My Life as a Teenage Robot copyright Rob Renzetti
Transformers/Beast Wars copyright Hasbro
War For Cluster Prime
Chapter 05: Prime Target
RIIIIIIIIING!
Random teens ran out the school building in a large crowd off to do their usual After-School Activities.
Once Jenny and Vega were out the two Robot Girls looked and saw Alex.
"ALEX!"
Alex looked and saw Vega approach (with Jenny)
"oh, hi Vega."
Vega faced Alex.
"so, Alex...you wanna do something today?
cuz' i've got some Free Time, an-"
"SURE, but only if Q can come along."
Jenny scowled at this.
"QT-2?"
Alex nodded.
"i promised my mom that i'd show her around."
Vega smiled.
"that's sweet."
"yeah..."precious." said Jenny, as she turned and walked away
Vega looked at her departing friend.
"Jenny?, where are you going!"
"home, i have work to do.
the world won't save itself, ya' know."
with that, Jenny's rocket boots activated and she flew away.
Vega exhaled sharply, then turned and looked at Alex.
"i'm sorry, Alex."
"it's alright, Vega...some grudges are Difficult to let go.
but, Jenny will come around...as soon as she gets to know Q a little better."
"you think she WILL?"
"of course." replied Alex
"i mean, she trusts YOU...and, your Vexus daughter."
Vega looked away, sighing sharply.
Alex noticed this and looked at her.
"Vega?"
Vega exhaled, almost crying.
"a still don't understand why mother DID what she did." began Vega
"stealing and hoarding my people's golden disks...
lying to everyone with the "XJ-9 is EVIL" slag.
and, dominating and enslaving all those other worlds in the galaxies!"
Alex looked at Vega with sympathy.
he then reached over and wiped away an oily tear from Vega's eye.
"was my mother EVER good?" said Vega, finally
"no one is ever born Evil, Vega...
at some point, i bet your mother WAS good."
"then, what happened!...what could of changed her?"
Alex sighed sharply, looking at Vega.
"that's a question that only Vexus herself can answer.
but, if she truely Loves you...then, maybe there's still some good left in her."
Vega looked down and sighed.
"i hope so, Alex...
despite eveything, i love my mom...and, i don't want to give up on her."
Alex smiled.
"if you think that way...then, there may be hope for her yet."
"ALEEEEEX!, VEGAAAAA!"
Alex and Vega looked and saw QT-2 run up to them.
Alex smiled.
"hey, Q."
QT-2 approached the two and faced them.
"where's Jenny and Sheldon?"
Alex shrugged.
"apparently they have other things to do.
so, for now...it's just Me, You and Vega."
"oh...OKAY."
QT-2 then smiled.
"so, what do we do FIRST?"
"I have a suggestion." said Vega
Alex and QT-2 looked at her.
"There's an Amusement Park in town that i always wanted to go see."
Alex smiled, then glanced at QT-2.
"hows that sound to you, Q?"
QT-2 smiled.
"sounds GREAT!"
Alex grinned.
"then, it's settled: Amusement Park it is."
Alex walked off, followed by QT-2 and Vega.
the three approached his Black-and-Yellow camero that was parked there.
as Alex opened the driver door, QT-2 looked at Vega.
"why don't YOU sit with him up front."
Vega eyed QT-2.
"you sure?"
"yep, i don't mind sitting in the back."
Vega smiled.
"okay."
Vega opened the passenger door and sat in the seat next to Alex.
QT-2 sat in the back seat and smiled as Alex started the car's engine.
as Alex drove the car out of the parking lot and into the road he glanced over at Vega and spoke.
"so, where is this Amusment Park, again?"
"it's located outside Tremorton in a field...kinda hard to MISS."
Alex pressed a button on the dashboard, activating a what looked like a "GPS."
both teens saw a digital map, which pinpointed the location that they needed to be.
"hmm...your right, it IS hard to miss."
Alex continued to drive down the road.
as they traveled, Vega passed some time by reading one of her school books.
"Alex..."
"Yeah?"
"what can you tell me about this "American Civil War?"
i'm writing an essay on it, and i was hoping you could help me."
Alex scowled, recalling a "different" Civil War.
but, he answered Vega's question none-the-less.
"it was HELL." said Alex, bluntly
Vega eyed him.
"Uhhhh...okay, Agreed.
but, i'm gonna need a little "more" than that."
Alex exhaled sharply...then, spoke again.
"it was the Earth Year of 1861...
a human named "Abraham Lincoln" was the president-"
"President?"
"it's what American humans call their leader." said Alex
"OH...so, he was like a "king?"
Alex darted his eyes, then spoke again.
"no...not quite, but he was SIMILAIR."
Alex cleared his throat.
"Anyway, the American civil War was fought over ONE THING: Slavery."
"Humans had slaves?"
Alex scowled.
"used to." replied Alex
"it's illegal, NOW.
but, back then it wasn't: that was the point of the War."
"oh."
"Two Factions rose and fought for either Freedom, or Enslavement." began Alex
"the UNION (led my Abraham Lincoln) fought for Freedom.
while the CONFEDERACY (led by Jefferson Davis) fought for Enslavement.
it was a Blood Bath: Brother against Brother (both Figurative and Literal)
many suffered or were killed...until the war finally ended in 1865."
"Four Years of War?"
Alex nodded.
"we're just lucky the war didn't go on.
if it DID, it would of been a disaster."
Vega smiled.
"Hmmm...OKAY, then."
Vega began to write some things down in a Notebook.
"okay...Abraham Lincoln: GOOD GUY, Jefferson Davis: BAD GUY.
Union vs Confederacy, Brother/Brother War, 1861-1865 and "War is HELL."
"you may want to leave that Last Part Out in your report."
Vega blushed.
"OH, r-right..."
[Later]
Alex, Vega and QT-2 walked around the Amusement Park which was crowded with various people.
both Robot Girls turned their heads at all the sights.
from the rides and games to the food stands and gift shops.
"Cooooool..." said QT-2
Alex looked at Vega.
"well, Vega...this was Your idea, what do we do FIRST?"
Vega tapped her metallic finger on her chin, biting her tounge slightly.
after thinking for a moment...her eyes then lit up.
"oh!, I GOT IT!"
Vega pointed at an attraction that made Alex blush bright red.
"the...T-Tunnel of LOVE?"
QT-2 made a sly smile, followed by a clicking of her tounge.
"it looks Wonderful, CAN WE GO!"
Alex looked nervous.
"uhhhhh...w-well, i-"
"SURE!, go on ahead." said QT-2, shoving the two.
"you "lovebirds" have FUN!
i'll order us some, uhhhh..."snackage."
Alex gulped hard, then exhaled.
"uhhh...o-okay, SURE."
Vega smiled as she grabbed Alex hand and ran them both to the Attraction.
QT-2 grinned as she walked over to a Food Stand and got in line.
[Tunnel of Love]
Alex and Vega are sitting in a raft as it drifted down the dark tunnel.
Vega smiled as she looked at the "heart" shapes on the walls and cherub statues.
of course, Alex was fidgeting throughout the whole trip.
feeling very nervous at being in the Tunnel of Love with the girl he had a crush on.
"how pretty..." said Vega, finally
"y-yeah...pretty."
Vega smiled, then scooted closer to Alex (which made him sweat ALOT.)
wanting to relieve the tension (and, not look like a fool)
Alex finally decided to speak up and start a confronsation.
"s-so, VEGA...how are thing b-back home?"
Vega looked at Alex.
"you mean Cluster Prime?"
"y-yeah...i'm curious."
Vega exhaled sharply, a sad expression on her face.
"i don't know..." began Vega
"i'm TRYING to make things better...but, all i do seems to make things Worse.
with the increased Street Violence, Anti-Organic Propaganda, bots trying to KILL me..."
Vega hung her head low and exhaled.
"it's like most of my people WANT to wage war against Non-Robot Worlds."
"your mother spent YEARS spreading Robot Supremacy and Organic Hatred..." began Alex
"that kind of negativity is hard let go for some people."
Vega sighed sharply.
"what could of made mother act this way?
WHY does she hate humans so much!."
Alex shrugged.
"dunno...maybe she had a Bad Experience organic lifeforms
which made her believe that ALL non-robotic organisms were "bad."
Vega looked down sadly.
"too bad she never met you...maybe things could of been "different."
"may-be."
Vega was silent, she then leaned against Alex (who felt her body "shiver")
"i'm SCARED, Alex..." said Vega, finally
"i'm scared that my homeworld is going to plunge into Civil War.
and, i have NO IDEA how to prevent it...(deep sigh) i feel so helpless."
"there's ALWAYS a way, Vega." said Alex, his tone serious
"I may not know the solution to your problem...
but, i know one thing: Civil War is NOT the answer."
"then, how do i stop it?"
Alex took a moment to think.
after a minutes or so passed, he spoke again.
"i don't know...but, "giving up" isn't an option."
Vega looked at Alex...then, smiled.
then, to Alex shock...she kissed him on his cheek.
"thank you, alex...i'll try my best to make this right.
both on safeguarding my planet...and, patching things up with my mom."
Alex was frozen still, his eyes WIDE as saucers.
he then smiled weakly at Vega, blushing bright red.
"uhhh...s-sure."
the raft soon drifted out of the tunnel.
once they stopped at the dock/exit, the two teens got out.
"so...what's next?" asked Vega
"FIRST, we check up on QT-2...she probably waiting for us."
"oh, right...i almost forgot."
[Later]
Alex and Vega walked down the "plaza" of the Amusement Park.
they saw QT-2 sitting at a Picnic Table, with various foods and drinks.
QT-2 looked and waved at them with a smile.
"HEY, GUYS!"
Alex and Vega smiled as they approached her.
"I hope you like what i got." began QT-2
"Most of this is for Alex.
but, i managed to get some Moter Oil from some mechanics for Me and Vega."
"sounds good."
Alex and Vega sat down at the table with QT-2.
the three teens began to enjoy their refreshments.
they soon finished up.
Alex then looked at the girls and spoke.
"so, what should we do next?"
QT-2 grinned a sly smile.
[a few minutes later]
Alex, Vega and QT-2 sat on a Roller Coaster Car as the rail snapped down, locking them in place.
"why do they call this thing: "The Grim Reaper?" asked Vega, innocently
Alex gulped hard as the cars climbed up track.
"uhhh...you know, maybe this wasn't such a good ide-"
Suddenly, the Roller Coaster dropped down the track twisting and twirling as it moved at an incredible speed.
"YAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" shouted Alex
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" screamed Vega
"WOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOO!" exclaimed QT-2
after half-an-hour, the ride finally ended.
the three teens looked dizzy (even QT-2 and Vega.)
"wow...that. was. AWESOME!" exclaimed Vega, laughing a bit
"YEAH!, now let's try the Bumper Cars NEXT!"
Alex's skin became pale (almost green)
he then grabbed his mouth and ran for what looked like a plastic "outhouse"
both Vega and QT-2 stared blankly as he slammed the door shut.
"hmmm...maybe he should of eaten AFTER the ride." said QT-2
[Much Later]
Alex was sitting back on a bench, inhaling and exhaling steadily.
his stomach had finally settled (even his skin color returned to it's normal tone.)
at that moment, QT-2 and Vega approached him.
"you okay, now?" asked Vega
Alex groaned.
"y-yeah...sure, i'm okay."
QT-2 frowned.
"sorry about that...
i guess i overlooked the physical limitation of humans."
Alex shrugged, smiling weakly.
"so, anyway...can you help me with something?" asked Vega
Alex sat up and looked at her.
"what?"
"there's this game...that i CANNOT seem to Win!"
Alex shrugged, then got up from his bench.
he followed the two girls to what looked like a "Shooting Gallery."
the vender smirked upon seeing Vega.
"back for MORE, eh' Iron Thighs?"
both Vega and QT-2 scowled at the man.
Alex examined the game, then approached the stand.
"so, what's the game?" asked Alex
the man shrugged.
"just shoot the ducks...simple as that."
Alex eyed the duck-shaped metal plates.
he then grabbed the bee-bee gun and grinned.
"simple, huh?"
"YEP...Simple."
"then, start'r up."
the man smirked as he pulled a lever, starting up the machine.
seconds after the duck plates moved down the rotating belt...Alex starting shooting.
Vega and QT-2 stared with wide eyes as Alex hit EVERY target, not even missing ONCE.
after only a few minutes, the ducks were all shot and the game was over.
the man stared blankly, in disbelief at what just happened.
"da-da-da-da-da-daaaaaaa..."
Alex smirked as he laid the gun down.
he then glanced over at Vega.
"so...which prize do you want?"
Vega touched her chin, thinking.
"hmmmm...
i think i'll take...THAT ONE."
Vega pointed at a "Megaman" plush toy.
the man scowled as he took it and gave it to Vega.
"SOMEhow, you cheated."
Alex shrugged.
"so i have "skills", it isn't a CRIME."
the man scowled a the trio of teenagers left.
once far enough, QT-2 laughed out loud.
"the look on that guy's face...was PRICELESS!
oh, i gotta remember to save THAT into my memory banks."
Vega held her prize, then looked at Alex.
"so, Alex...where DID you learn to shoot like that?"
Alex darted his eyes nervously.
"uhhh...well, it's a l-long story.
let's just say: i've learned quite ALOT in my lifetime."
Vega shrugged.
"fair enough."
"OOH!, LOOK!"
QT-2 pointed at another game stand.
it looked like a table with holes in it.
the three teens approached the stand.
"Hmm...looks like Whack-a-Mole." said Alex
Vega looked at Alex.
"Whack-a-What?"
"Whack-a-Mole"...it's a game." began Alex
"little plastic animal heads pop out of holes and, your suppose to hit them with a mallet."
"sounds FUN!" exclaimed QT-2
the yellow eyed robot took the mallet.
the vender started the machine, and plush moles popped out of the hole.
QT-2 tried to hit it...but, missed due to the "mole" ducking back into the hole.
QT-2 growled.
"this game is HARDER than it looks."
"it's easier if you pretend their someone you HATE."
QT-2 glanced at Alex...then, grinned.
"Hate, huh?"
the moles popped up again.
QT-2 began whacking at them with her mallet...THIS TIME, she didn't miss.
not. even. ONE.
DING-DIIIING!
"We have a WINNER!"
QT-2 smiled as she recieved her prize: a plush mole.
as she returned to her friends, Vega spoke.
"so, who'd ya' imagine those moles were?"
QT-2 grinned a sly smile.
"the Crust Cousins."
both Alex and Vega smirked at the exact same time.
"good call." said Alex
QT-2 smiled at her friends.
unknown to them..."something" was watching them.
perched atop a random tree was a "black condor"
a mechanical device then popped out if the bird's skull, revealed to be a Camera
the camera lens trained right at Vega and QT-2.
another device popped from it's head.
This One looking more like a "radio dish" of some sort.
the bird then began to speak silently in an Electronic Language.
[Meanwhile, Elsewhere]
in a dark room in an unknown location...a machine stood silently.
suddenly, his red visor glowed brightly within the darkness.
(("Soundwave Acknowledges...")) said the Decepticon, having recieved the transmission
(("remain in Beast Mode, Laserbeak.
pursue the targets and report back accordingly."))
once Soundwave recieved a response from his Predacon his visor flashed, indicating he was sending out Another transmission.
(("Soundwave to Tarantulas..."))
[Cluster Ship, Near Earth]
BEEP-BEEP!
BEEP-BEEP!
BEEP-BEEP!
Tarantulas saw a light flashing on the starship's console.
"someone is trying to call you." said Krackus
"Grrrrrr...i KNOW that, you Junkheap!"
Krackus scowled as Tarantulas pressed a button.
"Speak."
(("Soundwave to Tarantulas..."))
"AHH!, Soundwave..." began Tarantulas, putting on a fake "smile."
"and, what do i owe this call?"
(("Princess Vega has been sighted with a Human and Another Adolescent Clusterian-"
"WONDERFUL!, I shall signal Blitzwing to-"
(("Negative...orders are to remain hidden."))
"WHAT!" exclaimed the Predacon, shocked
"B-But, Soundwa-"
(("We are not to make a move until our Cluster Allies have attained their leader.
Laserbeak reports that the Unknown Clusterian's energy signature MATCHES that of Vexus."))
NOW, Tarantulas was even MORE confused.
"but, HOW is that even Possible!
Vexus should be nearly scrapped by now!, she can't possably still function!"
"and, Queen vexus would NEVER socialize with humans WILLINGLY." said Smytus
(("Laserbeak's scanners are NEVER wrong."))
Tarantulas growled...then, eyed Soundwave's image on the screen.
"FINE...if this "teen robot" IS Vexus.
then, what do you propose we do?"
(("Capture and Examination is the only plausable course of action.
all units are to stand by until proper facilities have been constructed"))
"but, we're ready to strike NOW!" declared Smytus
Soundwave's red visor glowed brighter.
(("to defy Megatron is to DIE...and, NO ONE defies Lord Megatron."))
Smytus gulped.
"uhhh...y-yes, commander soundwave."
(("GOOD.")) said Soundwave
(("then, stand by and await my orders...Soundwave OUT."))
the screen immediatly went blank.
Tarantulas then growled to himself.
"i really, Really HATE that bot."
Smytus took a moment to ponder this whole thing.
"hmmm...how do you suppose Queen Vexus survived that Mega-Bomb explosion?
i mean, i know Me and Krackus survived from being rescued by Metalikhan-"
"If by "rescue", you mean: just-happened-to-smack-into-his-ship, then YES."
Smytus ignored Tarantulas sarcasm and continued.
"ANYway, i know how me and Krackus survived...but, what of Vexus?"
Tarantulas crossed his arms as his Processor started calculating.
"hmmm...if that explosion is as Powerful as you say.
then, it must of somehow sent Vexus drifting thru space as an extreme velocity.
Blitzwing's trail drew us a STRAIGHT line from the blast sight to Earth!
that may also explain how she got herself repaired so quickly."
"but, what of the Teenaged Form and the "friendliness" towards humans?"
"YEAH!, you got a clever excuse for THAT!"
Tarantulas just eyed the two Cluster Bots and smirked.
"her form is easy to explain." began Tarantulas
"among Vexus MANY talents, she is a master at "disguise"
it's possible that this "Teen Robot" is one of MANY forms that she can take.
as to her strange behavior, well...
you DID say that her mental state was "questionable" last you saw her."
Smytus nodded.
"yes, it was...our Queen suffered a mild case of "space madness."
"all she kept doing was talking to herself, making up meaningless schemes
and, vainly built an escape pod out of a soda can and paperclips." added Krackus
"heh-heh-heh, YES." snickered Tarantulas
"the force of the blast to her Already damage Logic Circuts may have also caused damaged to her Identity Circuts
it's possible that she doesn't even know that she's "Queen Vexus."
Smytus and Krackus looked at each other...then, back at the Predacon Scientist.
"wait-Wait...are you saying that Queen Vexus actually believes that she is a TEENAGER!"
"in theory...YES.
but, that can Easily be fixed...once i have her (heh-heh-heh) on a TABLE."
Tarantulas then turned and faced his "comrads"
"but, FIRST...you two require much needed "upgrades."
Smytus and Krackus looked puzzled.
"Upgrades?"
"INDEED...though Cluster tech is more advanced than Earth Tech.
it is still "primitive" compared to Cybertronian Technology."
Krackus then spoke up.
"but, "I" am the Custer's CHIEF SCIENTIST!
and, my Technology is "Flawless."
as soon as Krackus finished...his arms popped off.
after a brief silence, Smytus looked at Tarantulas.
"I'd like a FULL upgrade, please."
Tarantulas snickered, rubbing his hands together.
"EX-elleeeeent...heh-heh-heh-heeeeeh."
[Later That Day]
Alex drove his car near the Wakeman House.
as Vega opened the door, she looked back at Alex and smiled.
"thanks Alex...i had a lovely time."
Alex nodded.
"anytime, Vega."
Vega smiled, she then grabbed a Megaman toy, got out of the car and shut the door.
Alex watched as Vega approached the house and disappeared inside it.
he then exhaled as Goldbug drove off.
QT-2 crawled up into the front seat and buckled up.
after a few moment, she looked at Alex and grinned a Sly smile.
"you and Vega...your pretty Close, aren't you?"
Alex nodded.
"yeah, me and her ARE good friends."
QT-2 smirked.
"no, i mean your Reeeeeal Close."
Alex immediatly blushed, realising what QT-2 meant.
"wa-what?"
"you like her don't you?"
"NO, I DON'T!
i mean...i DO like her, but: Just-as-a-FRIEND!"
QT-2 continued to grin, her yellow and green optics thin.
"you can't fool ME...i know you have the Hots for her."
Alex began to sweat.
THEN (to make matters Worse) Goldbug played "Here Comes The Bride" on his radio.
the blonde haired boy banged at it...to which QT-2 giggled.
Alex sighed sharply, then spoke very calmly.
"okay...maybe i DO have feelings for her.
but, it doesn't really matter...me and her are Too Different."
"what?, because you Human and she's a Robot?
PLEASE...something like that can be overlooked."
"NO, i mean she's Royalty...and, i'm NOT."
QT-2 just scoffed at this.
"I think Vega should be free to choose who she wants as a "suiter."
and, between You and Me: she can't get any better than YOU."
Alex looked at the Green-and-Gold robot...then, blushed.
"you...really think so?"
"of COURSE...your my Friend, Alex.
and, if i were Vega...i would LOVE to have a guy like You as my boyfriend."
Alex blush became REDDER as he looked away.
"thanks, Q...that was really sweet."
QT-2 smiled happily.
as Goldbug drove down the road, a "black condor" glided in the air above it.
it kept it's eyes trained on the Black-and-Yellow car, ready to make a move if it needed to.
Goldbug soon drove up into a driveway.
Laserbeak flew over and perched atop a telephone wire.
it watched as Alex and QT-2 got out of Goldbug.
the two teenagers headed to the front door and disappeared inside the house.
Laserbeak's eyes flashed red.
a "radio dish" then popped out of it's head as he contacted Soundwave, again.
(("Speak.")) said Soundwave over the InterCOMM
"Target's base located, master."
(("good work...maintain serveilance until i give the order."))
"yes, master."
Author Note: Here, i decided to put Alex, Vega and QT-2 (Vexus)
in a more Domestic Setting so they could bond as friends.
and, what better place than an Amusment Park?
(okay, it's MORE of a Carnival...but, what-the-heck.)
this made for both Character Building and Comedy.
not to mention some "foreshadowing" during one of the games.
Tarantulas also gives a plausable theory as to what exactly happened to Vexus
as well as making it clear of his Distain for Soundwave and Krackus
(anyone whos evere watched Beast Wars, know that Tarantulas isn't much of a "team player")
I also hint at him "upgrading" Smytus and Krackus with Decepticon/Predacon Technology
(because, let's face it...those clunkers REALLY need it.)
my apologies to Jenny Fans, reguarding her additude towards QT-2.
but, to be fair...Jenny has let Peer Pressure make her snippy before.
and, it seems doubtful that Jen would trust a Cluster Spy (former or not.)
I also made reference to the American Civil War
mainly, because giving the Situation with Cluster Prime (and, Transformers in general)
it seemed like a GOOD real life parallel.