"Would ya get a look at this thing!" Richards said, shining his lamp on the gargantuan throne in the center of the room they were in. "Who do ya suppose sat in that monstrosity? Goliath?"
"I wouldn't be surprise," Ivan replied, shining his lamp of the throne. "Everything in this place seems to be made for giants."
"I never did like the idea of looking up at anyone," Richards said, shining his lamp around. His grip tightened on the Winchester.
"Don't worry, Colonel," Ivan said, drawing his free hand across the throne, at least two inches of dust came of, which he shock free with disgust. "I do believe who ever once lived here, is long gone, much like the dinosaurs."
Richards suddenly had an idea. "You don't suppose that them Dion's…?"
"Impossible," Ivan snorted. "If they were this intelligent, we would've found examples of their civilization when we found their bones."
"That's a relief." Richards replied, shining his lamp down into a huge pit. It was deep, about 60 feet down. There was another giant seat, but not as big as the throne, along with the most old looking desk. In fact, there were a row of them, stretching along towards…
He froze, and turned to Ivan. "IVAN!!!" He shouted out loud.
Ivan spun around, his hand on his holster, "What?" He cried out.
"You'd better come see this." Ivan hurried over, shining his lamp down to the spot Richards was. There, sprawled across the floor below, lay a giant man of iron. It was the weirdest creature both men had ever seen. It was at least 35 to 40 feet tall, with huge wings. There were what looked like large poles attached to its arms, and even though it's colours were faded; the thing was red and white, with some blue here and there.
"That's one ugly look'n Martian," Richards said, running the lamp over its black head. Its face was screwed up in a look that Ivan thought remarkably resembled pain.
"Well, he's definitely big enough to walk around here," Ivan said, looking all around. "But I wonder…"
There train of thought was derailed as a high-pitched scream filled the air. Both men turned in the direction of the scream, aiming their weapons. "That was Steel!" Richards shouted. Then, the whole ship began to vibrate.
"What the devil is going on!?" Ivan shouted out.
"Come on!" Richards cried out, and they took off, racing back the way they came. Their boots clanged on the metal floor as they ran, echoing all around the halls. Finally they rounded the hall towards the entrance they'd come in thought, and came to a screeching halt.
There, before them, stood a towering iron giant. Taller than the one they'd just recently found, it clung to the side of the wall, as if in trouble, then, it began to slowly gain balance, as it reared up to it's full height.
"Bozhemoi!" Ivan whispered in horror. Richards jaw dropped, and he nearly dropped his lamp. Through it's legs, they saw Steel cowering up against a wall of boulders and rocks. He saw the men, and shot them a frantic look.
"SHOOT IT!!!" He screamed.
The Winchester was up against Richards shoulder before he even knew it. He fired, worked the lever, and fire again. Shot after shot pinged off its iron hide, until the rifle clicked empty.
The creature paused, and then slowly, turned to face the two men, rusty metal, squealing as it did so. Ivan whipped out his pistol, and took aim, but didn't fire, as both he and Richards slowly backed off.
"Ya said we had lots of explosives, right?" Richards whispered to Ivan, not taking his eyes of the metal monster.
"That's right," Ivan whispered back, "But they're outside, and we're in here, and that thing is blocking the only exit."
"Then we'd better find 'nother one."
"LOOK OUT!!!" They were distracted long enough that they didn't see the iron giant reaching for them. Steel's galvanized shriek alerted them, and they turned to see the huge metal hand, coming towards them.
"Jesus!" Richards shouted, and then he and Ivan turned around and bolted.
"Get out of here, Steel!" Ivan shouted back at the man, as they tore off down the tunnel. "We'll draw its attention!" He then turned his gun around, and fired two shots at the creature's head.
Steel nodded and rushed for the exit, not bothering for his camera, which lay on the ground, not far away from the metal monster, who was perusing the two feeling men. Steel clambered up the rocks and metal, slipping a bit, as he reached the top. He turned back, to see the creature on its knees, while Ivan and Richards were no longer in sight, the sounds of their boots echoing off the metal floor vanishing down the hall.
Steel grinned, then took two steps towards the opening, and screamed as he suddenly was yanked backwards. Steel could only watch in shock, as the exit began rapidly moving away.
The giant uttered no sound, as it lifted Steel up
to its face, holding him by the back of his jacket. Steel struggled in mid-air, kicking and waving his arms
about. He struggled in vain against the
immense strength of the monsters fingers as it held him. His eyes were transfixed on the glowing red
eyes.
"Please, have mercy," he begged, frightened out of his
wits. "Don't kill me! Oh God, Richards, Snakowski! Anybody, please help me...!"
His heart lurched in his chest, as all of a sudden, a small cannon popped out from the left side of the creatures head. Then, a tight beam of green light, blasted Steel from head to toe. Steel cringed, expecting death.
But it didn't come. He opened his eyes, to see the green beam moving up and down his body, slowly. It felt strange, like bathing in the warm morning glow of sunlight. Then, the beam disappeared, and the cannon vanished back inside the things head. Suddenly, Steel realized he'd been holding his breathe, and let out a loud gasp for air.
Then, the creature spoke. In pure English.
"English!" It said in a voice that sounded metallic, and hollow. Like someone speaking through a metal pipe. "You speak, English!"
"Yes," Steel said automatically. "Please, don't kill me!" He held up his hands before his face in a futile gesture.
"Shut up, worm!" The thing snarled. It then looked at Steel from all angles, as if assessing him. "Amazing, such a thing like you could arise to dominance of an entire planet." Then, it smiled. "Fascinating."
Suddenly, the eyes dimmed fore just a second, and the creature stagger, losing its grip on Steel, dropping him. Steel was only about ten feet in the air above the nearest ground, and although he was winded, he was not seriously injured.
"Are you okay?" He asked, confused at his sudden worry for the metal giant.
"I need… Energy!" It growled, clutching its midsection, then lowered down onto one knee. Its eyes began to flicker. "The Bio Scan I per-per-performed on you seriously drained what little b-b-b-b-backup power I have leeeeeeft." Its voice stuttered like a skipping record.
Now, as Steel watched in writhe about helplessly, he no longer felt afraid, but curios. This thing held him like a man might a bug, yet now, it was as powerful as a newborn baby. He chocked his head to one side and studied it.
"Help me Flesh c-reature!" The giant pleaded, "I need energyyyyyy!"
"How?" Steel asked.
A shaky hand reached up to its metal chest, and pushed it. There was a soft click, and it swung open, like a pair of double doors. Then a metal cover flipped up, and reveled the most wonders thing Steel had ever seen. It looked like a spare of pure light. It fizzled and cracked, like a fire, while odd shapes and colours inside morphed continually about.
The creature then reached up to the top right hand corner of its insides, and pushed on a small button. There was another soft click, and a small cylinder popped out. It then reached over, and dropped it into Steel's hand. It was about the size of a large bottle of wine.
"*Garble,*" the creature stuttered. "This is *Garble* Use it on the *Garble* screen."
"What?" Steel said. The sentence the giant had just said was filled with static and squealing. "I didn't understand a word you said."
"I can't t-t-talk to you about thiiiiiings you don't have-ve-ve words for!" It growled, growing impatient. "Just goooooo to the giant window in front of-of-of-of the throne down the hallllll, and place-ce-ce the cylinder in a small reeeeeed hole below the-the-the-he-he window!"
"Ummm," Steel muttered, looking from the cylinder to the giant.
"GO FLESH CREATURE!!" IT roared, it's voice echoing off the halls, making Steel cover his ears. "I need energy-ergy, NOW!"
Steel quickly stumbled away, keeping his eyes on the thing, as he hurried down the corridor. As he jogged down the hall, he couldn't help but glance over at the thing. It was acting like an athlete short of breath, after a marathon.
That was odd. The machine was acting as though… it were alive.
He turned back and shook his head. That was possible, machines weren't alive, and they were mealy tools that mankind used. But this thing had too many qualities that made it seem almost… Human. He stopped jogging, and turned to look back down the corridor. He couldn't see the creature anymore.
The idea that had just gone through his head was ludicrous. Thinking machines, with independent thought, emotion, and pain? No, that wasn't possible, only God bestrode intelligence on man, not machine.
Suddenly, another thought floated into his mind.
"Hey," he said, turning back to the direction he was heading, "Where did everybody go?"
***
Ivan and Steel had stopped running, and lay against a wall, trying to catch their breath.
"Do ya think *Gasp* Steel got away *Gasp*?" Richards asked between gasps.
"Let's hope so, *Gasp*!" Ivan replied, looking ever so slightly around the corner to see if that iron giant was still following them. "I wonder *Gasp* were it went?"
"Who bloody cares!" Richards replied, undoing the pouch at his belt, and then started loading more rounds into the Winchester. "It's gone! Let's keep it that way."
"You know," Ivan sighed, pointing at the gun, "I don't think that's going to do you any good."
"But it makes me feel safer," Richards replied, as he loaded in the last bullet, and then pumped the handle, loading the first round into place. "So, how the hell are we gonna get out of here with that infernal machine guard'n the exit?"
Both of the men had thrown away their lamps when they led the giant iron man away from Steel. Now, they were relying on their eyesight to guide them. Hardly any light was inside this thing, but they were slowly adjusting their vision. Still it was almost impossible to see anything.
"Its awfully quite out there," Ivan muttered, scanning the corridors for any sign of movement.
"Too quite fer my like'n," Richards said softly.
Slowly, they both edged around the corner, and looked both ways. There was nothing that they could see. Listening carefully, they began to move in the direction they'd been running in, away from the creature, hoping to find another way out.
They lost track of time, as they made their way through the labyrinth of the ship. The tunnels kept on going, leading deeper underground.
"Mother of God," Richards whispered, "How big is this thing?"
"It's almost the size of a city," Ivan whispered back. They turned a corner, and came out onto a catwalk, that over looked what looked like a storage bay. It seemed to stretch on forever.
"Look!" Richards cried out, pointing down to the bottom, "There's more of those overgrown iron men down there!"
Sure enough, down below, lay six giant figures, all scattered about. They were an odd green colour, and most of them looked pretty banged up. Wires hung outside them, and bits of metal littered the ground near their shattered bodies.
Suddenly, there was a loud echoing click, then the build up of electricity. Both men looked about franticly, as the humming built up, then there was loud click, followed by another, and another.
"Lights!" Ivan cried out. Richards turned and looked down the corridor they'd come. Sure enough, a strange soft white light was making its way down the hall. There were what looked like glass panels in the ceiling, and one by one, they gave off a soft, but bright white light.
With each click, a panel gave off light, racing its way along the top of the corridor, passing over the two men, and passed off down the corridor. Some of the glass panel's were cracked or broken, and no light shone at all, while some flickered like a firefly.
"What the bloody hell is going on!?" Richards gasped. "What the hell is this thing!?!"
"Calm down, Colonel!" Ivan said, his voice was shaky, betraying his frightened tone. "Getting all panicky won't help us at all."
"Then what will," Richards snapped. "I'll tell you what this place is, it's the devils home on Earth, that's what it is!"
"So are you saying that we should destroy that iron giant with our faith?" There was a hint of sarcasm in the mans voice.
"It's worth a try," Richards snapped back, catching the sarcasm. "Unless you've got any more bright ideas!"
"Don't try and blame all this on me!" Ivan snarled, waving a finger just under the Colonel's nose. "I didn't see you objecting to exploring inside this thing!"
"If y're look'n fer a fight, mate, then I'm more then will'n to give ya one!" Richards snarled, unbuttoning his jacket, and shrugging it off. Ivan just cocked a fist, and glared a challenge.
Before the two men could trade blows, they were suddenly interrupted when a low vibration began from somewhere deep inside the thing. It grew louder, and louder, until the whole room began to shake.
Both men were thrown off their feet to the ground.
"What in the name of God is go'in on now!?" Richards hollered.
"I don't care," Ivan shouted back, picking himself up off the floor, "And I don't want to know. Let's just get the fuck out of here!"
"Wait fer me!" Richards cried out, picking up his jacket, and rifle, following the man down the corridor.
***
Steel walked into the huge chamber room. In the centre of the room, sat a large throne, most likely reserved for that huge iron giant. He looked at the cylinder in his hands. He then looked up at the huge glass window in front of him. It was cracked, and black.
"Some view," Steel muttered, as he walked along, passed the throne, towards the giant window. There lay large assortments of desk, that were too high for Steel. He had to climb on an equally large chair, just to get up there. Once up on the desks, he found all manners of buttons, switches, dials, and levers.
It was incredible. So incredible, that he nearly forgot what he was supposed to do. He then walked over to the center of the desk, and found the small hole in the desk. It was just the right size for the cylinder.
He then placed it in the hole, and pushed it all the way in. It gave a click, and something awoke. There were several more clicks, followed by a slow and steady humming build up. Finally, it broke, and there was another loud click.
Then, things began lighting up like day. Beeping noises, humming noises, and metallic whines could be herd. Steel was nearly thrown off balance by it all, that he almost tripped and fell.
Then, the giant window came to life. There was a sudden loud beep, then that strange writing appeared. It scrolled out like a typewriter, and then began doing something else. There was a bar, with a series of bricks inside it. As time passed, the brocks grew closer to one end of the bar, as if building up to something.
When it was full, there was another loud beep, and the cylinder popped out with a soft click. Steel scratched his head, wondering just exactly what he'd done, but he reached down, pulled it out, and jumped down from the desk.
"Wow!" He muttered looking around. He hadn't really taken any notice before, but the whole room had been lit up like day. It was gigantic, almost the size of Parliament house, back in London. Here and there, a few more giant iron men lay, but these were not as tall as the one he'd just meet.
There were six of them all up. All of them had strange metal wings. Though three of them had their wings pointing up, while the other three had their wings pointing down.
Still looking about, Steel made his way back to the iron man with the cylinder that seemed a little heavier than before.
The creature was lying on it's back, like a dying soldier with a chest wound. It gave Steel the impression of a man gasping for air. It's eyes where very dim, and it barely found the strength to turn its head towards him as he came back around the corner.
"Hurry…" It gasped. "Place… It… In…" It drew out with a sigh, as it's head rolled to one side.
"Okay, okay!" Steel said, as he walked over to it, and hesitantly, climbed up its leg, then walked along its torso to the open chest. Reaching out, he carefully inserted the cylinder into it's original spot, and pushed it all the way in, until it clicked.
Almost immediately, the creature's eyes shone brightly, and it smiled. It reached up with one hand, and closed its chest, barely avoiding Steel.
"Hey," he cried out, as he jumped to the floor below. "Watch what you're doing! Is that any way of thanking me?"
"In your case, Flesh Creature," It replied, standing to its feet. "Letting you live is reward enough."
Steel gasped, his face losing its colour. The thing had threatened his life? What exactly had he just awakened? "What are you?" He asked.
"I am Megatron!" It replied. "I am of a race of alien machines called, the Transformers." It then cocked its head, looking at Steel. "What are you?"
"I am Sir Gregory Robert Steel. My species is called, Homo sapiens. But Human for short."
"Human?" The creature tired the word on it's own tongue. "A word that means nothing to me." It rose to its feet, flexed its arms, and then looked around. "How much time has passed?"
"I- I'm sorry, but I don't know the answer to that question." Steel replied hesitantly. Megatron reached out, and drew his metal fingers along the moss covered walls, then bent down and inspected the dead leaves that littered the floor near the large hole that they'd used to enter.
"What is this?" It asked.
"M-moss," Steel answered with a stammer. "It takes a while for it to grow.
"How long is a while?"
"A very long time, the word is slang." Megatron was silent, before turning his head towards the corridor that Steel had gone down before.
"Maybe the *Garble* will know." Megatron muttered, then turned and began to walk down the corridor that lead towards the giant room with the large window. His giant metal limbs whining and creaking with every step.
"Wait!" Steel cried out, following, "What will know? I didn't catch that!" Megatron ignored him, as he continued walking. Suddenly, Steel stopped dead in his tracks, and turned around. Why was he following Megatron -- a creature who had just threatened his life -- when the exit lay unguarded. He grinned, and started jogging for the hole.
"Don't leave so soon!" He stopped and turned, to see Megatron with his hands on his hips, grinning down at him. "I still have need for you, Flesh Creature."
"J-Just getting my c-camera," Steel lied, pointing at it.
"Leave it," Megatron snarled, turning around again. "You can pick it up on the way out.
The way out? He was going to let him go? Steel almost let out a squeal of joy, as he quickly hurried after Megatron. He would live after all.
***
The sounds of boots banging on the metal floor, echoed up and down the corridors, as Richards and Ivan jogged along. They were constantly looking around, trying to soak in, every bit of detail they possibly could.
Those strange white lights now lit everything up, showing the vast interior of the thing they were inside. Although some of them were flickering, which greatly annoyed the two men.
"Okay, let's stop this!" Richards said, slowing down to a walk, then stopping all together. "We've been at this fer nearly an hour now, and all we've managed to do, is get more lost than before."
"For once, I'm agreeing with you, Colonel," Ivan said, looking back down the corridor they'd just come down. "This thing could go on for ever, it could be days, maybe even weeks, before we find another exit."
"So, ya think we should try fer the original one?"
Ivan nodded. "It's probably gone now, and knowing Steel, he's probably half way back to Brisbane by now." He looked down at the revolver in his hand. "Though the chances of that thing having left are minimal, there is still the possibility that it's no longer alive. It didn't look to healthy when it chased us."
"That's a chance I'm will'n to take," Richards said, as they started back down the corridor they'd just come from.
They quickened their pace, not caring for the racket they made. As they came closer to the exit, they slowed down, making sure to keep the noise they made at a minimum. Then, they carefully peaked around the corridor.
"I don't believe it," Ivan gasped, "It's gone!"
"And so is Steel," Richards said, "And might I suggest we do the same thing."
"My thoughts exactly," Ivan said, as they carefully climbed up the lose boulders, and outside. Once outside, Richards and Ivan both blinked, and adjusted their eyes to the sudden darkness that greeted them.
"God," Richards said, "I've forgotten how dark it was out here."
"Let's not wait around for daylight, shall we?" Ivan asked, as they clambered down towards their packs. When they got there, Richards noticed something.
"Hey, Steel's pack is gone." He said.
"I guess that means he got away." Ivan said with a shrug.
"Figures that English man would leave us all alone out here." Richards scoffed, hoisting up his pack, and along with Ivan, they both set out, back up the cliff, towards the trail. As they reached the top, Ivan couldn't help but glance down at the darkened pit, which now obscured the view of whatever it was down there.
"What are we going to tell everybody?" Ivan asked.
"Let's burn that bridge when we get back to civilization," Richards said, hoisting his pack onto his shoulders, "I'm more concerned with what Steel's going to tell everyone."
"That's if he makes it back at all," Ivan said, picking up his own pack. "After all, that man's idea of an adventure involves the backyard, an umbrella and a nice cool drink."
They both laughed.
A Few Hours Ago…Steel walked just behind Megatron, as they re-entered the room with the giant blank window. Megatron was having trouble walking straight. His limbs seemed to creak and groan, like rusty metal, and he was leaking a foul smelling liquid behind him with every step.
"Ummm," Steel muttered from behind Megatron, "Are you feeling okay?" He paused, questioning the reason for asking a machine if it was feeling all right.
"My Exo-Structure is 76.405% damaged," Megatron replied, pausing before the throne, and slowly, easing himself into it with creaking joints. "The power which you re-supplied me with is sufficient, but not enough." He paused as if to catch his breath. "I've been in a prolonged *Garble* shut-down. I'm going to have to undergo drastic repairs."
"Oh," was all Steel said, as he stood back. Megatron pushed a button on his throne, and the blank window came to life. There was a low click, followed by the window suddenly becoming a blizzard of black and white snow. Then, the windows showed a flickering image of the face that was on Megatron's chest.
Then, that bizarre squealing and whining sound that Megatron had made before filled the room like the voice of God. It startled Steel, and he nearly fell over with shock. Megatron replied in the same squealing and whining and clicking noises as the voice.
All of a sudden, the ceiling above Megatron opened up with a whir, and a large sphere lowered down, to just hover a few feet above Megatron's head.
"What on Earth is th…" Was all Steel managed before eight spider-like legs popped out from the underbelly of the thing, and began probing Megatron. Tight beams of light began to bath his body, while the spider-like legs started literally pulling Megatron apart.
Steel gaped in horror, taking a few steps back, as he watched as one leg ripped of a section of Megatron's metal skin, then to his surprise, it attacked it with what could only be described as small welding torches, until the section of the metal skin looked brand new, then placed it back on Megatron's arm, welding it back into place.
Other pieces were so badly damaged, that the legs withdrew back inside the sphere for a few moments, to return with a new piece. Then, to Steel's horror, it began to rip Megartron's body to pieces, taking of his legs, his arms, even his head, to reshape it, turning him inside out, then putting him back together. Eventually, it finished its job, withdrawing all it's legs, and proceeded back into the ceiling.
Megatron stood. He was a new machine. His body shined like silver, and he looked more dangerous than before, so much, that Steel actually tried to sneak away.
"I thought I told you to stay put!" Megatron snapped, without turning to look at Steel. "I told you before, I still need you!"
"I…I… Was j-just…" Steel dropped of, and cocked his head to one side, as he scrutinized the iron giant before him. "You look… different." He said.
Megatron's arms were bumpy and ridged, while his upper torso was more rounded, like a cylinder, and his legs, reminded him of the handles of a gun.
"That machine you witnessed before was a *Garble*" Megatron replied. "It not only repaired my Exo-structure, but it also adapted my transformation mode as well, adapting it to your native weapons."
"Trans-formation mode?" Steel asked in
surprise. "What do you mean,
Transformation?"
"For a dominate spices, you sure are dim-witted," Megatron snapped, turning back to the giant window. "I told you before, the name of my species, roughly translates into Transformers. We are machines that transform into other machines, Flesh Creature."
"My God," Steel whispered, finally understanding it all. "You are the perfect killing machine."
"Thank you," Megatron said, and then, his lips pulled back across metal teeth in what Steel thought insanely resembled a human smile. He jerked his head back at the humanness of this creature. "We Decpticons take pride in comments like that."
"Decpti --- Wait a minute!" Steel cried out, pointing at Megatron. "I thought you said you were a Transformer!?!"
"There are two different types of Transformers, Flesh Creature," Megatron said, holding up two fingers like a 'V.' There are Decpticons, and there are Autobots."
"What is the difference between the two?" Steel asked.
"The Decpticons were the military side of the Transformers, while the Autobots were the workers, the laborers," his eyes dimmed, as if they were narrowing, "And the leaders."
"Y-you don't like them, do you," Steel said in a shaky voice.
"No!" Megatron roared, slamming his fist down on the armrest of the throne. The sound echoed through out the empty room like a small explosion, making Steel jump. "And that is why we rebelled!"
"Then what happened?" Steel asked. He ad to confess, it was getting interesting.
"We Decpticons then unleashed a blitzkrieg on unimaginable destruction, destroying and conquering all in our path. We were almost insight of our victory, with sixty percent of the planet under our rule. But we got careless." He turned away from Steel, looking over at the giant window. "During our opening rampage across the planet, the Autobots had been merely letting us win, building up their own army. We never realized until it was too late, that they were merely trading space for time. On the verge of victory, our armies were in sight of the Autobot capital, the City State of Iacon. The Autobots unleashed their new army, driving us back. However, they'd traded too much space for time, and they no longer had the recourses to finish us off, thus a great stalemate descended over the planet, which still endured till the time of my departure."
"Why did you abandon your planet?" Steel asked.
"Abandoned!?!" Megatron roared, leaning closer to Steel, making him wince. "Decpticons don't 'abandon' anything, Flesh Creature!" Its face came within inches of Steels, making the man sweet nervously. "Our war with the Autobots consumed an astronomical amount of energy, and recourses." Megatron calmed down, and moved away, to Steels relief. "Our planet was fast becoming an empty husk. An elite team of Autobots took the last of their great battle ships, and went in search of alternate sources of energy. We Decpticons quickly found out, and followed them, with the intention of finding this energy source, and stealing it for ourselves."
"And that's when you came across Earth?" Steel asked.
"Upon our discovery of Earth, we realized that we could use it's raw natural resources to win the war," Megatron's eyes dimmed again. "However, our ambush was faulty, and the Autobots discovered our presence, much too early. We had the upper hand on the Autobots, and if our ambush had been a success, we surly would have been able to board the Autobot Battleship, and defeat the Autobots with ease."
The machines words held some regret about the memory he'd resurrected. Megatron paused only slightly, as if pondering events that could have been. "I truly believe if we'd managed to board the Autobots vessel, time would've taken a different corse."
"If your ambush failed, what happened?" Steel asked, "Did these… Autobots win?"
"No," Megatron said, shaking his head slightly. "They crashed like we did," he paused, "Well, at least I believe they did. When the Autobots saw us coming, they opened fired on us. Our ships were evenly matched, so it was nothing more than a toe-to-toe slugging match, both sides blasting away at each other at point blank range, until the both ships faltered. The path of our battle, took us into this planet's orbit. While we shot each other to pieces, our engines were destroyed, and the gravitational pull finally ended the battle. The last we saw of the Autobot ship, was it too, falling into this planet's atmosphere."
"So, were the Autobots destroyed?" Steel asked.
"I don't believe it so," Megatron replied. "If I survived, as well as my ship, then its most likely the Autobots did as well."
"May I ask, what are your intentions now that you are working again?"
"My original mission, Flesh Creature," Megatron said. "Resorting energy to Cybertron, and defeating the Autobots!"
"But, if your so powerful, why do you still require me?" Steel asked, desperate to know why this Megatron wanted him around.
"I may be all powerful, but I have no desire to take on a world, or the Autobots, all by myself! I need my army back on line, and in order to do that, I need energy!"
"So why don't you just take it?"
"I intend to," Megatron answered. "But I need to keep a low profile for the moment, and in order to get energy, I need someone who knows that layout of the land. Someone like you, Flesh Steel!"
"Me?" Steel was both surprised by the creatures use of his name, as well as his use for him.
"Yes," Megatron said. "The repair *Garble* also altered my transformation mode. Before, when you turned the *Garble* on, it also activated the *Garble* *Garble* It *Garble* this planet, looking for energy, and also, recording information. It adapted my form to suit this natural environment, so I could blend in without discovery."
"Amazing." Steel muttered, though he'd missed most of what was said.
"And now," Megatron said, getting up, and walking back towards the exit they'd come through, "Let's get going! I want to go to the nearest source of energy for your cities."
"Of cause… Megatron?" When the creature didn't correct him, he continued, "But if I help you, can you guarantee me some sort of investment?"
Megatron paused, and then turned to face Steel. Steel shuddered. Had he pushed Megatron too far? "Very well," Megatron replied. "When I scanned that puny protoplasmic puddle you call a brain for your language, I also scanned your senses, what you like, and dislike, and I noticed that you have an affection for a worthless yellow metal called gold."
"Gold!?" Steel said, his ears perking up.
"Ahh, you indeed like it," Megatron said. "If you aid me, Flesh Steel, then gold will be your reward. As much as you want."
"Deal!" Steel almost shouted out. He caught himself, and nervously twiddled his fingers. "I accept your terms, Megatron," he replied, in a calm manner. "I shall take you to a source of power, and energy."
WASHINGTON DC: The Next Day…
Theodore Roosevelt sighed with boredom, as he drummed his fingers idly on the desk. He licked his dry lips, as he peered out the open window towards the Capitol in the distance. The cool breeze blowing through ruffled the curtains ever so slightly, but did little to cool the man.
He'd long since traded his khaki military uniform for civilian clothes, while beside him, John Pershing sat, still dressed in his, reading a book. Teddy sighed again, and lazily blew a strain of hair out of his eyes, then adjusted his glasses.
He then turned to say something to John, when the sound of footsteps approaching made him pause. Both men turned to towards the set of double doors at other end of the room, and they opened, allowing four men to enter the room.
The first man he recognized as John Hay, the Secretary of State. The other man was Russell Alger, the Secretary of War, the third, was John Long, Secretary of the Navy, and the fourth man, was very young, his age looked to be somewhere between 20-23. He couldn't quite tell. He wore a no uniform, just a white long sleeved shirt, with no tie, and black long pants with dark brown shoes.
"Gentlemen," Hay said, as he entered the room, "First off, my apologies for keeping you waiting."
"That's alright, sir," Pershing replied, shaking the mans hand, "I'm used to being kept waiting."
"Well, forget the apologizes," Teddy answered, shaking Hay's hand. "What's the ruckus about?"
"First off," Hay interrupted, pointing to the fourth, unknown man. "Let me introduce to you, Captain Witwicky of the United States Secret Service."
"Please," He said, "Call me Spike."
"Pleasure," Teddy said, reaching out to shake the mans hand. "Now, before you interrupt anymore, what's going on?"
Long reached into his suit case, and pulled out a folder. "We received these about a week ago," he said, handing it to Teddy. "To be honest, we're not really sure what it is, but the English government is taking this seriously, that they deployed six infantry divisions, and four artillery divisions to the area."
Teddy opened it up, and glared at the photo before him. He opened his mouth to say something, but stop, and instead asked, "Six infantry divisions?"
"Yes sir," Spike answered. Teddy passed the photo to John, who just grunted at it.
"What are the chances that this is a hoax?" Teddy asked.
"Well, if it's a hoax," Alger said, crossing his arms, "The British Government are doing a damn great job at acting like its real. They've increased military production by 15 percent, recruiting more soldiers, and speeding up their technological progress on something called 'The Dreadnaught.'"
"The what?" John asked.
"Some kind of new battleship," Long answered, waving the question away with the flick of his wrist. "That's all we know, but the point is, the British government is taking this seriously, and if they are, we should too."
"That's because this… thing, landed in their own backyard." He then paused, and then asked, "Have you read War of the Worlds?"
Teddy nodded. "It was a good book." He replied.
Alger then took over. "This thing has been the only one to arrive, but we believe more could… will come. If that is the case, then they will have the United States as a future destination. But at the moment, we can do nothing, but observe. The British aren't letting anyone look at this thing, nor are they willing to confirm its existence. We need to know what it is we are dealing with."
"McKinley has no idea what's going on, doesn't he?" Teddy asked with a raised eyebrow.
Hay shook his head. "No," he answered. "That's why we need your help. We need someone like you to help back us up. With your support, we can pull this off."
"I'm in!" Teddy said with a great big smile. "When do I leave for England?"
The group looked horrified. "You can't go!" Alger said. "You're too well known, Roosevelt, the idea of this mission is secrecy, and you are anything but a secret."
"Besides," Long said, pointing to Spike, "the Captain has been assigned for the mission. We needed you to keep McKinley off our backs!"
"Gentlemen," Teddy replied, "I did not cut short my visit home to act as a distraction to the president. If there's a threat to my country, then I'm going to deal with it personally, even if it is Martian." He crossed his arms in defense. "Ether I go to England, or you don't get my support!"
"But going to England will compromise our mission," Long pointed out. "You're too well known to just be, 'a face in the crowd,' Roosevelt. You wouldn't be able to hide."
"I have my own way of blending in, gentlemen," Teddy replied. "I can still investigate this matter, and keep a low profile. I don't object to the Captain or Pershing coming with me, but ether I go, or I won't cooperate." He sat back down in his chair, and taped his foot. "That's the deal, gentlemen, so what's it going to be."
All four men looked at each other, then back at Roosevelt. "Very well, Roosevelt," Hay replied. "But the moment you get into any trouble what so ever, or your mission is blown, you're on the next ship back to the States."
Teddy smiled that trademark grin of his, as he rose with the speed of a bullet, surprising Hay. "Deal!" he said, shooting out his hand.
"So, Roosevelt," Long asked rubbing his chin, "Exactly how do you hope to blend in?"
"A friend of mine in Edinburgh has been bugging for the past few months to come to Scotland and give a few lectures at his university. I do believe that now, after my spectacular charge up San Juan Hill with my Rough Riders, I'll have a few stories to tell. If the English decide to check up on my story, I have a legitimate excuse. I can be the distraction by Captain Witwicky while the English watch me, the Captain do his job without fear of discovery."
The group eyed each other again, and then Hay nodded. "Very well, Roosevelt," he replied. "You organize the trip to Edinburgh and the lectures, and we'll organize the rest."
MOSCOW: Two Days Later…
The mallet slammed with such force down on the gravel, it nearly broke. Everyone in the auditorium quickly shut up.
"If this party is to be successful in attaining power, it must be ready to agree on the same ideals and goals!" Vladimir Ulyanov snapped. "Otherwise we shall, and will, see a split that will weaken our cause, and the only person who shall benefit from this will be the Czar!"
A few murmurs echoed around the room. "But, Comrade Ulyanov…" a man started to say, when Vladimir held up a single finger to silence him.
"I told you before, Use our party code names so that Czar's secret police won't know who we are!"
"But comrade Lenin," the man said, obviously annoyed at the interruption, "What you are proposing is going against the true ideals of Marxists! Power should be held by a party official that the people wish to elect!"
"And I've told you for the last time," Lenin snapped, banging his fist on the podium, "That will only lead to a corrupt capitalist society, where the party members will be more concerned on their voting promises, rather than their responsibilities!"
Although it wasn't an invitation, arguing sprang up all around the auditorium once more, which quickly turned to shouting, as members tried to out do one another. Lenin closed his eyes, and covered his ears as he gritted his teeth.
Oh, what he wouldn't give for order.
What everyone failed to notice was the shady looking figure, watching everyone from the dark shadows of the doorway with keen interest and a Hessian backpack slung over one shoulder. Lenin then repeatedly slammed the hammer down, until everyone was silent again.
"If we can't have order, we won't make any progress!" Lenin snapped, "Would it be too much to ask everyone to raise our hands if we wish to rebuttal?" A few heads bobbed in approval. "Fine," Lenin breath a sigh of relief, "Then maybe we can be out of here before evening falls."
A man with a short mustache raised his hand. Lenin pointed at him with the mallet. "The chairman recognizes party member Trotsky. You may speak." The man nodded, and stood up.
"I agree with the Chairman on this matter," he said, "To allow an elected Premier to be subjugated to democratic voting would surly bring the chaos that plagues the capitalist governments of the west," Trotsky spoke, "No gentlemen, the countries leader must be voted in by the party it's self, an educated man who has the knowledge and wisdom that will insure he will not abuse his power."
"Here, here!" A few men cheered.
Across the room, a short balding man with a long goatee shot up like a rocket, with his arm almost vertical in the air, and a stern look plastered on his face.
Lenin rolled his eyes. "The chairman recognizes party member Vasiliev," he said, waving the hammer in the man's direction. "You may speak."
"Chairman," he said, "I do not agree with Member Trotsky on this matter," he turned to face the gathered party members, "in a society that is willing to grant one man that much power is sure not to last very long. Has history not written, and proven, that absolute power, corrupts absolute?" The party members gathered on his side of the room cheered loudly, while members on the other side, just glared at them.
Another man raised his arm. Lenin just nodded to him, and the man stood up. "But party members would make sure, that the man chosen to be the leader would be the perfect choice, I mean, even we, the educated can tell the difference between right and wrong. With proper guidance, so will our posterity!"
Another man waved his arm back and forth, and Lenin nodded to him. "What if one man rises through the ranks, becomes corrupted by that power, couldn't he just turn the party into a dictatorship and rule within the lope-holes of the rules? Can't you learn from history? The same thing happened with the Romans, and I will guarantee you gentlemen, the same thing will happen to us!"
"Then if the man was that corrupt, he would never get into the party in the first place!" Another man shouted out from across the room.
"You tell that to Julius Caesar!"
"All party members are educated men, no one in their right mind would destroy everything Karl Marx hoped to achieve!"
"All human beings are greedy, if you give them more than enough, they'll always want more!" And with that, the room erupted into anarchy once more.
Lenin rubbed his forehead with his palms and groaned. It looked like they would never get out of here. He then pulled out a pocket watch, and glanced at the time. 3:45. The shouting was getting louder as Lenin brought his hammer down with the sound of a gunshot.
"Since we can't come to any agreement yet, I suggest that we agern for the day, and re-agern tomorrow when we've all had a decent night's sleep."
"But chairman…"
"Meeting agerned!" Lenin snapped, and slammed the hammer down. With that, he gathered up his papers, and hastily shoved them into his leather brief case, and then buckling it shut, he hurried out the door, and into the west wing behind the stage.
Oh, he just had to get out of there, it was driving him crazy. If things kept up like this, he would split the party, and that seemed like the most logical thing to do, after all, he agreed with the majority, and they were the ones who wanted the party to elect the countries leader.
"Comrade Lenin?" The voice sounded hollow. Lenin froze. He knew everyone in the party, but this person was different. Slowly he turned around. The figure behind him was dressed like a peasant, with a brown jacket, a lose fitting shirt, and faded long pants with boots. He had short brown hair, and appeared to be young, perhaps 19 years old.
"Who wants to know?" Lenin asked. For all he knew, this guy was probably a member of the Czar's secret police. The young man stepped forward, extending his own hand.
"Just a friend." He replied. Lenin looked from the out stretched hand, back to the young mans face.
"I have too many friends as it already is," Lenin snapped, and turned around to leave. Suddenly, he heard the sound of a hammer cocking. He froze and gritted his teeth. Inside, he said, 'I knew it.'
"Please, don't leave, I insist!" Lenin turned around to confront the man, and to his surprise, he not only saw a gun, but also a small rolled up parchment tied up with a waxed seal. He cocked his head as he looked at the parchment. "I am sorry to pull a gun on you," the man said, "But I really think you should here what I have to say."
"What dose this have to do with me?" He asked, eyeing the parchment. The man just smiled.
"I am a recent member of your secret little party," was his reply. "I used to belong to another secret organization, but they were too pro-Czar. So I left to join your cause. But before I left…" he held out the parchment towards Lenin, "I brought something with me. Something that could very well be used in our war against the oppressive Czar!"
"What could a peasant like you, possibly hope to offer that could overthrow the longest reigning family in history!?!"
"Why don't you see for yourself?" He held it closer.
Curiosity got the better of him. Lenin put down his case, and reaching out, took the parchment from the young man, and opened it up with a knife. He opened it up, and a photo fell out. He bent down, and picked it up. His eyes widened, and he turned to face the young man. "What is this?" He demanded. "Tricks!?! Games!?!"
"It's no game, I assure you!" The young man replied. "That's as real as you and me."
Lenin looked at the photo. It was of a giant man made of iron. He was big and bulky, with small exhaust stacks on each shoulder. He stood before two men dressed in Orthodox robes, and a man who looked like a monk. The giant was looking down at the three men with what insanely looked like curiosity. Its face was the most strangest thing he'd ever seen. It had two pointy spikes on ether side of its head, with a visor where it's mouth should've been.
Lenin quickly switched from the photo, to the parchment, and began to read what was written there, his eyes growing wider with every passing paragraph. Finally, he lowered both parchment and photo, and stared off into space. "Incredible," he muttered. "Absolutely incredible."
"I told you so," the young man replied. "With these giant iron men, we can destroy the Czar and establish a truly Marxist society."
"If these…" he paused, reading the parchment again, "Auto – bots, are capable of doing what you say they can, then we wouldn't be able to stop at Russia, we could bring about a world wide revolution!"
"My thoughts exactly!" The young man said, smiling. Lenin grinned, and held out his hand. The young man took it.
"This truly is a red letter day," Lenin said as he shook hands. "You have brought me the greatest news I've had in," he paused, "Well, far too long, young man. Tell me, party member, what is your name?"
"My real name, is Iosif Vissarionovich Djugashvili," he then shrugged, "But I don't have a party code name yet."
"Well, I do believe you're going to need one now, Iosif," Lenin said. "Any name you want."
Iosif rubbed his chin, as he though long and hard. "I've always considered myself a strong man, a man of steel."
"Very well then, Iosif," Lenin replied, "that shall be your party name! Stalin!"
***