expect to succeed where many Earth generals and politicians have failed: as you are the avatar of Earth itself."
"That's one aspect of myself," says Gaea. "Very well, Primus-bearer."
Optimus raises an optic ridge.
"Sorry," says Gaea. "My sister travelled the void of space," she continues, "and has been more prolific than me: though only Agamotto was properly-begotten."
"The only burden I bear within me," says Optimus, "is the Matrix of Leadership: which is convincing me to listen to you against my better judgment."
"That's what your mentor, Alpha Trion-who recently became one with Vector Sigma-calls what I'd refer to as the Heart of Primus," says Gaea. "It's why you and your predecessors all hold the title 'Prime'."
Optimus leans against the volcanic mountain. "That's interesting. Perhaps you can answer how the Matrix picks Primes," he scoffs.
Gaea laughs brightly. "You may be aware of the Egyptian goddess Ma'at, who weighs the hearts of the departed in Duat," she says.
"Yes," says Optimus, recalling several museum trips. "I always did find myself fascinated with ancient Egyptian rituals."
"Ma'at is an aspect of my sister," says Gaea. "In your case-as with your predecessors," she continues, "there's a 'feather' that's weighed on a scale against your ib-heart or core. With you, since your nature as living machines makes all Cybertronians ahk..."
"...my ka and ba are in constant union," finishes Optimus, "which is why our consciousnesses persist beyond our physical termination. I guess this also explains," he continues, "why there's no Cybertronian chimera analogue to Ammit to purge Nova."
"He and the other Primes within the Matrix," says Gaea, "carry the wisdom of Cybertron: to guide you, and those who follow after you. To lead and protect 'those who self-govern'."
"'Robots who think for themselves'," says Optimus. "The original meaning of my faction's name: Autobot."
Gaea nods. "From that perspective, your enemies could be Autobots," she says.
"My immediate predecessor would scoff at the thought of Megatron declaring himself an 'Autobot'," says Optimus, "and given the scrap Megatron's put me through over the past nine M-cycles, I'm inclined to agree-despite my predecessor's flaws and missteps."
Cliffjumper exits the Ark; he notes Optimus and Gaea. "Optimus," he asks, "who's she?"
"A chief representative of Earth trying to convince me to release our tech to Earth's militaries and scientists," says Optimus; he winks at Gaea.
"What's your name?" Cliffjumper asks Gaea.
"'Gaea'," says Gaea.
"You're named after one of the deified personifications of this planet?" wonders Cliffjumper.
"Some would assert," says Gaea, "that all of those 'personifications' are different names for the same being."
"It'd make things easier for us: to protect the humans here from the Decepticons," says Cliffjumper, "but we tried that once on another planet, and they wiped themselves out in a global war with our tech."
"We don't want that to happen to the people of Earth," adds Optimus, "who have already had two of these global conflicts-and are still waging a third-with their own technology: which I suspect is the only reason the human species on Earth is still extant."
"Have you and your cohorts-along with your enemies," muses Gaea, "not been fighting a single civil war for longer than the whole of humankind's recorded and oral history?"
Cliffjumper transforms and drives off.
"Sounds like something Sparkplug would say," says Optimus.
Thor descends; he studies Optimus and Gaea. "Come, All-Mother," he says to Gaea. "No matter your argument, Optimus won't budge."
"The Decepticons, as vile as they are," says Gaea, "are willing to let humankind meddle with Cybertron's technology-even against itself."
"The Decepticons would gladly send all organic life on Earth to the Pit," says Optimus, "but I won't allow it."
"That may very well be our fate if we choose," says Thor, "and if that's the case, then so be it. Shall we live on our knees, Optimus," he asks, "or die on our feet: as free people?"
"Really?" balks Optimus. "'Give me liberty, or give me death'?"
"You're willing to fight, kill, and die for everyone's freedom, Optimus Prime," says Thor, touching Gaea's shoulder. "The peoples of Earth: in Asgard, and in the many nations of Midgar," he continues, "are all prepared to do the same."
"You could argue that all of this warring amongst one another," says Gaea, "mostly to overthrow cruel, domineering rulers, has left mankind with a distaste for alien machines like Megatron: who seek the same."
"I can just hear Dr. Doom," quips Thor, "declaring to Megatron that..."
Scene: 11
"This planet Earth belongs to Doom!" says Doom, pointing imperiously at a group of Decepticons from his throne. "Especially the land of Latveria!"
"Make us leave, then, doctor," sneers a Seeker. Five other Seekers laugh.
"That time will come," says Doom.
"Sooner than you think," adds Magneto; he slams the six Seekers together, knocking them all offline.
"Remember the Pact, Lehnsherr," says Doom. "I'm within my rights to detain these Decepticons for their foolhardy invasion," he continues, "yet I must let them live."
"As long as you remember our agreement, von Doom," says Magneto. "If any Nazi or anti-mutant elements are present in Latveria," he continues, "they belong to me."
"I'm of Romani blood myself," says Doom. "My kindred were being gunned down, burned alive, and gassed right alongside your circumcised people. My own family was spared only because Latveria back then was considered a backwater to the Germans."
"The people of Latveria have the sense not to persecute mutants," says Magneto, cool.
"Doom respects power," says Doom, "which you have in abundance: and you've repeatedly proven yourself ready to wield that power against your enemies. I have enough overpowered enemies already," he adds, glaring at a photo of himself with a young Richards and Grimm.
Magneto smiles. "So, you have friends who refuse to understand you as well," he muses.
"Your Xavier can be made to see reason," counters Doom. "Richards has always been an arrogant, egotistical ass."
Richards enters the throne room with Susan, Johnny, and Grimm; the Fantastic Four glance at the mangled squad of Seekers, then approach Doom's throne.
"I take it that the Guardians sent you, Richards," says Doom.
"Glad to see you in a good mood, Vic," says Richards.
"Look, Doc," adds Grimm. "The Decepticons attacked Latveria, and you were the third country to sign onto that treaty with Gobotron. We ain't here about you settlin' business with those tin cans."
Susan sighs. "You have religious and political prisoners, Victor," she says, frowning. "That's why we came here: on our own."
"As much as I've detested you since you started your world-domination career," adds Richards, "I could at least say that Latveria was a good-faith effort before."
"They're members of the Church of Human Potential," sneers Doom. "A pitiful joke of a hate group," he adds, "which knows not the meaning of the word 'potential'."
"Why are you holding your own people prisoner?" demands Johnny. "It's like Reed was getting at: you've never stooped to that before."
"I've taken on Mr. Lehnsherr as a foreign legionnaire," says Doom, nodding towards Magneto; he turns to a group of uniformed guardsmen. "Bring two of the Church detainees," he orders the guardsmen, "so that our mercenary can deploy his skill: with the observation of our guests."
The guardsmen nod, saluting Doom.
"I guess that's why your guards just let us in," says Grimm, shrugging; he watches the guardsmen exit the throne room.
"I'm not 'going through the motions' today, Benjamin," says Doom. "If my hypothesis is correct," he adds, "then America is in danger of being compromised by Decepticon malfeasance."
The Fantastic Four step back, eyes wide with horror.
Richards touches his chin, collecting himself after a moment. "Dr. Trask was battering me with questions," he says. "About nanotechnology in living organic tissue."
"Please explain," says Doom.
"He was worried about one of his top financial sponsors," says Richards, glancing at Magneto, "who-despite his wretched views-isn't a member of the Church of Human Potential. Dr. Trask conducted tests," he continues, "and while that backer has also been infected with nanotech, the nanotech development inside him has thankfully been slow."
"Identify this 'backer'," says Magneto.
"Graydon Creed," says Susan, gripping Richards' shoulder.
Richards frowns.
Magneto tilts his head, then laughs.
"What's so funny, Buckethead?" asks Grimm.
"You'll see," says Magneto, grinning.
The guardsmen reenter with two detainees; they approach Doom's throne.
"You will kneel," orders Doom, "before Doom: Latveria's ruler and protector."
The two detainees stare at Doom as they drop to their knees.
"You are traitors to your nation, Latveria," continues Doom. "I am judge and jury here," he continues, glancing briefly at the Fantastic Four, "and any passports asserting dual citizenship with the United States have been revoked: rendered null and void, as you have violated Latverian law regarding terrorism and political subversion."
"Why, sire," cries one detainee, "are you consorting with that mutant: who is a terrorist!?"
"Your misguided fear of mutants drove you to heed Stryker's folly," says Doom, "not realizing that for the past five years, the blind has led you blind idiots: and you all fall into a ditch-to your damnation."
"I don't understand," says the other detainee. "Latveria has guarantees of religious freedom."
"With the understanding that all religions must render unto Latveria what is Latveria's due," says Doom.
"How often do you partake of communion at your church?" asks Magneto.
"Once a week," says the first detainee. "Reverend Stryker says that it's God's way to purify our blood from any mutant taint with the body and blood of Jesus."
"For five years..." says Richards inaudibly.
"At this moment," says Doom, "the nation of Latveria shall part ways with these inmates." He turns to Magneto, making a slicing hand gesture in front of his neck.
Magneto nods, then exerts his power on the two detainees, crushing them.
The two detainees' corpses collapse, their viscera exposed...along with circuitry and wiring.
Grimm blinks. "What the hell!?" he balks. "I thought only you did the 'Doombot' bullshit!" he continues, staring at Doom.
Doom rises from his throne, then removes his mask and hood. "While I love to toy with you Fantastic Four fools," he says, "I don't want my Doombots hijacked by Megatron's devices."
Richards smirks at Susan...who forms an invisible bubble over Doom's head.
Doom's eyes widen. "You could've punched me instead," he says.
Susan disperses the bubble. "Just checking, Victor," she says wryly.
Scene: 12
Bumblebee sighs. "C. J.," he mutters, "you had better have a real point to this. I don't like wasting Special Ops resources."
"Megatron ain't this low-key on his own," says Cliffjumper. "Not even Soundwave."
"There are some annoying people on Earth that are like you," says Bumblebee. "They have a one-track mind."
"Creed is one of 'em," says Cliffjumper, "worried that mutants are dangerous to other humans."
"And his solution is to initiate stupid self-fulfilling prophecies," says Bumblebee dourly.
"Creed was kidnapped by the Decepticons," says Cliffjumper, "the same way Sparkplug was. And the Decepticons have had willing human collaborators before."
"Arkeville and Berger," says Bumblebee. "Chumley was more situational for Astrotrain and Blitzwing. Of course," he continues, "the Decepticons ended up double-crossing or turning on all three of those guys."
Cliffjumper chuckles. "We still haven't found Arkeville on Cybertron," he says. "But what if there was a human smart enough to realize the possibility of a Decepticon double-cross up front?"
Bumblebee touches his chin. "If I were in that type of person's position," he muses, "I'd find some way to learn about Wheeljack's Immobilizer. There was a tour group here about three years ago," he adds, pulling up a video log, "though they were here to learn about the Dinobots."
Cliffjumper pauses the video log, then zooms in on an image of one of the human visitors talking to Wheeljack. "Teletraan," he says, "retrieve the name that guy provided us."
"Processing..." states Teletraan. "Found. John Smith."
"Where's this specific 'John Smith' from?" asks Cliffjumper, "and what are his connections?"
Teletraan complies, retrieving the requested information.
Bumblebee refreshes his optics. "Smith was kicked out of the Friends of Humanity in 1980 for having ties to neo-Nazi groups," he says. "Of course," he continues, narrowing his optics, "he's old enough to have been one of the originals."
"I'm thinking this guy might've picked fights with Captain America," says Cliffjumper, "based on Teletraan's 3-D telemetry scans. Even has 'Johann Shmidt' as a possible match-because there's no record of that frag's death."
"If it turns out that this guy's actually the Red Skull, I owe you five cubes of high-grade," says Bumblebee.
Scene: 13
"There's a delay," says Megatron.
"I don't follow," says an elderly man in a gray nehru jacket with matching pants.
"The cloning process should've been concluded a year ago," says Megatron. "Subject X-23 should be leading the charge to have you flesh creatures destroy each other: which, disturbingly, is what you want..." Megatron stares at the man, confused.
"Yes," says the man, with a faint, undefinable accent. "I want your people to inherit the earth," he says, "but as long as we humans infest it, we will always have trouble."
"What makes you say that, Smith?" asks Megatron.
"Experience, Herr Megatron," says Smith, his accent becoming more pronounced, "and knowledge of my race's history."
Megatron studies Smith.
"Simply put," Smith continues, "we are always fighting. Win or lose: even if the battle is hopeless, pointless, fruitless-even if we are powerless, we always fight!"
"What kind of 'experience' is that, flesh creature?" asks Megatron.
"We 'flesh creature' inhabitants of Earth are moved by words such as this," says Smith, his German heritage becoming apparent. "'...we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.' That," spits Smith, seething with rage, "is humanity on Earth."
"The Earthian Churchill would be rather upset that you plagiarized so much of his little speech," says Megatron.
"His side won," says Smith, his eyes glittering with hatred. "Your junge Flashpoint: he saw this scheisse in one of the defectives of our race, and warned you as a good soldat should."
"Flashpoint's plan to curb this tendency in your kind had promise, but it held a fatal flaw," says Megatron, "which cost him his life."
"'Had he waited, and targeted Captain America instead...'" sneers Smith. "Those are your computerized little thoughts: so neat and logical."
"My suggestion was flawed?" asks Megatron, narrowing his optics.
"Yes!" says Smith. "Which Captain America do you kill!?"
"The original: Steven Rogers," says Megatron.
"Such has been tried, Herr Megatron," says Smith. "Kill him, and a hundred more will appear in his place-a damned one-man hydra! If you did your research when Rogers disappeared," he continues, "then you'll recall that Captain America was still present: Naslund, Mace, Burnside, Russo, Turpin, Simons, and Walker-and that one is still with Rogers as his new sidekick: US Agent."
"Your obsession with Captain America is astounding, Smith," says Megatron.
"July 4, 1920. The day that man was born," says Smith, "was the day a thorn began pressing in my side."
"My chronmetric readings of you indicate that you were born in 1914," says Megatron.
Smith nods. "I was six years old when Rogers was born," he says. "The earth tried to kill Rogers and his parents: Joseph and Sarah. But Rogers would not die. His body was frail and weak-substandard!"
Megatron studies Smith, a mix of amazement and confusion on his face.
"Weakest of his army: a 4-F reject!" continues Smith. "Yet one scientist: armed with a needle holding the contents of a single vial of heart-shaped herb-derived super soldier serum," he says, fury darkening his face, "turned that weakling into my übermenschlich curse!"
Megatron notes a skull mask; he picks it up. "So," he drawls, studying the crimson object, "you had to be undying as well: Johann Shmidt. Odd spelling, though: missing the 'c'."
Smith blinks. "Americans..." he says, smiling. "They spelled 'Schmidt' wrong, and it stuck in their records. I had allowed others to rally to the Nazis' 'lost cause', letting them play-act as me," he continues, "while I simply moved to South Africa, running some operations there while I built my identity under my Anglicized name: 'John Smith'."
Megatron gazes at Smith.
Smith grins. "Worked on my accent until I could sound American enough that any remains of it could be explained by my cover story: that I grew up in Germantown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-with a large German-American population."
"You never struck me as a creature of faith," muses Megatron.
"Oh, I believe," says Smith. "In strength, rage, and hatred."
"I see," says Megatron, frowning.
END SPECIAL SIX
