//I need a hero to save me now. I need a hero, save me now. I need a hero to save my life. A hero will save me just in time. I need a hero to save my life. I need a hero, just in time. Save me just in time. Save me just in time.\\
//Who's gonna fight for what's right? Who's gonna help us survive? We're in the fight of our lives. And we're not ready to do. Who's gonna fight for the week? Who's gonna make 'em believe? I've got a hero, I've got a hero living me.I'm gonna fight for what's right. Today I'm speaking my mind. And if it kills me tonight I will be ready to do.\\
//A hero's not afraid to give his life. A hero's gonna save me just in time.\\
Hero by Skillet
This is a big set up chapter for things to come. So I hope you're all taking notes! Or at least have a better memory than I do! Be patient with me as chapter 6 (Optimus) and 7 (Decepticons) are also chapters to help set up the story. Chapter 8 (Arrival of the Axalon) the fun begins!
Also, as I've said before, I'm not going to make it easy for Bumblebee to win Kacey's spark. So in this chapter you get to meet his main competition, Marshall and Hot Rod. Feel free to cheer for them if you must but the Bee will eventually win Kacey's spark.
Now, I need to explain the first bit of this chapter where Kup is telling a story about Primus versus Unicron. I will apologize to those and mean no offense for taking the mythology of Primus and Unicron and reshaping some of it to fit Kacey's universe. I've avoided the issue of the Matrix in Hope's Journey and just barely touched on it in My Beautiful Rising Star. It will be explained later, much later, in this story.
Special thanks: To Bunnylass for putting up with my crap and allowing me to torment her with pictures from RotF that I capped from the movie when she can't get the movie until the end of November! To Dr. Oblivion for allowing me to pick his brain about the mythology of Primus and Unicron and making sure I didn't deviate too far from it. To Spiritimus Prime for making sure I had Hot Rod's character portrayed correctly. Getting him right was hard for me because I still see him as the mech that got Optimus killed in the 1984 movie! Grr! Lol. And lastly to Plenoptic for double checking and making sure I stayed true to Jetfire aka the beast! Thanks you guys!
Special mentions: There is yet another Kacey and Bee AU fic. This one by Scarlet Spider-Girl. The link is on my profile page. Also, there are more Kacey pictures! There's a TFA version of Kacey by lyricabelachium. And a few more pics by kaya-lover including a rather handsome picture of a human Leo. Thanks girls for the fic and pics! I love them all!
Author's notes: italics denote story telling, flashback, or comlink chatter.
Music Play List: More Than A Feeling, Boston
Kup
Good versus evil. God versus God. Brother versus brother. Primus versus Unicron
There they were, two titans battling. Forever locked in their struggle to dominate the universe long before our kind were even an inkling in Primus' processor. Warring with each other long before life existed in the universes.
Despite the fact that the two brothers weren't so evenly matched their long epic battles always ended in a stalemate. One could never out do the other. Unicron had his brute strength and Primus had his keen intellect. Neither could gain the upper hand to defeat the other.
This continually frustrated Unicron. He wanted nothing more than to destroy his brother and bring utter chaos to the universe. And Primus felt completed to oppose his brother and stop him at all costs so that peace may reign.
To do this, Primus had to come up with a plan. His brother was ruthless, unrelenting. Primus knew that eventually Unicron would destroy him. Only, Primus in his spark knew he could never kill his brother. Despite their sparring and animosity, they were still brothers, twins that shared a special bond. Essentially one could not live without the other.
And so Primus found away to trap his brother.
Their final battle took place on the celestial planes of Centauri. A young galaxy riddled with asteroids randomly swirling through the void. The sheer power of the brothers' struggle obliterated many asteroids turning them into space dust.
The battle lasted for many orns. With no end in sight, Primus resorted to his last defense. He used a device he built called the Creacioun Matris. A brilliant flash of light erupted from the device. Blinded and confused, Unicron allowed his defense to drop for just one mere fraction of an astrosecond.
It was all Primus needed.
The light expanded, engulfing the brothers and spread throughout the Centauri system. An energy vortex quickly formed between the two brothers. Gases begun swirl. A gravitational force began pulling in debris even from the furthest reaches of the system. The pull was so powerful that Unicron could not even escape it.
However, Unicron was determined to break free, using all the power he could muster. When that didn't work he resorted to deflecting and dodging the chunks of asteroids big and small there hurtled towards him. With his attention focused elsewhere, he lost control and started whirling around the vortex.
Angered, he swatted frantically, punched wildly, kicked furiously, and roared with desperation at the bombardment. The more he struggled the more tired he became. His arms and legs grew heavier and heavier, both literally and figuratively.
The rocks and space dust that were being sucked towards the vortex were now clinging to Unicron like nano-ticks on a mechano-puppy. And still, he continually struggled to break free, refusing to be beaten. Only it didn't matter how strong Unicron was nothing in the universe could prevent him from being consumed alive.
"What about Primus?!"
"Yes, what's happened to him, Kup?!"
Primus shared the same fate as his brother. He too was being encased by rocks and space dust. He knew he could not defeat his brother. So he devised a means to contain him for all eternity. Yes, it meant that Primus himself would be trapped forever as well. But it also meant that the newly young universes would be free of Unicron's tyranny, free from chaos and destruction.
And so the two brothers continually spun out of control around vortex Until finally, the two brother's bodies disappeared beneath the accumulation of space debris that built up to form two planets.
Once fully formed, the two spheres, one containing Primus and the other containing Unicron, spun on their own axis faster and faster. As they orbited the vortex's center gigantic arcs of energy splintered like lightening bolts between them growing more violent with each new spark.
Then suddenly…BAM!
The light collapsed on itself, the vortex's energy exploded and Unicron was sent hurtling out of control into the deepest, furthest regions of space. Exactly where, no one knows, not even Primus.
The battles were finally over between the two brothers. Yet, Primus could find no joy in this. He was alone now in the universe. The only comfort he could take from it all was that somewhere out there his brother was still alive.
For Primus cannot exist without Unicron. And Unicron cannot exist without Primus.
"What did Primus use to trap his brother?"
"That's an excellent question," I smiled. "It is believed that the Creacioun Matris was actually the All Spark. And we all know what the All Spark did, right?"
"It created life on Cybertron, starting with the thirteen Primes!"
"That's correct. The thirteen Primes were created in Primus' image, born with the knowledge to do good in the universe."
"If there were born with the knowledge to do good then where did mechanisms like the Decepticons learn how to be bad?"
"You cannot have good with out bad. Primus cannot exist with out his brother, Unicron. They are forever linked. But Primus gave us a very powerful weapon…the freedom to choose. So it's up to all of you young ones to choose for yourself."
"What if we chose wrong?"
"Then it's the pit for you!" one of the old younglings shouted making everyone laugh, including myself.
"No, we are all Primus' children so we'll all go to the Well of All Sparks. However, good or bad, Primus will be there to judge you. So choose wisely," I said and some of them dropped their mouths open, gasping. It took a concerted effort to not laugh at them but I managed. Instead, I smiled, patting a couple of them on the head. "Ok little ones, story time is over."
"Ah! One more please Kup?" several of the requested.
"Nope, it's recharge time for the lot of you. Go on before your parents or guardians come looking for you."
I smiled contently, watching the little ones go under protest. It's wonderful to see so many sparklings and younglings again. And to see them smiling and laughing as young ones should always be. It warmed my spark to see that all the fighting was worth it, to know that our kind had a future.
Yes, despite the fact that our home was lost to us, I truly believe our future has been the brightest it has been in a long, long while. Our Prime has given as a new home. The sparklings…the younglings…they have given us hope, made us dream the impossible can actually come true.
"Telling the younglings pointless stories again, Kup?"
The voice interrupted my deep thoughts. When I looked up I saw Hot Rod standing there, nonchalantly leaning against the door frame, arms folded across his broad chest.
"They're not pointless," I countered. "They teach the young ones about Primus and where we came from. It helps to rebuild their faith that Primus has not abandoned us."
"Pfft, I only have faith in my abilities because Primus was no where to be found when I needed him while growing up."
"Ah, but it was Primus who gave you the natural talents and the drive you have that enabled you to survive," I smiled.
"Old fragger," he grumbled, puffing air out his vents.
"I love you too kid as any father would love his son," I laughed, pulling Hot Rod in for a hug. Then I turned the young mech around and kicked him hard in the aft. "Now stop being a pain in my aft and get to your post."
"Springer took over my shift," he said, rubbing his aft. "He and Arcee had another fight. They broke up…again. Although I'm not sure who did the actually breaking up this time. Springer said he didn't want to talk about it and Arcee went crying to Marshall."
"You should be with Arcee. She's so young and closer to your age. Springer is a seasoned soldier. I'm not sure he knows how to be anything else."
"First of all, Arcee and I are best friends. I would never ruin our friendship by interfacing with her."
"Of course not. Not when you have plenty of other femmes for that," I snorted, making him glare at me. "Don't look at me like that. You're a good looking mech. And I know you love the attention when they're fawning over you."
"Anyways," Hot Rod continued, clearing his throat. I simply smiled at him. "Springer's my best friend too. He may be one of our best wreckers but he knows how to treat a femme. I think it's just that Arcee is as you say young. She has a lot to learn. But I know her well. Once she makes a commitment she'll stick to it."
"Still trying to get her to fight for the cause?"
"Frag yeah! She'd be one of the best femme warriors we have. She's got an awesome left hook," he smiled, rubbing his chin.
"I remember that. But you need to remember that you can't make mechanisms do what you want them to do. They need to decide these things for themselves."
"I know."
"So, what are you doing down here for anyways other than giving me a processor ache?"
"I thought I'd come and ask you if you wanted to do a few sparring rounds," he smiled cheerfully while punching me on the arm.
I winced recalling the last time I went a few sparring rounds with Hot Rod. My backside plating was still bothering me from landing on the floor a few too many times. Don't get me wrong, I'm not that old and decrepit. I still have a lot of fight left in me. And Hot Rod spent more time on the floor than I did. But the kid is getting too good for me and rather than allow myself to be humiliated it's best to pawn him off on some other mech.
"Why don't you spar with one of the younger bots or get Jetfire. That mech is always up for a good fight."
"Jetfire is on duty in the bridge. Marshall is busy with Arcee, crying her tears on his shoulder. Blurr and Blaster are sampling some of this so called music Jazz sent during the last transmission - it really buzzed my audio receptors and I couldn't listen to it anymore. Inferno's busy helping First Aid in the medical bay - our recently acquired mechanic, Wreckgar, got his arm smashed up really bad working on the landing gear for this rustbucket of a ship. And other bots are too easy for me. I need a challenge and you're the best option I've got right now."
"Me? The 'old fragger'?" I smirked.
Hot Rod rolled his optics making me laugh. So young and too eager to fight. It's always been that way for him ever since I found him as a youngling struggling to survive. Only Springer has been able to make headway with Hot Rod. The lad no longer jumps straight into a fight. He at least waits and picks a target first.
"Next time, kid," I smiled, patting him on the shoulder. "I need to make my rounds. Go study the datapads I gave you. I need as many of you wreckers as ready as possible when we land on Earth. According to Prime, the fight is still going strong there."
"I finished them already," he smiled trying to look innocent. "Besides, you know me! I'm always ready for a fight. Anytime. Anywhere."
I glared at him and knew better. The kid was good with loads of potential but Hot Rod, like many of the young ones, could be lazy at times. While he's still young enough, I've been trying to instill a sense of discipline in him. So, far it's not really working.
"Ok, ok, I'm going to go finish them now. I can't have the old fragger getting too cranky with me!"
"You little slag!" I shouted as he ran off laughing.
"Need me to teach him a lesson, Sir?"
"Nah, that's ok, Windcharger," I smiled as he walked closer to me. "What can I do for you?"
"I just…I was wondering Sir…I mean many of us were wondering if we were going to get the opportunity to see Kaceystar for ourselves when we arrive on Earth?" the young mech asked bashfully.
"From what I understand, she will be there at her father's side when we land. And to be honest, I'm looking forward to meeting the young femme myself."
The young mech nodded and sighed thoughtfully. I waited as I sensed he had more to say. Windcharger like many others were totally devoted in their beliefs of Primus. A few of them even believed that young Kaceystar was something of a savior. I'm not sure I believe that but I do know because of what she did on Mechanar she's helped to rebuild some of our people's faith.
"She's give many of us hope. I mean for one so young to have challenged the Decepticons the way she did. She is most definitely one of Primus' blessings to us."
"Yes, she is something special," I smiled.
"Well, I'll let you be on your way, Sir. I need to report for duty," Windcharger said. "Thank you, Sir."
"Any time," I replied and watched him leave, noticing Springer standing there with a disapproving look on his face.
"You shouldn't encourage them," he stated flatly once we were alone. "When we get to Earth and they finally meet this femme, they might sorely be disappointed."
"I will not ever tell a mechanism what or what not to have faith in. For most, all they have left is their faith in Primus and this young femme."
"But that's my point. She's just a young femme. She's not a proven soldier. She's not our Prime."
"She's the future Prime and I expect you to treat her with respect as you would Optimus."
"You know I will. But all I'm saying is that these stories about her escaping from the pit as a youngling seem a bit far fetched and exaggerated. We shouldn't be encouraging such things. It could shatter the last bit of faith some of these mechanisms have if they meet her and find she's nothing like they thought."
"There are too many accounts of the young femme's escape to think none of it happened. Besides, it was also confirmed by our spy on Mechanar."
"Who, I might add, is now dead," he stubbornly added.
"Springer, I'm not asking you to believe. I'm not going to force you either. But we have no right to try to make others have a change of spark. It's not my place to tell people what to believe in. That's not the Autobot way either."
"Besides, there was a time when so many of us doubted our new Prime because he was still a youngling," I continued. "I had doubts myself until I saw a young mech mature beyond his years before my very optics into a Prime I would willingly give my life for. He made us believe that anything was possible by his actions."
"I've yet to meet this Kaceystar. But I have faith…I believe in her like many of the others because she is the daughter of Optimus Prime and Elita-One. Two of the most courageous and honorable mechanisms I've ever had the privilege to meet who's reputation alone can make a Decepticon tremble in their armor. And I honestly believe that their daughter possesses those same qualities."
"I understand what you're saying, Kup. I'm a simple mech, a soldier that follows his orders. I just don't want anymore Autobots to get hurt. This war has taken so much out of many of us. So many families torn apart. So many lives lost."
"Springer, you can be so full of slag sometimes," I smiled, patting on the shoulder. "You are anything but a simple soldier. You're the best wrecker on the ship. You're a hero to several of the younger bots. You're just good about keeping your head on the level unlike Hot Rod who let's everything go to his head and feed his ego."
"Tell me about it," Springer grumbled. "His overconfidence is going to get him killed one of these days."
"He's just young."
"There you go making excuse for him. He's never going to learn if you keep that up."
"Springer, I've done the same thing with Hot Rod that I did with you, with Jetfire, as you were all learning how to be wreckers. I've given him room to grow on his own. When he needs guidance I give it to him. Now, it's worked out rather well for you hasn't' it?"
"Of course. Sorry, Sir."
"Don't be sorry. He's your friend and you worry for him. Now, you want to tell me what's going on with you and Arcee?"
Springer sighed, dropping his shoulders.
"That's what I came to talk to you about," he frowned, taking a seat. "I don't know what to do? I'm crazy in love with her but she's…"
"Young," I finished. "The best advice I can give you is to give her some space. Don't smother her. She'll resent you for it."
"What if she finds another mech?"
"Son, you've been very clear about your feelings for her. The rest is up to her. If it's meant to be she will give you her love in return."
"And if it's not meant to be?" he anxiously asked.
"Then I'll get you overenergized, you'll deal with some sparkache and move on. Arcee isn't the only femme in the universe. There are plenty more on Earth."
"That doesn't make me feel any better, Kup," he griped.
"You're not a youngling and I'm not here to hold your hand. Now stop moping around and be a mech!"
Springer shot up to his feet as I had intended. Just because he was a veteran soldier didn't mean he needed any less motivation than the young bots. As the commander of this vessel I made it my business to know all the different ways to motivate the Autobots on board. Most of the young bots need a confident leader, someone they could look up to. Mechs like Hot Rod, Springer, and Jetfire never liked their mechhood challenged.
"Feeling better now?" I questioned with a smirk.
"Yes, Sir. Thank you. I needed that."
"Good," I smiled, rubbing the top of his helm. "I'll see you later for a drink in the common room."
Springer bowed his head then marched off. I finally started my rounds heading to the civilian section of the vessel. There I lingered, watching a few of the younglings play. Again, I feel as if we're blessed. But I try not to bask in the happiness too much or too often. We've yet to complete our journey. So much can go wrong during the last leg of this long trek.
"Marshall, can you meet me on deck 12 sector 3 in fifteen klicks?"
"Copy that Kup."
I sighed, reminding myself that I wasn't going to have the luxury much longer of having meetings whenever I felt like it. We'll be landing on Earth inside two weeks time. The officers, including myself will have new duties. Marshall will resume his place with Magnus as the head of security. Jetfire is actually being promoted to the Air Commander since he's the most experienced flyer we have now.
And perhaps, I'll go back to my role as Prime's advisor if he wants that. Although, I admit, I'm looking forward to see how much Optimus has changed since I last saw him face to face. That time I saw him he actually looked hurt when he ordered me to take command of our defenses of the mining operations on the outskirts of our solar system.
He was still so young at that time, still learning how to be Prime, still dealing with his grief over the loss of Sentinel. I was ready to guide him in any way possible. Be there as a friend, just like I was to Sentinel. Was I ever surprised when he gave me command of our defenses at the mines on the outer rim.
"This was my decision. Prowl agreed with me that it was a good one. I need to give the Autobots at the mines the best chance of survival and that's you Kup. With your experience and wisdom, I know I can count on you."
I still clearly recall the sad look on his face when he told me that. I was one of the privileged few he showed his face to at that age. Otherwise Optimus kept his battle mask on all the time. It took him a long time to get over Sentinel's death. A long time.
Then over time I got to see brief glimpses of him via video communications. Each time he was different. Changed. Hardened by the war. Matured by his experiences. The last time I saw him face to face was after the battle on plains of Tyger Pax, after he'd successfully jettisoned the All Spark into space.
Like any great leader, he bore the weight of the universe on his shoulders.
"What have I done Kup? By sending the All Spark away have I doomed us all?"
"You did what you had to. What many of us would have been afraid to do. And in doing so, you have given us a chance. You have given us hope that we can win this war. I'm proud to call you my Prime."
"Would father be proud of me today?"
"Yes, your true father and your adopted father would be proud of the mech you've matured into. I haven't seen you much over the vorns. But I've heard much about you, about the battles you fight and how you hold your own against Megatron on the battle field. No one ever questions your devotion to the Autobots because you're willingly fight against your own brother."
"It's is not by choice that I fight my brother Kup. It is necessary. I will not allow him to take a life. Not if I can stop him."
"You have done much more than that, lad."
"What?"
"You've refused to let this war get in the way of what's important in life, of what we're all fighting for."
"Ah, you mean Elita," he smiled brightly. "Would you like to meet her?"
"I thought I was going to have to beg for you to introduce me!"
I smiled to myself recalling how proud he was when he introduced Elita to me. I didn't need to be an expert to know he loved that femme more than life itself. The femme had it just as bad for Optimus although was trying to hide it as best as she could, typical for a femme.
More than anything, at journey's end, I'm very much looking forward to seeing them again and meeting their family.
Marshall
I had a long shift, finally finished going through the day's reports, and now I simply wanted to recharge for a few hours. Alas, being the second in command aboard the Axalon I've found that what little freedom I have was always taken from me. This evening was no different as Arcee was upset and still crying on my shoulder and now I had a meeting with Kup in fifteen minutes.
I honestly don't know how it happened to be that I was the mech most of the femmes came to cry to when they were having mech problems. Why couldn't I be the mech they went to just to have fun like Hot Rod? Why couldn't I have a femme come to me for some random interface like they do with Jetfire? Frag, I'll take them coming to me for advice just like they do for Kup.
But no, I'm the one they come to and cry out all their problems. I've often asked Primus if that was fair or not? Of course, he never answered.
Kup told me it was because I had a reputation for being the most dependable, nicest, patient mech on the ship. I always spared time to listen, to be a friend in need. I never turned anyone away no matter who they were or what time it was. I even had the patience and temperament to deal with the younglings who came to me talking about their dreams of being Autobot wreckers once they've matured.
"Primus almighty, I've turned into my father," I muttered to myself.
"What?" Arcee sniffled, sitting back on her own, my shoulder damp from her tears.
"Nothing," I smiled, wiping her tears away. "Feeling better?"
"Yes, thank you. I really appreciate you taking the time to listen to me."
"Anytime. My door is always open."
"You're too nice of a mech, Marshall," she smiled. "You're always there for others. Do you ever take time out for yourself?"
"If the days were longer perhaps I could," I joked.
"No femme catches your optics?" she asked and I distinctly felt one of her fingers trail along my chest armor.
"Arcee…"
"I'm just teasing you," she giggled, hugging me and kissing my cheek. "But seriously, you seem like a mech who would have settled down and had a few sparklings by now."
"It's not like I haven't tried," I mumbled, dropping my hands dejectedly onto my lap. "Most femmes I find attractive and interesting just want to be friends with me. The few that I've courted and interfaced with weren't looking for that kind of commitment."
"Wow, you've interfaced with a few femmes? On this ship?"
"Why do you sound so surprised? Of course I've interfaced! I'm not some drone!" I remarked defensively.
"Sorry. I just…well most things like that get around on this ship."
"I'm not like Jetfire who loves to boast. I'm a very private mech when it comes to things like that. Intimacies with a femme are to be discrete, away from the prying optics of my fellow mechs…and femmes. You know…PRIVATE."
"I get it," she laughed, playfully slapping my shoulder.
"You and Springer need to learn that word. We have younglings on board that don't need to see that sort of stuff."
"Please, I don't want to talk about him anymore," she frowned.
"Arcee, you are very young and often naïve," I smiled warmly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "You need to mature a little more. Springer is so madly in love with you that he doesn't see that."
"I know but he asked me to bond with him!" she exclaimed. "It scared the slag out of me and I don't think I can make that kind of commitment to him. I still don't even know if he's the mech for me."
"I'll talk to Springer about giving you some time and about propositioning a femme who hasn't even reached the courting age yet."
"He's just scared I'll find another mech to love."
"Still, he should have waited. You're only twenty-eight. You've lived a large portion of your life on this ship. There are a lot of experiences waiting for you."
"On Earth?"
"Perhaps. I'll talk to Springer and make him back off, ok?"
Arcee nodded, "Thank you, Marshall. You're a sweet mech."
"And you are a sweet and lovely femme. Now off you go. I have a meeting to attend to."
"Sorry for interrupting your nap."
"Don't worry about it," I smiled as we rose to our feet, heading for the door. "I'll catch up on my rest. I always manage to."
"See you later."
I waved watching her go. Yup, there goes another pretty femme from my quarters and as usual my berth got no action.
"Oh well, such was my fate in life," I sighed.
"Marshall!! Come quick!"
"Whoa!" I yelped when my arm was suddenly almost yanked from its socket.
"Sorry mech! Blaster told me to get you!"
"Blurr! Let go of me!" I shouted as he dragged me down the hallway to Blaster's quarters.
"You're gonna love this music from Earth!" Blaster smiled big, grabbing my other arm.
Both mechs dragged me in and plopped me down onto the couch.
"Hurry it up then. I have a meeting with Kup."
"Ok! Ok!" Blaster said as he pushed a button activating his media player. Strange sounding music instantly started playing. "Don't say a thing. Just listen."
//I looked out this morning and the sun was gone. Turned on some music to start my day. I lost myself in a familiar song. I closed my eyes and I slipped away.\\
//It's more than a feeling. (more than a feeling) When I hear that old song they used to play. (more than a feeling) I begin dreaming. (more than a feeling) 'Til I see my Marianne walk away. I see my Marianne walkin' away.\\
//So many people have come and gone. Their faces fade as the years go by. Yet I still recall as I wander on. As clear as the sun in the summer sky.\\
//It's more than a feeling. (more than a feeling) When I hear that old song they used to play. (more than a feeling) I begin dreaming. (more than a feeling) 'Til I see my Marianne walk away. I see my Marianne walkin' away.\\
//When I'm tired and thinking cold. I hide in my music, forget the day. And dream of a girl I used to know. I closed my eyes and she slipped away. She slipped away.\\
"So, what do you think? Pretty cool uh?" Blaster asked excitedly, stopping the music.
"Cool?"
"Something Jazz said about the music."
"Well, make me a play list of this…music so I can listen to it later," I smiled getting to my feet.
"See I told you Marshall would like it," Blaster grinned. "Blurr was thinking because you're up there in vorns that you were like Kup and wouldn't like this kind of music."
"I may be up there and I'm may be a lot like my father. However, I do know how to have fun. Just ask Sunstreaker and Sideswipe when we get to Earth."
"The twins?" Blaster laughed.
"What's so funny?" Blurr questioned.
"Let's just say that they made quite an impression when I first met them," Blaster answered. "One I'll never forget. And I'll never forget the look on my poor cousin's face when his bondmate's CPU total locked up and he fell to the floor in stasis. Jazz was torn between tending to the mech and chasing down the twins."
"In the end, my father tracked them down and dragged their afts to the medical bay to apologize to Jazz and Prowl. Father made me apologize too because I was the one that talked the twins into it by betting them that they couldn't make Prowl crash in less than three klicks. It took them two."
"It was kind of unfair to Prowl since he was still recovering from his injuries," Blaster added. "I think that's why Jazz was so mad at the twins. Otherwise he'd have been laughing too."
My communicator suddenly pinged.
"I'll be there in a klick Kup. I got held up," I quickly responded.
"Very well, meet me in my office instead."
"Will do. Marshall out," I replied. "As much fun as this is, I need to go. I'll see you mechs later."
"Later. I'll put the playlist on your desk in your quarters," Blaster said as he headed for the door.
"Thanks."
From there I hurried to the command level of the ship. Kup was usually never so persistent. He never minded if Jetfire or myself were a few klicks late for a meeting with him. Of course, Jetfire's klicks usually extended to a full bream, especially if he was with a femme.
"My apologies Kup," I said, rushing into his office.
"Don't worry lad," Kup smiled warmly. "Please, sit down. I hate it when you mechs stand before me at attention. I'm not Prime for pits sake!"
"True but you are our commander," I smiled, taking my seat. "And you've been a good one. Your decisions have kept us all alive and safe for this long journey."
"And now we've reached the most dangerous part of our trek," he frowned, pushing a datapad across his desk towards me. "Jetfire gave me those probable statistics this morning. I've been trying to figure out what to do and need your help."
I grabbed the datapad and read of the numbers. My spark trembled slightly with fear.
"Are these numbers right?"
"Jetfire is rarely wrong in his predictions," Kup sighed. "The mech can be lazy and cocky but he has a brilliant processor. If we weren't at war he'd have been a scientist like his parents."
I chuckled, shaking my head, "Some times I can't associate Jetfire with the word brilliant unless he's talking femmes."
"Regardless, we have a dilemma."
"Well, if we have been conserving energy along the way. Now it's time to get drastic," I said. "I know we'll get a lot of complaints but we can cut the shower systems off, divert that energy to life support. All science and engineering projects can be put on hold until we reach Earth. Then we can shut down all the labs and divert that energy to our defense systems. I'll talk to Kaitana when she's up to it tomorrow about putting a curfew in place on the civilian decks. Our soldiers are already under a curfew. Perhaps we should double them up so we can totally shut down power to some of the residences."
I looked up from the list I was making to see if Kup approved or not. The old mech was just grinning at me.
"What?"
"You're an excellent officer, Marshall. You don't waste time with bullslag. Direct and to the point."
"I get that from my father," I smiled proudly. "He worked closely with Sentinel Prime and he told me that Primes don't have time for bullslag."
"No they don't," he laughed.
I sighed, "It's going to be good to see Optimus again. He'd only been Prime a few short days when I last saw him. It was hard not being able to serve my Prime like I did when Sentinel was in command."
"I know what you mean. It wasn't the same being in command so far away from Cybertron."
"No it wasn't," I frowned recalling how lonely I felt without many of my friends when I arrived on Lunar Vega.
"You understand why Optimus ordered several of his key personnel to command important sectors of our galaxy, right?"
"At first no," I admitted. "It wasn't until about a couple of deca-cycles at my new post that it finally dawned on me. I finally asked my second in command why the mechs often stared at me as if I was Prime himself."
I looked up and smiled, "The mechs and femmes on the base had never even seen a Prime and here was their new commander, a devoted officer to the Autobot cause that had worked directly with their Prime. It gave them confidence and hope."
"Precisely," Kup grinned. "With each new victorious battle, with each new story of Optimus Prime thwarting the Decepticons, the Autobots remained confident, believing in themselves."
I shuttered my optics closed, forcing away some terrible memories that were trying to surface within my processor. Not all stories reaching Luna Vega has positive results. The final one nearly got me killed.
"Our Prime has doomed us all!"
"NO! He did what he had to! It was the only way to stop Megatron! Don't you see?" I screamed.
"You were one of his officers! You probably gave him the idea!"
"KILL HIM!"
"Leave him alone! He's our commander!" my second shouted, standing between me and the mob.
"If you're against us they you'll die too!"
"I'll hold them off, run Marshall, get out of here!" he said, shoving me through a door and closing it.
"NO!!!" I screamed, pounding on the door.
Tears filled my optics when I heard the horrible screams of my second as he was killed.
"You're too hard on yourself, Marshall," Kup's kind voice whispered. I opened my optics to see him kneeling beside me, one hand on my shoulder. "There was nothing you could have done to prevent what had happened on Lunar Vega. I'm just glad we got there in time to get you out of there."
"I still don't understand how you got there in time."
"It was Optimus' order…at your father's request. You missed your regular scheduled communiqué with Hound. According to your father, you never miss it."
"But I'm just one mech. You lost several good mechs when you saved me."
"Those under my command knew the risks, they volunteered to go. Optimus is not like Sentinel, Marshall. Optimus will risk his life to save just one mech or femme. That's why he didn't hesitate in ordering a squad to Lunar Vega. I was the first to volunteer because Hound and I go way back, long before Sentinel recruited him."
"You don't know this because you were still unconscious, but Optimus came to see you in the medical bay. He stayed with you when Hound needed to get some energon for himself."
"I thought my father was joking when he said Prime watched over me," I chuckled. "I suppose I should thank him when I see him. After I see my father of course. I miss him."
Kup opened his mouth to speak but the entire ship suddenly shuddered violently.
"Primus, please don't let this be an attack. Not when we're so close to our new home," I prayed chasing after Kup as we rushed from his office.
Hot Rod
I made my way to the common room after talking with Kup. I'd finish reading the datapads later…maybe. The few I read already left me wondering if this planet Earth was going to be worth it with all the rules they have. Red means stop. Green means go. Oh and they have limits on how fast you can travel? I'm not sure I like that. I've never been one to like restrictions.
Still, perhaps this Earth couldn't be all that bad. It was a place we could call home. I honestly couldn't recall the last time I had a place that I could call home. As a soldier I've always been on the move. When I was a youngling I was always on the run with my parents, hiding from the Decepticons and never settling anywhere for too long.
My parents taught me how to hide out of necessity. They couldn't fight if they had to worry about me getting in the line of fire. But each time I always managed to find a good hiding spot with a view of the battle. I do so every time until the final time when I saw my parents got killed.
I never hid from a fight after that.
"Come sit with us Hot Rod!"
Ah, I love the sound of femmes when they call my name. It was a much needed distraction from my depressing thoughts.
"Sol, Luna," I smiled, changing my direction towards them. "How are the loveliest femme twins doing today?"
"Stow it smart aft, they're the only femme twins on board," a rather fiery femme aptly named, Sapphire retorted. A very small framed femme but one little wrecker no one wanted to mess around with. I know. I had the dent in my crotch plate to prove it!
"Aw, you know I'm harmless. I just like to sweet talk the femmes, Phire," I smirked, sitting down at the table with them.
"And you've managed to do a good job," Sol grinned, snuggling up to my right side.
"Still, haven't tried twins Roddy, you don't know what you're missing," Luna devilishly smirked, cozying up to my left side.
Of course, I draped my arms around the twin femmes hugging them close. Primus what mech wouldn't want to be sandwiched between two beautiful femmes! But then, Sol and Luna were flirts. They did so with any handsome eligible mech, especially the adventurous types. They were a crazy as Jetfire!
"Double the pleasure, double the fun," Sol added.
"Primus you femmes are incorrigible," Sapphire muttered.
"That's why we're not in the military. Too many…restrictions," Luna sighed, sounding bored.
"Oh I don't know. I'm not one for restrictions and I'm doing fine. I've even been promoted to Lieutenant, Junior Grade."
The twin femmes burst into laughter at me. Even Sapphire was chuckling at me.
"Oh, Roddy! You're so young and sometimes naïve!" Sol laughed.
I grumbled, folding my arms across my chest. I hated it when they called me that. I know they're much older than me. But I'm not exactly a totally inexperienced mech! I've been fighting 'Cons since I was a teenager and I've had four…ok three interface sessions with femmes and that's only because my interface systems came on rather late for a mech!
"Oh, he's so cute when he pouts," Luna giggled, squeezing my chin.
"Sol and Luna are not femmes who take orders very well," Sapphire explained. "The fact that you've been promoted means you do, even though you rebel here and there. But I've overheard Kup saying that most high ranking officers are a bit rebellious in their youth."
"So…does that mean there's still hope for you and me?" I questioned, smiling brightly. "You're a bit rebellious from time to time."
"Never gonna happen. So stop trying."
"Ouch, that hurt Phire," I said, clutching my chest.
"Hot Rod, I seriously doubt anything can hurt that ego of yours," she laughed.
"I'll have to agree with you on that one," I smiled, glancing around the table. I just realized one of my favorite beautiful femmes was missing. "Where's Kaitana? You four femmes are always together in the common room."
"I suggest you leave her alone," Luna seriously said. "You'll never get her to interface with you either."
"Can't anyway, she's with a mech," I countered. "I don't mess with another mech's femme."
"She's not with him anymore," Sol added with a sad sigh. "But just leave her alone, ok Roddy."
"What happened?" I asked wondering why they were suddenly so overprotective of Kaitana.
One thing I've noticed was that femmes tend to congregate together. They look out for each other because there are much fewer of them than mechs. And I know that when they go on defense mode about a femme something bad has happened, especially these four.
Sapphire was an Autobot. It was her life, her everything. She wasn't much older than me but one femme that will rise up in the ranks. Kaitana was the selected civilian representative, a diplomat. She speaks for them at the meetings with Kup, Marshall and Jetfire. Sol and Luna…well, they just want to have fun. But it was these four that took it upon themselves to make sure all the femmes on board the Axalon were treated properly.
"Kaitana's stronger than she realizes. She'll be ok. She's resting in my quarters," Sapphire said.
"That fragger didn't hit her again did he?" I asked as it suddenly dawned on me why they were being so protective of Kaitana. "I thought I straightened him out."
"And I told you to stay out of it and that you'd only make things worse for Kaitana!" Sapphire snapped.
"Well, I couldn't let him treat a femme like that!" I countered. "Someone needed to teach him a lesson."
"Roddy, we are grateful for your help but we can take care of our femmes. Physical violence doesn't always solve anything," Luna replied gently.
"I know but I felt strongly about beating his face in and just reacted."
"It's in the past now," Sapphire pointed out. "What's done is done. Now we just need to help Kaitana move on."
"So why is she so upset if it's finally over with this jerk?" I asked.
"Because…" Sol started but then stopped.
"He broke his promise and it hurt her, Roddy," Luna finished. "He promised to never to it again and asked her to bond with him."
"Thank Primus they never did," Sapphire remarked. "But after last time I taught Kaitana a few things for self-defense."
"She didn't!" I exclaimed. "She hates violence."
"She did," Sapphire said somewhat proudly. "Nailed him good in the crotch plate and then slugged him in the nose plate."
"But she was provoked," Sol adamantly added.
"Marshall determined it was self-defense and put the piece of slag in the brig," Luna said.
"But finally Kaitana is done with him," Sapphire smiled. "She's moving on. She just needs to cry her tears and she'll be ok. It will be good for her once we reach Earth. She'll have a lot of work to do and it will be a fresh start for her."
"Femmes, stop planning my future."
"Kaitana! Please sit here," I smiled warmly, immediately offering her my seat.
"Thank you Hot Rod."
"If there's anything you need, just ask," I said, resting my hand on her forearm.
"I'm fine, thank you," she smiled, patting my hand. "However, I don't think Arcee is. She was crying and I think she was looking for you."
"Slag," I frowned.
"Did she and Springer break up again?" Sol asked.
"Yeah. I've got to go ladies. See you later."
"Tell Springer to get his act together or I'll do some rearranging," Sapphire threatened.
"I'm make sure he knows!" I shouted over my shoulder.
The others shouted their goodbyes at my backside. I knew they weren't mad at me for leaving so abruptly. They understood how important Arcee was too me and that I never hesitate to help her if I wasn't on duty.
"Hot Rod, can you help me out?"
"What'd you do now, Springer? I heard Arcee was crying again."
"She ran to your quarters. I was just trying to tell her that I was going to give her whatever space she needed and well…"
There was a heavy sigh over the comlink.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of it. You just back off like you said you would," I replied.
"I will. I love her too much."
"I know my friend. I know."
"Thanks. I owe you one."
"Yeah, you bet I'll collect on it too," I mumbled racing down the hall.
Luckily it was down time for a lot of bots. So the halls were desert enough for me to make it to my quarters rather quickly. And sure enough, Arcee was curled up on my berth crying her optics out…again.
"Arcee, I thought you were done crying when you went to Marshall," I cooed, curling my body around hers for comfort.
"I was…then I bumped into Springer," she sobbed.
"He's going to back off. He told me so. He understands you need your space."
"He had asked me to bond with him, Hot Rod."
"What? That fragger! Why didn't he tell me that?!"
"I'm not sure he meant it. It sort of came out in a rush when we were arguing."
"Oh no, what Springer says he means," I countered.
"Should I bond with him?"
"I can't make that decision for you," I spoke softly to her. "He loves you. No matter how long it takes, he will wait for you to make a decision. And he'll give you the space you need. Springer may not be the smartest of mechs, but he means what he says."
"Yes, I know that," she sighed.
Just then the ship suddenly jolted us off the bed. I was up on my feet as quick as could be.
"Is it an attack?" Arcee asked as I helped her up.
"I don't know. Stay here. I mean it. I'll come for you if there are any problems or I'll send some one to let you know everything's ok."
Arcee nodded, hugging herself.
"It will be ok, I promise," I smiled, kissing her forehead.
With that, I hurried out into the hallway and headed for the command level. Of course, it didn't take long to run into Springer along the way.
"What is it? Are we under attack?!" I asked, running along side Springer.
"Your guess is as good as mine."
"Whatever it is, I'm ready for a fight. We've been idle too long."
"Agreed," Springer smirked. "Let's hurry."
Jetfire
I slouched in the command chair on the bridge wishing it could recline ever so slightly to accommodate my wings better. My optics were lazily scanning from one side to the other, observing the mechs and femmes at their stations. Most times like this I was bored out of my processor. However, since I had a high ranking position it was my duty to share the responsibility of taking on regular shifts on the bridge just like Kup and Marshall and even Springer.
However, today's shift was a little more interesting. Oh yeah. Definitely more pleasing on the optics. All because of one thing.
Femmes.
There were more femmes than usual today on the bridge. All were beautiful, shapely, and very attractive. Oh and they're intelligent too and mentally tough. To be able to be on duty at one of the bridge stations meant one had to pass intense training from Kup and Marshall. It wasn't enough to man your station efficiently but to do so during any crisis.
Of course, I knew most of these femmes. Personally. I made it my business to get to know as many femmes as possible during the long trip, except for the younglings and sparklings. Mature femmes only and only past the age of consent or courting. I'm no cradle robber or sparkling sitter. I simply adore mature femmes and enjoy being in their company.
Don't get me wrong, I have a deep respect for femmes. My father taught me that – the more respect you show a femme, the less inclined she'll be to smack you across the face. He used to by a cyber-wolf like me until he fell in love with mother so he had lots to teach me.
Bottom line, femmes are our equals, as mother often reminded me when I used to get too cocky about myself. Mother didn't want her son getting his head, or other vital parts, blown off for misleading a femme. So every femme I've interfaced with understands before the deed that there are no strings attached.
Mother would be so proud of me. I only messed up once by accidentally interfacing with a bonded femme. Of course she tricked me just to get back at her mech. Thankfully Kup was there to save my aft before it got dismantled. Although, I did have to endure a lecture from him about how I needed to be more careful before I gave my guardian, aka Kup, a spark attack.
Kup is a good mech. He helped me get through some rough times after my parents were killed. He kept me grounded enough so that I was never too reckless during a battle. He also often told me that I needed to settle down with a femme like my cousin Optimus. The idea sounds nice but I'm not sure I'm the settling down type.
Although, during this long trek, I have found that I tended to gravitate towards the enlisted femmes. They were more adventurous than the civilian femmes. Plus the civilians tended to stay away from the military. However, a few of the civilian femmes didn't care who their friends were. And they were just as beautiful and intelligent and enjoyable to interface or just have a good time with as the enlisted femmes.
Those twin femmes were almost too much for me to handle. From what I understand, there are only a handful of mechs on the Axalon that can handle Sol and Luna at the same time. I'm proud I'm one of them! Too bad my cousin's bonded. I know he could handle them just fine.
Optimus was the kind of mech that can handle anything thrown his way. I have loads of respect for him because he's forced to battle his brother almost every encounter with the Decepticons and has done so for a long time. I know I could never do what he does on a regular basis.
I'm really looking forward to seeing him again. I never had so much fun at a space station ever again as I did that one time with Optimus and a few of his officers. Primus, I hope he hasn't changed too much. I know he's bonded and has a family now. But that doesn't mean a mech has to stop having fun, right?
"Sir, I have a red warning light for the engine relay port side," Slingshot announced, breaking my train of thought.
"Tap it," I replied.
"What?"
"Tap the light. It likes to go on the fritz from time to time."
I watched the mech reach over and tap the light. As usual it went off.
"Thank you, Sir."
"Don't mention it," I smiled, noticing the femme at the station beside him glancing my way. I quickly recognized her, remembering she was the only femme on this ship that could fly. She had a mech to if I remember correctly. Oh well, can't stop me from having fun. "So, Windchaser, you up for some flying later when we reach our next designated stopping point to recharge the engines?"
"Sure thing, Jetfire, if you think you can keep up with me," she smirked.
I raised an optic ridge then made my way to her side.
"Is that a challenge?" I asked. "You know I can never back down from a challenge."
"She's fast Jetfire. She gave my brothers and me a good run last time."
"That's because Silverbolt isn't here to keep you four from flying into each other," I countered.
"Yeah, we've missed him so much. Slag, we were so excited to find out he was still alive! We can't wait to see him!"
"Whoa, stand down there Slingshot," I chuckled at his excitement.
"Sorry."
"Remember not all of us are as fortunate to be reunited with loved ones," I reminded the young mech. "Be respectful."
"Yes, Sir."
"Is it true, Optimus Prime is your cousin?" Windchaser asked.
"What's he like?" another mech asked and suddenly a lot of optics were on me. I smiled. Naturally, I was the center of attention.
"Well, I've only met him twice. Once as a youngling, then much later when he'd been Prime for some time. But both times left a lasting impression on me."
"Is he a giant? Some say he must be to take on Megatron!" someone exclaimed.
"Optimus is about my size, a little taller," I replied truthfully. "He's a lot stronger than he looks and he already exudes power. But then he can suddenly change, he smiles with so much compassion that you just know he understands your pain better than anyone."
"I heard that Megatron is his brother. That can't be true because of how they fight."
"It's true. Megatron is Optimus older brother. I'm not going to lie to you. The day Megatron took command of the Decepticons and killed the High Council, he also tried to kill his own little brother who was barely out of sparklinghood. It's not easy to face one's brother in battle like that. I don't think there is a mech alive that could do what Optimus does on a regular basis."
Several of the mechs nodded in agreement and the femmes looked saddened by the news.
"But you know what makes Optimus different from the other Primes, what makes him better in my opinion? He doesn't put himself up on a pedestal, separating himself from the rest of us. He's a mech and he likes to have fun. And he has never let the fact that he must continue to battle his brother stop him from living. He's a bonded mech and has a family. We should all live by his example otherwise what the frag are we fighting for?"
"I don't see you living by his example," Slingshot snickered.
I smacked him on the back of his head.
"Ow!"
"That's because I'm still looking for the right femme," I said and couldn't believe those words just came from my vocal processor. Me, the Jetster…settling down with a single femme?
The entire ship suddenly lurched and shuddered stopping those terrifying thoughts. Alarms sounded and my goofing around attitude disappeared. I was now in command.
"Report!"
"Rear thrusters had a power surge and now…"
What sounded like an explosion sounded and the ship started rapidly slowing down.
"Bring us to a stop, shut down all the engines!" I ordered, running to the engineering station. "Tell me we just lost a single thruster, Gears."
"Nope, according to these readings they're all dead," he grumbled.
"Was it an attack?" I asked.
"Negative. No signs of enemy energy signatures," Windchaser replied.
"Jetfire, we're experiencing a ship wide power drain!" Slingshot shouted.
"Shut down all nonessential systems! Signal the alert and tell Kaitana to coordinate getting all the civilians to their quarters, no exceptions! Transfer any patients from the civilian medical bay to the Autobot medical bay so we can shut power to that section of the deck. Once that's done divert power to life support and our defenses. Windchaser, keep an optic on long range sensors just in case the Decepticons decide to pay us a visit."
"Yes, Sir!"
"Sir, the power drain has slowed."
"Are all engines offline, even maneuvering thrusters?"
Gears hit a few commands on his console.
"Confirmed. All engines are offline as well as maneuvering thrusters."
"Frag," I grumbled looking at the energy output readings. "Evacuate the shuttle bays, make sure the hatches are seal shut, then divert that power to life support."
"Jetfire, what the frag's going on?!" Kup exclaimed as he and Marshall raced in.
"We lost the thrusters and experienced a ship wide power drain. I've given orders to shut down certain sectors and divert energy to life support and our defenses only for now. But we're still experiencing a power drain."
"Confirmed, all nonessential sectors have powered down. Basically the contingency plan I gave you earlier, Kup," Marshall said, looking over Slingshot's shoulder.
"Sirs! First Aid is reporting casualties in the engine room!" Gears shouted.
"Are we under attack?!" Hot Rod asked excitedly as he and Springer raced onto the bridge.
"No thank Primus," I sighed, rubbing a tired hand over my face. "Springer, you have the bridge. Get some mechs and femmes on the guns just incase. But do not power up the weapons unless it is absolutely necessary. We're bleeding power right now and we need to stop it."
"Understood, Hot Rod get your squad on the guns."
"I'm on it!" the young mech said and ran off.
"Get Blaster up here to send a coded message to Earth that we're dead in space at the moment," Kup frowned.
"Sir…communications systems are offline and not responding to my commands a young femme announced.
"Take it easy kid," Kup smiled, squeezing her shoulder gently. "We've had to make emergency repairs before, we'll do so again. Springer get Blaster…"
"Present and accounted for!" the mech grinned striding before us. "I heard comms are down. I'll see what I can do."
"Good. Let me know the moment they're back up. Meanwhile, Jetfire, Marshall, you're with me," Kup ordered. "Let's get to the engine room."
I did as ordered, following my commander. My processor was already trying to come up with scenarios in hopes of salvaging what energy we had left. However, every situation depended on First Aid and Wreckgar's assessment of the engines. From the way the ship shook, I knew it was going to be bad.
Wreckgar, our new mechanic and a bit of an eccentric mech, looked too serious as we entered the engine room. Whenever a mechanic had that look on his faceplates the news was never good.
"Whatever you're thinking about our current situation forget about it. It's worse than bad," Wreckgar said, his one arm in a sling, his good hand gripped a wrench tightly as he was turning a bolt. He removed it and the remaining bolts of the panel with Marshall's help. "You see that, the booster relays are fried beyond repair. It caused a power spike that literally blew up the thrusters. Now the engineers and I can repair the thrusters but without the booster relays…we're fragged. We're not going anywhere."
"What about the power drain?" Kup asked.
"I've fixed that. Power levels won't rise but at least we won't lose what we have left. I would suggest trying to shut down more levels of the ship. There's one more bit of bad news."
"Frag what now?" I muttered under my breath and immediately got a look from Kup. "Sorry."
"Continue Wreckgar, please," Kup insisted.
"One of my mechanics was out on the ship looking at the thrusters when he noticed this."
I looked as Wreckgar uncovered a melted piece of equipment. It looked oddly familiar.
"Is that…?" Marshall started to asked.
"Our tackeon transmitter that enables us to transmit messages through subspace and…" Wreckgar finished.
"To Earth for help," I groaned.
"Can it be fixed?"
"No it completely destroyed and we don't have any metal dense enough to handle the tackeon energy to create a new one. And it would take many deca-cycles to make it."
"What is our current location?" Kup asked me.
"At the edge of Earth's solar system near some planet called Neptune. Our scheduled stop was to be Saturn."
"So close and yet so far," Marshall commented.
"Kup, even if we can make all the necessary repairs, we just don't have the energy," I reminded him.
"I know," he frowned, stroking his chin in deep thought as he paced.
Marshall and I looked at each other. We both knew the situation was bad. But then Marshall got this crazy look in his optics. The kind of look that made me want to run away. The mech had a wild streak in him but this look…it was too wild for even me!
"Kup, all we need to do is get a message to Earth, right? Then Optimus can send whatever we need to get moving again," Marshall said, never taking his optics off me.
"That's right. And the quicker the better. I don't like sitting out here so out in the open."
"Agreed," Marshall smiled, sending a shiver up my spinal relays. Even my wings twitched nervously. "So Jetfire should go…using a space bridge."
"WHAT?!" I exclaimed, my optics nearly popping from their socket ports.
"That's it! Wreckgar, make a list of things you need to make repairs. Meet us in shuttle bay one. Jetfire can take it with him."
"Yes, Sir!" the mech saluted then hurried to his office.
"I don't know, guys," I said, taking a few steps back. Only Kup and Marshall grabbed hold of me and started dragging me with them. "The last time I tried a space bridge it didn't turn out so well. You guys had to dig me out of an asteroid!"
"It was a rock and only your leg was stuck in it," Kup retorted.
"You're the only one who could get to Earth quickly," Marshall reiterated. "No one here is a descendant of a Seeker."
"I'm still shocked about that, just so you know," I grumbled, my wings trembling at the mere thought of having to attempt to create a space bridge. "My mother never mentioned she was related to a seeker! I know it didn't come from my father, he was a grounded mech."
"Can we focus please?" Kup groaned.
"Jetfire, you have a brilliant mind, you can do this," Marshall said.
I narrowed my optics.
"Are you feeding my ego?"
"Anything to make this work!"
"We're desperate kid. You're all we've got. You and I both know it."
"Alright! I'll do it!"
"That's my boy!" Kup cheered. "Now let's hurry up!"
"We'll have to allow limited power to the shuttle bay so we can open the bay doors," I said as we raced through the corridor.
"Done, I've already sent word to Springer," Marshall said.
"I sure hope this works," I muttered, keying in the code to open the small door.
"It'll work," Marshall smiled, genuinely this time with no wildness.
As we stepped into the bay only the emergency lights came on.
"Try not to think about it too much," Kup suggested. "Just let it happen."
"You heard Marshall, I have a brilliant mind and now you're telling me to not think too much!" I commented.
"Here's a list including measurements," Wreckgar said, rushing through the door. He quickly handed the datapad to Kup who in turn handed it to me.
"You know what to do lad," he smiled like this was all fine and dandy!
Well it wasn't! I was terrified! I still didn't even understand how I created a space bridge the first time!
"Remember to focus," Marshall added.
I grumbled placing the datapad in a storage compartment as I made my way towards the end of the shuttle bay. Once the bay doors opened I exited the ship, activated my thrusters, and made sure I was a good distance away before coming to a stop.
"Ok, I'm attempting to open a space bridge. Any femmes there to wish me luck?" I asked glancing around and feeling rather vulnerable and naked out here by myself.
"You'll be fine kid," Kup replied.
"Not entirely the last voice I wanted to ever hear if this goes bad."
"Just do it!" Kup snapped.
"Ok, ok! Crazy old fragger!"
"I heard that."
"Just focus, Jetfire. You can do this," Marshall said.
"Jetfire, this is Blaster. We have enough tackeon energy on comms to receive one transmission. Make it count when you get there."
"Understood. Try not to miss me too much guys. Jetfire out."
I shut my communicator off so I could concentrate on creating the space bridge. Luckily I was doing it right. It didn't take long for the area around me to turn grey and white. Spark tendrils arced from my form reaching out into the swirly cloud.
I closed my optics and hoped for the best as I felt my self being sucked into the cloud. There was the familiar popping sound and then poof I was sent hurtling through subspace. And in a matter of astroseconds there was an even louder popping noise in my audio receptors and I felt a thin layer of ice on my armor.
Ever so slowly I opened one optic cover and then the other.
"Primus, I hope that's Earth," I prayed looking below and seeing this huge blue and green planet below me. "Whoa!"
Something suddenly flew at me. I reacted instinctively contorting my body to avoid it while activating my weapons systems. Of course, it exploded into pieces after I fired at it.
Glancing around I made sure nothing else was attacking me. Only once I deemed it safe did I head over to the debris to analyze it, even grabbing a flat piece of metal.
"Hm, doesn't feel like Cybertronian metal. Sensors confirm it's not Cybertronian."
Then I recognized a symbol on it from one of the data pads I was skimming through in preparation for our arrival on Earth. I believe this symbol was for the United States of America.
"Oh slag. I hope Optimus doesn't kill me for blowing up one of our allies satellites!"
End notes: Yes, all five of the femmes mentioned during this chapter will be very important to certain mechs. I'm not saying which mech but I'm sure two of them you've figured out by now. :P Also, Jetfire made a reference to having fun on a space station with Optimus. That story is a one-shot I posted called, Mech's Night Outif you're interested.
Up next: Optimus has a day of frustration and a couple of surprises. The entire chapter will be from his POV as we follow him through his day. Later on in the story I will do one for Bee too.
Announcements: Poll! There's a poll up on when you want Kacey's interface systems to come online! Before or After the Axalon arrives. So go vote! NOW! Don't forget to review the chapter! Reviews feed my muse. A well fed muse is a happy muse. And a happy muse updates faster.