Chapter 5
Unified Year – November 1 1926 – Eastern Front
1 month later
"Hurry up and don't let the Rusy's cut through the line!" Tanya and her company whizzed past across the dark grey sky. Explosions of rounds, endless gunshots, came from the enemy's rifles and bullets rained down upon her company. The decorated major climbed up more before she pointed her rifle down and pressed the trigger of her sub machine gun. Bullets expels and shot down at the Russy Feds soldiers that were either running, crawling, or fighting back with their weapons.
"Sir, this is the Second Division!" Serebryakov reported as she threw a grenade down.
"How many divisions did the Eastern Front HQ reported again?"
"About five, but a lot of them were Artillery Tanks!"
Tch, they're still using the 'Massive Force' tactics again! Tanya thought as she recalled the Tiegenhoff Stand-off, months ago. The massive invading divisions of soldiers still send some shivers down to her spine.
"Take cover!" Tanya suddenly shouted and activated her force field. A fiery explosion occurred in front of her company and the major glared downward. "AA explosion rounds! Serebryakov, warn everyone of the Russy's 85 mm air defense gun; it's loaded with AA explosion rounds!"
Sererbyakov saluted and contacted everyone. "Sir, Weiss here! We spotted a line of BT-5 Tanks!" the voice of 1st lieutenant Weiss crackled at the major's communicator.
"Take down all of them, and avoid the Air defense guns!"
"Yes sir!" 1st Lt. Weiss, together with the 2nd company, dove rapidly to the ground towards the line of ten BT-5 Tanks. "Switch bullets to Explosive Artiller Piercing rounds!" he commanded as their rifles glow in green. Echoes rang loud and a volley of green bullets zapped down and hit the ten BT-5 Tanks.
"Yeah-!" Weiss celebrated but it was short-lived as a group of twenty BT 5 tanks emerged from the flames. "Are you kidding me!?" he protested as 2nd Lt. Glanz growled in frustration. "They're like bugs, they're endless!" Glanz fired his gun but then he quickly activated his force field, shielding himself from a forceful blaze. The 2nd company was enveloped in black smoke.
"Weiss! Change directives, leave the tank and support Lt. Koenig on the artillery's! Neumann will take over their!" Major Tanya commanded as Weiss clicked his tongue in irritation. "Yes sir!"
"1st Lt. Neumann here! Going to the tanks!"
"1st Lt. Koenig of the 3rd company. Requesting back up here on the artillery's!" Neumann and Koenig said through his radio making Weiss then turned to Glanz.
"We're going to the artillery's! Neumann, good luck with the tanks!"
"Yes! Now it's my turn to feel irritated and frustrated at the same time!" Neumann and his company let out a battle cry to lift their spirits as they charged onto the oncoming tank.
Major Tanya smiled evilly as she and her company glided across the sky, shooting the charging Russy Feds soldiers. Tch. Just because the Russy Feds had a large population that doesn't mean their military is good!
"Great, now where the hell is Optimus Prime!?"
"I'm right here, major. I just finished delivering five wounded soldiers to the rear," Optimus Prime answered as Tanya sighed in relief.
"Optimus…help us now."
"Absolutely."
Meanwhile, on the ground, hiding within man-made trenches, were the Empire's foot soldiers. The soldiers within the trench were all displaying fatigue. The battle had started earlier that morning, while the sun wasn't out yet. The Eastern front was suddenly enveloped with loud explosions and with piercing salvos of bullets that rained endlessly from the sky.
"They're the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion right?!" one of the soldiers asked while he glanced to his right.
"Yeah! They're the Empire's best!"
"Then how come they're taking so long to destroy them? And didn't they have that huge alien automata on their ranks!?" the soldier shouted in fear but then, as if on cue, a strange roar of an engine echoed from behind them; a large shadow suddenly covered the trench shoot passed above them.
"Wait that's-!" the soldier from earlier watched as a futuristic-looking truck jumped above them and landed on the ground. Optimus Prime drove through the No Man's Land; the sight of him gave the charging Rusy Feds soldiers the fright of their lives. A lot of them began to run back to the rear.
"Addressing to all ground units! If you're heavily injured and can no longer fight, retreat immediately. For those who can still, fight for your land!" Optimus said and his words echoed through the ground units. The effect had rattled them all. The Empire's foot soldiers emerged from their trenches and ran madly towards the fleeing Rusy Feds.
"Nice speech, Optimus!" Tanya's wicked voice came out from the autobot's radio. "You did a great job of sending everyone to hell," she added and chuckled evilly.
"It's not my intention to send them to hell." Optimus simply said as he jumped across the trench filled with Rusy Feds ground soldiers; he transformed in mid-air and landed in front of the first line of BT 5 Tanks. "It's my intention to give them heaven. I'm going to charge directly to the Enemy's Advancing units HQ."
"Woo-hoo! Go for it then. If you die, Professor Schugel would love to go inside your dead carcass!"
Scrap, then I mustn't die! Optimus hurriedly transformed his left hand into an Ion cannon while he took out his machine gun with his right hand. He fired at the line of tanks on his right then he blasted the other group on his left.
"I must know where the Enemy's Advancing Unit HQ is," Optimus recalled the briefing from earlier. Since this was a surprise attack, it was most likely that the enemy's force would've brought a temporary HQ. The purpose of the Enemy's Advancing Unit Temporary HQ was to serve as an organizer of which units to advance and to established an effective chain of command. Destroying it would certainly cripple this surprise attack.
Now where it could be? Optimus kicked a tank away with his left foot and immediately activated his hacking tools. He traced the poorly and ancient encrypted radio frequencies of the Russy Feds until he heard the loud rambling of a man with a thick Russy accent. Could this be it?
"Radioing, is this the Rusy Feds Advancing Unit Enemy HQ?"
"Who's this!?" A Russy thick accent answered back in anger; his system automatically translated it.
"I am Optimus Prime, the Empire's Envoy of Peace. The Empire wishes you to declare a ceasefire. Our Emperor is already drafting a non-aggression pact with your government and I assure you that pact will lead towards to peace," the autobot reasoned out after he fired his left ion cannon at an artillery gun, setting it ablaze.
"Heh, why should we accept such a lousy offer coming from a useless country?" The Russy man sneered in a ridiculing way.
Optimus gritted his teeth beneath his metal mask. "What's your name…sir?" he asked in a mild voice as the Rusy man answered.
"I am Major General Gildvonitch and I have five more divisions up my sleeves. All of us are determined to bring down the stupid, no-good, country called the Empire and most of all you!" The major general laughed devilishly enough for Optimus to feel disgusted. "I don't care if all of my men will die today just so they could cut off your head and bring it to doorsteps of our beloved Comrade General Secretary Josef!" he added and his uncaring tone made the Autobot leader clenched his right hand around his machine gun's handle.
A map suddenly appeared on his optic's sight together with a small dot, a couple of miles away from him.
"Found you." Optimus muttered with a collective tone. He activated his jet pack and zoomed upward. "Major General Gildvonitch, are you certain that you're not going to change your mind?" he asked in a calm manner and the man rasped. "No, never will I!"
Optimus Prime took a deep breath and put back his machine gun, he then slowly took out his Star Saber.
"Heavenly Lord, I pray and ask your forgiveness from the sins that I have done today."
The Matrix of Leadership began to glow in gold; his sword was now enveloped in a peaceful blue hue.
"I promise to you, that I won't do the same sins again. Amen!"
Optimus, with a grunt, swung his blue Star Saber towards the location of the Enemy's HQ. The deadly blue beam whooshed passed in the air towards the opened tent, where Major General Gildvonitch was sitting. His eyes were wide and the sneering smile gone from his face as the last thing that he saw the approaching heavenly blue light.
Eastern Front – Military Garrison no. 45
2 hours later.
"And with that, the battle was finish Col. General Luthborg," Major Tanya said as she saluted at the General in front of her. Both she and Optimus Prime, in his human avatar form, were inside a make shift tent. Col. General Luthborg nodded, satisfied with the report of the Major.
"That was impressive. You really fended off five divisions of Rusys," he commented and then shifted his eyes at Optimus Prime. "You must be Optimus…you don't look like a 22 foot alien to me." His comment was delivered in a questioning manner. The autobot leader then pointed outside, where his motionless Cybertronian body was kneeling on the ground.
"This is just my avatar form, another version of myself."
"I see…" Col. General Luthborg gulped and fixed his tie, nervously. Tanya noticed his unease and she understood it. Optimus was way taller than General Luthborg…and his frame is wider than him. Poor old man. Tanya glanced down to the Col. General, who was a scrawny old man in his sixties with a height of five ft by three inches. She understood why he felt so insecure around Optimus's six foot human avatar.
The military garrison was in high spirits after they'd successfully fend off the Rusy Feds again. Military men walked around, carrying either beers or other liquors. Most of the soldiers, however, were concentrated around Optimus's lifeless Cybertronian form; many of them were taking pictures with it.
As for Optimus and Tanya, they were both inside a makeshift tent quarters together with 1st lieutenant Serebryakov.
"So…you mean to say that I'm too tall hmm?" Optimus wondered over his human avatar's height.
"Yeah. And I feel threatened with it. I look like your adopted daughter around you." Tanya drank from her cup of chocolate drink. "I don't like that," she added with a blunt face. Optimus glanced to the full body mirror on his left. The graying hair, his stoic face, all together with his frame- he did look like a very intimidating person.
"Hmm…I can change my avatar form. But I will need a sample to scan. A photo or portrait, perhaps."
Photo or Portrait? Serebryakov thought, tilting her head to the left, and then an idea popped into her head. "Oh I know! Wait just a moment sir." She stood up and went to her huge backpack that was sitting on the ground on the other side of the table. The girl stood up and put down a towering stock pile of fictional novels and comics on the table.
"O-Oi, Serebryakov, do you always bring your whole library to the front?" Tanya was startled, for she always saw the 1st lieutenant carrying the large backpack whenever they were deployed.
"Haha…comic books are actually my guilty pleasure, but I always read only when we don't have battles. Oh how about this, Sir Prime?" Serebryakov brandished a comic book with the title Bioshock Infinite.
"The guy on the front cover looks handsome and friendly."
"Yeah he does."
"Wait a minute! He looks like a pauper boy that I met on street last week. Definitely not that one," Tanya commented and Serebryakov shrugged and brandished another comic novel.
"How about this: Rise of the Guardians! You can look like Jack Frost or North Santa Clause-"
"Wait a minute, he will look like a cartoon guy when he already looks like one outside the avatar!"
And I don't think I can shrink myself to the height of Jack Frost…and this Santa Clause looks intimidating here... Optimus and Tanya shook their heads in disagreement. Serebryakov dove to her small collection again, grinned in anticipation, and showed another comic novel.
"This one's my ultimate favorite! Red Dead Redemption: The Depressing Adventures of Arthur Morgan! Isn't he handsome?" Serebryakov grinned from ear to ear as Optimus stared at the cover that showed a cowboy holding a shotgun with a very angelic but depressingly sad face.
"It looks like alright but-" Optimus began and Tanya continued for him "—he looks very depressing."
"Eh?! But he looks good." Serebryakov pouted and put the comic book down. However, a piece of paper fell out of its pages. The autobot caught it with his left hand and looked at it. A young, around four years old, version of Serebryakov stared back at him. She was smiling wide like she was the happiest person on the entire world and she was sitting on the lap of an old man with shaggy messy and curly white hair with an enclosed white beard on his innocent-looking face. His grey eyes were displaying a gentle and caring stare.
"Serebryakov you dropped this."
Serebryakov turned to Optimus only for her to make a short gasp. "Oh…it's still there huh," she said and her voice was melancholic. The two felt the mood around the tent go gloomy. Tanya glanced at the photo and then she realized why.
"1st lieutenant, isn't this a photo of your grandfather?"
"Grandpa Ivan. My Dedushka," she answered softly and longingly. Optimus wanted to ask more but he was hesitating; he could feel that Serebryakov's grandfather might've met an untimely end and that was what upset her.
"Optimus wants to know what happened to your Dedushka, Serebryakov," Tanya suddenly said after she noticed the conflicting expression on the autobot's avatar face.
Serebryakov smiled, somberly. "It's ok. My Grandpa died when I was little. It was during the time when Rusy Feds were taking over the capital. He stayed behind because he believe that if he fought with every last of his breath he and my father could defeat the marching Communist Army."
She paused started to fix her collection of comics on the table. "He wanted to make sure that we would have a home to go back to, but neither of them ever came back. All that we'd heard was that the Communist People had defeated the Nationalists. All those who supported the previous Monarchs…were executed."
Serebryakov cast her smile again, but Optimus could see tears forming in her blue eyes. "Do you like my Dedushka's face? That photo is a good sample of it. It's my last photo of him."
Optimus glanced at the photo again, hesitantly. It was good but, in a moral sense, wasn't this rude? "I don't think copying a dead person's face is a good idea—"
"It's fine, please!" Serebryakov answered bluntly and Tanya's eyes narrowed after she noticed something odd in her expression. For a moment, Optimus stared at Serebryakov, worriedly, but he eventually sighed and gave up. His blue eyes flashed a beam that scanned the photo on the table and then he quickly looked at the two.
"I will now begin the process."
As soon as he said that, the human avatar of Optimus Prime was suddenly enveloped by a gentle blue light. Tanya and Serebryakov watched in awe as the hologram avatar began to change and morph. His hair became shaggy, messy and curly- it was colored in silver grey. His stoic face became round and innocent-like with a closed beard around his jaw. Serebryakov's eyes widened in surprise. Optimus's new human avatar looked exactly like her Grandpa before the war broke out. The only difference was his body frame.
"I'm sorry that I can't copy your Grandpa's body frame, I can only do his face-" Optimus explained but his words were cut when the 1st lieutenant jumped from her chair and hugged Optimus tight. She didn't care if Optimus got it wrong, she was convinced that this was her grandfather.
Optimus gasped and felt his brown tan skin became red. He was so shocked with her response that he stammered and couldn't move. "U-Um, Serebryakov-"
"I'm sorry. I'm being so selfish, I forced you to copy him. I didn't mean too," Serebryakov buried her face on his left shoulder and the autobot felt her soft and muffled cry. What should I do in this situation? Jack told me that humans hug back whenever their friends cry on their shoulders. It had something to do with hormones and Ratchet explained it to me—Scrap what was it again-!? Optimus rummaged through his mind and then remembered his old friend's explanation.
"Major, permission to hug Serebryakov."
Major Tanya, who was watching the whole scenario, sighed joylessly and jumped from her seat. "I'm not here, so I didn't hear your request," she turned her back at them. Optimus smiled at Tanya before he enclosed his arms around Serebryakov. "There, there. It's ok. Let the oxytocin do wonders on you."
Muffled laughter poured out from Serebryakov. Apparently, what Optimus Prime did had been effective.
"I'm not angry. In fact, I'm happy that I could help you release some of your sadness," the autobot added as the girl looked at his blue eyes. Serebryakov's face was peaceful; her sadness was gone now.
"Sir Prime…thank you. You're very informative, you know."
They were still hugging when the tent's entrance parted and the face of 1st Lt. Weiss peeked in, only to be startled to see Serebryakov hugging an old man; then he let out a short gasp of terror when he saw Major Tanya glaring murderously at him. He quietly retreated away, leaving them alone.
Several Hours Later
The festivities within the garrison died down as the night deepened and the moon rose high in the starry sky. Optimus Prime was in cross-legged on the ground, meditating and absorbing the calmness. However, his senses picked up familiar set of footsteps.
"Do you always have to meditate, Optimus?"
He looked down and saw the major, who was still wearing her military uniform.
"You're still awake, major. Can't sleep?"
"No, I'm helping the general with some grievance papers. A lot of his men died today."
Oh, he was saddened by what he had heard and it made him lower his head. " I swear I'll end all wars on this world."
Tanya turned to him, her face was expressionless when she asked him: "And how can you do that? As far as I know, in realistic perspective, you, me and even the Empire's main army aren't enough to stop this war." She paused and rested her back on Optimus' right lower limb. "However, if push comes to shove, when the Empire is cornered, we would just issue a tactical surrender."
The Autobot Leader glanced down to her. A surrender? It looked like a good way out to stop a war…but what about its effect? Optimus knew that surrendering to the enemy had negative effects. He had witnessed it many times during the Cybertronian War.
"No, I still believe we can stop this…without issuing any surrender." Optimus looked over his left forearm, the Relic Scan Mode was still activated and it was still detecting the Relic far from them. "I just hope that Russy Feds won't find it first."
Tanya thought and frowned in worry.
And if they do…I just hope they won't figure it out how to use it, Optimus thought as the two soldiers looked again to the starry sky.
"By the way, three days from now, the remaining government of the Free Republic will sign the peace treaty and Restitutio ad integrum. You and my battalion are going to march to the streets. Perhaps there you could show to the world that you're more than what meets the eyes of everyone," Tanya reminded and shifted her eyes towards Optimus. "At least we stopped a war with the Free Republic and the Allied Kingdom, right?"
Optimus smiled at her words.
"You're right, major. One small step could lead to another one," the Autobot leader said as he felt hope building inside him.
Unified Year – November 4 1926 – City of Parisii – Capital City of Francois Republic (Decentralized Capital of the Empire)
Three days later
The sun was high above the blue tranquil sky; the air was cold as the winter season approached the city of Parisii. Princess Katherine slowly made her way up to the center stage that was built in the middle of Beiffel Tower Park; it was large park where the highest free standing steel structure in the entire world stood: the Beiffel Tower. She smiled and glanced down to the high-ranking general officials and troops on the right side of the park and then to the left side where the Free Republics government officials were sitting.
"Our nations, before, may have been at war with each other, but now everything changes. War, terrible war, does nothing but take our beloved ones away from our arms. But it isn't endless- at the end of it, people will still want peace. So on this glorious day, the Empire promises to help the Francois Republic recover its lost identity!"
Her speech rang through the open park and it was answered by a roar of clapping. The princess watched as the Empire side made a standing ovation while the Free republic side only resort to normal clapping. Despite the cheery mood, however, their faces weren't smiling. Most of them were showing a plain, joyless expression while others glared at the princess with bad intent. Katherine noticed them but she only smiled and waved her hands their way.
Just then a familiar roar of a rocket reverberated above them. Princess Katherine looked up and smiled from ear to ear as Optimus Prime hovered above her. The autobot made a circle around the Beiffel Tower before he stopped on its left side.
"Preparing to unfurled the flag," he radioed as a compartment opened on his jet pack. He took out a long, rolled up banner, which he unfolded in the air.
It was the world's largest flag. The Empire's brushed aside as the autobot leader attached it to the hooks alongside the tower. The sight of the flag made the Empirians howl with pride from below as Optimus took out and unrolled another banner; this time it was the Flag of Francois Republic and the Allied Kingdom, sewn together, showing that two countries are allies.
"This…is a first step towards peace," the autobot leader said and smiled in amity.
Versailles Palace – Royal Road
After the flag activities, Tanya and her 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion, together with the Empire's main force, were now marching down the Royal road that leads to the Versailles Palace. The road was crowded with people: both the Empirians and the Francois Republic's citizens. Trailing behind Tanya's battalion was Optimus Prime. He looked around with a smile on his face.
Ok, this is my first time being the center of attraction, Optimus thought as all of the eyes were on him. The Empirians were shouting and howling with happiness as he waved at them; some of them were carrying large banner with words 'OPTIMUS PRIME, OUR SAVIOUR!' or 'OPTIMUS: THE ANGEL OF THE EMPIRE.' He was gladdened by effects of his works; however, he slowly shifted his eyes to the left where the Francois Republic citizens were.
Most of them were looking down; some made an evil scowl at him. Mothers hid their baby's or children behind them, as if the autobot leader was a devil incarnate.
"They will understand someday," he whispered to himself. They may be disappointed with this but they will eventually find peace, he thought with strong determination as he tread on the parade.
Versailles Palace – Grand Hallway
The inside of the Versailles Palace was pristine and beautiful, especially the Grand Hallway that led to the Throne Room where the President of the Francois Republic resides. The hallway was colored in gold and white; its white marble floor glinted and perfectly reflected the ceiling which has thousands of variants of fresco painting of saints and angels. Despite the hallway being jam packed with the Empire's high ranking officials and Francois Republic, the atmosphere around still contained placidity and gracefulness.
"It's a good thing that we didn't perform an air raid within Parisii, President."
On one part of the hallway, near the doors to the Throne Room, was Princess Katherine. The princess was talking to a short man with thick beard and thick round glasses who occasional blinked and smiled at her words. The president smiled again, placidly, to her remark.
"That's because we made sure the fighting will only be at your borders," he said as he took a sip of his champagne. "Say, about His Majesty, Walpurgos, is he still in good health?" he asked suddenly in a plain tone making the princess's eyes lower to her drink.
"The Emperor is still fine. He's still leading the Empire."
"Oh, ok that's good," the president replied but his words were lifeless and held a hint of disappointment.
"Your Royal Highness," she turned around and saw her personal footman made a bow to her. "Major Tanya von Degurechaff and Optimus Prime."
The princess smiled gleefully as her spirit returned.
"Your Royal Highness ,that was a very splendid speech." Major Tanya walked to her and made a graceful bow, alongside a stranger.
"I'm glad that you like it…Major, who's this man?"
"Your Royal Highness, it's me; Optimus Prime."
Princess Katherine was startled as she looked at the new avatar human form of Optimus. He was wearing a Waffenrock dark green military coat, just like Tanya, with eight buttons and tall collar around his neck; a Litzen embroidery of silver and white hang loosely on the right of his uniform. The princess then observed that his face was now round and friendly. His shaggy curly silver hair and his blue piercing eyes made her blushed a little.
"Well…you certainly changed." Her smile didn't hide her reddening face.
"Thank you, Your Royal Highness."
"Ho, so you're the one who destroyed my fleet."
Princess Katherine darted to her right, having completely forgotten that the Francois Republic's President was still standing beside her. Optimus Prime merely bowed in acknowledgment.
"I understand that you're just an avatar of him…so where's your real body?" the president ask with a hardened, disinterested tone.
"Outside, Mr. President."
"Heh, now that answers one of my problems. I don't know how to fit you inside my Palace since our doors aren't built for your kind," the president said and chuckled. Tanya's eyes became icy; she'd noticed his tone changing into a rude one.
"Indeed, I am glad that God had given me the ability to create avatars that could certainly fit your well polish palace doors, Mr. President." Optimus said as he glanced at the wide window, overlooking the outer courtyard, before he added: "I am very much gladdened that Versailles has huge parking lots too."
"P-Parking lots!?" The Francois Republic President was startled to his joke; Tanya and Princess Katherine quickly cleared their throats in unison, preventing them from laughing.
"Oh dear, it seems Sir Prime isn't yet very much accustomed to Versailles, Mr. President," Princess Katherine scoffed gently and took a sip of her champagne.
"In any case, about the signing event…"
"Oh yes—about that we're still waiting for the ambassadors of Allied Kingdom, though I receive a message earlier that we can begin signing without them," the president explained as the doors of the Throne Room slowly opened. "Shall we begin the signing event then, Your Highness?"
"Very well." Princess Katherine turned to Tanya and Optimus. "See you later, guys," she whispered as she winked at them and followed the President.
Versailles – Rose Garden
Outside the grand hallway was the rose garden; one of the Palace's most beautiful garden. Labyrinths of walls made out of thick vines and red rose lined up the whole garden that ended at a large fountain on the middle of the garden; and there, Tanya and Optimus were both talking. The major giggled and relished the shocked face of the president.
"Did you see his face when you described this rose garden as a parking lot!? Priceless!" she said and laughed harder while Optimus only sat with a smiling face. "Yes, but it was not my intention to make fun of his garden."
"Oh please, this garden belong to the people."
Though it's indeed wide; the garden really is a good parking space, Optimus thought otherwise and looked back at the Palace.
"I wonder what's happening inside?" he thought aloud as Tanya took out a single box of chocolate cupcake from her formal Waffenrock uniform.
"They're now probably discussing the trade deals." And probably discussing how to make a quick buck with restoring the Francois Republic, Tanya thought and took a bite of her cupcake.
"So you can really change your face huh, Prime? Like the devil himself, eh?" a cold voice suddenly interrupted the cheerful mood of the two. Optimus and Tanya turned around and saw Prince Leopold with his arms crossed over his chest; he was wearing a plain tuxedo gold-colored suit and white knit gloves on his hands.
"Your Highness," Tanya and Optimus bowed at him but the Prince only scowled at the sight of Optimus.
"Funny… you have a face of an angel, and yet your origin was from hell," he said and his words were only directed to Optimus Prime. The autobot leader didn't frown. He merely looked up from his bow and smiled at him.
"Your Highness. How could I fall from Hell when Hell is below us?" he asked and the Prince frowned further; he whipped his right hand and slapped his face.
"How dare you answer such to the crowned Prince, you demon!" he thundered as the autobot leader rubbed his right cheek with his right hand. That was…painful. Optimus was startled at what happened and looked at the prince with wide opened eyes.
"You Highness!" Tanya immediately took over and stood between them. "Please, don't make a scene," she said in a cautious whisper and glanced behind the prince where a couple of women, probably taking a stroll around the garden, were standing. Some of them gasped and quickly turned around; the others followed them. Oh great. A perfect scandal for the newspapers.
Tanya rolled her eyes mentally as the Prince growled at Optimus Prime.
"Are you also under his spell, Lady Tanya? Father Aloysius had clearly told us in his sermons never to believe in fallen angels, for they're the true demons who walked to earth!"
"Your Highness please…" Tanya said as she lowered her voice. "I have not, I am still myself. Optimus Prime is what the world needs right now."
"You can tell that to Allied Kingdom's ambassadors. They're not coming."
Tanya looked up after he said it. Wait, what's going on here, aren't they needed for this peace proposal? "Your Highness, what do you mean by that?" she asked curiously as the prince scoffed in frustration.
"I received news from our ambassadors. Apparently, the Allied Kingdom won't be sending their ambassadors today because, in one hour and effective immediately, the country will sever their ties with Francois republic."
The words of the prince felt a like a bomb dropped inside the guts of Major Tanya, whose eyes slowly widened and skin turned ashen. "My Prince…come again?"
"The Allied Kingdom of Albion will severe their ties with Francois Republic and they will not recognize this peace treaty. They will declare armistice first-" and then eventually they will declare war on us, Tanya finished the prince's thought as she slowly walked away from him and sat down on the marble bench beside Optimus.
"Wait, the Allied Kingdom? Why would they do it? Why would they sever their ties with Francois Republic-?"
"Because they're afraid of you!" the Prince slapped Optimus again, this time on his left cheek. "Don't you just realize your evil presence had brought nothing but malice-"
"Your Highness, I will kick your ass if you don't shut up!"
This time it was the prince who was startled by the major's response. The prince was about to berate her, but then the girl cast an angry murderous glare at him that made him wince and walk away.
"Why is this happening…"
After the prince disappeared around the bushes, Tanya walked to Optimus and immediately hugged him. The autobot leader was startled.
"Ma-Major I think its inappro-"
"WHY IS THIS HAPPENING!?" Tanya's muffled battle cry reverberated through Optimus's human holo-avatar. The autobot leader realized what was happening; she was having her mental breakdown again.
"The Allied Kingdom…Tanya, they're our next enemy," he said and the girl major only answered with a painful, frustrated, wail.
Versailles – Throne Room
Princess Katherine and Brigadier General Rudesdorf sat silently across the President of the Francois Republic. The President was busy reading the terms while occasional glance at the two. Rudesdorf on the other hand had keep glancing at the portrait of a naked lady standing beneath an apple tree and ensnared by snake.
"The Betrayal of Lilith. That's the name of the portrait, General Rudesdorf," the president said as Rudesdorf merely shrugged.
"Poor woman, isn't she?" Princess Katherine commented next as she too admired the portrait.
"Why should she be? She's Lilith, the first queen of hell, according to the Hebrew Lore. She's the one who tempted Adam and Eve, thus sending mankind towards sin. She'd betrayed God," the President finished reading the terms and then looked directly at the two. "If I were you, Rudesdorf, I would be looking at my very own princess."
Princess Katherine blinked while Rudesdorf darted to him. They both noticed the change of demeanor on the president's face; he became more sinister and filled with bitter rage.
"What do you mean by that?" Rudesdorf asked cautiously as the president grinned like the cheshire cat. Just then, a loud knock echoed from the doors before it opened.
Two soldiers, one from Francois Republic and the other from The Empire, entered and saluted at them. The Empire soldier quickly walked towards Rudesdorf and whispered: "Sir, message from Empire Embassy: the Allied Kingdom has severed ties with Francois Republic. They've declared Armistice with both Francois Republic…and the Empire."
At the end of the message, Rudesdorf's eyes widened as shock and rage began to fill him inside. "What do you mean by that!?" he thundered at the soldier.
"General, what's happening?" Princess Katherine, who was startled, asked only to hear a mocking sneer coming from the president.
"Your Highness…" Rudesdorf was at loss as he faced the princess. "The Allied Kingdom has severed ties with Francois Republic and they've declared Armistice against us and them."
"Wait, what does that mean?"
"Oh my God. You're hard as an expired baguette, Your Highness!" the president chuckled in delight and Rudesdorf shot a glare at him.
"You knew this would happen, didn't you?!"
"Of course, Rudesdorf! With the Allied Kingdom severing their ties with us, they no longer acknowledge this peace treaty and most certainly they won't sign the Restitutio ad Integrum."
Princess Katherine gasped and almost fell out of her chair. The peace treaty that everyone in her government had worked hard to build...she could see it all falling to the pits of despair. "Which means…they can freely declare war against us," she muttered in fright and disbelief and the president laughed like a bully who had successfully murdered his victim.
"Yes! So it's back to square one with you, Empirians, but I think your loss is imminent!" The president sneered as he threw the peace treaty to the floor. "With your Emperor dying and the whole world breathing on your neck, I wonder how long can you keep your useless country with a sham government-"
Rudesdorf had enough; he charged and yanked the president up by his collar, raising his left fist and preparing to punch him.
"STAND DOWN, GENERAL RUDESDORF!" the princess commanded and the general shot a glare at her.
"Your Highness…this man insulted-"
"I know what he did." Princess Katherine then frowned and gazed through the president's eyes. "You think you could get away with this? I won't stop," she said as she rose from her seat, her eyes were enraged and her aura was filled with menace. "I won't stop until I've stopped this war…and unite everything! Every country, every state, I will unite it all. Till all are one!"
Allied Kingdom of Albion – Outskirts of Londinium – St. Agatha Hospital – Nov. 1 1926
3 days before.
Sir William Douglas Drake, a famous marine mage, was a man in his late twenties. He was the nephew of Sir Isaac Dustin Drake, one of Allied Kingdom's Top mages who was also the head of Military Intelligence.
The mage was walking down along a dark path after going out of a taxi from outside the hospital. The chilly air of November brushed passed his upturned brown banged-hair; the soldier only tightened his black trench coat around him. The hospital loomed ahead of him as he entered through the door.
"Good evening sir," the nurse at the front desk greeted him and William returned a kind smile.
"Good evening. I'm here for Mary Sioux. What time is she going out?"
The nurse looked into her folder. "She'd just checked out five minutes ago. I'm sure she will be here any moment."
"Good evening, Lt. Colonel." The soft voice of a woman made William turn around. His brown eyes met the large green eyes of Second Lieutenant Mary Sioux. The girl gave him a tired and sad smile; her brown hair was long and loose and her eyes showed heavy eye bags, indicating that she hadn't been sleeping well.
"Second Lt. Mary. I thought it would be nice if I personally pick you up," William observed the girl. Her right forearm bore large scar from a knife fight, just like her face. It was innocent-like, but was riddled with marring. "Say, second lieutenant, might I invite you to tea?"
A random tea shop – Londinium
Mary Sioux silently took a sip of her Ceylon tea and glanced at William who was chewing on a cake. The two were silent for a moment until the mage spoke. "2nd Lieutenant Mary, may I ask, how is your health?" he said in a questioning tone as Mary put down her tea cup.
"I am fine, sir. But let's cut to the chase, shall we?"
William rested his back on the chair and showed an amuse smile.
"You're here to make me write a resignation letter, am I right?" Mary asked as her memory of her last battle, the Tiegenhoff Stand-off, played on her mind. She acted selfishly and immaturely that time, endangering William and the battalion. The girl looked down on her tea cup; her shameful frown reflected upon its shining surface.
"Your superiors were planning to…but I stopped them," Sir William said, picking his tea cup up and drinking form it. "We need you, Mary. You're topnotch, did you know?" he reminded in a praising manner; however, the girl only nodded weakly and didn't respond. The named mage stared at her for moment, inquiringly, contemplating his next move. And then he let out a defeated sigh.
"The Allied Kingdom is planning to declared war against the Empire. We will severed our ties with Francois Republic and we will refuse the signing their peace treaty and Restitutio ad Integrum."
Mary darted her shocked eyes to him. "But aren't we allied with them? Aren't we supposed to support Francois Republic even if they sign a peace treaty with the enemy?" she asked in a disbelieving tone as Sir William fished out a manila enveloped from his coat pocket; he then laid a couple of photos on the table in front of her.
"Yes. Until this happened."
Mary looked down and her eyes went wide, rage immediately filling her heart. She stared at the photo of Major Tanya von Degurechaff; the devil of the Rhine and the killer of her father Anson Sioux.
"This…this bitch…!" her angelic expression disappeared. A frown formed on her lips. Sir William smiled in victory; he had got her attention at last.
"That woman's name is Tanya von Degurechaff, the leader of the Imperial 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion…but she's not really the problem." Sir William then pushed the photo to the side to reveal another. The next one shocked Mary and she almost jolted out from her seat.
"Wh-what is this?"
"I thought you'd already seen this? He's quite famous around here. This one is an Alien Automata that had helped Tanya and the Empire with defeating the Free Republic's last navy fleet."
Mary stared at the image of Optimus Prime, who hovering above the clouds; the major was standing on his left shoulder with a grin plastered on her face. She observed his wide frame and his shiny metallic skin, painted in red, blue and grey.
"I—I'm outdated-"
"No need to worry, just go the nearest magazine shop; his face is everywhere. Other than Tanya, the Military Intelligence had declared him target no.1. It appears to be sentient and follows Tanya around."
So the devil had a follower…a large follower! Mary clenched both of her fists. The one who killed her father…and the thing that threatens the world- both of them were dangerous and she already knew what she would do to the two.
"Sir…may I join the Unified States Volunteer Army?"
Sir William took a sip of his tea and cast a prideful smirk. "You haven't written any resignation letter yet right?"
"No."
"Then pack your things and go to the airfield base tomorrow. The Rusy Feds wanted us again to support them."
"Yes sir!" Mary saluted and watched as Sir William walked away. Her eyes then began to glow gold. I swear to God and His angels in heaven…I will kill Tanya von Degurechaff and destroy that infernal Alien Automata! she swore silently as tears began to run down from her cheeks.
Russy Federation – Nov. 4 1926 – Dorgia Mines – Near St Northusburg
Comrade Loria silently sat at the back of his car and watched the lifeless trees pass by his window. He may not look like it, but the mid-thirties man who was slumped down like a regular old man was the head of Rusy Federations' NKVD (Comrade Commissars) and very important member of People's Communists Party. He was close to the general secretary and his connection made him even more dangerous to cross.
The car halted and the old man looked outside. A tall warehouse stood in front of him as the door opened by his driver; he stood by the building's shadow, made by the full moon above him.
"That will be all."
"Good day, Comrade sir!" the driver saluted and Loria walked towards the entrance. At the entrance, two Rusy soldiers saluted him; he only walked passed them.
"Comrade sir, they still haven't figured out how to make it work-" the first soldier on his right said and Loria sighed deeply in disappointment.
"Tell them to try harder. The party is paying them."
"Comrade sir, Comrade Joel Miller is here and he's willing to investigate the artifact more."
Comrade Loria stopped on the middle of the well-lit hallway and smiled evilly. "So he's here, hmm? Very well. Let him do his job," Loria said and resumed his walking.
Dorgia Mines
Loria exited the hallway and walked onto a catwalk. Below him was a huge landfill of rocks and blue crystals; the earth was the color gray and filled with people working at their duties. He glanced down and watched as some of the workers grunted in frustration, carrying heavy loads boxes filled with blue crystals and white rocks. Then he slowly shifted his eyes and eventually stared at a large object.
The object was perfectly square shape. It was huge, for its surface almost breached the ceiling. Its surface was metal and colored in black. Trails of lines could be seen together with inscriptions and words that no one within the Communist Scientists ranks had deciphered yet.
He grinned devilishly as he felt a familiar presence standing beside him to his left.
"Comrade Joel Miller, I trust that your research has bore fruition?" Loria turned and eyed the tall man. The man named Joel Miller was in his fifties; he possessed messy black graying hair that was brushed to the left, a closed graying black beard across his lower face. His eyes, beyond his thick square glasses, were hazel- but cold and distant. He was clothed in a red trench coat over his dark grey Communist Party military uniform.
"Yes. Earlier this evening, a pulsating blue light ran across its surface," he said with a firmed voice. "It only occurred after we threw a box of grenades on it. It exploded but it didn't even leave a single dent."
He turned to Loria and smiled. "Comrade, this artifact... how did the Communist Party find it again?"
"They didn't. It was excavated by a group of archaeologists who worked directly with Czar before, ten years ago I think." Loria explained and fixed his round glasses. Joel folded his own glasses back into one his coat's deep pockets and questioned further.
"Where are the archaeologists?"
"Executed. Like I said, they worked for the Czar."
Joel hummed in satisfaction and jolted a bit as Loria suddenly let out a loud laugh. "Amazing, this relic! I wonder what it does…but either way, I'm going to use this to lure them in!" Joel made a disturbed side-glance at the relic then shifted his attention back to Loria. "Wh-what do you mean by that? Who are you going to lure in, Comrade?"
Loria cast his fiery grey eyes at him and devilishly grin. "That girl! The Devil of the Rhine. I want her and since the Empire was desperate to sign a non-aggression pact to us, we will scare them with this object and the others!" Loria pointed at the huge cube and howled. "Oh-! I can imagine it: the Empire sending that battalion here to Northusburg and her leading them…not to mention, their pet Alien Automata!"
Joel's eyes glinted with interest after Loria mentioned the Alien Automata. "Alien Automata, Comrade?"
"If my spy ring in Berun City is right, his name is Optimus Prime!" Loria wiggled his hands in anticipation as if he had already captured the Autobot leader with his bare hands.
"I want to rape him…just like I want to rape that girl! I want to open him up just like how I'll open that girl up! And most of all, I want to defile him just as I want to defile that girl!"
Rape Optimus, open Optimus and defile Optimus…and then her? Without Loria noticing it, Joel slowly frowned. Both of his hands clenched into tight fists inside his coat pocket. His hazel eyes darkened and turned deadly and predator-like as he glared at the old man.
"Now then, I hope you'll do more. Tomorrow I want you to come to the People's Palace; it's time for you to be introduced to Comrade Josef."
Joel smiled back, hiding his murderous frown from Loria. "Moskva is no longer Rusy's capital city. Tomorrow, St. Northusburg will be declared as Rusy's decentralized capital…and we shall bring this artifact there."
"Yes, Comrade. Glory to our Motherland!" Joel Miller saluted and Loria turned his back at him and walk away.
St. Northusburg – People's Apartment Complex B
Joel Miller silently entered his apartment; he sat down on his chair in front of his desk after he closed the door. His room only contained a single bed and a large closet that was standing beside another door leading to the bathroom. The man let out a muffled fatigued groan, then rose from his chair and started to looked around.
He went to the full body mirror hanging on the wall beside the bathroom door and ran his right hand around it. Found one. He thought after his right hand touched a familiar small square device from behind the glass. Listening modules, used to spy on new people…heh, amateurs. Joel moved to the bed, inspecting the bed frame, removing another similar device. He went around the room, removing each of the listening modules from every space.
And that's the last one, he thought as he climbed down from his chair after picking the last device from the lighting fixture above his room. He threw it all in the trashcan and took out a book with the title 'THE LAST OF US' from his black brief case before he locked himself inside his bathroom.
"At least there's no listening modules here." Joel smirked as he sat down on the toilet and opened the book, revealing its hollow interior and a small futuristic ear phone with a colored violet symbol etched on one side. He put it on his right ear and cleared his throat.
"Joel Miller to Starscream, Joel Miller to Starscream. Status Report for today: All normal, no anomalies."
"Good," a deep, menacing voice replied within his earpiece. "Nothing is wrong at our end. We just ended our nightly prayers earlier, Joel," Starscream reported as the man grumbled and stood up from the toilet.
"Tomorrow, they will move the Relic to this city. It is to lure Optimus Prime and his associates."
Starscream groaned from the other end of the line, disagreeing with the plan audibly. "Those commies are stupid than I thought. No matter, they don't have God on their side anyway." Starscream reasoned aloud. It made the man place his right hand over the window frame to lean on the window and look outside. The city of Northusburg was alive and kicking, even though it was already past midnight; cars dashed about and people ran around the road below his apartment.
"You're right. However, we mustn't get in over our heads. Bad things can still happen," Joel warned as he turned around and made a gentle smile. "I'm glad I was revived on this world with you, Starscream."
"Don't push too much, Joel. Have you checked on Megatron yet?"
Joel glanced back at the window as though he felt someone was watching him. He quickly pulled the blinds shut and turned on the showers.
"No, I just noticed that I was being watched. I finished debugging my whole room, earlier."
Starscream paused for a moment before he spoke again. "Alright then, better for you not to go out tonight Joel. That will be all."
"Good night then, Starscream."
He took out the earphone from his right ear and put it back on the book. The man then looked at the covered window; he could feel that there were at least fifteen secret police agents watching him from across the roof of the next building. He smirked as he began to strip from his clothes and prepare his bath. "Better luck next time…kiddos."
WOO-HOO! NEW CHAPTER! As always I would like to thank the people who read my fanfic and leave a like and reviews! You giuyus are awesome! So what do we have here!? A new chapter of course!
Familair characters from Youjo Senki and Transformers are mentioned here! And not to mention another familiar and beloved character from a vvery snesational video game: The Last of US!
Guys, I know the controversies surrounding the game, I am not a good gamer but all I can say is...that it was a good and a masterpiece in its own level. Though I have to admit, the pacing was a bit messy, I'm pretty sure Neil Druckman can improve more, but really the game is an artwork! You can praise it or hate it but please do respect the people who had created it. No one is perfect which means no games are perfect, so be gentle and be open minded. (Though I'd to agree that they shouldn't have ended Joel Like that...that scene had gave me trauma and sleep insomnia for one week.)
So in any case enjoy reading! Stay Tuned for more!
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Youjo Senki anime and the cartoon Transformers Prime. I also do now own the characters of Last of US.
Special thanks to drop-out ninja for beta-reading!