I was impressed with the final part of the season opener. While my story is different from that, of course, I hope that my offering can compare in some small way to the superb way in which they got Optimus back. There will be this and two more chapters to this story. I hope you enjoy this one. Gregg.
Disclaimer: I don't own, or profit from, these characters or franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Ratchet listened to the explanation that Arcee and Jack gave him about what needed to be done. He was relieved in one sense. They didn't have to actually find Vector Sigma which would have meant physically being on Cybertron. But the reality of having to face Optimus and place the Key in a specific spot was a daunting task. One that he was not sure could be accomplished by the human Jack.
"Optimus will fight that with all his Spark," Ratchet said when the explanation was complete.
Before anyone could say anything the Key flew from Jack's hand and hung in the air. A beam emanated from it and a holographic image formed in front of them. Ratchet's and Arcee's eyes widened.
"Alpha Trion," Ratchet gasped.
The image of Alpha Trion turned to face Ratchet. "Yes, Ratchet, it is I," Alpha Trion said, the voice metallic, yet holding an ancient tone to it. "Or, rather, my essence."
The two living Autobots were stunned. Ratchet, of course, knew that Alpha Trion had been a friend and mentor to Orion Pax, and helped him in becoming Optimus Prime. Legend had it that Alpha was one of the original thirteen Primes, but no one knew for sure. Arcee had only heard of the ancient Autobot, but she was rapidly coming to believe in the old legends regarding Vector Sigma if this was happening.
"It is not Optimus who will fight this, but Orion," Alpha Trion said solemnly. "My young friend Orion is unsure of who he is and what his purpose is. The uncertainty you will no doubt face will translate itself into an instinct for self-preservation." The image paused and then looked down at Jack. "You, my young friend, already know what you must to accomplish your task. That which makes you Jackson Darby is what will allow you to assist Orion in becoming Optimus Prime once more."
Jack looked up at the old Autobot. He was as tall as Optimus, and had a mauvish color scheme mixing light and dark mauves together. His frame was more rounded than square, and he had a long beard like appendage on his chin.
"How could I possibly get close enough to him?" Jack asked, not terribly thrilled with all this.
"You will know," Alpha Trion told him. "The Key will be your guide. Trust in it's wisdom, and in your own. Optimus chose well. Do not doubt that, Jackson Darby."
The image disappeared and the Key glowed, then went back into Jack's hand. The three stood there dumbstruck. This whole situation was getting incredibly surreal.
"We need to begin working on a strike plan," Arcee said firmly. She looked at Jack. "Well?"
"I'm in," Jack said with as much certainty in his voice as he could muster. The idea that he was listening to a long dead Autobot leader for guidance was a bit disturbing, but at the same time felt right.
"I need Bulkhead," Arcee told Ratchet. "He's going to need to help develop the plan. I also need him to take lead in case we are forced to take on Megatron."
Ratchet communicated with Bulkhead. "He's on his way," he told them. He gave some thought to the issue of Megatron. "I'm going to work on increasing power to our energy weapons. Megatron is still incredibly powerful, and in the past only Optimus has been able to affect him with his energy blasts."
"I take it you intend on being part of the strike force," Arcee observed. She knew that Ratchet could fight as well as any of the team, but for much of the war he had limited himself to being a Medic. This may not be the best of battles to get back in the fray.
Ratchet gave her a determined look. "Optimus is my oldest friend, Arcee," he said firmly with overwhelming conviction. "If we are indeed going to lose him, it will not be because we didn't have enough bots in the fight to give him a real chance. I may be a Medic, but I wasn't always one."
Arcee nodded. "Keep watch on Nemesis," she ordered. She looked down at Jack. "Go and get some sleep, Jack. I want to be ready to go in the morning. I'll come get you when it's time for briefing."
"What's up, Arcee?" Bulkhead said as he entered the Control Room.
"We know how to get Optimus back," Arcee told him. She turned her attention back to Jack.
"I know, get some sleep," Jack said, a chuckle in his voice.
He made his way out of the control room and entered his room where his Mom was already in bed, sitting up reading a book.
"Hi, Mom," he said.
June looked up. "Any luck?" she asked. She wanted this nightmare to be over once and for all.
"We know what we have to do," he told her. "We go after Optimus tomorrow."
"You have to go with them," June stated dully.
"It's the only way, Mom," Jack told her. "There's no way we could get Orion to come with us, so we have to do it there. We have a briefing in the morning after Arcee and Bulkhead work out a strike plan."
"I may not like this, but do what you need to do, Jack," June told her son. "Just remember that there are people here who want you back safe and sound."
"I will, Mom," Jack told her. He spent some time visiting and then finally went to sleep. His thoughts were on what was coming, and his fears. Needless to say his sleep was quite restless.
Arcee and Bulkhead spent most of the night coming up with and refining a strike plan. Agent Fowler also helped for a while. It was decided that Fowler would head up Ops here at Base during the mission, and that Nurse Darby would be ready to render medical aid as necessary afterwards. Miko and Raf would operate and maintain the comm and ground bridge systems.
"I hope you have plenty of patch kits, Ratchet," Bulkhead said, a little humorously, but also with a bit of seriousness. He had no illusion about what his role would be, and who he would likely face at some point. Megatron had been a very successful gladiator before becoming the Decepticon leader, and without Prime the only Autobot who could stand toe to toe with Megatron was Bulkhead himself. It wasn't an even match up, though the old Wrecker could do some damage.
"The key will be keeping Jack safe and outside of the combat until we reach Optimus," Arcee told him. "If you can hold off Megatron for even a little bit, that will make the difference. If this works, then Megatron will be facing Optimus."
Bulkhead nodded. "I've got a few tricks left," he said confidently. A Wrecker never gives up in a fight, and he was not about to be the first one. Jack and Optimus deserved his best. He only wished his old buddy Wheeljack was here to be in on the fight. Or even the whole Crew from Cybertron. Now that would be a battle royal!
"Alright, let's meet back here in a couple of hours for briefing," Arcee ordered. "Work on the weapons upgrades, Ratchet, and Bulkhead, get Bee to monitor Nemesis."
Arcee went to her quarters to recharge for a couple of hours. Her worries about the mission were many, but her main worry was Jack. He was going to be right there, and the danger was incalculable. Her main objective was going to be keeping him safe. She powered down while still going over the battle plans.
A/N: I remember watching the original Transformers show in the mid-Eighties and the character Alpha Trion intrigued me, so I couldn't resist bringing him into this story, if only for a short part. The image of him I kept faithful to how he was in that original series. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Gregg.
