Chapter 5: Multiplication and Division
Joor=6 hours
Breem=8.3 minutes
Nanoclick=1 second
Italics=private communication
Disclaimer: I don't own the Transformers
A string of Cybertronian curses could be heard coming from Wheeljack's lab. This was not as easy as he anticipated. It worked in theory but so did most of his ideas. Practical application was another animal entirely. Things were combining just fine but they were dividing as multiple weaker copies of the original sources. Doing that with energy reserves was one thing. They could still be used. He hated the idea of multiple miniature Skywarps, or worse Starscreams.
"Are you making progress Wheeljack? The sooner we can get rid of these two the better" Ratchet radioed.
"It works but not like I want it to. It divides the energy sources into multiple weaker copies of the originals."
"Keep working on it. Prime's orders to the pit, if there were more than one of either of them I would kill them all. Fragging cons already out number us. Tell you what they just off-lined their primary systems in an attempt to avoid me as well as avoid Optimus's interrogation. I'll be over to help you in a nanoclik."
A few breems later the duo managed to make fewer stronger copies, but it would be another joor before they were confident to test it on a living cybertronian.
"It works, Wheeljack. We did it. I am sure you could manage to get away without having Optimus destroy it with just one minor modification." Ratchet concluded. "It can easily be programed to filter out core signatures and therefore have no effect on us."
"Do it. Once we prove that to Optimus we will have one small advantage on the cons! He will listen to you before he does me. When we finish, YOU tell him."
"Fine, let's head back to the med bay. We have a test to run."
"As much as he hates it, I think Starscream is about to become a lab rat" Wheeljack laughed as he radioed Optimus to inform him of their success.
The three Autobots met in the med bay to discover their prisoners alert and just about free.
"Going somewhere so soon? Are you sure you don't want to stick around and be separated?" Ratchet asked smirking.
"We have that ability now" Optimus patiently confirmed.
"Lier!" Starscream screamed.
"In case you ever wondered where he got his designation," Wheeljack said "now it is obvious. We are serious screamer. You cons lie. But fine if you want to stay that way and finish your own repairs that is fine too. Megatron will be wondering where you are and if you fly back to him like that well I'd be more afraid of that."
The decepticons stood there. The argument between them was obvious by Starscream's body language. The autobots were sure one wanted to try and the other wanted to flee. They had their own guesses.
"They may kill us but one thing is sure. Lord Megatron will kill us. Personally if we offline I want it to be at our enemy's servo." Skywarp reasoned. Starscream couldn't help but agree.
"A wise decision you two" Optimus told them as he escorted them back.
Wheeljack turned on the device and Starscream off lined his optics as the hum filled their audios.
"Get off of me you fool" Starscream said as he threw the Purple and grey seeker off of him and onto the floor.
"I am me again." Skywarp said trying to hide his gratitude from the autobots.
"We are out numbered. Let's get out of here" Starscream said as he transformed slowly. "I'll repair myself" he informed anyone who was listening as he flew off with Skywarp right behind him.
A Breem later Jazz and Brawn rolled in from Recon. "Optimus" jazz reported "intel from cybertron has informed me that Shockwave has created a device similar to Wheeljacks. If they knew what it could potentilally do…"
"Understood" Optimus replied. "Wheeljack we won't be destroying your latest invention after all. Good job!"
Back on the Decepticon Base
"I am pleased to discover nothing unusual went on in my absence." Megatron growled looking Starscream. "Shockwave has completed a prototype for a device that will quadruple our resources by combining energon reserves. I shall have more than enough to finish this war and rule cybertron!'
"Lord Megatron. NO!" Skywarp and Starscream said as they slowly backed up and transformed.
"Thundercracker! Explain" Megatron roared.
I don't know about these two Lord Megatron. Sounds like a wonderful plan to me" Thundercracker answered grinning.
A/N Finished! It was short and sweet like I promised. Hope you enjoyed. Please Read and Review