Author's Notes: Guess that last chapter was too short and uninteresting to comment on; oh well, we're going to be leading up to the big battle soon so keep on your toes... I'm not entirely sure, but I think by Chapter Seven possibly Eight this story will be finished; anyway just a heads up so it doesn't come as a total shocker like Terror Approaches did. And now...
A massive purple cannon floats through space with the Transformers logo in the background and takes a shot on an unseen enemy before transforming into the impressive form of Shockwave. "We Now Return to the Transformers."
It wasn't an easy task fitting everything into one tiny Volkswagen; however the quartet managed somehow, Buster was exceptionally nervous and for good reason, Bumblebee was a friend not a car to be used for any old thing. Fortunately Rutherford and the woman seemed to miss the obvious shunting of certain larger parts into Bumblebee's subspace pocket; and his dad managed to talk Rutherford's ear off seemingly keeping him pre-occupied, of course none of them knew who Rutherford really was, not even Bumblebee. The Autobot hadn't gotten any pictures or descriptions of the strange human who had showed up a few weeks back and gave the Autobots help when it came to the Decepticons infestation of Gabor's oil platforms.
Once the Autobot was loaded Buster gloomily climbed into the drivers' seat intent on getting this over as quickly as possible, Rutherford indicated a place in town which offered storage facilities; one of Blackrock's businesses.
"So… You and your dad live alone?" The woman wondered attempting to get the teen to open up, but also distracting him from Al's subtle interfacing with Bumblebee's subconscious; at least Al was hoping it was the subconscious mind and not the conscious one he was trying to leave a covert message for Prime's eyes only.
"Sorta, my older brother is still away at college and my mom passed away when I was six." He replied forgetting to turn his hands with the wheel as Bumblebee took a left to get back to where the hotel was.
"That musta' been rough." The woman, Rebecca she'd been introduced as; exclaimed a twinge of sympathy for the boy slightly indicated in her tone.
"Well it hit pop pretty hard, but we survived." Buster remarked taking the right with the wheel this time; Al nodded and disconnected his tendrils leaning back in his seat as he did so.
"I think we can find our way back to the hotel from here." Al spoke up as he noticed the park; Buster sighed with obvious relief and then tried to cover it up by faking a yawn, Bumblebee pulled up to the curb and Al popped open the passenger side door. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance Buster; and thank your dad again for those parts." He requested; Buster nodded absentmindedly and Bumblebee pulled out leaving the two of them behind.
"Do yah think it'll work?" She asked; Al shrugged.
"I hope so; I'm not as good with living machines as I am with non-sentient ones." He admitted pulling her into a half embrace and leading them down the sidewalk towards the hotel, which was still a good several blocks down or so. "Now then; until everything starts happening might I suggest a romantic dinner for two?" He asked with a sly smile; Rogue smiled lovingly back at him and nuzzled against him resting her head on his shoulder as they walked.
"Ah thought yah'd never ask." She cooed eliciting a chuckle from Al.
Decepticon headquarters was rather abuzz of late; many Decepticons were forced to remain cooped up inside what some considered to be a poorly ventilated dump, six mostly lime green and purple robots were examining the Infinity Engine with various tools performing numerous tests attempting to discover the secrets locked within. The one called Hook snarled in disgust and hurled his inconclusive readings across the room with obvious impatience; the defacto leader of the Constructicons glanced over from his station awaiting the obvious verbal blowout.
"Hang it all Scrapper; this thing is more complex than Cybertronian Thraxial Jump Jets." Hook complained shooting a narrowed glare at his leader; although on certain days Hook was considered to be the leader, the Constructicons didn't always have an obvious command structure within the group of six; in point of fact Hook was usually considered second in command and Scrapper deferred to his wisdom on several occasions.
"Relax Hook patience is the key to cracking this code." Scrapper replied as he resumed his work; Hook crossed his arms over his chest and picked up the engine examining it's' casing.
"Patience is a virtue Megatron does not adhere to when he is eager to annihilate the Autobots." Scavenger remarked; Scavenger was the Constructicon with the large power shovel on his back, Hook had a crane on his back while Mixmaster, Long Haul and Bonecrusher all shared common traits and accessories as their own vehicle modes. Hook ignored the remark and returned the device to its' resting place; a shame they couldn't just capture its' creator and force him to reveal how it operated.
"We have little choice in the matter; Megatron knows we may be engineering geniuses, but when it comes to scientific achievements of this caliber many of the Autobots outrank our own brilliant cerebro circuitry." Mixmaster observed; Scavenger eyed the walking chemical factory crossly, but chose not to start up one of their infamous arguments just then.
"Maybe we should just turn this stupid thing on and see what happens." Long Haul commented; his primary task amongst the group was to lug the heavy equipment around needed for their delicate construction work, after all he was a dump truck. But he loathed that task to no end; and yet his often times useless insights led many of the others to consider him inferior when it came to the brains department.
"Don't be absurd." Hook snapped. "For one thing we still don't know which one of these stupid switches turns it on; and for another for all we know if it isn't calibrated correctly it could blow up." He elaborated snidely; Long Haul glared at his fellow Constructicon and then turned back to the diagnostics display, Bonecrusher didn't even offer any thoughts, instead he picked up a laser scalpel and resumed repairing a minor injury he'd suffered during the last series of tests. Scrapper turned away from the piece of equipment he was using and eyed the engine thoughtfully; each of them were perhaps complicating matters with their separate tests, Long Haul's suggestion might have merits after all.
"Long Haul come with me." He ordered. "And bring that." He added indicating a derelict Insection Clone the Constructicons usually reserved for tests; unlike the others this one didn't simply vanish when it was no longer needed.
"What for?" Long Haul wondered; Scrapper didn't bother answering instead he turned to Hook.
"Alert Megatron that I am taking the engine to the polar region for a controlled test; and tell Air Commander Starscream to send some guards, Long Haul might have had a good idea after all." He stated; Long Haul's optics flickered with pride as he hefted the Insecticon into his arms and then Transformered transferring the clone in the process into his rear section. Hook shook his head, but activated a secure line to Megatron and began to relay what Scrapper had just told him to; if they wanted to blow up a section of the North Pole who was he to complain.
Bumblebee sighed as he entered the Ark; he'd already said goodbye to Buster for the night, now he had to face the training and preparation for the upcoming confrontation with the Decepticons; provided of course Wheeljack could rig up that tracking device he'd mentioned to Prime. As he passed into the central command room he spotted Optimus standing next to Teletran obviously running some kind of simulation; a strange feeling came over him and he approached his leader with rapid paced footsteps, once he reached the halfway point Prime glanced up and noticed him.
"How's Buster, Bumblebee?" He asked; Bumblebee didn't answer instead he held his arm out strangely and allowed his wrist communicator to pop open, the image of a strange human appeared.
"Greetings Optimus Prime; my name is Allan Rutherford, we haven't met personally however I do believe you've benefited from my expertise." The man began; Bumblebee looked clearly confused, Rutherford had been the name of the man he and Buster had been forced to transport around Portland, at least briefly. "I regret having to announce myself in this manner, but Bumblebee offered a unique opportunity to make contact sooner then I would have hoped; I need to come in contact with the Matrix… Ever since drinking that Energon cube someone has been trying to contact me; unfortunately I can't understand him, and he is having a difficult time making proper contact." Rutherford revealed; Prime took a step back in obvious shock; if what this human was telling him was true, then he was indeed being offered the rarest of gifts, none of the Autobots currently fighting in this war had ever been contacted by the one most definitely involved with this human.
"I know what you're probably thinking right now; I should probably explain everything anyway, considering I've been avoiding that particular side of things… I know a lot more about you then I let on; Hound probably suspects something, Prowl too for that matter, although I'd imagine Red Alert to be far more suspicious." The man continued chuckling slightly. "I don't have much more time; would it be convenient for me to come to the Ark tomorrow, I have this deep rooted fear that somehow or other I must become involved in this Infinity Engine crisis." He finished with a slight bow and an obvious sigh of exhaustion; the image vanished and Bumblebee seemed to be back in control of his actions.
"He could have at least told me in person; I don't like being used." The little yellow Autobot complained; Prime smiled, or at least seemed to and reached down to pat the smaller Autobots shoulder.
"He probably didn't want Buster to become involved; I take it you met him while you were with Buster." Prime remarked; Bumblebee nodded.
"Yeah; I hadn't thought of that, should have recognized the name though… Guess I just wasn't paying attention." He remarked in turn lowering his head thoughtfully. "But what he said, does that mean… Well could it be possible that." Bumblebee tried to ask, but he just couldn't seem to get the words out; Prime sighed and straightened back up stroking his chin in thought.
"I don't know; I guess we'll find out tomorrow, feel like picking up some possible allies?" He asked with a chuckle; Bumblebee smiled and shot Prime a thumbs up.
"No problem Prime." He returned; Optimus nodded and turned back to Teletran.
"I'd better get back to this planning; the Decepticons are bound to make their move soon, could you let Ironhide and Prowl hear that message for me so they're up to speed?" He requested; Bumblebee nodded and quickly left to find the other two while Prime resumed his calculations, time wasn't on their side.
I smiled as Rogue stirred awake in my arms; our hotel room had been the perfect place to just spend some quality time, there'd been a little heavy breathing involved last night, but that was mostly because of our deep and long kisses, Anna still wasn't ready for the ultimate step in any relationship. She returned the gesture and lightly kissed my lips; then she glanced around at the bed, a slight frown marring her beauty.
"Ah don't see any mussed up blankets; Ah take it yah slept peaceful." She noted; I chuckled and offered a nod.
"The one involved with the nightmares is probably waiting until I touch the Matrix to try again, now that I know what to do in order to understand him." I returned; she nodded absently at that and I stroked her locks to ease her tensions, should there be any left.
"Any plans for today Sug'?" She asked; I shook my head as I shifted slightly in bed.
"Doubtful; if my message worked out right we'll probably be getting involved with the Autobots early today." I revealed with a slight sigh; she rubbed my chest to ease my own fears and I smiled gratefully. "There shouldn't be any problems." I added; that's when the hologram appeared inside the room, it looked a little like an ordinary human, but the fact that he was transparent and had eyes that looked strangely alien I had a feeling this was a response to my message.
"Sorry to barge in so early Rutherford, but Prime is understandably anxious to see you; hence the whole holographic guest message deal." Hound's familiar toned voice issued from the hologram; although the lips didn't really move all that well, even with all their advanced technologies holograms were probably not a high priority for their scientists to perfect.
"I'm a little impatient myself to get this over with; if who it is, is who I think it is; his late night attempts at communication are playing havoc with my sleeping arrangements." I returned with a smirk; Hound's holo-human messenger nodded and shimmered out of existence.
"Bumblebee and me are downstairs; we'll wait until you're ready." He said; Rogue sighed and climbed out of bed eliciting certain bodily responses as yet again I was witness to her full figure and those hips were part of some of the best legs I'd ever seen. And oh that tight little ass of hers… Er; well anyway she headed for the shower and I was quick to join her, I really did want this over with as soon as possible.
"Ah sure hope this won't hurt yah or somethin'." She admitted concernedly; I smiled and gently squeeze her shoulder for support.
"Relax, what could possibly go wrong…" I trailed off as I realized yet again I'd made one of those certain faux pas when it came to universes of this type; whatever you said, whenever you said it, you just knew something would definitely go wrong.
Megatron smiled as he watched the test footage play a second time; Scrapper's gambit had paid off apparently and now with the information gleaned from activating the Infinity Engine ultimate power would soon belong to the Decepticons, provided the Autobots didn't interfere. But knowing Prime as well as he did; Megatron suspected that Teletran would be monitoring for energy shifts of such magnitude, turning his head slightly he took note of Soundwave and the others present in the room.
"Double the security; inform the Insecticons they have a new job, leave Shockwave's repairs for later." He ordered; Soundwave nodded.
"By your command." He intoned in his usual odd frame of speech; Megatron turned back to the shining glimmering energy source that was now his to call upon, soon Cybertron would fall and he would finally be capable of conquering the Universe.
"Optimus; I've got a fix, now that the Constructicons have activated my engine we can track them anywhere on the planet." Wheeljack informed; Prime nodded, Hound hadn't shown up yet with Rutherford, but that would have to wait, this was far more important.
"Assemble the Autobots." He ordered. "It's time to take this fight back to the Decepticons." He added clenching one hand into a fist as he spoke; Wheeljack and Ironhide nodded swiftly leaving from the room to gather the troops, as it were.
The Ark looked much as I had remembered it would from my last visit; Annalisse seated beside me stared up in awe at the mighty vessel which had brought the Transformers to Earth and seemed to gain an almost child-like wonder in her eyes, though also a hint of genuine fear.
Bumblebee pulled up ahead of Hound and converted into his familiar robot mode as we reached the front entrance; the entire Autobot army seemed to be outside, or at least most of the Autobots that had been born to Earth aboard this vessel. Trailbreaker, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Red Alert, Grimlock, Swoop, Slag, Huffer, Windcharger, Prowl, Brawn, Gears, Bluestreak, Jazz, Jetfire, Cliffjumper; and many other names came readily to my mind, but none looked as awe-inspiring or filled with the air of confidence as Optimus Prime, the great leader of the Autobots.
"Is this all that are available?" Prime asked glancing at the assembled troops; I remained quiet while Hound pulled to a stop seemingly confused by the sudden change of events.
"Wheeljack says Snarl and Sludge still need work and we should keep some of our number here to guard the Ark in case you fail Prime." Ratchet returned; Prime seemed to consider that for a second and then quickly nodded.
"Ironhide; if we don't return within two Earth hours I want you to muster as many defense systems as you can and launch the Ark." Optimus ordered; there was a collective expression of surprise, considering the level of disrepair the Ark was in I had my doubts it was even space worthy.
"Ah understand Prahme, but try not to leave us with that option." Ironhide returned a small smile crossing his features as he attempted to lighten the serious mood; Prime chuckled as he placed a hand upon the shoulder of his fellow Autobot.
"Prime, what about Rutherford?" Hound spoke up alerting the other Autobots to our presence.
"I have a feeling I know what this is about." I began interrupting Prime before he had the chance to speak. "My dreams have been trying to tell me something, I have a hunch it has to do with the Infinity Engine." I stated; Prowl eyed me suspiciously, but Prime simply nodded.
"I would agree; however I wouldn't feel comfortable risking innocents in this fight." He countered; I shook my head stubbornly and hopped out of Hound.
"Like it or not Prime we are allies against a common foe; the Decepticons pose a great deal of danger to everyone on Earth, and I have to be there." I stated vehemently; Prime sighed as he placed a hand to his head as though staving off a headache; however he seemed to be ready to relent to my logic.
"Where you go Ah go." Rogue spoke up before the situation could be resolved; I turned to her in fear, but the look of determination in her eyes told me enough, this wasn't one of those arguing moments.
"You both can come, but if you so much as get one broken finger you're on the sidelines." Prime stated conceding to our rather unorthodox request; I bowed my head in gratitude and acknowledgement of his wisdom.
"Great, well if I'm going to be fighting against Decepticons I think I'd better get a re-charge; if you take my meaning." I returned glancing briefly to Wheeljack; the Autobot scientist looked uncertain, but Jazz stepped forward and passed me an Energon cube without hesitation.
"Are yah sure about that?" Rogue asked concernedly; I smiled and took a deep swig of the cube once again feeling super charged and fully capable of going toe to toe with Trypticon if need be.
"Autobots, Transform and Roll Out!" Prime called out before I could address Rogue's concerns, Hound pulled up next to Bluestreak and revved his engine alongside the rest of the Autobots; I hopped back into the driver's seat a giddy thrill twinkling in my eyes.
As the Autobots left Oregon aboard the massive Jetfire three sets of eyes took special note of it; Sparkplug Witwicky curled his lip in slight disgust and turned back to his work, he'd long ago lost interest in the Cybertronians and considered them a nuisance even though he occasionally returned to their ship to help with repairs.
Buster Witwicky gave a silent prayer for luck before refocusing his attention on his class room and in particular his girlfriend Jessie who was tutoring him during this study period. Josie Beller glared at the machine recognizing it instantly, she hated them all for what had been done to her; a long time ago she'd been a carefree woman, and technological engineer employed by G.B. Blackrock. But that had all changed the day one of those accursed robots attacked his latest off shore oil platform resulting in the automated systems shorting out and frying every nerve center in her body rendering her completely paralyzed from the neck down save for one lone hand.
With a bit of luck and raw determination she'd perfected special neurological enhancing devices that restored her motor functions; and taking the name Circuit Breaker she vowed to eliminate every last one of them, working alongside Agent Barnett of the FBI who funded RATT. However; her powers, though capable of disrupting the operating abilities of the robots eventually proved ineffectual against the Pretenders, a class of robot who hid behind organic shells, she was beaten within an inch of her life by Bomb Burst and crawled away to heal and rethink her strategy.
It took her five years; with the help of a mysteriously beneficent doctor who claimed to be a foremost expert on mental control to perfect her new specialized neurological enhancement devices, no longer did she walk around covered scantily in thin strips of metallic band and circuitry. Now she could interact with people normally; she had even put aside her vendetta against the robots for the time being in order to pursue a happy career, but in the end her bitterness and hatred could not be denied and here she now stood once again dressed in a rather skimpy outfit intending to attack the robots home base. Josie Beller curled her lip in abject rage as a scowl darkened the beauty of her face and Circuit Breaker once again climbed to the air intent on following after them and wiping them out once and for all.
To Be Continued; The battle soon begins 'nough said.
A massive rocket sits on its' launch platform surrounded by a strange train-like track with a tank resting on the tracks; the contraption seems to expand and alter shape as the Transformers logo appears in the background until the impressive form of Omega Supreme stands before the audience. "The Transformers will Return after these Messages."
