This story is to a collection called 'Toying With Reality'
I own none of the characters other than 'Skyfall' and 'Dawnbreaker'
'Com'
"Speech"
"Telepathy"
Dawnbreaker leaned against the railing of the base paying little mind to the commotion coming from the small tv the kids have commandeered. The sound sadly was one she could not ignore, the rumble and roar of massive diesel engines, the crunch of metal, and the over enthusiastic announcer. A monster truck rally.
While Bulkhead cringed at the crushed cars and squealing metal Dawn was rather unfazed, her head in another data pad trying to drown out the noise. The crashes seemed to echo loudly in the main room and the tension in Ratchets shoulders seemed to build till finally, he snapped.
"Would you mind lowering the volume?" Dawn tilted her helm towards Ratchet her cerulean optics giving him a once-over, his response was so muted and tired. The small bot felt a twinge of worry for the angry medic, maybe he wasn't feeling ok.
"Hey, Ratch, check out the Monster-Truck Rally Miko took me to last week."
"I compiled some highlights with my cell phone." Miko happily waved said device.
"Innocent vehicles battling for the pleasure of human spectators?" Ratchet gave an audible shudder and a disgusted scoff, "Bloodsport!"
Gleefully Miko and Bulkhead agreed.
Dawn shook her helm. "Humans gain a sick satisfaction from such violent sports. Like their games in the ancient Greek Coliseum, gladiator battles, and bullfighting. They crave that unrestrained thrill of death, all throughout their history it is apparent. Yet, were we so different?"
Ratchet turned to look at the grey femme his brow raised, "I cannot argue with you on that, perhaps all mortals crave their inevitable end." Turning back to his screens the medics tone changed instantly, "Anyway! You two could be helping Optimus in the field right now."
Bulkhead whined, "Aw, he doesn't need my help to search for some ancient educational thingamabob." The green mech waved off Ratchet nonchalantly.
Ratchet glared at the wrecker, "The thingamabob to which you refer happens to be a cybertronian data cylinder." With a glint in his cerulean optics Ratchet pressed a button and the television screen switched from Monster-trucks to information on the data cylinder much to the chagrin of the two watching. Dawnbreaker looked up from her pad with curiosity. "And there is no telling what vast intelligence it may hold. During the Golden age, a dozen of these cylinders were created, each containing the sum total of Cybertronian knowledge on any given subject. Stellar cartography, medicine, ancient mythology. When war broke out the cylinders were hidden throughout the galaxies to keep them as far as possible from Decepticon reach. Detecting one signal here, on Earth, is the opportunity of a-"
Miko cut off the orange and white mech with a loud groan. "TMI dude."
"Yeah switch it back" Bulkhead agreed.
Dawnbreaker was intrigued by these data cylinders, maybe one of them held the knowledge to help her and Skyfall get back to their own dimensions. "Do you know what could be in this cylinder Ratchet?"
The grumpy mech looked over at her in surprise, "No, yet any data it could hold would be a gift."
She gave a slight nod. "Sky how are you feeling?"
Dawnbreaker didn't have to wait long for her recently healed shield sister to answer "I'm still kicking. Are you watching the fight over the data cylinder?"
"No…wait Optimus just called for back up. I'll be in the fight in half a click."
"Fight well or die well, sister."
"Oh shut it."
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Skyfall laughed and leaned back on her pedes in the main bridge, the monitors all giving her a bird's eye view of the battle below. Drones gave a wide berth for stir-crazy second in command, her sharp talons tapped relentlessly on silver thigh plating. The light pings echoing throughout the silent room. "FUCK!" Sky snarled and began to pace the catwalk her wings tilted up in agitation.
"Commander are you…well?" One of the smaller worker drones said his vocalizer so low she almost didn't hear him.
Pausing her stride she kept her helm high and optics to the screen, "Your concern is noted Drone 147, I'm itching to fight or fly that's all." Tilting her helm to the side she watched as Dawnbreaker and Bulkhead ran through their ground-bridge into the fray, both unaware of little Miko jogging behind them. 'Poor kid...' Momentarily distracted by Knockout getting well…knocked out by Optimus Prime, she chuckled and watched the little skirmish unfold. She knew that Knockout would bring in the empty data cylinder shortly so she proceeded to close the screens and make her way to the debriefing room.
Bowing to Lord Megatron as she entered the room, she was adamantly ignoring her glorious leader. He still would not give her battle-ready status, deeming her unfit for battle until he determines otherwise. With a light huff, Skyfall proceeded to walk to a clear wall so she may lean against it. "This will be enlightening."
Megatron scoffed, "I do hope you are right." Casting the small femme a glance, he then looked at the screens as more Decepticon intel came through. "I've been disappointed with those two as of late."
When Breakdown walked in with his optics dimmed and Knockout tailing slowly behind Data Cylinder in hand Skyfall pushed off the wall and moved to her Lords right. "Lord Megatron we seem to have a problem…the cylinder's …empty."
"What do you mean, it's empty?" Megatron looked down at his subordinates with hard ruby optics.
"Lord Megatron, these cylinders are not unlike batteries. The data is stored within them as a form of energy. It scanned fully charged, that's how we located it, to begin with, but now-" Knockout taped the cylinder with one manicured talon and it fizzled out with a puff of sparks.
"Dead battery." Breakdown commented with a slight shrug.
Skyfall sighed and took a step back from Lord Megaton sensing his EM field rise and crackle around them as his anger grew. "Did you drop it, you one-eyed oaf?!"
Raising his servos in a sign of submission the blue mech stuttered, "N-no, Master. I wasn't gonna touch the thing after it put the zap on Bulkhead."
Skyfall watched the gears practically turning in Knockouts processor, he may be good-looking but he sure isnt the brightest bulb. "Hey, do you think…"
"I know. And I must find out what that vessel contained. When it comes to the secret of the Ancients, knowledge can be power."
Skyfall rolled her optics at all the mechs in the room, she had work to do Sky could feel the possibility of returning home become slimmer with every passing day. There was absolutely nothing in the Decepticon database on trans-dimensional travel, not even a concept. She had one more hope, Optimus Prime.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Dawnbreaker watched as Bulkhead wrote bits of the synthetic energon formula on metal panels, her optics dimmed in worry. The data in that cylinder was destroying his mind. Shaking her helm she looked away from the massive green bot and up to the ceiling of the base in silent prayer. It's a damned if they do damn if they don't situation. They couldn't let Bulkhead slip away like this. But, the Autobots needed Energon to survive, shit so did she now. Dawnbreakers frame shuttered, she hated feeling so alien. Coolant formed at the corners of her optics, she missed human food. She'd kill for an In-N-Out burger right now.
She hated feeling the overwhelming dread at hearing what the contents of the cylinder were, her spark ached at the dwindling hope that this would have been the answers to finding her path home. Dawnbreaker looked at Optimus and Ratchet as they discussed Bulkheads condition, then back to the ceiling. Sky-no Ashley and I will return home, I know it!
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Skyfall watched the glossy red form of Knockout walk steadily across the catwalk to the main bridge where Megatron stood, Breakdown following him with a determined glint in his optic.
"Lord Megatron, we've detected a familiar energy profile."
The massive mech slightly turned his helm to the two mechs behind him, "The data?"
"Bulkhead must have left the shielded radius of their base. Breakdown and I will-"
Filled with rage Megatron rounded on the two, "Fail me again?" Breakdown and Knockout looked affronted yet they submissively looked to the floor.
Skyfall looked from her leader to the red an blue mechs, she frowned and walked away knowing Megatron would not allow her on this mission either.
"Skyfall." Megatron rumbled. The Seeker straitened as her servo neared the door panel turning she gave a polite nod to her leader. "Come with me." Left with no room for questions she hurried to the lift and joined Megatron in the elevator. "You will by no means engage the enemy, you are there to observe and to ease your cabin fever."
Skyfall looked up at the gunmetal grey mech her orange optics widening with pure happiness. As stoic as ever Megatron wasn't even looking at her but at the doors with a neutral expression. "Thank you, my Lord." She watched the subtle upward twitch of his lips and smiled softly to herself.
Once the doors opened they stepped out with the small Seeker walking just behind Megatron, her optics met the many visors of the combaticons that were joining them. Flying towards the coordinates the Decepticons stayed in formation, the loud wailing of so many jet engines was making Skyfall audio receptors buzz. Once over the LZ, they transformed mid-air and superhero landed on the hard-packed earth with a flurry of dust. The full moon bathed the gully in silver light making the entire scene seem surreal.
Megatron greeted the Autobot Prime with almost a soft tone. "Optimus you're certainly not the Autobot I expected to find here. But let me guess. You rigged a transponder to mimic the frequency of the data I seek."
Skyfall watched the other two Autobots through her visor, waiting for any twitch that seemed threatening. Yet her optics kept turning towards Optimus, she needed to speak with him. Sky meant to send him a message to his private channel but meeting him here seemed to be a turn for fate.
Optimus stepped forward his arms out in a sign of peace, "Megatron I have a proposal."
At his movement, the Drones readied their cannons at the Prime, but with a subtle hand gesture they stood down, "I'm…listening." Skyfall stiffened at this, looking from her leader to the red and blue Autobot.
"Surrender the cylinder, and I will return it to you fully restored." Optimus's voice vibrated smoothly around them and Sky even felt the soft brush of the Primes EM field reassuringly prod against her own, as if sensing her unease.
"This trinket right here? And, pray tell, what trifles did it hold that you are so anxious to give away?" Megatron purred.
"Accept my terms, and you will find out."
Skyfall felt her anxiety rise as Megatron began to growl. Stepping slightly back she flicked her wings in anticipation.
Prime glanced at her then back at Megatron. "Do you accept my proposal?"
The com from Knockout made Megatron turn from Optimus. "Give me a moment." Walking to the back of their squad Megatrons EM field brushed against her in the same manner that Optimus's had, the conversation was private but he still kept his senses on his enemies. Skyfall looked at the waiting Autobots then to Optimus, writing a quick message she sent it to his private server.
After this meet me at the sequoia national park, I need to talk with you, alone. Please.
The only sign that Optimus had received her message was a quick glance in her direction.
Then Megatron turned around, "Optimus upon further consideration, if you want the cylinder you'll have to take it." The combaticons jumped into action with cannons blasting. With the Autobots retiring fire and the Drones dropping rapidly Megatron turned to her with bright ruby optics, "Skyfall, return to base."
"Yes, Lord Megatron." transforming she took to the night sky in the direction of the Nemesis. The air was calm and the chill bit into her armor, Skyfall didn't rush back to base she decided that a night cruise was in order. After all this was her only bout of freedom in weeks! Doing a few barrel rolls and corkscrews Sky laughed till her sensors pinged.
"Enjoying yourself Skyfall?" Megatron rumbled coming up on her left.
"My Lord! I didn't…I'm…it will not happen again." her thrusters eased and she leveled out.
Entertained by the young seeker's antics Megatron chuckled, "You may return to base when you please Skyfall you have earned as much."
"Thank you, Megatron!" Skyfall's EM field flared with her joy and her bio lights brightened considerably. Banking to the right Skyfall gave her thrusters all she had and broke the sound barrier within a nano click her excited sequels echoing in the inky darkness.
Megatron hummed in amusement, "To be young again."
Skyfall's path took her to California, and she landed softly within the sequoia national park her pedes making small cracks in the pavement, looking around she detected neither human nor cybertronian within the vicinity. Her visor disengaged as did her battle mask, cycling the clean air she let out a content hum walking through the trees that towered over herself. Sharp servos lightly touching the ancient trees tracing the creases in the bark, looking to her left she saw the hollowed tunnel through the base of one of the sequoias. Looking at it she remembered her life before this, off-lining her optics she felt coolant tears roll down her face plating. Skyfall's thoughts were cut short when the rumble of a diesel engine cut through the night, she watched Optimus roll into the parking lot and transformed walking slowly up to where she stood amongst the trees. His field enveloping her, it wasn't oppressive and heavy like when Megatron used his to strike fear into his subordinates. The static felt calming and sure, she didn't mind the wizened feel of it nor the tremors that it sent through her system.
"It is humbling to see such wondrous things grow to great heights. Nature is one thing that Earth always amazes me with." Optimus touched the nearest tree in reverence his glowing optics following it's great pathway to the stars, "You did not ask me to come here just to talk about trees." Optimus Prime turned to face the Decepticon second in command. His silent inquiry did not go unheard, and Skyfall smiled softly.
"How much do you know about Dawnbreaker and me?" Orange optics met blue and she watched as he thought over her question.
"I do not know much about you two, all I know is that you are connected. You share a history and a knowledge that of which the other Autobots and I may never comprehend"
Skyfall hummed, "Dawn and I are not…cybertronians." Optimus looked her over with a raised brow ridge. "I mean now we are but not…completely?"
"Please elaborate."
Sighing heavily Skyfall looked up at the star-dotted sky, "We are human. I don't know what happened nor how, but one night we were humans and the next day we woke up and we were cybertronians. We were placed here in this universe, it must have been dimensional travel there is no other explanation." Skyfall placed her hand over her rapidly beating spark. "We just want to go home, Dawn is doing everything she can reading through the Autobot data files as I scour the Decepticon servers for any ounce of information on how and why this happened." Clutching herself Skyfall felt more coolant tears fall to the dry earth below, "I know it's hard to believe…but we need you to try to understand. We need to get back to our own world, to our families." Shuttering out a slow breath she wiped her tears, "Dawnbreaker and I may look like you all but we have the soul of a human, a human heart per say. And with each passing day in this world, we lose our humanity." Turning to the silent Prime she watched his reaction to all she had said, she saw the pain and sympathy in his optics.
"The paths that are chosen for us are shrouded in uncertainty, Skyfall although your plight may be beyond my understanding it is not beyond help. I will aid you and Dawnbreaker in returning to your dimension, back to your human lives." Optimus placed a servo on her shoulder between her armor giving the soft protoform a light squeeze. "Are there any others who know your secret?"
"Megatron knows I have a human soul, he saw it when he did the Cortical Psychic Patch. I'm not sure if he knows the full extent of it but he has some idea." Skyfall walked along the cement path.
Optimus hummed in thought, walking up to the seeker femme he pressed a warm servo to her armored shoulder. "Continue as you are Skyfall, Primus has a path for you and Dawnbreaker. I will assist in the search for dimensional travel, perhaps we as a collective may crack this mystery."
"Thank you, Prime." Transforming she jettisoned into the sky headed back to base for some much-needed recharge.