Epsilon' spark was beating as he walked down the hallway that led to the Autobia military command center. What could Minister Optimus want with us? he wondered nervously. Having to report to the principal's office was not a quarter as stressful as this. Knowing that their country's leader was once Head General of the Autobot Army during the recent Great War did nothing to soothe Epsilon's worry.
He looked about him, searching for a familiar face. Sergeant Kup, his class's instructer, had called them all separately, so Epsilon didn't know beforehand who was in the same boat with him.
Let's see...Ticktock, I know; of course, I should. We are best friends, after all. Who else...Blades is here, but he probably doesn't want to talk...Quartz and Jetstream are in my class, but I don't know them personally...Firearm, Shocker, and Detector I know pretty well, and as for Reflector, his brother has told me a lot about him, and everyone knows Hardhead. The orange jet, I don't know anything about, besides the fact that he's training as a Seeker. So that's pretty much everyone.
Epsilon's reverie was interrupted by his sergeant announcing that they had arrived at their destination.
"Everybody, take your seats. Optimus has an assignment for you."
Upon hearing that, his spirits instantly lifted. An assignment? This was amazing news! He (in addition to his fellow cadets) had been chosen to go on an official military mission! Epsilon sat down with the rest and attempted to contain his excitement while their leader explained the details of their mission.
"You have been called here because a great threat has been uncovered. The threat...of the Deceptions."
A great murmur broke out amongst the recruits. Optimus called for attention, and they raptly focused on the video clip Prime was showing them. In it, a tall figure, orange in color, was spraying the ground and vegetation of a planet with oil. He then took out mechanical stick, set it alight with his flamethrower and threw it to the ground. The forest was in flame within moments, and by the light of the fire, all the cadets could clearly see his sinister expression, and his blood-red Decepticon insignia.
Optimus deactivated the video screen and turned to the students.
"The Deceptions have landed on a distant planet called Earth. If nobody stops them, they will conquer this world and enslave its inhabitants...or worse. Our standing military is currently unavailable; you were chosen because you are considered the best of your class, and because of your unique abilities and talents. Your mission: to assess the situation with the Decepticons on Earth, and to contain that situation until we can send reinforcements. Understand?"
"Sir, yes sir!" the Autobot cadets replied in unison.
"Epsilon, I appoint you as the leader of this mission."
"Me, sir? I'm not sure I'm qualified..."
"I believe you to be, or I would not have chosen you for this position." Prime turned to the other recruits. "Firearm, you will be the Medical Officer aboard the assigned ship. Hardhead, you will be Science Officer. You travel to Earth on the Victory shuttle, stationed in docking bay 4, in 5 cycles. I believe in each and every one of you. Make me and your sergeant proud." The team saluted and marched out of the room.
...
When the five cycles had elapsed, all the recruits had gathered in the Victory. All except Hardhead, that is, who had gotten sidetracked talking to Nosecone and Air Raid, his fellow cadets.
"...and that is why trains are a legitimate means of travel despite the fact that almost all members of our society possess the ability to convert into a vehicular mode."
"Hmm. I never thought of it that way."
"Heh, there's a reason you gained a reputation as the smartest 'bot in class!
"Well, I don't like to brag, but-"
Hardhead was interrupted by the sound of the countdown for the Victory to launch.
"Oh, great!" he shouted. "This is why people call me Numbskull!" He transformed and jet toward the shuttle. Unfortunately, it had already lifted off, so he had to make due with grabbing on to the left wing. Meanwhile, inside of it, Quartz made sure the thrusters were stabilized before they reached cruising altitude and set Earth as the destination in the coordinates.
There's no turning back now, Epsilon thought. I know we can do it. This is our chance to prove ourselves as soldiers...this is MY chance to prove myself as a leader!
...
The Victory soon reached cruising altitude, and Quartz activated the magnetic field, so the squad was free to roam the shuttle until they skewed into hyperspace. Epsilon looked out the window, into the darkness of space.
"Congratulations, Epsilon," Ticktock to his commanding officer and friend. "Or should I say, Epsilon Prime."
"Come on now, Ticktock. Prime is a rank granted to generals, and I'm just a cadet who happened to be named leader of a mission. If anything, I'm 'Epsilon Acting Minor'."
"Well, your still the leader, nonetheless. Isn't that what you always wanted?"
Epsilon smiled and stood up. "Anyway, we should take a roll call to make sure everyone is accounted for before we skew. Ticktock?"
"Here!"
"Skyrocket?"
"Present, sir!"
"Reflector?"
"Ready to roll!"
"Detector?"
"Ready to rock!"
"Quartz?"
"I'm definitely here; otherwise, who's flying the shuttle?"
"Jetstream?"
"Accounted for!"
"Blades?"
"Yes."
"Shocker?"
"I'm here. You know, you're really on a roll, here? A roll? Eh?"
"...Firearm?"
"On standby in the medical bay."
"Hardhead? ...Hardhead? Where did he get off to?"
Ticktock wordlessly pointed out the window, where a cold, hapless Hardhead was desperately clutching to the wing.
...
Extra Zone: Epsilon Prime
Tech Spec:
Strength 6/10
Speed 5/10
Intelligence 5/10
Courage 7/10
Leadership 8/10
Firepower 6/10
Personality:
Epsilon is generally cool-headed but can get emotional when the situation is dire. From the time he was young, he wanted to lead his very own Autobot squad. His dreams were fulfilled when Optimus Prime appointed him to lead a squad of cadets to scope out Decepticon activity on a planet called Earth.