(AN: Hey guys Im sorry for not posting this sooner but there was a lot of ground to cover in this as well as a lot of things to I had to do from my computer. I hope you all had a good summer and will have a great fall. Now then lets get this new chapter out of the way.)
Hot Rod caught up to the padawan and asked, "So what's with you and the other two holding those cylinder things?"
"You mean our lightsabers?" She asked the Cybertronian, she had not expected the Autobot's voice to be heard while he was in vehicle mode.
"Yea them. How come you three got them but your friends?" Asking again, Hot Rod thought that he had seen them somewhere before; they certainly looked familiar.
"That's because we're Jedi." Ahsoka told him.
The term intrigued the young warrior as he asked, "Jedi?"
"Yea, we're peace keepers of the republic." Ahsoka said looking to her master who sighed and began to explain in greater detail, "Whenever a situation arises anywhere in the Galaxy the Jedi are usually the ones who are sent to make sure that all conflicts are resolved peacefully. However, if not, then we are allowed to take aggressive actions either by using our lightsabers or our knowledge of the force."
"The Force? Why, I have never heard of anything like that before! What is this 'the force'?" Perceptor asked, curious about it, as scientist like him would be.
"The force is the essence that connects all living things to each other, it's what binds us, connects us to one another. It is what allows us to do things that others cannot." Obi-wan explained to the visitors.
"No offense, but it sounds like superstitious nonsense if you ask me…" Perceptor said. He always been an autobot that needed to see before he could believe.
"Right…and the Allspark isn't?" Ironhide called back sarcastically.
"What's the Allspark?" Cody asked, curious.
"Well I don't know if I can explain it the same way as Prime could, but it's where our sparks come from. It's the heart of our planet, Cybertron, and it's where our sparks go when our bodies are too banged up to keep us going." Ironhide tried to explain as best as he could, but he wasn't as finessed as his oldest friend, Optimus Prime, was at explaining things.
Obi-wan and Anakin thought deeply about what the Autobots had just said. The way they described it. This Allspark seemed to be the source of how these giant machines are able to be as much alive, an organic life form like themselves, the clones, or any other species found in the Galaxy. It certainly explained how the jedi were able to feel the living-force from them. Obi-wan still pondered as to why their new energy scanner was able to pick up the energy of the crystals from the Autobots.
"So…how long have you all been on this planet? Is this where you became online?" Ironhide asked.
"Actually we're here on a mission for the Republic." Anakin told the freighter like vehicle.
"BLAM! What kind of mission is this to send those ships of yours?" The red tank asked.
The Jedi were perplexed as to why this autobot spoke like that. Hot Rod assured them, "Don't mind Warpath, he's always been like that."
"HEY! What's the problem with the way I talk?" Warpath asked incredulously, his voice showing annoyance as he bumped lightly against Hot Rod which in turn almost hit one of the jedi. Obi-wan swerved out of the way in time.
Angry about the almost collision with the life-forms they just met, Ironhide shouted, "Warpath! Watch what you're doing before you get someone killed!"
"Oh relax, old timer, I'm sure that the generals are used to a lot worse than that little tussle between friends." The red tank called back as he straightened his propulsion like engines and caught up with the other Autobots.
Speaking to Sky Dive, Slingshot muttered, "Why in Primus' name are we going along with these…organics?"
"Uh, because we're ordered to?" Sky Dive replied back, Sky Dive was not as much of a Zeta Prime fan as his friend, but he was willing to admit that they appeared more advance than what he thought when he heard that they might run into Organic life forms.
Slingshot gave an annoyed grumble as he flew after the other Aerialbots.
The Autobots arrived to a ship that they thought were half the Ark's size.
Around the men in the white armor the autobots viewed the different military vehicles as well as non-combat vehicles around them.
Suddenly they saw another man in a different uniform than the troopers walking towards the party. His arms were behind his back as he said, "Welcome back, generals. I take it that these transports belong to the crew of that ship?"
"Something like that." Anakin mused. This caused Admiral Yularen to raise his brow as confusion showed on his face.
"You might want to step back, sir." Rex warned the Admiral as one by one the vehicles began to transform into giants that were roughly around 8-9 meters tall.
"What the devil?!" The admiral shouted in surprise. Some clone troopers, as the Jedi called them raised their weapons, but Obi-wan and Anakin got between the two as Rex and Cody tried to order the troops to lower their weapons. Things began to get tenser as more troops arrived and surrounded the huge advanced looking droids.
"Admiral! Troopers! Stop what your'e doing now!" Anakin ordered.
Yularen looked surprised, "But, Sir. What are you doing with these…droids!"
"I'm afraid you've mistaken us for your enemies. IF we were a part of your enemy's army would we not bear their emblems or even look similar to them in some way?" Perceptor asked.
Slingshot growled, "Forget it, doc. The only thing these things understand is violence."
He tried to convert his arm into his arm blaster again, only to have Hot Rod and Air Raid hold him down by dog piling on him.
"Slingshot!" Hot Rod shouted.
"What the scrap are you doing?!" Air Raid screamed as well while Ironhide, Silverbolt, Perceptor, and the Jedi tried to diffuse the conflict.
"Let me go, now!" Slingshot demanded before he felt his arms clamped by something and found himself being restraint by a pair of electronic cuffs. His blaster arm was forced to convert back to his arm. The small flier growled as he shouted, "Alright, who put the stasis cuffs on me?"
"Hey don't blow a gasket cree just because you're becoming a basket-C." A rhyme of a voice said as the bots turned to see the red top Autobot with the yellow chest plate approaching, a grin on his face. Before it became serious, he stated, "Optimus Prime directed that no life-forms of any kind will be harmed by any misconception, ya dig?"
The Republican soldiers could tell that this one spoke as though he was singing. The smallest flier growled, "Blaster…"
Turning to the clone troopers, the bot known as Blaster, began speaking, "Don't mind Slingshot he's just too young. The times of organic fear is far beyond. Times are changing as fast as a song."
Coughing a little, the Admiral, now saw that the jedi might be telling the truth. Turning to the surrounding clone army the human ordered, "Men, stand down. These are not our enemies."
Slowly, one by one, the clones hesitantly lowered their weapons. While some where glad to have these kinds of allies others were not entirely sure if the giant advanced looking droids could be trusted.
Suddenly Perceptor's instruments have began to sound as he looked at them and hummed, "Strange, I'm detecting large sources of electrical energies headed towards us. They may not be similar to Energon but they are a power source. And it appears to be coming towards us at rather a slow pace, however, the airborne ones are coming in faster than the ground ones…"
"From which direction?" Anakin asked as he took out his electro-binoculars and scanned the area.
Preceptor looked to the Jedi, "from the North-Western direction."
Anakin turned to the North-West to look but grumbled, "I can't see anything."
"Perhaps I can be of assistance to you." Preceptor stated before he transformed into some kind of highly advanced microscope that those in the Republic had never seen before. The gun barrel on his shoulder became the lens-scope while the rest of his body became stationary leggings and a tray holder. The lens raised a little and was now parallel to the ground and began zooming in a range that was beyond what the electro-binoculars can go.
Anakin climbed on to the other end of the scope and not needing to close his eyes he said, "We got company!"
"What do you see, General?" Rex asked, surprised at how much further the Jedi could see than he could.
"About fifty Separatist vehicles comprised of AATs and MTTs and air forces consisting of Vulture droids." Anakin reported before jumping down to allow Preceptor to return to his true form.
"Just who are the Separatists? And what's are AATs, MTTs, and Vulture droids?" The Autobot Scientist asked looking down to the jedi.
"The Separatists are a group of traitorous senators from our galactic republic that banded together to try and form their own government." Anakin told the autobots. This was his own personal definition of the group.
"AATs are their hover tanks that are piloted by two to three battle droids. MMTs are the transport vehicles that can house about 50 to 200 battle droids." Obi-wan added. He knew that it was against the code to force others into a battle that they have no right to get involved if they didn't want to; but they did have a right to know about what the Jedi are facing.
"And these Vulture droids?" Silverbolt asked, not liking the name of the aerial forces.
"Vulture droids are the primary aerial vehicles and droids that are about a Starfighter size, about the same size as your smaller friend there when he became one." Cody added as he saw some confusion with the term star fighter.
Seeing the perplexing expression on their faces the clone commander asked, "You never heard of a Star fighter before? But some of you are able to turn into them."
"No…but it sounds like a Starfighter is a jet size aerial vehicle to me." Preceptor said, getting the connection.
"They're more than just on the planet's aerial battle they are also used in space battles above planets and can use go into hyperspace if the size of the star fighter is right, thanks to the hyper drive." Anakin said.
Preceptor found the topic more fascinating than the others as he asked, "Do all of your space traversal vehicles have this hyper drive?"
"More or less." Anakin admitted.
"Interesting." Preceptor said, his mind already working on a means that might allow them to return to Cybertron if they couldn't use the same space bridge technology that allowed them to come to this galaxy in the first place.
Turning to his commander, Anakin inquired, "Rex, how quickly can we get our forces to face the enemy?"
"Not too quick and those flying clankers are gonna be here before the ground forces." Rex briefed his general.
Anakin was deep in thought before hearing Ahsoka speak, "Master? Why don't we ask the Autobots for help?"
That made Anakin think, but was not sure if he could or not because even though they may look like advance droids he can still sense the force coming from deep inside each and every single one of them meaning that it would go against everything that the Jedi stand for. Before he could get a word out Obi-wan said, "No. we can't involve them in our war. The Autobots must not be forced to fight even if it means we are to die. It's not in our place to force others to do what they do not want to do Ahsoka…"
"But master…"
"Actually Snips, I have to agree with Obi-wan."
This surprised nearly every commanding officer that knew Anakin. They all asked, "You do?"
"Is it really that surprising?" Anakin asked before explaining his decision, "Do you remember when I was hurt and we landed on that planet where the peaceful colonists were living on? It's the same situation now as it was then."
"But we were able to have them help us didn't we?" Ahsoka asked.
Anakin sighed "Yes but that was a different situation, the Separatists made a weapon that would have killed them all and we had to protect them even if they didn't want to fight with us."
"Excuse me, but don't we get a say in this?" The young autobot, Hot Rod Obi-wan thought his name is, asked the Jedi curiously.
"BLAM! I think we should help them too." Warpath exclaimed loudly as he readied to get his weapons online.
Ironhide placed a hand on both Autobots' shoulders, "No, we shouldn't get involved, We need to find the Ark and Kup before the cons do."
"But the cons can wait, the Jedi need our help now." Hot Rod countered, not wanting to see any of his new friends facing death.
"It's not our way to get involved in a war we know nothing about or that does not affect us directly…" Ironhide muttered. He didn't like it either but he had to make sure that they would not disobey their leader's orders.
Preceptor then said, "When we do find the Ark, I estimate that it will take several solar cycles before we could repair it. And what is to say that these Separatists will not exploit our technology or even our Biology in order to win this galactic war they are in with the Republic?"
"The same could be said of the Republic." Ironhide added. Those words of doubt made Anakin angry as his lightsaber flew to his hand as he ignited it. The autobots gave their respective shouts or looks of surprise and amazement to see a bar of blue light shoot out of the cylindrical body of the lightsaber . Preceptor was completely fascinated with the weapon's blade made out of what appears to be a laser beam, frozen in place which never left its emitter.
"We would never force anyone or steal anything inorder to further our advancements! We are not savages! We'd do everything in our power to help you repair your ship and make sure you make a safe trip home. We would never do anything that would go against our principles or beliefs just because it would be easier or quicker." Anakin told the giant mechanical life forms around him.
He then said, "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings. And we Jedi are the guardians of that basic right."
Every autobot that heard the first phrase froze. Preceptor who was studying the weapon in Anakin's hand stopped what he was doing. Ironhide was about to say something, but found his mouth lost for words as if his vocal processor had been removed, just like his good friend Bumble Bee. Blaster had looked like he wasn't able to speak again. Hot Rod's and Silverbolt's optics widened at these words. Warpath remained still as his optics shifted to the side. The aerialbots all gave their own reactions while Slingshot rolled his optics.
Noticing the uniform reaction of the giants around them Obi-wan asked, "Is something the matter?"
The Autobots remained silent before Ironhide shook his head, "N-no…it's just what Skywalker said reminded us of our Leader…It's…it's something that he said a lot before he left the Ark in our hands to protect a planet from our enemy."
Ironhide's gentle tone made Anakin regret losing his temper and igniting his weapon. For all the autobots to react to a phrase made the Jedi Knight wonder what kind of autobot their leader was since nearly all of the autobots responded to those words with such wide array of emotions and respect. Deactivating his lightsaber Anakin returned it to his belt and said, "I apologize for my actions, Ironhide."
"It's fine…" Ironhide said. One by one the autobots got out of the way to let the Republic forces to prepare for their fight.
Turning to the other Autobots, Ironhide ordered, "Autobots, prepare to roll out."
"Yes sir." The autobots assembled said, though some were not glad to leave. One bot was particularly glad to leave (five guesses who it was). Ironhide and the others all transformed and took off in a direction, away from the cruisers.
Admiral Yularen, who witnessed the incident, approached General Kenobi and asked, "Are you sure it's wise to let such powerful beings go?"
"It's not in our power to hold them here against their will Admiral. We Jedi are keepers of the peace, not tyrants…" Obi-wan told the Admiral as he looked to his former apprentice. True he was upset that Anakin had lost his temper but he was proud of his former padawan's words and his beliefs. The Jedi master was happy that the war did not make him lose sight of what was really important, not unlike others that Obi-wan had known.
As they Autobots sped away from the Jedi cruisers, Hot Rod was not able to get the situation out of his mind as he skidded to a stop. Noticing the young bot's sudden stop Ironhide and Preceptor had stopped as well, then Blaster and Warpath. The aerialbots then all stopped and converted to hover mode. The Autobot warrior asked, "Hot Rod? What's the matter?"
"This is wrong…We cant just leave them to die…" Hot Rod muttered, clearly upset about their decision to leave the Jedi and the clone army to face those Droids all alone.
"I don't like it either but we need to find the Ark." Ironhide told the car transformer.
Slingshot had to set his engines to hover mode like the other fliers before asking, "What's so important about that ship anyway? We should just take one of the organic's ships and use it to get back to Cybertron."
"NO!" Ironhide roared as he transformed and got in Slingshot's front view, "The ark is a symbol of hope especially for the time when we had lost all of ours. Many brave bots gave their lives and sparks to make sure that it could be rebuilt completely and could fly. I will not let their sacrifices be in vain by simply abandoning it here just because of your foolish pride! You hear me kid?!"
Slingshot had to reverse his engines just to get out of Ironhide's iron grip like reach as he complained, transforming while scared for his life, "OK, ok, I get it. Sheesh…"
"Besides we don't know how their ships work even if we do understand their languages." Firefly said as he transformed as well, "We wouldn't know the correct lift off procedure and it could result in our own destruction if we guessed wrong on how it worked."
"Firefly does have a point, Slingshot." Skydive told his friend as he transformed as well to conserve his energon. Nearly all of the Aerialbots are now transforming back to their robot modes now, Slingshot being the last one to do so.
Suddenly Preceptor spoke, hearing his scanners beeping to life, "Hello! What do we have here? My scans are picking up faint traces of energon. Perhaps we could be able to do some repairs and refueling, depending on the size of the veins that is."
"So what should we do Ironhide? We don't exactly have the Build team here to begin digging up the energon without causing it to explode in our faces." Silverbolt asked knowing for a fact that only one has the precision needed to do so but it would take time.
As Ironhide began to think they heard the sounds of laser fire and explosions coming from the cruisers that they just left. Hot Rod heard and turn the way they came from, "The Jedi need our help."
"No…we can't get involved." Ironhide told the young body even as Preceptor stated, "Technically we did get sort of involved when we arrived at this unknown galaxy and met with them several cycles ago."
"Exactly what I've been saying!" Hot Rod shouted before revving up his engines and sped back to the Cruisers to help.
"Hot Rod!" Ironhide shouted before activating his comm. link, "Hot Rod, get back here! That's an order! Do you read me Hot Rod?! HOT ROD!"
Gritting his dentures Ironhide turned to the autobots around him, "Blaster, Warpath, Silverbolt and Air Raid, come with me! Preceptor, take the others with you and secure that Energon!"
"Yes Sir!" Most of the Autobots said before they transformed and split into their groups.
Ironhide transformed while shouting, "Roll out!"
And he led the charge after the young bot. Thinking of a way to keep their existence a secret from the republic's enemies, Ironhide called, "Blaster, when we get to the battlefield how long will it take to jam the droid's transmissions?"
"Hey it might take a while depending on the size of the battle, but I'm sure that that I'll be enough to rattle their brains!" Blaster said as said in a musical tone.
"Good. Warpath, you stand with the survivors and protect them from enemy fire. Remember to watch your step, their smaller than Mini-cons."
"I hear ya, old timer. You got nothing to worry about with my fine aim." Warpath called as he sped up faster to begin blasting away at the droids.
"Silverbolt you and Air Raid take out those Droid fliers." Ironhide ordered to the leader of the Aerialbots.
"Right away." Silverbolt said as he began leading Air Raid to fly higher over the trees and cloud.
"Yea those droids won't know what hit them!" Air Raid called as he followed his acrophobic leader.
"Ok autobots, lets save some lives!" Ironhide ordered again, pushing his engines to their limit.
It's been a minute and some seconds later before the three Autobots could see the bot that caused all of this Ironhide called, "Hot Rod!"
"I'm not going to leave them to die!" Hot Rod shouted back, thinking Ironhide, Blaster, and Warpath were going to bring him back. So he picked up the speed.
"No, you misunderstand we're here to help too." Ironhide announced through the comm. link channel between himself and the kid.
Blaster pulled ahead of the other two bots and called, "Ironhide's the man with the plan though he does sometimes act like he just likes to ram."
Deep inside Hot Rod was thankful that the older Autobot agreed with him, as the four bots sped back, hoping they can make it back in time.
Anakin and Obi-wan were taking cover behind the a downed AT-ET as they tried to deflect as much of the blaster fire that they could from the Vulture Droids, especially at the speed the laser bolts were going. Anakin was surprised at how well the droids were able to cut him off from his star fighter as well as reduce their numbers like this. Near the entrance of one Cruiser as they took their guns and fired on the droids with the surviving clone troopers. The bridge ops and non-combat trained clones were inside trying to get the external shields and weapons back online. But the fierce battles outside are not helping that much.
Ahsoka was covering the retreating injured as best as she could with her lightsaber but she had to use the force to make her blade of green light to move fast enough to block them all or to push the injured out of the line of fire.
Admiral Yularen was shouting orders on the bridge, in an effort to prevent the clones from losing their will to keep trying to get the shields back up.
Things looked very bleak for them, when suddenly rockets were seen heading to the droid army, causing them to explode. Everyone, droid or not, turned to see two star fighter size vehicles flying from the clouds as they began firing laser fire and rockets like there was no tomorrow.
"We're under attack!" One droid cried.
The other screamed, "I'm too young to blow up!"
Then the rockets exploded, silencing the two droids. The others saw two land vehicles that looked advanced but primitive because of the wheels on them.
"What are those?" One droid asked before getting its head blasted clean off.
"Enemy reinforcements?" another asked as it was silenced by a freighter like speeder that swerved and sent the droid flying.
The droids concentrated their fire on the two vehicles, while a third one burst through the thicket of trees. The droids were scared because instead of it being a commercial vehicle like the other two seem to be it was a tank, moving at such a speed that the droids asked while firing, "Is that a tank?"
"Impossible a tank can't be that fast, Rig-" the second droid was interrupted as it met its demise from the tank's main cannon as a thick loud voice shouted from the red tank, "KER-POW!"
The Super Battle droids were too busy firing on the vehicles to see their air support being blown out of the skies by the two unknown star fighters.
The red and yellow speeder pulled up in front of Ahsoka as Hot Rod asked, "Missed me, Snips?"
The padawan smiled before shouting, "Hot Rod look out!"
But her shouts of fear were not needed for the blaster fire from the droids harmlessly bounced off the armor plating of the car and back at the droids who fired on them. Hot Rod, not sure of what the Torguta was afraid of asked, "For what?"
Ahsoka sighed, "Nevermind."
Ironhide pulled alongside the two Jedi and called, "Get on!"
"Ironhide?" Anakin asked as he deflected a laser bolt.
"I thought you said you couldn't get involved." Obi-wan shouted over the sounds of laser fire.
Ironhide's smooth haul seemed to have split open as two barrels emerged from each side of the truck's front and fired at the droids, "We found a way to do both. Now you boys get on!"
The two Jedi got on top of Ironhide's vehicle mode and the Autobot took off sending laser fire at the droids while the jedi deflected the bolts from them as they held on for their lives. Soon the AATs came to notice the new arrivals as the captain of the battalion ordered, "Fire on those…things!"
"Roger, roger." The droid driver said as he steered the tank at them only to find the red tank already waiting for them.
"Uh-oh." The droid driver was able to say as the Warpath fired and caused the tank to explode.
Warpath didn't see another AAT approaching from behind until Hot Rod comm. in, "Warpath on your rear!"
Making the quickest turn that the droids ever saw for a tank Warpath went about 180 degrees before firing on them repeatingly, as the Autobot warrior shouted, "Keep 'em coming! I can ker-blam them all cycle long!"
Hot Rod asked he padawan before him, "Will you all be alright if I go?"
Ahsoka nodded and the Autobot speedster started his engine again, plowing through the droids as he does. Hot Rod then jumped high before transforming and forced the main cannon of the AAT to fire upwards at an incoming Vulture droid. The flier was send crashing into a group of the droids before Hot Rod tied the main cannon's barrel into a tight knot.
After that, he jumped off and changed back to his vehicle mode.
The droid who was in charge of the main gun saw the autobot on his scope and said, "I have you now, giant…"
"No don't shoot!" the captain cried from above, but it was too late. With the tank's main gun tied up in a knot the blast only caused the AAT to explode.
The battle didn't last long in the droid's favor. The Jedi, with the Autobot's help, were able to get the of the droids destroy all the remaining last survivors .
Hot Rod transformed back and began taking steps towards the surviving Clone troopers and the three Jedi. Looking down at them he asked with an assuring smile, "You all alright?"
"Yes. Thank you." The medic officer of the clone army said as he looked up at the giant droi- the Autobot.
Ironhide allowed the Jedi to go get off of him and then transformed. Soon the other Autobots came over and transformed saved for Blaster who had been jamming all communications between the battle droids.
"Yo wat up dawgs is it over?" Blaster asked as he rolled over to the others.
"Yup. You can stop jamming their signals now Blaster." Hot Rod told the Communications chief.
"Good because this bot got some beats to create!" Blaster told the others as he transformed from his communication vehicle to robot mode.
Anakin and Obi-wan approached the Autobots. All six of the present Autobots turned and saw the two Jedi bow to them as Anakin said, "Thank you for your assistance, Autobots."
"Yes we owe you our thanks and perhaps our lives as well." Obi-wan said in appreciation for the Autobots' rescue.
Warpath blew the smoke issuing from one of his weapons and said, "All in a day's work for a sharp aim like mine."
Ironhide rolled his optics as he asked, "Is there anything else we can do to assist you all?"
"No I think we got it from here." Anakin assured the Cybertronians.
"Good then we bett-"
"Ironhide!" A voice called. A green and yellow star fighter looking vehicle approached the group.
Ironhide and Hot Rod let out a groan, "Scrap…"
The jet began to transform, the stablizers on either side of the fighter's main body shifted and turned into legs while the main body converted itself into a torso. Its head popped out from the splitting open view port and nose of the fighter, while rocket pads on either side became shoulders that extended into two arms.
"Springer? What are you doing here? I thought you left to find the Ark."
"I was before I got a transmission from Preceptor that you were spotted by organic life-forms and that you had gone against the prime directive about getting involved in their battle."
Hot Rod got in the triple changer's face and spat, "So you'd rather that they'd get annihilated?!"
"Look I know what you did was right but we were given strict orders not to be seen and to not reveal ourselves unless absolutely necessary." The green Wrecker said as he was approached by the human with the beard.
"I'm afraid that their being seen was our doing. We were in the midst of looking for a new source of energy to fuel our ships and weapons when we picked up a reading from Ironhide and the others." The human explained, "It was only after they explained how they got lost after your cruiser ship crash landed that we offered to assist them with our ship's equipment. It was only after that Preceptor picked up our enemy's signals that they left. I honestly didn't expect them to return, but if they hadn't im sure that I, my fellow Jedi and all of our troops would have been killed by the droid army."
"What's a droid?" Springer asked, turning to Ironhide.
The Red Autobot soldier explained, "Well it seems a droid is what they call a mechanical life-form. From the ones we saw their designs and technology is so basic that, compared to us, they looked primitive. They appeared to have been created by other organics for different purposes. Heck even their weapons were too weak to pierce our armor."
"Did any of these droids spot you?"
"Yea but we made sure to jam their communications until we Ker-blam them all into scrap metal." Warpath said with a chuckle.
"While wasting your Energon reserves?" Springer asked.
This got the two jedi curious. They never heard of Energon before but Obi-wan had a theory and asked, "Excuse me, commander? But could you explain to us more about this Energon?"
Looking down Springer wasn't sure if it was wise to reveal more of their secrets to these organic life forms. Ironhide spoke up, wanting to keep Spinger from keeping "Preceptor picked up an Enegon signal before we split up. I had Firefly, Skydive, and Slingshot go with him to secure the area."
"Why did you do that when you could've needed Superion?" Springer asked. Obi-wan could tell that this new Autobot that they met was like Cody about rules and regulations.
He signaled Anakin silently to let the autobots talk to each other. Silverbolt explained, "We were trying to keep a low profile and perserve our reserves from dropping correct? Superion would have given us far too much attention and the process of combining would have drained out reserves even more."
"But now that we're all done, We can assist Preceptor to begin excavating the Energon we need." Hot Rod pointed out.
Good. Autobots, prepare to move out!" Springer ordered before Anakin asked, "May we accompany you?"
"Negative. It would be best for you to repair you vessel and leave before more of these droids show up." Spinger advised the jedi.
"I'm afraid we can't do that. We were sent by the Republic to search and collect this new energy source to help us fuel our ships and weapons. If not, we could go into bankruptcy trying to pay for more troops." Obi-wan said to the green Autobot.
"Pay for more troops?" Silverbolt asked, confused. Air Raid, however, noticed how the men in the uniforms and armor had the same facial structure, let alone the same body build and height.
Rex and Cody looked to each other before they took off their helmets, surprising the Autobots even more by how exactly the same the two clone commanders looked. "You see, Springer, we're clones. Born and bred for serving as soldiers of the Republic to help the Jedi battle the Separatist threat in the war."
Taking a closer look Air Raid murmured in Cybertronian, {They almost remind ya of the mass production models of both Autobots and con soldiers, huh?}
"However in order to keep getting more troops to help us we need to keep paying the cloners on the watery world of Kamino." Anakin added, "But with the rised in prices for everything including the cost for the new ships, weapons, and fuel the price for the troops have nearly cause many families to lose their homes."
Ironhide couldn't believe the situation that his new friends were in. He did feel for them But because no one on Cybertron needed any form of currency he was still unsure as to why the cloners of this Kamino world needed money to make more soldiers to prevent the Separatists from taking over their world as well as the rest of the Republic territories.
Hot Rod and Warpath shared a look, they thought similar to Ironhide but the two thought it was most stupid than confusing.
Sighing Springer said, "Follow us and don't fall behind."
He was about to transform when Ahsoka said, "Another thing…the droids pretty much destroyed our speeders we can't follow on foot unless you can give us a ride."
Unable to think of anything else Springer sighed again in defeat, "Very well…"
One by one the Autobots assumed their vehicle modes. Springer, instead of becoming an aerial vehicle, had turned into a land vehicle that was not as armored covered or wide, it looked to the inhabitants of the republic that Springer's land form was built for speed more than anything else. The Jedi, Clone Commanders and Ahsoka climbed on the autobot that they felt they had more in common with.
Anakin was on Hot Rod with his padawan. Obi-wan climbed on top of Ironhide's haul. Rex was with Warapth while Cody decided to go with Springer. From Hot Rod Ahsoka turned to Yularen and asked, "Would you like to come with us Admiral?"
Looking at the other autobots, the middle aged man said, "I…think not, commander Tano. Someone has to stay with the Jedi cruiser to make sure that the Droids will not be attacking us while all of you are away."
She shrugged, "Suit yourself."
"Springer, I think Air Raid, Blaster, and I should wait in casethe droids do come back or Wing Saber was able to locate us after finding more Autobots." Silverbolt suggested.
"Good thinking, Silverbolt. We'll return when we have received the update from Preceptor. Autobots, Roll out!" Springer called as he led the group of Autobots.
All of the Autobots went to their maximum speed. The ride however was short and a little bumpy. Warpath however decided to ram himself through the trees that got in the way. Rex however called over the creaking wood, "Warpath! Stop!"
"Huh? Why should I?"
"Because we need what they produce to live!" Rex shouted over the roar of the tank's engines.
Slowing down he asked, "What'd ya mean?"
"Most of us organic life forms need a microscopic element called Oxygen to keep us living. If we don't have enough Oxygen then we're not gonna last long." Rex told the Autobot as the tank asked, 'Are you serious?"
"He's right Warpath, besides we need to keep a low profile remember?" Spinger called back to the tank transformer.
"Yea alright…" Warpath said as he tried to avoid the trees instead of trying decimate the forest.
Ironhide used one of his mirrors to look up at the Jedi and asked, "Is this Oxygen thing really that important to you all?"
"Yes. I suppose, given how serious Springer was about this Energon, Oxygen is as important to us as Energon is to you." Obi-wan told the Autobot soldier as they continued racing through the forest. Springer was amazed how quickly the human called Obi-wan had deduced how important Energon was to Cybertronians.
Anakin was too busy keeping eye out for any Droids, using his senses to make sure that they were not being followed.
Ahsoka however was enjoying the ride with Hot Rod as she held on tight. She gave sudden cries of surprise when the wheels bumped against rocks or roots that caused the Autobot to bounce or jump unexpectedly. The Torguta didn't seem to mind that such advance beings would have something as primitive as wheels that made the ride through the forest more exciting than the usual speeders with their repulsor lift engine.
Soon the ride came to an end before they were greeted by the three Aerialbots: Firefly, Skydive, and Slingshot, who turned away in disgust, muttering in Cybertronian.
Springer allowed Cody to get off him as he transformed and asked the three fliers, "Where is Preceptor?"
"Inside, waiting for you, Sir." Skydive said, hoping that the green body had forgotten that crack he made with his friend, Slingshot, about Elite Guard graduates.
"Good." Springer said before turning to the other Autobots, "Silverbolt, you and your men stay with the others. Ironhide you come with me to check exactly the amount that the doc found."
"Right." The Autobots said as their Second in command and the Autobot Muscle entered the huge cave.
Obi-wan stood in their way and asked politely, "May we go with you as well? I suspect that we might be able to be of more assistance to you and your people if we inspect this Energon."
Anakin stared at his former master thinking, 'Just what are you thinking, master…'
Ahsoka, however, went over to Obi-wan and asked the Autobots, "Please? I want to see what this Energon looks like."
The two bots looked at each other as Ironhide shrugged, "It couldn't hurt to show them."
"Very well…" Springer said, having neither the energy nor the patience to argue with the organics. He sighed and lead them into the cave.
One by one the jedi and their clone commanders entered the cave.
They walked in darkness, with only the lights of the Autobot's optics and the Commanders' illuminating the way. They continued that way for another half a mile before then entered a chamber at the end of the tunnel and entered to see Preceptor, surrounded by icy blue colored crystals glowing gently as they seemed to be coming out of the walls and very large crystal acting as a chandelier that supplied most of the light for eight beings.
Preceptor was using his onboard equipment studying the crystals before he heard footsteps approaching and turning saw Ironhide and Springer approaching.
"Ah, Springer, it is good of you and Ironhide to join me. You would not believe the energy quality of these Ener-" Preceptor began before noticing the Republican army officers.
"I see you brought the Republic's generals with you." Preceptor exclaimed, as he stopped projecting his findings and quietly whispered to his commanding officer, "Are you sure it is wise to bring them here?"
"Like going to their ships were and revealing ourselves was?" Springer asked as he checked one of the Energon crystals.
Outside the cave the remaining Autobots waited and kept their optics peeled for any of the droids or Decepticon scouts. They have not met up with any of the others from the Ark since the evacuation. Slingshot, his distrust for the organics growing quietly made himself enter the cave without anyone noticing.
The two Jedi had been examining one of the large crystals in front of them, Anakin asked, sensing the force from within the crystals "Obi-wan, isn't this?"
"Yes…I'm afraid it is." Obi-wan said, affirming Anakin's suspicion as they looked at the crystals.
Anakin narrowed his eyes when Cody pulled out an en-scanner and announced, Generals! These are the same energy crystals that we were sent to collect!"
"Excuse me?" a voice asked as the Jedi turned to see Slingshot. His blaster arm trained on them. His face showed anger as he asked, "What did you say, you scrapping parasites?!"
Anakin had never insulted like that before even after years of being free from being a slave-boy on the desert planet of Tatoonie.
The shout attracted the attention of the other three Autobots as Springer shouted, "Slingshot! What in the Allspark's name are you doing?"
"I heard everything these organics said! The fuel they were sent to look for is our Energon!" Slingshot shouted back.
Looking down at his new friends Ironhide asked, "Is what he saying true? Is that fuel you boys need is really our life-blood?"
"I'm afraid so, Ironhide…" Obi-wan said sadly.
Turning to face the Autobots, Anakin said, "I'm sorry, but by order of the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, these Energon crystals are under our custody."
"Master!" Ahsoka cried in shock.
"Don't get me started Snips. We need that fuel to power our ships so we can keep beating the Separatists back." Anakin said reaching for his lightsaber.
"Don't even try it." Slingshot threatened, pointing his weapon at the Jedi. In retaliation both of the clones raised their blasters up at the Autobot. However Slingshot's other arm became another blaster which he pointed at the two clones. Obi-wan reached for his lightsaber as well, not to support his former padawan, but to stop any conflict from arising.
Ironhide tried to get Slingshot to stand down. Preceptor kept trying to stop everyone from firing because if one blast of energy, created by a cybertronian blaster or not, could cause the very cave they were in and the surrounding 300 cubic meters around them to be destroyed.
"I'd listen to him, Anakin; they know more about the Energon's composition and make up enough to claim more ownership over it than we ever could." Obi-wan said, hoping for the conflict between their two factions would cease.
"He's right, sir." Rex added, lowering his weapons, "One wrong move and we're all dead."
Anakin gritted his teeth before returning his weapon to his belt and sighed, "Fine…"
"Now as for you Slingshot." Springer approached the small flier, "Stand down."
"No way." Slingshot refused defiantly, "They were gonna make us kiss our sparks good-bye. You know how desperately we need that energon to keep going..."
Narrowing his optics Ironhide said, "They don't know anything about us, of course they would think that way. But as soon as we explain the situation and why we need the Energon I'm sure that they'll understand."
"You're willing to trust these…things more than your own kind, Old timer?" Slingshot asked.
Ironhide raised himself up at full height and clenching his fists, asked, "What do you think?"
Ahsoka looked between the two bots, worried about them fighting.
Making a spitting sound Slingshot changed his arms back to normal before walking away muttering, "It's your funeral…"
Ironhide let out a sigh before turning back to the Jedi, "Sorry about that."
"Just what did Slingshot mean when he said that Energon is necessary to keep you going? I understand how it could be an important fuel source." Anakin confessed slightly confused.
"It is more than that, General Skywalker." Preceptor said as he approached the five organics, "Energon is what allows us to live. It is our life-blood, our fuel, our ammunition and our medicine. Without it, we are doomed for permanent deactivation."
"Meaning? If you do not have enough Energon then…you die?" Ahsoka asked, feeling sorry for the Autobots.
The head scientist nodded before exposing a screen below his armor that displayed several bars, "This scanner allows me to check on our energon reserves and as you can see some of us do not have that much left. Many of us try to preserve what we already have inside our bodies but some forget and have begun blasting away without a shred of concern for their own systems."
Obi-wan looked to Anakin. It was true that to others they might appear to be droids but the older jedi could feel the force in them even though their bodies were made of metal. Would Anakin truly doom an entire species to their death just so that they could have more fuel?
"I…I apologize. I had no idea how important Energon is to your survival." Anakin said bowing slightly to the autobots.
"It's alright. It's like I said. You didn't have any idea how important Energon is to us. But now you do." Ironhide reiterated holding up his hands to make Anakin stop bowing; it was getting embarrassing how these Jedi keep bowing to them.
"Master. How will we explain this to the council and the Chancellor?" Ahsoka asked, causing both of the older Jedi to look at each other.
"Don't worry Snips. We'll think of something." Anakin told her as he sought to examine another of the crystals. The exact color of the crystals were similar to his own, Obi-wan's, and about half of the order.
Suddenly all three Autobots heard Warpath's voice calling out on the other end of their comm. devices, "BAM! Springs, old man, Doc, you and them lil dudes might wanna step outside. We got company."
The three bots looked at each other. The Jedi and the clones did the same before running outside, the bots making sure that they didn't step on the humans or the Torguta.
When they made it out of the cave the Jedi looked in shock as there were a large number of cybertronians with the group that was waiting. The majority of them had the identical design and body type. Obi-wan wondered if these cybertronians were similar to the clone troopers seeing as that so many of them that looked identical to each other. It was clear to the five organics that these were all Autobots.
"IRONHIDE!" A higher pitched cybertronian voice cried as Anakin and Ahsoka turned to see what appeared to be a female cybertronian with light blue armor running up and wrapping her arms around the red and dark grey bot.
"CH-chromia?" Ironhide asked in surprise, fearing the worse for the femme.
She must have thought the same for Chromia pulled away as she said, "I was so afraid…"
"There, there, now. Everything's alright now." Ironhide assured as they embraced each other again. Anakin felt a small twinge of envy, but happy for the two. The two Jedi knights could feel the love between the two Cybertronians.
"Hey, Ironhide, how's it hanging?" A voice called as Anakin spied a white armored Autobot with blue and red accent colors on his armor, a blue visor covering his optics.
"Jazz!" Ironhide called to his old friend before moving to greet him. Chromia had moved out of the way for the two old war buddies to meet again.
A green autobot with a pot belly and what looked like a cybertronian version of a semi long beard and mustache on his liquid metal like skin with, a wide range of weapons on his belt and back approached Spinger. The two greeted each other in relief as they slammed their fists together in a form of a greeting. Another female with light green armor, and what appeared to be a sniper rifle holstered on her back, approached as well and hugged the two males happily as more joined the group. It was obvious that the newly arriving autobots feared the worse for each other after the Ark fell out of orbit and the evacuation was bad.
Rex noticed how the other two green bots' symbols, though were like the Autobots, were slightly different. Bearing the same design however in place of a regular forehead and nose they looked as though they were a hammer.
Around them the other eight Autobots met up and greeted others from the larger group who seemed to be friendly to each other.
Ahsoka however saw something that made her blinked. There, before her, was another cybertronian about her size with peach color armor on his body. He was hugging Hot Rod's leg, overjoyed to see his friend again. Sensing that there were eyes on him, the small Autobot climbed down from Hot Rot's leg and approached cautiously as offered her a hand, "My Name is Wheelie, Does it bother that I like to be a rhymer?"
Ahsoka blinked a bit looking to one of the Autobots or even her master for assistance. But she could sense that the small transformer before her was genuinely pleased to meet her.
"H-hi…" She said as she took the small Autobot's hand and they shook, "I'm…Ahsoka Tano."
Wheelie smile broadened. The bot known as Jazz noticed what the little autobot was doing and approaching carefully, got down on his knee to get a better look at the small organics and said, "Crazy, These organics all have their own looks, their own style."
Glancing down, Ironhide walked back to the Jedi and apologized, "Now, where are my manners. Sorry about that."
"Autobots! Autobots listen up!" Ironhide called. All the autobots assembled turned their attention, if they weren't already looking, to the small organics in their midst. Every Autobot that Wingsaber found turned their optics on the old soldier as he said, "Now I know this isn't how we usually do things, but let me introduce to you all to some of our new allies, natives of this galaxy."
Meanwhile, in an unknown system of the galaxy. Count Dooku, leader of the Separatist alliance and Sith apprentice, sat at his palace, meditating in peace. Suddenly a hologram activated, he did not need to concern himself who it was. The count got up and knelt before the hologram of a hooded figure, whose entire body, except for the lower half of his face, was covered by the dark robes. The man was Darth Sidious, the one who trained Dooku, and the other Sith apprentice before him. Not even the count knew the man's true identity. The true lord of the Sith had always been sure to cover his tracks, even prevent others sensitive to the force, like the fallen Jedi, to be able to detect his location. Dooku lowered his head in respect to the elderly lord, "Master…"
"Lord Tyranus…I sense a great disturbance in the force, a disturbance so great that my vision of our victory over the Jedi has become clouded. It originates on that planet where Skywalker and Kenobi are right now…Send General Grievous to discover what the Jedi have found. If they will not ally themselves with us then they must be destroyed." Darth Sidious instructed in his precise whisper of a voice, sounding sharper and shaken, which made the count raise a brow in concern.
Understanding his instructions to the letter Dooku lowered his head again, "Yes, my master."
The hologram disappeared as Sidious hissed, "We must do whatever it takes to keep our plans on track."
Dooku stood up and approached his desk. Taking a seat, Count Dooku pondered on what would be so great to even shake someone as powerful as his own master. Knowing what would happen if he did not comply with his master's instruction, the count opened the communications between himself and the supreme general of the Droid army.
"What is it Count?" The Cyborg general asked the moment his hologram appeared before Dooku.
Weaving his fingers together Count Dooku said, "General, I have an assignment for you."
(What would Grievous do when he meets these giants? How will the other crewmembers of he Ark react to meeting organics? And how will the Chancellor and the Jedi council react in discovering of these Autobots? Find out in the next Chapter of Star Wars: The Transformers. Please read and review on what you thought and what you might think could happen.)