Chapter 4
Unified Year – Sept. 30 1926 – Hangar 51 – Outskirts of Berun Capital City
1 week ago
The Imperial Strategic HQ was loud and filled with festivities, for the people inside were celebrating the successful rescue mission of the Crowned Princess. Not only that, but they'd also stopped the surprise invasion of the Free Republic's largest navy fleet. Tanya's 203rd aerial mage battalion were rewarded by the Imperial General Staff with a three day leave from the front lines. The men were happy for it and they all immediately went out to celebrate their limited free days.
Right now, Hangar fifty-one was empty except for the autobot leader, Optimus Prime, who was in his alt mode. He was meditating in his truck from, relishing the tranquil silence that finally surrounded him.
So that's how they battle, Optimus recalled the battle earlier. It was bloody and hard. And then he remembered the major; the way Tanya pursued her goal of defending her country had impressed him. She was an ideal soldier and she reminded him of Ultra Magnus. If those two could meet…well I think they'll be friends, he thought placidly as he rested his mind.
But the peace was short-lived as the door opened and small footsteps reverberated around the hangar. Optimus activated his camera and saw the major walking towards him.
"Major, good evening. You're not with your men?"
"Why should I be? Let them celebrate." Tanya showed no expression as she stood in front of Optimus's truck form. "So you're a truck," she spoke again, this time with amusement.
"Yes, it's the form that I transformed to back from the different Earth."
Different earth huh? Tanya thought before she asked more: "About that. Do tell me how different it was? Like, do people still use smart phones or are there any skyscrapers that are still standing in straight line? Do people still use Facebook or any other social media platform?"
Optimus smiled as he detected some curiosity in her voice but then he noticed something odd. Tanya said those thing as if she'd seen or used one from before... but that was impossible. This earth was still in the 20th century setting and she had been born here.
"Major…how do you know of those things?" Optimus asked and watched as Tanya, her face still expressionless, walked to the driver side of the truck, popped the door open, and closed it. She pushed the lock on the door and then stared down at the wheel, right at the autobot symbol.
"You know, I really stopped myself from laughing earlier when General Rudesdorf first saw you. And almost had to again, when he watched you transform into your truck mode." A bemusing smile spread on her lips as rest her back on the comfortable seat. "I like your insides, Optimus. Especially that radio there."
She's avoiding my question. Optimus's curiosity increased. "Major, again may I ask: How do you know of those things-"
"Isn't obvious that I came from another world? …well, to be frank, I was reincarnated in this world."
Optimus was shocked to what he heard. He thought he was the only one who had been sent to this world.
"Major, really?"
"Yes and the one who reincarnated me into this young girl's body…was Being X, the one who sent you," Tanya said with a hint of disdain. She moved her right hand and took out a grenade from her uniform pocket. The autobot leader was startled as she put it on the dashboard in front of her.
"But…may I ask why, major, if it's alright with you?"
"Because I do not believe in him…no. I was made not to believe in him." Tanya looked far ahead of the window shield, a remembering look forming on her face. She recalled her days when she was a man of success in the field of business. "I was a businessman back from the previous earth. I was very successful. I only follow logic and the rules of the society and it let me climbed up the ranks."
She paused and rested her head on the window before she continued. "Long ago, I knew that I was human and an inferior being. But not as inferior as to those who were below me. Those who couldn't follow the rules of the company, those who preferred to dream of goals instead of making them happen. I hated them and I was glad I wasn't them." She took out another grenade again from her left pocket and lined it up on the dashboard.
"However, in my hubris, I'd forgotten one thing: Humans are illogical creatures no matter how much the time moves, no matter how society tries to improve itself. They will always act in an illogical manner based on their emotions."
She felt the phantom force of being pushed as her last memory of her previous world played. Tanya saw himself again and the face of the man who pushed him to the tracks of an incoming train. "But at least, I'm assured that not only us humans were like that." She smiled again, this time out of wonder and pity at the autobot symbol on the wheel. "Your Cybertron, your Guilds, this is what they'd left out of their stupid Caste-like system. Life itself is illogical. It acts when it likes to, regardless of its purpose. Your Megatron, he acted out of pure fear and survival. He was afraid to die as a miner, just as he was born to be."
Megatron…the words hit Optimus hard. He had never thought of it and he only realized it now. A melancholic sadness spread inside of him. "I…I am glad that you open up to me like this, major."
"It wasn't fair that you're the only one who opened up earlier, both metaphorically and literally." Tanya recalled Professor Schugel inspecting the insides of Optimus. The poor autobot leader had laid still and squirmed, achingly and mentally, as the esteemed professor inspected his insides and his T-Cog and, while that was happening, Brigadier Generals Rudesdorf and Zettour were watching with interest in their eyes above the catwalk. It had been a disturbing event.
Silence stood between the two war soldiers. Optimus was thinking of what would he say next and Tanya just took out another grenade and lined it up on the dashboard again.
"I guess we found ourselves a common ground. We were both transported in this world."
Tanya smiled gratefully at his words. "Yeah I guess we have."
And then everything stopped. The air became still and all ambient sound was cut off.
"I'm glad that the two of you have already found a common ground."
Tanya let out a short gasp of shock. Optimus only looked around through his external cameras.
"I'm right here."
And then they both heard Being X again. Tanya slowly rotated her head to her right. Being X, now as a toy nutcracker soldier, stared back from his seat next to her with its blue, childish caricature eyes at the esteemed soldier. The major scoffed and frowned bitterly.
"Glad you're here... Are you done eavesdropping on us?" she said with resentment in her voice. Despite His sudden appearance, the major was calm. Optimus had observed this and he was puzzled.
"I just wanted to check on you and Optimus Prime. Your new friend."
"Shut up!" Tanya slapped the toy. It broke into pieces as it hit the dashboard.
"Major!" Optimus reminded and Tanya turned to the radio, only to noticed the same nutcracker soldier sitting beside the line grenades that she'd made earlier.
"Optimus! It's Being X!"
"I know but we should be calm in the presence of the Lord," Optimus reminded her as the major gritted her teeth.
"Optimus is right, Tanya. Now then, it seems that, since the two of you are getting along, I guess I should take my leave," Being X said but the major took one of the grenades and howled.
"No! You're going to perish here right now!" she was about to pull the pin with her right hand but Optimus whipped out the seat belt and held the major's hand, preventing her from pulling it out.
He's gone. Tanya glanced again at the dashboard but Being X had vanished. The ambient sound had returned and time seemed to start again.
"Dammit it! Why did you stop me…" the major asked in a hardened, disappointed tone.
"Major…you're not thinking clearly. We may have a purpose on this world. Perhaps 'The One' wanted to give you a lesson."
Tanya glanced then at the radio where Optimus's voice was coming from.
"You told me you don't believe in him. Perhaps he's giving you a lesson or two about believing him."
He's so naïve…Tanya came across to that thought. She didn't say anything at first but then she suddenly hit the glass on her left with her left hand. "Dammit!" she howled inside his cabin like there was no tomorrow; she threw a fit of rage and fury and lashed it all out on Optimus's upholstery.
And during these events, he only stayed in silence. He could feel the rage and pent up anger being unleashed by her. He wanted to understand her anger, but for now all he could do was to bear and contain her rage to the confinements of his vehicle alt-form.
Unified Year – October 6 1926 – Tanya's Dorm Room – Berun City Capital
1 week later
Tanya woke up with a foul mood. The same dream had played again in her mind. The young decorated soldier brushed her teeth in front of the mirror before she tied her hair and don her military uniform. "Tch, that damn dream again." She glared at the mirror in irritation while she attached her computation jewel on her chest.
She took her brief case off the desk and, after giving a last look around her room, she opened and closed her dorm room door.
The young major descended from the stairs and stopped after she saw her landlady, Maria, wiping a vase. The landlady greeted her cheerfully. "Good Morning, Major. Going out, sir?"
"Yes, Maria. War college calls," Tanya smiled in a friendly manner and turn the handle of the door.
"Look, it's Major Tanya!"
"Good Morning! Sir, any comments about the alien creature-!"
"Any comments on how the crowned princess reacted to the metal alien-"
"Sir, you look beautiful today-"
Tanya immediately closed the door put her back on it. "Them again!?" she irately protested and glanced back at Maria, who was startled with the commotion.
"I already called the police."
"What did they say?"
"They got stuck in traffic."
And the Empire's Police Force's reputation just got lower. Tanya grumbled and took a peek outside via the door hole. Ever since the rescue mission and that blasted photo taken by the military news, Optimus Prime's existence had gone viral. It had been one week already; however, every shop or magazine all over the empire only contained two topics of late: the Iron Giant and her, the 203rd Imperial Aerial Mage Battalion.
News casters, reporters and paparazzi had gathered like cockroaches and hunted her and all of her men ever since then.
"Great, how can I go outside-" Tanya thought hard but then she noticed what was Maria was carrying. A large laundry basket filled with dirty clothes. An idea popped into her head. "Uh, Mrs. Maria…" she called and the landlady smiled gleefully at her.
Imperial Air Force Base - Hangar 51 – Mess Hall
"Good Morning."
1st lieutenant Weiss and 2nd lieutenant Glanz entered the mess hall. Both of men had a deadpan, tired expression on their faces. They saw the other 1st lieutenants and Serebryakov sitting in front of a long table with their heads down low. So. Them too, huh?
"Good morning," Glanz said again and 1st lieutenant Koenig responded with a nod while Neumann only made a thumbs up.
"Uh, since you two look tired…I guess the reporters didn't even spare the both of you."
"Yeah," Weiss said weakly as he sat down and sighed. "How's your end, Serebryakov? It must've been hard, since you're leaving alone."
"A bit, but I manage to scare some of them off with my fake shot gun," Serebryakov said happily and the others only groaned. We should've thought about that! -was the thought that ran in their mind. "By the way, what are they going to do with that- Large being?"
"You mean Optical?"
"Optimus, Neumann." Koenig corrected the other 1st lieutenant while Weiss thought for a second. "Probably, they'll perform more experiments on him."
"Oh…" Serebryakov wondered and took a sip of her coffee. I hope they won't hurt him too much like last time. He looks like a good guy. The lieutenant recalled the last weeks events and they worried her more.
Hangar 51- Main Hangar
Optimus Prime was standing and looking down at Professor Schugel, who was busy explaining to him how he had converted an energon crystal to liquid. The autobot leader made several nods while Professor paced around and made grumbling protest sound between his words.
"Good news is, I had tried what you told me on how to liquefy and purify an ...'energon'. After three days, with lots of near death experiences in the brand of being blown up to pieces, I have successfully filled up a tank of it!"
Professor Schugel pointed at the far corner of the Hangar, where a single large tank was standing. Some scientists were also in front of it, analyzing the dangerous blue liquid inside.
"That's very good for you doctor. I'm glad no one died, though."
"Yeah, other than Roberto, most of us didn't die. The purifying part was definitely hard at first but a least we did it with 30 pieces of energon crystals."
That's great-wait who's Roberto?! Optimus was about to ask, but the esteemed scientist continued his report.
"The Bad news is, the Koenigs mine, the one that you'd told me about where you'd found a huge amount of energon last time, has run dry."
"My scanner had detected thousands of crystals inside the mine," Optimus thought aloud as a problem loomed over him.
"Well if that is so…then it must be on the deepest part of the mine, one that we are required to excavate. And that is also another problem," Professor Schugel groaned again and began to pace back and forth."
"Why is that, Professor?"
"It's because, in accordance to Wartime Law decree no. 26, subclause a1; all equipment and resources or equipment to get the said resources will be dedicated to war only."
Optimus turned to his right and saw Major Tanya entering the Hangar. He was about to greet her but he noticed that the major had unkept hair, her face was a bit dusty and dirty, and she was emitting the faint odor of unwashed clothes.
"The mining industry didn't know of energon's existence yet, Optimus, so it's most likely that they hadn't excavated a large part of mine where your scanner had detected the energon," she finished her simple explanation and stood in front of Optimus.
"Good morning, major. Are you alright? You seemed to look like you've been chased by something."
Tanya clicked her tongue in irritation. "Tell that to those damn paparazzi!" she cursed as the Professor laughed hard. "I-In any case, how's your energon problem?"
Optimus glanced towards the single tank.
"They can only fill one tank. It will be enough for me…for now."
Yeah, for now indeed. Tanya glanced in a thoughtful manner at the single tank. If Optimus would join the war, which seemed to be certain, then a single tank of energon wouldn't be suffice for the autobot's replenishment. The end of the world war seemed to be too far, as before.
"Well in any case, I'll ask the general staff to lobby the ministry of mining again," Tanya said and then she took a sniff of herself. Bleh. "I'm gonna change my clothes first," the major added and headed towards the girl's locker room; before she could go out, a soldier suddenly appeared and saluted to her.
"Major Tanya, sir! Message from the Imperial General Staff."
"At ease." Major Tanya groaned at the interruption, took the telegram and began to read the message.
'THE IMPERIAL ROYAL FAMILY HAS REQUESTED THE PRESENCE OF MAJ. TANYA VON DEGURECHAFF AND THE ALIEN AUTOMATA OPTIMAL CRIME.'
"It's Optimus Prime, soldier, but thanks-wait what!?" Tanya's eyes went wide and she reread the message again. Is this true!? In the Empire, whenever a soldier was summoned to Imperial Palace, it was because the Emperor had recognized his bravery and war talent. Tanya wasn't expecting to be summoned ever. It wasn't one of her goals and yet the message had change it all.
"Optimus! It looks like you'll be deployed today," Tanya said as she calmed down and put message on her pocket. The autobot leader glanced at her and questioned: "To where, Major?"
"The Imperial Royal Palace."
The Royal Palace, the place where the Princess was living. Hmm. Optimus wondered for a moment and then he realized that he would meet the Emperor soon. "Maybe the Emperor wants to talk to me," he said to himself, but he continued to wonder.
Hangar 51 – Girl's Locker Room
Tanya Degurechaff closed the door of the girl's locker room and fastened its lock. Silence enveloped the decorated major for a moment and then she suddenly flashed a triumphant, evil, grin.
"Finally, an audience with the Emperor and the crowned princess!" she twirled and twirled like a very excited, vicious, ballerina across the empty room. "You know what this means? I can present 'Basic Free Market Principle' to the royal family and then influence them so that they can put me in the rear echelon!"
And I will suggest Optimus Prime to be put on the frontlines, in a discreet manner of course! she laughed and cackled her head off and crashed right into the bench. "Oh Optimus, it's been fun, but you're Being X's bitch after all. Ces't la Vie to you E.T!"
She screamed in a delighted way and celebrated her so-called triumphant victory. Unbeknownst to her however, she failed to notice an object looking down on her from the top of the lockers. The snow globe angel woman watched as the energetic major sneered and chortle; a plan that would contradict the major's was already brewing insider her mind.
Imperial Strategic HQ – Berun Capital City
General Rudesdorf walked along the almost empty corridor of the Imperial Strategic HQ. His right hand held a thick bundle of paper while his left hand held a newspaper, which he was reading while walking at the same time. He glanced up and notice General Zettour sitting at a chair, also reading a newspaper.
"Oh, Rudesdorf. Good morning, I guess."
"A splendid one my friend," Rudesdorf waved the newspaper which bore a headline along its surface.
'Free Republic surrenders! Peace Treaty signing imminent!'
The headlines made the general grin, relishing the defeat of their long-standing enemy country.
"We've done well, friend," Zettour commented as his blue eyes read the headlines again while the other general scoffed off.
"Of course and it's all thanks to your Aerial Mage Battalion…and that Optimus Prime," Rudesdorf grinned while he remembered the time when Professor Schugel performed experiments on him; opening him up and rubbing down his insides while the autobot squirmed in pain. The memory made his grin spread wider.
"I heard the peace treaty would be signed in…Versailles, near Parisii, the formal Francois Republic's capital city?"
"Yeah. One of their most beautiful palaces," Rudesdorf answered and General Zettour only stroked his chin, thinking on what he would do in there. "Hmph, perhaps I'll buy cheese."
"I recommend wine. By the way, Optimus and Major Tanya were summoned to the Imperial Palace," Rudesdorf said as he began to walk away. Zettour opened his curious blue eyes again; he was surprised to what he had heard. Perhaps His Majesty wanted to meet Optimus? he wondered while he, too, began to walk towards his destination.
Imperial Royal Palace – Berun Capital City
"Say, major…is it really alright for me to drive like this underneath the sun?" Optimus Prime spoke through the radio's speakers as the major glanced to her left and watched the main streets passed them by. A lot of people either had stopped walking or doing their businesses after they caught sight of the autobot leader in his alt form. Clearly, most of the citizens were either in shock or awe to his appearance
"It's fine, Optimus. We have guards on the front," Tanya said and pointed at the small caravan of four cars; each were filled with civil guards. Optimus couldn't help but feel awkward. His alt form was that of a modernized truck; he felt a sore thumb. But all of this awkwardness disappeared when the shadow of the Royal Palace's arch gate cast over him. Optimus drove past the arch with two dragons facing each other and stuck in a eternal glorified roar. Beyond it was huge outer courtyard, an empty field consisting of nothing but green, short grass. Statues of fictional literature heroes lined up on their sides and Optimus observed them through his side mirrors. "Hm, that one was Deowolf, then Francheska the first."
"Optimus, you recognize those statues?"
"Some of them. Serebryakov gave me lots of books. Professor Schugel wanted to measure how fast I learn things. He wants to know how my brain works," Optimus explained as Tanya lifted her right brow.
"And did you read all of her books."
"Most of them are fiction but I read all 200 of them."
Eh that was a lot! Tanya whistled in appraisal as Optimus explained more. "I scan them all and I began to read them. This world's literature is no different from the previous Earth."
"Yeah, you're right. Now then, look sharp," Tanya reminded as the car in front of them stopped. Optimus stopped moving and his camera slowly scanned the building in front of him.
The Imperial Royal Palace was a seven story high building. Its walls were white while its windows were huge and square. It wasn't as extravagant as he had thought before.
"Now then…a problem," Tanya called softly at him as she looked at the front door. The front entrance were dual doors but it wasn't enough for Optimus to fit in. "Say, how can you fit in there?"
"There is no need to worry. I can cast a holo-form avatar."
Tanya hummed only and watched as some of the palace servants looked at Optimus's alt form with curiosity; she opened the door and jumped outside. The major then looked at the autobot leader as his head lights glowed in blue and a holo-form image began to take shape in front of her.
"Is this enough, major?" Optimus asked as his holo-form human avatar stood awkwardly. Optimus's human avatar was that of a Caucasian man with light brown skin. He was sporting grey hair that was designed in a swept up style and side burns. His face was stoic but handsome with a hint of calm and peace. He was wearing an Empire's military uniform and he was tall enough to emit a strong charismatic aura, making the major feel unpleasant and a little bit threatened.
"Optimus…can you alter your avatar form later?"
"I'm afraid I can't, major. My friend Ratchet was the one who programmed my avatar's appearance," Optimus opened his eyes and showed to Tanya his blue piercing colors. In these, however, the Major found something odd.
"Optimus, the sclera in your eyes are black."
"Yes. I'm afraid Ratchet isn't good when it comes to creating holo-forms," The autobot leader said in a humble manner.
"Well, not my problem anymore if the Princess starts screaming," Tanya said in an annoyed manner as the two of them walked inside.
Imperial Royal Palace – Great Hall
"Wow." Optimus uttered in amazement as he and Tanya walked to a long, wide, corridor. The wide window on his left gave a natural lighting to the hallway, basking the portraits and statues on their right with holy-like light. His black boots echoed softly on the marble floor and through the wooden walls.
"His Majesty would want to talk to the two of you," the man walking in front of them, the Emperor's footman, said to them with grace. "Please be reminded that you'll only respond when you're asked to. The Emperor is still recovering from sickness," the footman added, making Tanya glanced at him.
It's been years since the Emperor was last seen publicly. If he was still recovering, then my hunches were right. Tanya had seen the Emperor from the newspaper many years ago. It was about the annual Christmas Eve Royal Parade. The Emperor and his Empress were seen waving happily around the crowd, inside their opened top up carriage and then a gunshot echoed through the sky. And after that, the Empire had declared war against the Francois Republic. This endless conflict had begun.
"We're here." The footman stopped and knocked on the door. After a moment of silence, he gently opened the door and ushered the two of them.
The Emperor's private chambers were dark but Optimus could see its lavish furniture. In the middle of the room was a four poster bed; the scent of lemon balm oil filled the nostrils of the two soldiers as they watched the white sheets rustle for a bit and a figure slowly rose up from the pillows.
"Give me light," the Emperor ordered; his voice was deep but weak. The footman bowed and pulled the curtains open. Sunlight entered and the filled the room. Optimus and Tanya knelt on the floor and stared ahead. The Emperor's face loomed over them. His hair was all white, his face, though old and crestfallen, bore wrinkles- but Optimus could see that this man was once handsome and filled with charisma. Time seemed to had taken everything from the Emperor.
"Good morning to you two. I've heard news from Rudesdorf about what happened last week." His face was emotionless as he spoke to them with gratitude. "Which one of you…is Major Tanya von Degurechaff?" he calmly asked as his brown eyes scanned the two.
"Your Majesty, that would be me." Major Tanya stood up and saluted the Emperor.
The man smiled softly at her. "I would like to thank you, major, for responding well and for rescuing my daughter."
His thanks made Tanya smile softly at him. "I'm honored by your words your Majesty." Tanya then knelt back on the floor as the Emperor shifted his eyes slowly to Optimus.
"And you're supposed to be…Optimus Prime?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Optimus said without breaking eye contact.
"You…don't seemed to be a 22 foot alien automata. You're very much human," the Emperor observed as Optimus glanced up to him and smiled.
"My real body is outside, Your Majesty. This is just an avatar, another representation of my true self."
The Emperor tilted his head to the left a little. Interested in his words, he called him forward. "Would you come closer so I can touch you?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Optimus stood up and softly walked towards the side of the bed. The Emperor raised his left hand and the autobot leader gently put his right hand on the left palm of the emperor. Soft, Optimus thought as the Emperor smiled peacefully in satisfaction as he observed and touched his right hand.
"Ah…for an alien, you're too much human indeed." The Emperor glanced up to him. "You must be very confused with our war. I hope your home world was peaceful and beautiful."
"It is, Your Majesty." It is now, perhaps. The words loomed over him and the two were stuck for a moment before the Emperor gently let go of his hand and took a long breath.
"It's my daughter who actually wanted to make an audience with you. I just wanted to meet you all, the saviors of the Empire."
Optimus bowed down to him, his words had made his spark chamber tight. "Your Majesty, God sent me to stop this endless war. May I ask…do you want the Empire to stop the war?" the autobot leader questioned in a calm voice.
The Emperor shifted his eyes towards the window, to the blue sky outside. Chirps of birds sang beautifully and, together with the calm gust of wind, it made the Emperor feel at peace.
"No one wants war, Optimus. I wanted it to stop. However, I couldn't lead anymore. I left everything to my daughter and to my ministers. Perhaps they can stop it for me…someday," the Emperor reasoned out in longing manner, as if he had resigned to an unknown inevitable fate. "Do what you can do, Optimus. Together with Major Tanya, I'm sure the two of you can stop it."
He slowly formed a serene smile at autobot leader and shifted to the major. "You can go now, my daughter would love to meet the two of you."
The doors of the Emperor's chamber opened and the two soldiers walked out. Hmm, the Emperor isn't interesting. Tch, so he really was inept and invalid to lead, Tanya judged without second thoughts the condition of the Empire's Emperor.
However, her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed two other people in the hall. General Rudesdorf turned to them and smiled. "Finished meeting with the Emperor?"
"Yes sir!" Major Tanya and Optimus saluted him and then the autobot leader slowly shifted his eyes to very familiar second person. Princess Katherine bowed at the two and then turned to Rudesdorf.
"Brigadier General, I know that I'm asking too much, but as I act in my Father's place, do try to study what I suggested."
"Certainly, your Royal Highness." Rudesdorf bowed before she looked at the two. "Now then I shall take my leave," the brigadier general bid his farewell and began to walk away.
Imperial Palace – Memorial Hallway – Berun City Capital
"I'm so glad that you two could come," Princess Katherine said as she and Optimus walked down along a long corridor. Portraits of the Empire's previous rulers hung along the wall on their left side. Optimus observed every each and one of them with his blue eyes. I wonder if I have a statue back on Cybertron? He wondered what he would look like if he was memorialized as a statue. It would cause him to smile for sure, for he would no doubt look weird on it.
"I'm honored to meet you too, Your Highness, and it seems that you're in good health," Major Tanya commented and the princess laughed heartily.
"Major please, just call me Katherine. I want to be in good friends with you two," she said gleefully but then she stopped and looked to her left. Optimus and the major came to a halt and looked at the portrait the princess was staring at.
"Beautiful." Optimus commented as he stared at a large painting of a woman. She had an angelic chubby face. The woman was clothed in a white elegant gown; an open book was resting on her lap and her back was reclined on a sofa bed. Her green eyes looked down at them with happiness and tranquility. The autobot leader then remembered something.
"My mother is beautiful isn't she, Optimus?"
"Yes Your High- I mean, Katherine."
Princess Katherine stood silent for a moment before she turned to him. "Optimus, do you know why we're waging war in all fronts?" she said with a sad, solemn voice.
Optimus knew, thanks to Serebryakov and the ranting of Professor Schugel. "Yes I know." The autobot leader shifted back to the portrait. "Empress Pamela Cravarette…was assassinated during the Christmas Eve parade on the year 1912. The supposed target was Emperor Walpurgos Hildenburg."
"The Emperor was hit but the bullet passed through and instead buried itself inside the chest of the Empress," Major Tanya added but she quickly apologized. "M-My apology, your high—Katherine I mean." Wow way to go Tanya!? Wanna commit suicide right now!? Tanya punished herself mentally and harshly as the Princess merely chuckled.
"It's alright. My brother and I are used to it."
Eh? You've got a brother? Tanya thought in surprise but then her senses picked up and she immediately looked behind her. A small teenage boy of no more than thirteen years old peered, observingly, from behind a statue of an old man. "Wait who's that-"
"Leopold! Come and greet these two wonderful soldiers."
Prince Leopold, a small teenager with curly blond hair and brown eyes slowly emerged from the shadows of the statue. He was wearing a blue and black pin stripe suite and bowtie. He smiled at the sight of Major Tanya and frowned at Optimus Prime.
"Lady Tanya! So glad to see you!" Prince Leopold jumped with glee and shook hands at the major, who awkwardly smiled at him.
"Why thank you, Your Highness. Have you met Optimus Prime? He's just standing beside me," Tanya said while she pointed to Optimus in attempt to stop the Prince from hauling her to the floor.
However, Prince Leopold took a single glance at him, frowned and pouted, and quickly ran behind his sister Katherine.
"Leopold?"
"Sis, Father Aloysious from Royal Academy said that the Alien Automata was a devil in disguise and he wants to usurped the throne from Papa!"
"Leopold!" Katherine shushed him but the kid only stared daggers at the autobot leader. Tanya sniffled a little and quickly turn her face away, to hide her sneering smile. Wait till you hear of Megatron, kid.
"I'm sorry, Optimus. Some people are just really conservative. That includes the Empire's Cardinal."
"It's fine, Katherine," Optimus said, he doesn't want to judge others belief; it was their freedom to have that kind of belief.
"Now Leopold, apologize to dear Optimus! He helped me from the ship, remember?" Princess Katherine asked nicely but the boy stubbornly shook his head.
"No, can't you see his black eyes! That's not normal, it's inhuman! And anything that isn't human or Empirian is an enemy of the Empire, Father Aloysious said so!" the Prince shouted and quickly sprinted away, probably towards his room.
"Leopold, get back here this instance-augh!" Katherine fumed at her little brother's attitude but she turned to Optimus immediately and gave an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry, Optimus. My little brother isn't usually like that."
"That's alright, Katherine," the Autobot leader bowed to her. Optimus wasn't at least offended. He expected this kind of reaction; he was startled, however, that the said reaction would come from a member of the royal family.
"No need to worry, Your High—Katherine. We're used to that reaction," Tanya stepped in while she stared down the corridor where the little Prince ran off too. I will make sure that I will absolutely do everything in my power…to avoid that whiny piece of shit, the major made a mental note as the three of them continue walking towards the end of the corridor.
Imperial Palace – Inner Courtyard Garden
Optimus, Major Tanya and Princess Katherine sat underneath the shades of an elegant gazebo. Teas and cakes were laid upon the white marble table as the princess poured some tea in the major's tea cup. "Would you like some tea, Optimus?"
"Thank you but uh…this hologram avatar of mine wasn't design to take any biological nutrition that a human usually take."
The two women stared at him before they understood what he meant.
"Oh my. Well, at least I know something about you." Katherine gleefully grinned as Tanya smirk and made a side-glanced at Optimus, as if she discovered one of his weaknesses. So he's not design to take any human food or drink. Energon really is their main source of nutrition, she wondered and made a mental note while she took a sip of her tea.
The princess then put down the tea pot and calmly breathed out. "Now then, shall we get down to business? The reason why that I called you both down here…is to ask you about the war fronts."
Here it is…it's business time! Tanya grinned evilly but she quickly cleared her throat and put her tea cup down. "First things first, major. You've successfully defended the Empire in all fronts. How was it? Is it true that it was hell?"
Hell, Princess, is still a nice description regarding those war fronts. "Katherine all I can say is that the Empire was very successful in holding its position in all fronts. We'd won against the Legadonia Entente Alliance, with the Osfjord landing operation, and now Francois Republic. Operation Revolving door had brought that country to its knees." Tanya paused as she took a sip of her tea. "As for Rusy Federation, the Tiegenhoff stand-off has demoralized the Federation's soldiers. I doubt that they could pull of a large scale invasion like that again," she finished her report as the princess sat on her chair. Katherine was looking down at her tea and Optimus could see that she was analyzing all the report.
"Say, major, is it possible to stop this war, once and for all? And if it is, then how can we do it?" the Princess asked as Tanya looked up; ideas formed on her head which eventually formed to an answer.
"Well Katherine as for that…it is possible to stop this war." She took a biscuit form the basket in front of her and admired its design casually. "By winning on all fronts. The Imperial Strategic HQ has been planning a massive invasion on Rusy Feds. Though we lack the man power, by destroying the country's military key points we could bring the communist country down to Earth and get rid of the communist ideology for good. After that we would, most-likely, form a non-aggression pact with the Rusy Feds and probably make them to our ally," Tanya answered with gusto.
Optimus Prime made a cautious side-glance at Tanya. The meaning and intention on her words... why does it sounds so familiar? Optimus couldn't help but realize that the Major had spoken like a Decepticon, though he couldn't recognize who- but then a certain member of the accursed faction popped out in his mind. Oh, she sound like Starscream, only much brighter and wiser, he finished his analyzation as Tanya continued.
"After that we would try to defend our western coast. The Commonwealth, the Allied Kingdom, may have a good navy; however, I already sent a proposal strategy making fleet plans to the war college. It says in there where should Empire improve its navy fleet."
"Interesting," Princess Katherine said as she took a sip of her tea. "So the rumors are true. You're indeed a very genius soldier. The ideal soldier, in fact."
"Thank you, Your High—Katherine. I am very honored by your words, though all my actions and deeds are for the Empire and to the Emperor." Tanya bowed gracefully, hiding the sinister grin that formed in her face. Perfect! Ten out of ten presentation! Though I'm a bit sad that this era doesn't have Microsoft Powerpoint, she thought in victory. Optimus was amazed by her answer; though she sounded like the opportunistic and traitorous Starscream, he couldn't help but feel awe.
"However…major, I was asking about how to stop the war, not win it."
Eh…EH? Tanya slowly looked up from her tea and directly into Katherine's green piercing eyes. "I do not wish to continue this war, major, so please do understand that," Katherine added and the major went through a complete mental meltdown.
Shit! Shit! How stupid I could be…I never realized Princess Katherine was naïve like Optimus! Scrap! "Stop, you mean…?" No! Not like this! Me and my big fucking mouth! Tanya was at such a loss in her breakdown that she didn't realize that a small crow landed on top of her head. "We-Well, if you want to stop it Princes-Katherine I mean, the Empire should start to have a peace talks with its neighboring countries," Tanya shooed the crow away from her head as Katherine rested her back on her chair, her chin rested on her right hand as she think.
"Peace talks can be ignored…any other alternatives, Major?"
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Think of something Tanya, anything at all that could sway Katherine's favor to me! Tanya's mind rapidly processed any ideas.
"How about we start negotiating on trading?" Optimus suddenly butted, making Tanya dart attention to him...and then an idea suddenly formed in her head.
"Yes, Katherine, we could start by declaring neutrality to our neighboring countries and then we would give them a proposal for trading. I heard that Magna Rumeli and Turkman Principalities had signed a peace treaty after their government had reached a perfect trade deal that led to peace talks and the eventual halt of their war. Now the two countries are living at peace."
Katherine thought of their words and then she grinned contentedly. "Whoa, that sounds good. A trade deal, huh."
Yes! She's convinced. Hook, line and sinker method is really good! Tanya internally danced victoriously as she rest her back on the chair. Katherine then looked towards Optimus Prime. The autobot leader gently took a butterfly that landed on his grey hair and looked at it with peaceful blue eyes.
"What can you say…about the war, Optimus?" Katherine asked as the blue butterfly took off towards the sky.
"War…is very terrible, Katherine, and it never changes." He glanced towards her, a look of reminiscing forming as a smile on his face. "It will always be the worst part of every lifeform's history." He paused and looked to the sky. "I am glad that you're pursuing a noble, peaceful cause."
Katherine's eyes widened in surprise before a sad smile formed on her face. "The reason why the Emperor was almost assassinated…was because of what the Empire had done before."
She took a biscuit with a shape of a moth from the basket and continued. "The Empire, if you'd read in history, was just a small country surrounded by other many smaller countries. The smaller countries in the middle Europa are all poor, so each those country's leaders formed a new league; the goal was to help one another both economic and military might. Eventually it lead to many mergings and annexations and thus the Empire was born."
Katherine took a sip of her tea; she fixed her hair after a cold wind brushed across the courtyard. "However…many countries became jealous or scared of our existence. The Francois Republic, for instance; they declared an embargo against us. They don't even recognized the Empire as a country. The Legadonia Entente Alliance started sending their unwanted and vicious people to us, under the pretense of International Asylum-Seeking Law. The Allied Kingdom won't even acknowledge the Empire's monarch…because they deemed my Papa as a no-direct royal blood type of Emperor. The Rusy Feds…or should I say the United Federation of the Kingdom of Pruia, was once our ally." She paused as she took a sip of her tea and glanced back to Optimus. "However…the October Revolution occurred. They killed all of their Royal Family, and then they either executed or exiled all of the nobles. Communism spread like a plague all over the continent and, once again, the Empire was left all alone," Katherine finished her story. Silence loomed over the gazebo for a moment before the princess took both of the soldier's hands and held them.
"I thank you for letting me tell you this story. You two might've read it somewhere before but…at least you'd heard it from my side." Katherine smiled at them but it was a sorrowful one. "Leopold and I miss our mother, and we both grew up without giving my father a hug. The bullet was poisoned, you see. His heart is growing weak every day. No doctors can prevent it…only my prayers to God are keeping him alive," she continued. Optimus felt her sadness and watched as tears started to drop from her eyes.
"I-I ask of you two. Please…help me stop this war. I don't want to see children growing up without parents. I certainly don't want to see my Fatherland suffer again from the fallout of the war," Katherine said as she lowered her head and let the tear drop the table.
Major Tanya and Optimus looked at each other, startled and unable to answer to her request.
"Katherine…" he begin. "God had sent me to help the Empire in stopping this war."
Katherine's peaceful smile returned at that.
"I promise you this, Katherine. Major Tanya and I will stop this war one way or another. And I promise you that every country will recognized the Empire as a bona fide country and recognize its monarch as a legit ruler," Optimus declared with hardened tone that was filled with bravery.
Oi, Optimus. Tanya sensed the tone and felt insecure by it. She only let out a defeated sigh. "Katherine, I assure you this too. I will absolutely do everything in my power…to stop this war." Tanya gave a very angelic and calmly smiled at Katherine.
The Princess was overjoyed at their response. The three of them spent the rest of the afternoon discussing and telling stories to each other.
Berun City Capital – Royal Avenue
"Augh, finally, it's done! Talking to royals is such a pain," Tanya grumbled form the driver seat of Optimus's truck form.
"Tired, major?" the autobot leader asked as the major nodded.
"Too tired. I would rather fight again in Rhine Front than have another tea party with the Princess."
Optimus chuckled a bit. He found the major's action to be child-like.
"Say Optimus, any idea on how stop the war?" Tanya suddenly asked as the Imperial Strategic HQ appeared on her window. Tanya could see that some of its offices were still opened; the strategists inside might still be working or forming a new war strategy for future skirmishes.
"About that, major: I would like to ask for your opinion on that."
"Oh." So in the end, everything falls to me. Tanya thought hard as she rested her back on the chair and looked towards the purplish sky. "She'd already talk to Rudesdorf about this. She would probably ask the Free Republic's to sign a 'Restitutio ad integrum'." Tanya closed her eyes and nodded in agreement to her answer.
"She would let the Free Republic, Francois Republic, to go back to its original state? That is good. The Empire would love to help the Francois Republic in restoring the country's culture and identity. It would show the Empire isn't a fascist country but a benevolent one."
Correct. "Wow, Optimus I thought you hadn't heard that term yet."
A hologram screen popped out from the dashboard and displayed a page of a book about International Common Laws. "Lieutenant Colonel Rerugen had also given me many books regarding the law."
Ah, him, huh? Tanya wondered why would the Lieutenant Colonel give him books, but she just shrugged and closed her eyes.
However a loud beeping noise suddenly echoed from the console, making the major opened her eyes in irritation. "What's that?"
"My scanner…wait a second. This scan signature-I know this signature!" Optimus exclaimed as a wide holo-screen of the appeared on the dashboard again.
"Optimus what's happening?" Major Tanya asked as a single dot appeared on the holo-screen, together with an arrow that shows the location of her and Optimus. The map then enlarged and showed the wide charted lands of Eurasia continent.
"How did you have the world map?"
"2nd Lt. Glanz gave me one. You know he wanted to be an explorer someday-"
"Yeah I know, I know, so what's happening and why is that dot blinking and why is that dot on the Russy Federation's land? Is it energon deposit?" she asked as Optimus continued following the guard car in front.
"No, this scanner mode is different. This Relic Scan Mode was used to look for Cybertronian Relics. And now it's blinking." Optimus explained but Tanya was still in the dark.
"What relics?" Why do I get a bad feeling about this…she gulped the thought down as Optimus explained again.
"Remember what I said about the Cybertronian War: most of our energon was shipped out from our planet. Well, energon was not all that was ejected out." Optimus zoomed in on the map more and it showed the signature was stuck in the middle of the Russy Federation's country.
"Relics from the golden age of Primes were also scattered throughout the universe, so that none of the Decepticons could use one. Most of these Cybertronian Relics are weapons, Tanya. Weapons that I, a Decepticon, or even your kind could use," Optimus finished his explanation as Tanya whistled in amazement.
"Nice one. So it's a scanner of knick knacks and goodies from your old home huh." Tanya smiled and put her right hand on her chin. "Too bad we have to wait till winter. Operation Barbarossa will take place during that time. It will be the largest offensive land operation ever made by the Empire." Tanya gleefully smiled but then she noticed something odd.
"Say Optimus…did you just say 'your kind' and that you pertain to us, humans?"
"Yeah?"
"Then it is dangerous!? What kind of relic are you detecting right now?" Tanya asked as Optimus took another turn and continued following the guard car.
"I don't know, major. Relic scan mode only detects for relics…it never say what kind of relics though."
"Then is it possible that this 'relic' could wipe out an entire division?"
"Yes."
Tanya cursed under her breath. Why would the locations of the artifact was on enemy's territory and why did Optimus's scanner pick it up right now? She could feel someone was behind this. "Being X!"
"Now, now, God isn't always the one behind everything…perhaps this is just pure coincidence?" Optimus attempted to reason out but Tanya growled furiously to his words. Anger rose from her insides but then she gulped down and just rested her head on her chair.
"Heh, you better report this to Professor Schugel when we arrive back on the hangar. Let the Imperial Strategic HQ make a plan of extraction on it."
"Yes, Major. I will," Optimus Prime answered and observed as Tanya's anger diminished. Now I wonder…what kind of relic will it be? he thought as he drove on back to the hangar.
WOO-HOO! New Chapter! I would like to thank the people who read and like my fanfic. It seems this crossover was good no?
OK, then so what happened now? Well the reason why this chapter is so long was that I concentrated in world building and alternate history. Who'd watch the man in the high castle? Well, some of the future chapters in there would be inspired by the book's events.
Now then, what do you think the two Brigadier generals are planning for Optimus Prime and Will he be succesfull in helping the Princess, will his promise for her prevail? And what do you think was the Relic that Optimus had detected? Will the Rusy Feds used it against the Empire?
Special thanks to drop-out ninja for beta-reading.
Dislcaimer: I do not own Transformers Prime and the anime Youjo Senki. All names, events and places, are fictional. Some names may exist in real life but that would be purely coincidence.