Hello everyone! This is FM and Isoner found this on an old flash drive he dug up the other day. To be honest I don't even remember writing some of these parts, but I guess in this case the written word is worth a thousand pictures.
We still talk about this story, but (for me anyway) my muses have moved on. Transformers is still a huge part of my life, but as for this story...I just don't know what's next.
To those of you who reviewed we REALLY appreciate it and hope you like this installment from the past.
FM and Isoner
The prehistory of Cybertron:
Under the guidance of the Primes, Cybertron became very prosperous, and the Cybertronians became complacent, and ill prepared for war. Even more so when that war came not from within, but in the form of an external invasion.
The Cybertronians stood little chance against the lighting strikes of their unseen opponents. Quickly all resistance was subdued, and even the current Prime was forced to surrender to the unseen leaders that hid behind a horde of brainless shock troop mecha.
The survivors, and there were many, were herded into heavily guarded camps to await their fate. They were the young, the old, the sick, and the disheartened, all huddled in the darkness of the camps waiting, and watching as the new owners of their world created new buildings designed to do who knew what.
Their deep voices were all the same, their appearances just echoes of each other.
They brought with them fear, loathing, and ruthless efficiency.
"The first thousand test subjects yielded results 30 above expectations, although all test subjects terminated."
"Death's are irrelevant. The predicted test results give us enough data to re-create Cybertronians from the ground up."
"The tests exceeded our predictions in allowing us to create detailed thought maps. I predict an 85 success rate in thought prediction."
"Well done, Surgentor. How goes the construction?"
"Cybertron's largest energy fountain has been located, and converted into the Plasma Energy needed for our technorganic experiments. The energy is as deadly to the Cybertronians here as it is to the native life on our own Quintessa, and has been sealed accordingly."
"And our precise control over the plasma energy will allow us to wipe clean the minds of the Cybertronians, and turn them into excellent slaves."
They didn't care what his name was. It was beneath their notice to even think he may have had one. The operation was quick and precise, which was necessary since it was soon to be automated, and reproduced en mass on the entire population of the planet.
As he went through the chamber, focusing lenses aimed bursts at precise areas of his head. The circuit damage was painful but swift. After the first shot, his fear suddenly fell away from him. A few other quick bursts carefully controlled by a tentacled alien standing by a control cone, and he had forgotten everything he ever knew.
The first thing the newborn Cybertronian saw he could only imagine was the face of his creator. "Your designation is A-3. You are the new servant droid in the medical station."
A-3 worked as a servant drone in the medical center for several months before he realized anything was out of place. On occasions he found himself feeling what must be emotions for some of the mechanoids that came through the center. He did not show his pity, or his concern for these poor mechanoids that seldom survived their trip to the medical center, he instinctively knew that his masters would not respond favorably to them. He did nothing. He assisted, holding parts as his fellow Cybertronians were disassembled for spare parts, he had seen sparks dissipated, and new ones artificially formed. He was able to meet or at least see every robot on the planet come through the center at one time or another. He heard his masters mention something about installing cutoff devices into essential systems to ensure that the same shutoff devices would also be installed in later generations. He was trusted. They didn't think twice about letting the servant droid A-3 into even the most secret labs, including their Guardian robot project.
It was while delivering supplies to the Guardian Robot Project that he saw him. Actually he never knew what his name was, only that he was laying on the disassembly table in pieces. By all rights he should have died long ago┘ The Cybertronian on the table would have preferred it. One of the parts that lay sprawled on the table seemed out of place. All of his components were on just this side of shutdown, even his spark was glowing a dull brown, but one round component in his lower chest was still glowing strongly.
The mind of A-3 was suddenly in conflict. His loyalty to his masters, and his own sense of self preservation told him to leave it alone, and leave this poor mechanoid to his fate┘ but something else said that he must remove the glowing Matrix from this body and hide it. This something else must have been stronger, because he found himself removing the Matrix and hiding it within himself.
A-3 awoke to find himself hooked up to a diagnostics computer, and for the first time he truly awoke. He remembered things that didn't make sense. He remembered the first thing he ever saw, a glowing round super computer with a gold key firmly implanted. How could he have been created twice?
"Ah. You are back on line. A-3, what caused your shutdown?"
A-3 lied, "I must have tripped, and hit my head on the experimental unit in room 24. Was he damaged?"
"That unit terminated 8,500.3 hours after disassembly. Your blunder has rendered that test result invalid. Return to your duties at once. I will summon you once I have decided on a suitable punishment."
Again A-3 walked through the hallways towards the Guardian Robot Project labs, feeling a newfound compassion towards his fellow Cybertronians. He had to do something for them┘ Another change within himself, he noticed, he now seemed to be more loyal towards his people that to his masters.
The specs for the Guardian Robot were listed on the screen as A-3 walked into the large construction lab. He stopped for a moment and committed the specs to his memory┘ one day it may be necessary to go against these things, and that information could come in handy.
His mind was so occupied with the specs, it took him a few moments to notice the discussion his masters were having was not typical. "We are too far along in the design process of the Guardian project to implement the new changes. Although it is going to be a war droid, technically the Guardians will be part of the domestic Autobot product line instead of the new Decepticon line of combat robots."
"I believe that is for the best. We have isolated the element within the Cybertronians that makes some of them more violent and distrusting, and enhanced it to make the aggressive personalities necessary for a combat droid. Since the Guardian is meant as a defensive weapon, the more docile Autobot personality type is preferable."
Interesting, thought A-3, they were going to make a combat line. If he could ally himself with them it would give them an advantage when the time came to retake the planet. The trouble would be making sure the Decepticon and Autobot lines did not come into conflict with each other.
Retake the planet? Where did that come from?
One other thought came from nowhere┘ for now, as leader, the Matrix was his, but
he knew that when his job was done he would give the Matrix over to the next leader.
And somewhere in the back of his head he knew that in the long term, Autobot and
Decepticon weren't meant to co-exist.
Earth 2012 AD:
I thought I had seen it all. Weather control devices. Matter teleportation. Even 1000 year old snake men. But this┘this takes the cake!
General Clayton Abernathy (Ret.) stood in amazement as the powerful Autobot gestalt known as Defensor stood its┘his┘ground as the robot continued to protect the delegates that Optimus Prime had entrusted to his care.
A large Decepticon jet, hued in purple and black, made another strafing run as
the obsidian and gray weapon on top erupted into life. Bolt after bolt impacted
against the flickering crimson shield as the Autobot visibly winced with each impact.
Then, before Defensor could steady himself for the next wave, a large blue hover craft
came in a hard diving pattern, using the waning sun as cover as the top mounted
weapon joined the jet's in its ferocious attack.
"Oomph!!" staggered the gestalt as the multi-pronged blasts began to take their toll. Ignoring the pain building in his receptors, Defensor held the shield for a few seconds more until the two craft pulled up, banking away as to not collide with the shield or the remains of the mountain that guarded the Autobot and human's rear position.
NOW! yelled Hot Spot from deep within the combined mine that he and his fellow Protectabots created. A second later the shield was down and once again two fireball cannons spewed forth two great flaming projectiles that impacted against a maroon jet with blue and gray weapon just as the Decepticon was preparing to fire.
"Ahh! Cyclonus, I'm hit!" shouted Misfire as the targetmaster veered wildly off-course,
nearly plowing into his wing man Slugslinger.
"Watch where you're going Misfire!" shouted the blue jet as it narrowly missed becoming one with the north side of the cliff facing.
"Misfire, report status!" ordered Cyclonus as he transformed into robot mode, Fracus firmly held in his right hand.
"System errors across the board commander! Targeting and transformation are down!
If I don't get fixed soon I'll be in stasis lock in less than a breem!"
'Liked he ever used targeting anyway' snidely remarked Fracus as he watched Misfire wobble from one side to the other.
Blasted weakling! I should have him smelted for his cowardice but I have more
important things to do is what Cyclonus thought, but out loud he simply sighed.
"Misfire, return to base. All other Targetmasters, regroup on my position and┘."
Twin balls of fire interrupted the command, forcing Cyclonus to jet upwards to
gain more distance between him and his foe. "You should have aimed better Autobot,
for that shot shall be your last!"
"We'll see, Decepticrum!" retorted the gestalt as more orbs of energy rocketed skyward.
But the attack was for naught as Scourge, Triggerhappy and Slugslinger joined their commander and transformed, each one lashing out with their Nebulon ally as streams of energy joined together and impacted hard against the gestalt's body, slamming the large Autobot against a rock formation.
Debris from the impacted rained down towards the delegates, certain to crush most if not all the humans. It was only the selfless act by Defensor imposing himself between the boulders and Earthlings that saved the gathered group.
But the cost was high.
While the humans were protected, Defensor himself was left wide open to the attack and with their combined blasts shattered the neural and physical combinations that kept the Protectabots in their combined from and Defensor literally fell apart.
"Now Decepticons┘.attack!!" shouted Cyclonus as the Targetmasters opened fire.
"Screw this!" muttered the General as a small portable radio found its way into
his hand. All of his years in the military had thought him one thing above all else;
be prepared.
"This is General Clayton Abernathy to EDC command┘" began the elder solider as the Decepticons pressed their attack.
The dust rose up into the evening sky as the two titans fought against the other with all their might, partially shielding the combatants from view as Optimus and Galvatron struggled to find the perfect opening to end this confutation in their favor. But fate was against both beings as each move by one was perfectly counted by the other; perhaps the only benefit from eons of battle
"You are a fool Prime" shouted Galvatron as the Decepticon leader tried to bring his cannon to bear on the Autobot commander. "My power is unconquerable!"
"Conquer this!" replied Optimus as a savage backhand impacted against the side
of Galvatron's face. But to Galvatron's shock it wasn't the blue steel fist of Prime's
hand but rather the flat side of a golden hued energy ax that took him by surprise!
"I will stop you here and now Galvatron! This battle will decide once and for all
who will lead our people into the next age!"
Galvatron watched with awe and Prime actually paused to give him time to right himself. Another foolish mistake Optimus! chided the Decepticon commander as his right hand retracted and a deep purple morning star slid into place. "For once I agree Optimus for this shall be our final battle!"
Ax and morning star crossed and the fight for life and death began anew.
"We're getting closer Arcee. Two miles and┘woah!"
"What is it Daniel?"
"I'm only getting two energy signatures from over that rise! One is a Decepticon wavelength for sure, but I don't know who! The other┘." Began Daniel, but the teen paused as the identity of the other energy signature was displayed. "Damm! It's Springer! And by the lack of any other Autobot codes, he looks to be the only one active!"
"We've got to get there Daniel! There's no telling who he's up against!" shouted back Arcee as the pair crossed a sand dune and shimmed for control on the expansive terrain.
But Daniel could easily hear the worry in his partner's voice as he knew how close the two Autobots had become. And even though he said nothing, the teen realized that to loose Springer could devastate Arcee.
He would /never/ let anything harm Springer, even if the cost was her life.
Springer clutched at his side, oil dripping from between his fingers as the open
wound bled onto the desert floor. The same oil rolled down the edge of the sword,
causing a wicked laugh to erupt from Onslaught's vocalizer.
"Problems Springer?" mocked the Combaticon as he took a moment to enjoy his foe's injury. "Perhaps that sorry pacifistic excuse for a medic First Aid can help you┘if I leave him enough pieces to work with!" And in a blur of motion the sword danced in the light, glimmering as it started it's downward arc.
But the weapon never completed the killing stroke as a sudden burst of pain lanced through Onslaught's palm. With a pained growl he glanced to his left as his tracking systems followed weapons fire back to their point of origin.
But as his optics locked onto a figure opaqued by the setting sun, his internal warning systems flashed as there was something┘wrong┘by the silhouetted image on the rise. It was then all the pieces fell into place as a voice rang out of the dunes.
"Drop it Onslaught, or I drop you!" commanded Daniel as he steadily held his arm-mounted laser directly on the Decepticon, the small dot of the firing sight resting directly on the robot's forehead.
The battle froze in place as each waited for the other to move, knowing full well that the slightest mistake could cost a life.
"Me Grimlock say Dinobots fall back!"
The four prehistoric warriors looked at their commander, unable to believe their
audio scanners. "Me Slag no run away! Me Slag stay and fight! You Grimlock coward"
was the triceratops reply as his heavy laser pistol erupted once more.
But as before, the blasts did nothing to the powerful gestalt but cause him to grow more angry. And Abominous was not someone you wanted to make angry period.
Grabbing his disobedient solider by the horns, Grimlock pulled Slag behind some cover fire to┘explain┘himself. "Me Grimlock no run away! Not coward. Me Grimlock have plan to stop Abominous but need time. That where you and all Dinbots help out!"
Growling at his commander, the flame throwing dinosaur relented slightly. "What you want me Slag to do┘?"
"In moment. Swoop..!" called Grimlock to his airborne warrior. Looking down the pterodactyl swung around after firing another volley of air-air-missiles but as before they did little to do more than enrage the Decepticon. "Me Grimlock say make it dusty! Him no see good then!"
"Me Sludge no understand Grimlock.." said the jungle warrior as came up beside his leader. "Sand no good to use in fight."
Even though his face mask prevented the physical expression, the Dinobot Commander's voice held a knowing smile. "Me Grimlock say watch!"
Picking up his cue from Grimlock, Swoop began to arc around the huge Decepticon as his velocity increased. Faster and faster the Dinobot flew until a tornado of dust surrounded the gestalt.
With a roar of primal anger, Abominous began to fire in all direction, determined to hit his foes! Massive bolts of energy lanced from out of the dust cloud in a furry of hate but the attacks hit nothing but empty air.
Transforming to his robot mode, Swoop landed with his brethren. "Me Swoop do good job! Now what Grimlock?"
"Me Grimlock say follow me! Dinobots, transform┘!" and with that the five warriors assumed their powerful dinosaur modes and ran at top speed towards a large cluster of dunes.
By the time the sand tornado dispersed Abominous found himself alone in the stretch of desert with no signs of the Dinobots.
Hidden behind the relative safety of the high dunes, Grimlock outlined his plan.
Even Slag was impressed. But as he looked around at the faces of his followers,
one stood out as being a bit let down at what was about to happen.
"Sludge, you no understand?" asked Grimlock .
"Me Sludge want to help. But Grimlock no have special thing for Sludge to do."
:"That because Sludge dumb! Sludge good in water and trees! No see trees and water in desert!" snarled Slag, exasperated at how dumb the brontosaurus could be at times.
Grimlock as the expression on Sludge's face drifted from one of disappointment to down right depression. The other Dinobots not involved in the conversation-Snarl and Swoop-simply remained quiet and waited for the final word from Grimlock. But even thought Snarl's face place remained neutral, Swoop felt a bit of sympathy for Sludge on being on the receiving end of Slag's barbs.
"Me Grimlock say Slag stupid because Sludge going to be big help in plan!" countered the tyrannosaurus rex as he felt a small hint of pleasure at Slag being proven wrong again by jumping to hateful conclusions.
"Me am?" asked the surprised Dinobot.
"That right Sludge. You most important part of plan! You diversion!"
"Me Sludge diversion!" cheered the robot for a long moment before looking back at his leader. "Uhm┘what is diversion Grimlock┘?"
A few minutes later Sludge wasn't sure he liked being a diversion.
Millions of years ago, during the pre-history of Cybertron┘
Alpha Trion, he was still not quite use to hearing his new name, watched with the
others as the last of the aliens ships departed Cybertron. Saying it departed was
really being too generous, as some of the Decepticons were still shooting at it.
But it was well out of range.
At last the machines were free of their masters, and creators.
Some part of him still wondered if the five faced tentacled monsters had really created them┘ he also remembered a glowing golden computer. It didn't really matter who created them any more.
The future lay before him, and the other survivors of the war for liberation. The past didn't matter any more, because they had the power to transform the future.
There was a government to build, one that would satisfy both Autobot and Decepticons,
and the other product lines too. One that would cover and unify the divisions between
those factions.
He would not let himself think that such a government would be impossible. He had to believe that it was, otherwise there would be no hope for his race as a whole.
"We have won!" Atron shouted, the Decepticon patting Alpha Trion's shoulder in celebration.
"Indeed, Atron, a glorious day, but I fear the hardest work now awaits us. Now that we have liberated our planet, we must now rule it," Alpha Trion said.
"I agree. Let us each take our two preferred advisors from each product line, and meet in council to decide what will be our next step," Atron said.
"Yes," Alpha Trion said, and went off to get his two Autobot advisors, while Atron would go and seek out his Decepticon advisors. Somehow the other product lines were forgotten in the rush.
The six met in council┘ and no one was completely satisfied with the final results.
To punish their old slavers, every record or mention of them would be erased from the records, but the aliens would not be followed to their home planet to be completely eradicated.
A standing Decepticon army would not be formed, planetary defense would instead be handled solely by Guardian Robots.
Cybertron would be ruled by a council made up of both Autobot and Decepticon, each with equal power.
The decisions made in that council meeting preserved the peace for maybe a century,
then the civil wars began. Sometimes the Decepticons won and became dominant, other
times it was the Autobots who ruled. The beginning of a never ending cycle.
The alien threat was completely forgotten, as was many of the things they had left behind, under the surface of Cybertron.
And the cycle of wars would continue even after the coming of Megatron and Optimus Prime┘ but the wars would be changed forever by one fateful decision, and the meeting of a completely different alien life form.