The Bond of Master and Servant
Author's Note: Hey everyone, I'm back to writing chapters for this story. Read my bio if you wanna know why I disappeared for a few months. Okay, enjoy. (^-^)/
Disclaimer: Everything Transformers isn't mine. Just taking them and using them for fun. Zephyr and any other OC's are mine.
Ironhide: "She was mine before you even started on this story."
Me: Ugh… I know, I know… Jeez if you weren't so sexy I'd slap you.
Ironhide: "Hehe."
Zephyr: "…oh brother…."
Chapter 9: Preparations and Hidden Agendas
~Flashback~
(Thoughts)
=Speaking Cybertronian=
::Comlink::
[Week 2 before the Ark's arrival]
So far its been somewhat normal the past two weeks. Most of the Autobots were cleaning up the place and getting ready for the Ark's arrival. Since Ironhide hasn't seen his Sparkmate Chromia in years he was busy polishing and getting the dents out of his armor. When Will saw this he teased him about it and the big Mech only laughed, saying he wanted to look good for his mate. Apparently he had some plans which was why he was grooming himself, Will didn't want to know what those plans were and went somewhere else.
The construction was going smoothly on the Autobot side of the base with little to no problems. The 400+ workers that were hired was busy building the extra rooms for the new Autobots expected to arrive within another week, however due to a sudden rainstorm that appeared 3 days ago some of the new buildings got a lot of mud on them and wont be complected on time. The Dinobots having nothing to do decided to help the construction workers by clearing away the dried up mud and debris, then helped hold some of the buildings steady while the workers did what they needed to do. Needless to say, the workers were glad to receive help from the huge robotic Dinosaurs. And what was surprising is that they were gentle in helping out with the construction, which was odd but everyone decided to not think too much on it.
Even though its been two weeks the Decepticons hadn't made a move ever since they hacked NASA's Vortex Barrier and the Space Satellites. And its been two weeks since Zephyr fought the MechaJaguar Ravage. Jazz hasn't been able to find out where they could be hiding and it got Optimus a little on edge. Two whole weeks of nothing, not even a rouge Decepticon terrorizing the streets. He told the Autobots to keep an optic out while on patrol for any suspicious activity. Even General Morshower was a bit on edge, even though the rest of his troops were back from their two week vacation it did little to reassure him. Will Lennox and Ironhide both assured them that whatever happens they'll be ready and prepared for it. The enemy may think that since they haven't had any attacks their guard would be down, but once the Decepticons make the first move is when the Autobots and the members of NEST will strike.
Right now the MechaPanther Zephyr was taking a cat nap on top of the base. There hasn't been any activity by the Decepticons so she took the time to relax and enjoy herself. She decided to explore the base and record every detail just in case she got lost. NEST Base was huge but the island of Diego Garcia was even bigger, almost the size of California. Most of the area she explored was still covered in thick trees and other kinds of vegetation, she even saw some of the native wildlife living there. Being in a area like this brought back memories of her home on Cybertron. In the Metallic Forests her Creator would teach her how to hunt and of course she'd play with her food when she caught it. It made her miss her home, but she was determined to find and kill those Decepticons that took away everything she loved.
Zephyr was still napping when something poked her side, thinking it was an itch she used her back leg and scratched the area until the itch was gone. Soon she felt it again and growled a little, she was trying to nap but the constant poking was irritating her.
(Slaggit... who keeps poking me when I'm trying to nap?)
Opening one optic she saw the Dinobot Swoop poking her side with her beak. Groaning she got up and yawned then looked at her sleepily.
"What are you doing Swoop? I'm trying to get some recharge in..."
Swoop just stared at her and grinned. "Wanna play?"
Zephyr gave her an 'are you serious' look and laid back down, rolling on her side. "We'll play later... Now don't bug me..."
"Aww..."
The Robotic Pterosaur wanted to play with the Mechapanther, but seeing as how said panther is snoozing at the moment Swoop decided to hang around until she woke up. The Femme Dinobot liked Zephyr as soon as she met her the first time. When she was a youngling she'd always see MechaCats roaming around the Metallic Forests so seeing Zephyr was amazing. Swoop looked at her sleeping form and sighed, she really wanted to play some games with her but is going to have to wait. She'd go play with her brother Strife and the rest of the Dinobots but they were busy helping the human workers. She laid next to her and folded her wings up, deciding to watch the native birds fly by.
...
Meanwhile Optimus was in his room sitting at a desk typing up something on his computer in the corner of his room, where he made into a little office for himself. He was busy typing up a report on recent events, reason for doing so was just in case his friend Prowl was on the ship he'd like to review everything that has happened. He chuckled at the thought of seeing his friend Prowl again, sure he was a bit stuck up and "a prick" as the Lamborghini Twins might say he's been a valuable asset to the team. In fact Prowl along with his younger brother Bluestreak and older brother Smokescreen are all great members of the Autobots. Optimus couldn't wait to see everyone on board the Ark soon. He wished this week was over already so he could see everyone, especially his Sparkmate Elita.
Stopping what he was doing, he saved his work then pulled up a photo of his bonded taken before the war. It was during what the humans call their Honeymoon and in the photo Elita was devoid of her regular armor and was instead wearing a skimpy two piece garment that resembled a bikini. Her protoform was a beautiful silver with hints of the pink and white coloration here and there. She had a shy smile on her face with a bluish tint on her cheekplates, their version of blushing. The photo was taken at a private pool at a resort that catered to Bonded couples only. Optimus let his optics wander over her form for a bit, smiling as he recalled his week long Honeymoon with her. He jumped and quickly turned off the computer as someone knocked on his door.
"Yes? Who is it?" he called out.
"It's Wheeljack sir! May I come in?!"
"Oh! Uh, yes. You can." Optimus quickly turned on his computer and hid the photo of his sparkmate before anyone could see it, he then reopened the report he was working on beforehand and pretended to still be working on it. He had a light blush on his faceplates but that quickly went away when Wheeljack walked in with a big smile on his face.
"I got great news! Thanks to the Dinobots helping out the workers the new Autobot barracks will be finished within a few days!"
"Really? That is great news Wheeljack. I thought it might take longer due to the recent weather changes we've had."
"I thought so too, but those Dinobots have been a big help to them. Most of the workers took a break and let the Dinos finish up most of the buildings, with the head worker's guidance of course." The Scientist/Inventor laughed. Optimus smiled, he was shocked that the Dinobots wanted to help finish the buildings and is still shocked that not one of them managed to break anything on accident. He chuckled and shook his helm. "At least helping the humans build the barracks has kept them out of trouble."
Wheeljack started laughing as he explained why the Dinobots helped the workers. "I think it's like making a nest for them. I asked Grimlock why he and the others decided to help and he told me that new Autobots need a nest to sleep in, so he and the Dinos helped out 'puny humans'."
Optimus blinked as the Inventor doubled over laughing his aft off. He put a servo on his helm and snickered. "Figures... That's why they're helping them. Well, other than that has Jazz found any new leads on where the Decepticons might be?"
The other Mech calmed down and sadly shook his helm. "No, sorry sir. He hasn't found anything yet." He crossed his arms and closed his optics deep in thought. "I just don't get it! How is it they were able to find out where my Vortex Barrier was located? Not only that how was Ravage able to find Zephyr here at the base? Even more confusing is how in the Pits are they able to shield themselves even though the Energon Locators are up and running again?" He then put his servos on his helm and groaned in anger. "UGH! THIS IS FRUSTRATING!"
Optimus frowned and sighed though his vents. He wished he had all the answers but so far he was just as confused as everyone else here. "I wish I knew Wheeljack. The Decepticons lack of inactivity is begining to bother me. Everyone out on patrol hasn't been able to find anything, I'd say its a good thing that the lack of attacks has decreased, but this situation is getting more unnerving each day that passes..."
"Well, we have to be ready for whatever they come up with. Like you said before, we can't let our guard down right?" Wheeljack cracked his knuckles and grinned in a evil way, the sidebars on the side of his helm turning a light purple. "Besides, once I find out who messed with my precious Vortex Barrier they'll be getting no mercy from me!"
Optimus noticed that whenever the inventor got upset he'd start acting, as the humans say, 'like a mad scientist', calculating brutal ways to destroy the enemy. One time he and Ratchet had to stop him from using a device that'll cause a bot to literally purge out their insides, including their Spark Chamber, and cause instant death. That was not the Autobot way to handle things when it came to the Decepticons and Optimus reminded him of that. Wheeljack apologized afterwards for coming up with such a device. So it was converted into a bomb instead and given to Ironhide, who happily used it on the Decepticons. This was before they left Cybertron. "Calm yourself Wheeljack, I have my suspicions on who it was that tampered with the barrier at NASA."
"Really? Who do you have in mind?"
"Well, two in mind actually. One possibility could be Soundwave, as he's able to control one's thoughts if they're in range. Another possibility..."
The inventor prodded him on. "So? Who's the other Con?"
The flamed Mech looked up at him. "...Shockwave."
Wheeljack shivered at the mention of that name. Shockwave was known as the lead Scientist of the Decepticons, often preforming cruel and unusual experiments on his victims. Others called him a 'Machine of Death' since he kills without much remorse. Some of the Decepticons believe he was created without a spark, hence his lack of emotions. "Oh frag no... Please tell me that this is just your speculation and not something else?"
"It's just a theory, nothing more. Besides," He leaned back in his chair and closed his optics. "I highly doubt he's even active anymore. Last time I fought with him was back on Cybertron and the building we were in exploded. I made it out in time but he didn't, so its safe to assume that he is offline."
Wheeljack vented heavily, relieved to hear about Shockwave being offline. "That's good to hear, he's one bot I wouldn't dare fight up against, not unless I have a death wish. Prime you are lucky to come out of that alive."
The Mech opened his optics and gave a small smile. He was glad to have gotten out of that place in time before the explosion. He saw that his computer went into sleep mode and turned it back on, continuing on his report for Prowl. The inventor leaned over to peek at what he was working on. "What are you doing?"
"I'm working on a detailed report for Prowl. Knowing him he'll want to know about everything that has happened over the years we've been on this planet."
"Ohh, alright then. Hehe, I hope he doesn't glitch out after reading it." The Mech made his way out of the Autobot Leader's room. "I'll comm you if I find out anything about the Cons!"
Optimus nodded and continued on his report. He stopped when something Wheeljack said caused him to reread his report. It was very heavily detailed and just by reading it through he knew his Tactical Officer would glitch out at certain parts.
"Hmm... Maybe I should delete some of this. I wouldn't want him to glitch after reading what Ironhide did while drunk off of High-Grade..."
He highlighted some of the areas of his report, copied and pasted them on another new report. If Prowl asked, then he'll give them to him, but for now he'd rather not have to deal with his friend glitching out on his first day on Earth. And if Ratchet found out what exactly was written in said report to cause the Glitch... Optimus shuddered, he didn't want to think about the Medic's scary accuracy with a wrench.
"What he doesn't know, won't hurt him."
...
Theodore Galloway was in his office in Seattle, Washington going over some papers he recieved a week ago. His "friend" from Detroit, Michigan informed him of why the Decepticons were still here on their planet. Needless to say he was more than upset.
~Galloway was rubbing his face as he sat in his ''friends'' office. The man was an informant and somehow got secret documents of what the Decepticons were really after. Looking over the papers again he glared at the other man.
"So, you're telling me that the reason the Decepticons haven't left our planet is because they're waiting for the Autobot spaceship to enter orbit?"
The man nodded and spoke with a raspy voice. "That's right, why they're waiting on the ship to land I don't know. What I do know is that they have something called a 'Pretender' that disguised itself as a human worker for NASA and snuck inside the Main Control Room. Then it planted the virus that disabled the Vortex Barrier and the Tracker satalites so the Decepticons could land without our knowledge."
"Shit... Do you know who this 'Pretender' is?" he asked.
"No, I haven't gotten a clear picture of what he looks like. But I also found out something interesting."
The informant slid a folder full of classified documents over to Galloway. "Don't ask me how I got this it was trouble enough, but if you look through that there's also another reason why the Decepticons won't leave."
The man opened up the folder and read each document, when he was done he looked at the other man with a frown on his face. "...are you positive that this is going to happen?" He saw the man nod his head and cursed. Everything that has happened during the past week was starting to make sense.
The Decepticons had another Pretender they were using and was at NASA spying and sending highly classified information to them, which is why the Barrier Autobot Wheeljack designed didn't work and also why the Tracker satalites shut down. It also explained why the Decepticon Ravage somehow found his way over to NEST Base, but his priority was destroying the Autobot feline Zephyr and no one else. But the next part of the report is what takes the cake: The reason for all of this was to get something called The Matrix from the leader of the Autobots and use that to regenerate another Allspark, from a supossedly found shard they somehow came across. Afterwards, they plan on inserting the cube inside a machine called the Omega Cyberformer to transform their planet into another Cybertron, killing off any organic life on it.
After he was done reading Galloway groaned and rubbed his balding head. "Great... It's bad enough dealing with those damn robots and their demands. Now you're telling me that this is going to happen?"
The informant nodded and didn't say anything. Galloway thought for a few minutes and looked up at him. "Thanks for giving me this. I knew these damn machines would bring trouble with them and now its time for them to leave our planet alone. Once that Ark or whatever comes to Earth everyone will be boarding it and leaving, there's no way in the seven hells I'm letting them stay here much longer."
"Hey, I complectly agree Galloway. So... how are you going to do that without the President's knowledge?" he asked.
"Don't worry, I will find a way." ~
Galloway was reading and re-reading every document he got from his informant. He didn't question how the man got something like this for him, all he knew is that the Autobots overstayed their welcome. He put the documents in his suitcase and took out a black folder, he opened it up to reveal some sort of diagram of a weapon that was currently being made by a group called Black Diamond, a group he himself is secretly operating under the president's nose. He grinned evily as he looked through it.
"Once this is complete we won't even need those damn Autobots anymore. We'll be able to handle any Decepticon that comes our way."
AN: Sorry if this seems a little short. Next chapter will be a time skip into the next week and will be a bit longer, depends on the plot bunnies. R&R please!