Vector Sigma

When Bronze returned a few days later, Maestro had completed all the work on the robot, right down to its paint job – which wasn't much. Just simple duotone.

"He looks great," Bronze said.

"He does," Maestro replied.

"But?"

"But he's still lifeless until we can get to Vector Sigma and give him a mind of his own."

"Its going to be tough. They've just upped the security in Iacon 'cause of all the fighting in the south. It'll be hard to get in."

"Hard but not impossible. I was around when they built Iacon. I know a few ways inside."

"You still need a key to activate Vector Sigma."

Maestro unsubspaced a diamond-shaped object that straightened out into a line at one end. "A reward for my services in the Great Wars. At the time it felt like 'how could this thing compensate for the lives of Chord, Bolt and the hundreds of other mechs and femmes who gave their lives to free our planet'. Now it might have some purpose after all."

"So we've got to take him all the way into Iacon?"

"He doesn't have to go anywhere. This key is unlike the others in that it can store energy and transfer it from one body to another. What I require from Vector Sigma will be stored in the key, after which, I will bring it back and transfer it to him."

"Any idea what you are going to call 'him' yet?"

"Not a clue."

"Well then," Bronze said, straightening himself. "What are we waiting for? Lets go get HIM a life."

The burnished mech led the way out of the little house and once outside, he transformed into his anti-grav truck form. Maestro climbed on and they set off for Iacon.

It was evening when they reached the outskirts of the great Autobot city, after miles of high-speed, non-stop driving, using all of Maestro's shortcuts, and still it had taken them a good three weeks. Iacon's brilliant gold lit up the darkening sky. Maestro stopped Bronze a few meters away from the main entrance.

"If security is as tight as you say it is then the main entrance is bound to be heavily guarded against outsiders. Turn right here. You'll soon come to a tunnel that we once used as a shelter against the sentinels. It has only a simple grating over it."

True to Maestro's word, they found it soon enough. Bronze transformed and helped the old mech pull up the grating. Then he stared down into the black hole, hesitating.

"What's the matter lad? Afraid of the dark?" Maestro asked.

"No. Its just… you guys used to live in these?"

"Once upon a time, yes. These tunnels were the one place where the sentinels could not follow us. It was from these very tunnels that the freedom of Cybertron was obtained." With that he jumped in. Bronze stared. Then Maestro's voice floated up. "Are you coming or not?"

Bronze sighed and jumped in after him, landing in a crouch when he hit the ground. Instinctively his infra-red sensors kicked in. the tunnel was narrow, low and smelled of old, stale oil. Initially Bronze felt like discharging the contents of his fuel banks.

"Steady lad, steady," Maestro said. "You'll get used to the smell soon enough. Now follow me quickly, we don't have time to waste."

The old bot started down the tunnel. Bronze tried to calm his circuits, and then followed, walking quickly so as not to lose sight of Maestro. The last thing he wanted was to get lost down here…. They walked through that underground maze for what seemed like days to Bronze.

"How do you know we're even going the right way?" he asked.

"When you rely on something for survival, you don't forget it," Maestro replied. "Quietly now, we're getting closer."

The tunnel began to go down even further and an amber glow began to fill the blackness. Both robots reverted back to normal vision. The tunnel opened into a wide chamber. Maestro carefully removed the grating and jumped down into the room. Bronze followed quickly, glad to be out of the tunnel for a while. Then his optics widened. Before him floated a glowing sphere of golden energy.

"Vector Sigma," said Maestro. "The super computer that gave us all life. I hope it can give life to one more."

He went up and slotted the key into the glowing orb. For a moment nothing happened, then the sphere rose higher and a voice boomed out. It made Bronze want to shrink back and blend in with the wall. Maestro stood firm.

"Who awakens Vector Sigma?"

"I do. My name is Maestro. I require a life-spark for a new robot."

"What would you have?"

"Compassion, understanding, love, truth, happiness and music."

The orb flared and a tendril of energy coiled around the key, disappearing into it. The orb returned to its normal state, but the key continued to glow.

"It is done."

The key dropped to the floor. Maestro picked it up and for a moment stared at the rainbow of colors that swirled within it. It was beautiful.

"Maestro, we've got to go. I think there's someone coming," Bronze called.

The two of them climbed back into the tunnel. Maestro had only just slipped the grating back into place when a door swooshed open and two guards walked in. both mechs hurried down the tunnel till they reached the opening once again.

"That was close," Bronze said as he pulled himself out of the hole after Maestro.

"Yes it was. Rather exciting too don't you think?" Maestro asked.

Bronze looked at him queerly, then transformed. "Let's get you back home."

It was late at night when they finally reached Maestro's residence, six weeks after they'd left. They quickly hurried inside to the lab and Maestro summoned the key. Bronze stood back as Maestro flipped a few switches and inserted the key into a computer that was connected to the robot. Golden energy flowed through the cable and encased its body. They watched as it slowly faded.

"Well, there we go. All I need to do now is wake him up.'

"In that case I'll leave you two alone," Bronze said. "Goodnight Maestro. And good luck."