Instruments of Destruction

Part 2

Who Made Who?

By Nick Maro

Waking up to the blaring car horn outside of her window, Stormer sat up and looked at the time. She swore under her breath and slipped her robe on. Kimber was rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she walked to the door. She gave her best friend a tired, not yet awake smile. Stormer yawned and returned the greeting to Kimber then looked out the front window. A yellow Volkswagen Beetle was sitting in her driveway.

Kimber peeked out the window herself and shrugged. "So where's your brother? Did Craig spend the night at Starlight House or something?" The horn beeped again. "Cuz, I'd think for sure he'd want to kick whoever is out there in the ass for waking us up."

"He actually took off last night. The Blue Bloods needed him in England to start recording a new album. So he spent the whole night with Aja then left afterwards." Stormer tied the belt on her robe and opened the door. "Hey! What do you want?" she yelled at the yellow car.

The driver's side door opened and a young man in his mid-twenties stepped out. Stormer thought she recognized him, but didn't know where from. She was still trying to remember what time her alarm was set for so she could truly be angry. The man offered an apologetic smile to the two best friends. "I'm sorry for waking you but I'm looking for Chip Chase. He gave me this address to meet him at." The man looked at both of the women and nodded. "Obviously he's not here and I have the wrong address. Sorry to have woken you both up." He opened the car door and began to get inside.

Stormer held up her hand. "Wait. You're a friend of Chip's?" He nodded again. "He's not here. He's at the Clashing VideoRats studio pulling an all nighter on the equipment. He said he'd be over when he finished up. Why don't you come inside, have a cup of coffee and I'll give him a call."

"Sounds good to me." The man softly shut the car door. "I take it you're the one who stole his heart, huh? I'm Spike Witwicky. Chip and I go way back."

"Mary Phillips." Stormer shook Spike's hand then gestured to Kimber. "And that's my best friend Kimber Benton." Spike shook Kimber's hand gently. Stormer opened the door for him to come in. "I'm sorry if I was rude. I just got to bed about three hours ago." She snapped her fingers and smiled. "Now I recognize you! You were being interviewed on the news when the Autobots first appeared. Took my brain a few minutes to warm up."

Spike chuckled. "Yeah, that was me. That was a crazy day. Now I know what its like to be a celebrity. It's not easy."

An electronic voice came from the yellow Volkswagen. "You know, Spike, you could show some manners and introduce us to the young ladies. I know you're happy to meet Chip's girlfriend, but come on!" A medium sized radio fell out of the right side of the car as it transformed into an eight foot tall robot. The radio also transformed into a robot about ten feet taller than the other. "My name is Bumblebee and this here is Blaster. We're both actually big fans of each of your bands."

Kimber exchanged a glance with Stormer and rolled her eyes. "It's too early for me to handle this shit. I'll get the coffee and bring a can of forty weight for the robots."

"Let me guess, she isn't a morning person?" Blaster asked as softly as he could.

"Listen, why don't you take the two Autobots to the backyard, Spike, I really don't want a media frenzy here." Stormer gave Spike a shrug and a smile. "I like my privacy here. I'd hate to have to turn the water hose on the reporters." Spike laughed and picked Blaster up after he had transformed back into the radio. Bumblebee followed Spike in his robot form. Stormer went back inside and changed out of her night clothes. Kimber brought out some coffee and tea. She and Stormer got to know Spike and the Autobots while they waited for Chip to arrive.

Pulling through the gates of the Starlight House Jerrica saw a handful of men dressed in black swarming around the front of the mansion. She looked at her watch and noted it was late afternoon. She pulled up to the closest black van and got out of her car. "What the hell is going on here? Who's in charge? I want some answers dammit!" She held her hand up to the Starlight Girls that were still in the car. She saw Aja pulling up in the van.

A middle aged man in all black walked up quickly. His whole demeanor cried out that he was a man of authority. "I am, Ms. Benton. Federal Agent Stone. We have a warrant here to search your domicile for a suspected device that could interfere with federal communications. No one was home so we were authorized to enter the mansion with force. Now if I may ask you a few questions." He gestured to the black van in front of her.

Jerrica looked back at Aja in the van and she gave Jerrica a reassuring nod. "Of course, Agent Stone, I have nothing to hide anymore."

"Ms. Benton, where were you today?"

"I was out shopping with my girls." Jerrica leaned against the side of the van not hiding the fact that was annoyed.

"And the women you live with? Where were they?"

"They were helping me shop with the girls. Have you ever tried to school shop for eleven girls? Much less teenage girls? You need all the help you can get." Jerrica gave the agent a small smirk.

Agent Stone chuckled softly to himself. "I have two teenage daughters. Twins. I can barely keep up with them and I've handled hostage situations. One more question. Our reports told us that you have a dog to watch out for. Where is it?"

"Karma is at the vet. He's finally getting fixed and his yearly shots. The vet said to pick him up on Monday." Jerrica pointed at the car with her thumb. "I can go get the papers if you want."

"That's quite alright, Ms. Benton. We're finished here. We just did a complete scan of your house and property. It's clean. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have posed for you and we'll have the front door fixed by bedtime." Agent Stone shook her hand gently.

Jerrica smirked. "Well, the government actually gets something done quickly. Be still my beating heart. It might've been our old cordless phone that you detected. It just died on us recently. It kept getting our neighbor's house on it." She went back to her car making a face to Aja and the others as she did.

The FCC and FBI packed up and left quickly. A man in a pick up drove up shortly afterwards and began installing a new front door. Jerrica and The Holograms sat in her study and talked in a whisper. "Well, I for one am glad that we have friends in the government. Ones that owe us favors at least."

Aja stood behind Jerrica and massaged her shoulders. "Yeah, that Mainframe guy did us a huge favor. I'm gonna have to thank Phyllis for whatever she and The Misfits did to put us in a good light with him and his group. Anyway, I'm off to watch some television." She patted Jerrica's back softly and left the room.

"Like I said, I'm glad we have some friends in the government." Jerrica stretched and yawned. "I'm also glad that Aja and Techrat could mask Synergy's energy signature or whatnot. But it could just be a matter of time before this happens again. We have to figure out something and soon." Raya and Shana nodded in agreement with her.

David sat in his father's study listening to Spike's explanation behind his showing up. He scratched the back of his head and gave Kimber a side glance. He wished that he could be out in the backyard with everyone else talking to the two Autobots. David leaned forward propping his elbows on the desk. "I'll talk to Jerrica for you. Personally, I don't think she'll be too thrilled to learn that that other hologram computer wants her to bring Synergy to the Ark."

"I think it couldn't hurt to try, David. I think Jerrica would listen. Besides, if Synergy's energy frequency could be detected by the government, just think of how easy it could be for this Megatron or whatever his name is." Kimber put a hand on David's forearm. "It was my father's greatest fear that his technology and creations to be used for destruction. She'll listen to you."

Spike shifted in the chair listening. "Optimus Prime wants to talk to Jerrica directly. That's the whole reason why Bumblebee, Blaster and I came out this way. All Jerrica has to do is give Synergy the frequency to talk to Teletran One, the Ark's main computer. It's a very secure connection so no one can monitor or detect what's going on."

Kimber pleaded with David with her eyes. He finally sighed and gave in. "Alright. I'll talk to her. It seems like the right thing to do anyway. I don't want these Decepticons to get a hold of the technology that Synergy holds anymore than Optimus Prime does."

"Thanks, David. When can we meet with her?"

"I'll give her a call in a few minutes. So I'd say tomorrow sometime." David gave a slight shrug. Spike shook his hand and left the study to join everyone in the backyard. David called Jerrica and explained what Spike had told him. She agreed to meet with them at Starlight House in the afternoon.

Kimber gave David a kiss on the cheek and a light hug. "Thanks. You know how protective Jerrica is about Synergy. It means a lot to me also." Kimber looked at the ground slightly shyly. "There's been something I wanted to talk to you about. I just haven't had the guts or found the words. Something like that." She looked back up with a small smile. "It's about Kaori. She's a nice woman and all, but I'm jealous of her. She has you and I don't. I know we broke up before you went to Japan, but I always had hoped we'd be a couple again."

David took both of Kimber's hands in his and looked her in the eyes. "I knew that you were jealous. I could feel it. But I didn't plan on falling for Kaori. It just happened. I don't think I'll ever get over you fully, but I don't think we were ever right for each other. I always hated the fact that I put your life in danger because of who I am. You said that you could live with it, but I saw fear in your eyes when you said it. Kaori lives for it. I can't explain the feeling I get with her without making it sound like she's better than you. She isn't. I'm just more comfortable with her in who I am." He stood and paced the room a bit. "Am I making any sense?"

"A bit." Kimber stood and hugged David resting her head on his chest. "You're saying that you still love me in your own way, but you're in love with Kaori?" David nodded and smiled down at her. "Still best friends and I shouldn't be jealous of Kaori?" He nodded again and kissed her forehead. Kimber hugged him tight and sighed into his chest. "I'll try to get to know her. She seems nice."

"That's all I ask, Kim. Come on let's go learn more about the Autobots." David started to follow Kimber out the door when movement outside of his window caught his eye. Eh, just a bird, he thought to himself. He walked out of the study and spotted Kaori coming down the stairs. She looked like she was crying, but had a smile. David took his girlfriend into his arms and hugged her tight. "[You heard what I said, didn't you?]" Kaori nodded and kissed him deeply. She was being accepted slowly and it obviously made her happy.

The ocean water looked like pure black glass in the darkness. The roar of the robotic bird's jets broke the silence of the night. A pillar rose from the ocean's depths, shattering the stillness of the water. A door slid open as the bird neared the pillar and closed as it flew into the opening. The bird flew down the main shaft of the pillar, past a few rooms and side corridors. It finally found its master. It let out a squawk of greeting and transformed into a cassette tape. Its master's chest opened letting it slide in.

Two robots stood across from the bird's master by a control screen. "Ah, Laserbeak returns. Maybe this time he'll have some news of use. Soundwave, transform and playback his findings." Soundwave transformed into a cassette player and hooked up to a port on the control panel. Laserbeak played back a recording of his spying on David and Spike's discussion. When the video was over, the first robot let out a laugh. "Oh, Optimus, how you make it so easy for me."

"Mighty Megatron," began the second robot, "before you make any plans, maybe you should consider this a trap. Just look at the two Autobots that Optimus sent to protect this Synergy. Surely he'd expect us to try and take it."

"Of course I thought of that, Starscream." Megatron turned and looked at his long traitorous second in command with disdain. "Why do you think I sent Skywarp and Thundercracker out on patrol? They're awaiting my command to distract the two Autobots while Soundwave heads to this Starlight Mansion and takes what is rightfully ours."

Starscream thought about the plan for a moment trying to find a way for himself to get Synergy instead of his leader. "Maybe I should help those bumbling idiots out. You can never have too much firepower in distracting Autobots after all."

Megatron smiled. "Yes. That's an excellent idea, that way my two trustworthy Decepticons can keep an optic on your sneaky hide." He turned to Soundwave who had transformed in the meantime. "Contact Reflector and have them monitor the Ark. If any Autobots leave in our direction I want to know. Synergy will be mine." An evil glint went across Megatron's optic lens as Soundwave obediently nodded.

The next morning Pizzazz woke to find Roxy still talking with Blaster. She smiled at the thought of actually becoming friends with the alien robots. There was enough weirdness in her life already why not some more. She wandered into the kitchen and poured two mugs of coffee. Sipping her mug Pizzazz went out the backdoor and handed the other mug to Roxy.

"Thanks," Roxy said with a tired smile. "Blaster here is just a fascinating individual. We've been talking about music for over six hours now. I can't wait to visit the Ark. He was also telling Sheila and me about Cybertron before she crashed. The planet sounds so amazing." She looked at the coffee and made a face. "Maybe I shouldn't drink this and just get some sleep. Ah hell, who am I kidding? I'm going to write. I'm filled with inspiration." She motioned for Blaster to lean down and she kissed the side of his face. "Thanks. I'll talk to you later" Roxy ran off to David's office to write new music.

Blaster chuckled softly. "That woman there sure lives for her music. I think that was the first time ever since being reactivated that I was able to have a conversation like that. I mean Jazz and I discuss music a lot but never in detail as Roxy and I have."

Pizzazz gave Blaster a confused look. "You talk to a style of music?"

Keeping the electronic chuckle down, Blaster smiled. "No. Jazz is one of the Autobots at the Ark, remember?" Pizzazz smiled after remembering Blaster mention him the night before. "Listen I need to go recharge my circuits. Bumblebee is in your drive way recharging. Would you mind carrying me to him? I don't want to walk there and damage your property."

"Sure thing." Pizzazz was surprised at how light Blaster was when he was transformed. He was the same weight as an Earth stereo that same size. She made a mental note to ask him later about that. She tapped on Bumblebee's passenger side window. "Hey Bumblebee, Blaster wanted me to put him on your seat while he recharged. By the way, where's Spike?"

"Your brother is letting him use a guest bedroom." Bumblebee rolled down his window for Pizzazz. "Thanks for your hospitality, Pizzazz. I talked to Prime while I was recharging. He really appreciates your help. You're all welcome at the Ark any time."

"You tell Prime that we were just doing what we felt was right. Besides, how many times does one get to hang out with one of the biggest events of mankind?" Pizzazz lightly patted Bumblebee's roof. "I'm going in now before one of my neighbors thinks I've gone totally batty and started talking to my car in my nightgown and robe. I'll talk to you both later." Pizzazz hooked a lock of hair over her ear as she went inside the mansion.

She paused at the door and looked at the two Autobots. It was then that it all began to sink in. She was both thrilled and scared at the same time. It was the kind of feeling she got when something big was going to happen. Her belly rumbled reminding her how hungry she was.

The sun blazed with intense heat. It was hotter than usual for mid-August weather. David figured it was one of the hottest days that Los Angeles had seen, if not the hottest for August. But that's what records are for, to be broken. He looked over at Spike, who was in the driver's seat of Bumblebee. He found it funny that even though the Autobot didn't need anybody there to actually drive, that he needed a person there to look like someone was driving.

"So how is it that you guys know where to go, Spike?"

"Well, it was the Autobots who took that other holographic computer called Cerebrix. He somehow found and contacted Teletran-One." Spike was relaxed in the driver's seat but made it look like he was driving. "I, Bumblebee, Optimus Prime and my dad came down and picked him up. I think Jerrica will remember me. From what I remember she was very kind."

David made a grunt of agreement. They drove through the gates of the Starlight House and Spike picked up Blaster as they rounded the circular driveway. Bumblebee stopped in front of the mansion. "Last stop, everyone out, I'm going to listen in from here while you guys are inside."

Spike shielded his eyes from the sunlight as he climbed out of the driver's side door. He followed David to front door of the mansion. David opened the door and stuck his head in. "Hello? Jerrica? Shana? Aja? Girls? Anyone home?" He turned around and looked at Spike. "They're probably in the backyard. Just wait here and I'll go get Jerrica." David started walking to the back when the door to Jerrica's office swung open and startled him. "Jerrica! You scared me. Didn't you hear me come in?"

Jerrica held her hand over her heart feeling it race and gave him a small smile. "I guess I didn't. I'm sorry." Turning her smile to Spike, she walked up to him and shook his hand. "It's nice to see you again, Spike, granted it's completely unexpected." She looked at both of the young men. "Well, shall we?"

"Hey now, don't I get an introduction here?" Blaster said with a tone of humor in his voice.

Spike chuckled to himself. "I'm sorry. Jerrica meet Blaster. He's here to help Synergy link up with the Ark. A signal booster if you will." He followed behind the young blonde woman as she went up the stairs at a quick pace. She guided them down the hall and stopped before a wall that was blank. At a command the wall vanished revealing a door. She opened the door and led them inside. Spike immediately recognized Synergy since Cerebrix was almost identical.

The purple hued face of Synergy appeared on the monitor screen. It smiled at the visitors. "Greetings Spike and Blaster, I am Synergy. Jerrica tells me that Optimus Prime wishes to communicate through me. Input the frequency and I will attempt transmission." Spike walked up to the sophisticated machine. He placed Blaster in a niche on the console and Blaster connected to Synergy. "Stand by, connecting with Teletran-One."

Jerrica stood close to David as they waited for the Autobot's computer to respond. She jumped when Optimus Prime appeared on Synergy's screen. "I apologize for causing you alarm, Ms. Benton. And I thank you for agreeing to meet like this. I just wish it could be in person, but I'm afraid with recent events that makes it more difficult. I wish to discuss with you the security of Synergy."

"What are you talking about? Synergy is perfectly safe here. No one knows about her except for a small handful of people." Jerrica walked up to Synergy staring at the monitor. "I appreciate your concern but it's unwarranted."

"Don't be so sure, Ms. Benton. I know for a fact that your government found out about her. Luckily you were able to disguise her energy signature in time. I'm not asking you to give her up to us. That's the last thing I'd do. I'm offering our help to you. Help hide her yet still be able to use her abilities."

Despite being a robot Jerrica could see the compassion in his optics and hear it in his voice. She chewed her thumbnail in thought and glanced over her shoulder at David. Slowly she turned back to Optimus Prime. "Okay. I agree. I accept your help. Deep down I know I alone won't be able to hide Synergy forever. Also, I know my father would agree with my decision."

"That was another matter I'd wished to discuss," Optimus Prime said. Jerrica arched an eyebrow. "Your father —" He cut off his sentence as he looked off to the right at another monitor. "Blaster, you and Bumblebee prepare for incoming Decepticon jets. Hold them off until Hound, Ironhide and Mirage can reinforce you. Spike, help David and Jerrica get her young wards to safety. Also warn everyone else in the house. Blaster, do not use your electro-scrambler gun. It may accidentally damage Synergy."

Spike grabbed Blaster, ran out of the room and tossed him out an open window. Blaster transformed in mid-air in to his robot form. David and Jerrica were almost outside when Spike caught up to them. Everything was moving in a blur of sped up time. Spike and David helped Jerrica and The Holograms get the Starlight Girls into the van and cars. Jerrica quickly drove off leaving David and Spike behind to help the Autobots. They decided it was best to get Synergy out of the area in the back of Ironhide.

David found a broom handle in the garage and spun it around. "This will make a good make shift bo staff. I don't know what it will do against giant killer robots, but it's better than nothing." He and Spike ran back inside the mansion to Synergy's room. "Synergy, we need to dismantle you for transport." Spike and David waited for her to shut down. They quickly separated her into her three main components.

"Hey guys! Hurry up in there. The Decepticreeps are on their way. We need to get her ready for transport," Bumblebee yelled from the outside.

"We're moving as fast as we can, Bee." Spike carefully pushed a section of Synergy into the hallway. He looked over the rail over the stairs. Bumblebee might be able to fit inside the mansion and help lower Synergy down. "Bee, you should be able to fit inside the mansion. Come in and carefully grab the pieces of Synergy and put them in the hall down there."

"I dunno, Spike. I don't think I can reach them." He looked up at David. "Start guiding them down the stairs, I can take it from there." Bumblebee shook his head in annoyance. "How the in the name of Primus did they get her up there in the first place?" He grabbed the first piece as David carefully brought it down step by step. Within moments all three sections were in the hall. Bumblebee smiled when he saw the three other Autobots pull through the gates.

David and Spike quickly, but carefully, loaded Synergy into the back of Ironhide. "Don't you guys worry none this here little lady is just perfectly safe back there. Now both of ya's just hop on in and we'll be off."

"I'm staying here and fighting. This is my friend's house and I'm sworn to protect it." David turned to Spike. "Go with Ironhide. Give my sister a call and she'll tell you how to get to the safe house that Jerrica is at. She's at a friend's place. Arashikage Dojo. No one will find Synergy there."

Spike shook his head. "No way, if you're staying, so am I." He turned to Ironhide. "Did you hear what David said? Find out where this Arashikage Dojo is at and go there. I need to stay to make it look like it was a surprise attack. I don't want any arguing, Ironhide."

The red van let out a small rumble that David could've sworn was a groan of protest. But the veteran Autobot drove off without any further complaints. David looked around in desperation. He knew that the broom handle wouldn't do anything. He finally snapped his fingers. "Spike, go to the garage and get all of the gas you can. I have an idea." David ran into the mansion and went straight to the kitchen. He grabbed all of the sugar and gelatin mix he could find. He met Spike in the driveway.

"Just what are we making here?"

David dumped the gas into a metal basin, and then mixed in the gelatin and sugar. He began to stir it with the broom handle. "It's a crude form of napalm. It should work." David and Spike both jumped and dove for cover when they heard explosions in the front of the house. The Decepticons had arrived.

Following the directions given by Pizzazz, Ironhide pulled into the sub basement of the Arashikage Dojo. He wasn't followed by any of the Decepticons. Jerrica ran up to him and he opened his rear hatch. "Here ya go, little lady; One Synergy safe and sound. Name's Ironhide, by the by. Now if ya don't mind unloading her, I'll be on my way."

Aja and Shana quickly unloaded Synergy's sections as Jerrica looked at the Autobot confused. "You're not staying here to protect us?"

Ironhide let out a chuckle and Jerrica found it odd that an alien robot would have a southern accent. "Shucks, I'm ready to bust some Deceptichops, but I'll see you little ladies after we whip their tails. Besides, Prime is sending Jetfire here to take you all back to the Ark for safety. Right now it's the safest place to be." He shut the hatch and began to back out of the sub basement he was in. Ironhide drove as fast as he could and headed back to help his friends.

Dusting himself off David began stirring the napalm again until it was as thick as it could get. Another explosion made him jump but not for cover. "Bumblebee!" he yelled, "I need your help over here." The yellow Autobot ran to him within seconds. "Privately tell the other Autobots our plan here. What we made here is napalm. It can be very explosive and is very hard to put out. This batch won't be very explosive but it will buy us time.

"What I want you to do, is to transform and drive around as many Decepticons you can. Spike and I will throw this at each one as you drive past. Have the other Autobots shoot at the napalm gel when it lands on the Decepticons. Hopefully it will burn them and they won't be able to put it out. Like I said, it's a delaying tactic." David picked up the basin when Bumblebee transformed.

Driving as fast as he could Bumblebee weaved around making himself a difficult target for the four Decepticons. He barely dodged a blast by Soundwave. Spike threw some of the mix on Soundwave's legs. Each of the Decepticons, Starscream, Skywarp, Thundercracker and Soundwave got some of the flammable mix on them. Bumblebee finally rejoined the rest of the Autobots.

Sneering, Starscream fired at David and Spike. "Stupid Earth germs! So delusional in their thinking they can actually hurt us. Turn em into smears of grease on this pathetic mudball." Starscream fired at the two young men who dodged the blasts by luck. The Autobots fired back at each of the Decepticons, aiming at the gel spots on them. The napalm ignited when hit. Some exploded. Starscream screamed in pain and surprise at the attack.

"Rumble, Frenzy, Ravage. Eject. Eject. Eject," Soundwave yelled in his monotone voice. His chest slid open and three giant cassettes flew out and transformed. Two turned into twin robots about the size of a human. The third turned into a black robotic cougar. The three new foes ran after David and Spike.

"Spike, I know we just met and all, but next time you know that a Decepticon has a little trick like that, let me know. Okay?" David smirked as they ran from the three pursuing Decepticons.

While the battle raged at her home, Jerrica helped load Synergy onto Jetfire. When she and Aja had finished, Jerrica sat next to Shana and rubbed her temples. Her life was spiraling out of control. She then realized that Rio or Kimber weren't even there. At least the Starlight Girls and Mrs. Bailey were safe. Even though she didn't know the Autobots, she trusted them. The revving of Jetfire's engines brought her out of her thoughts.

Ashley gave Jerrica a worried look. "We're gonna be okay, right?"

"Of course, sweetie," Jerrica said gently. "We're just going someplace safe for a while. Just think of this as a vacation where we forgot to pack clothes." Jerrica didn't even notice that Jetfire was in the air until she looked out the window. She got up and went into the main cabin. "Is it okay that we talk?"

"Actually I was about to call you up front. I have Prime on the monitor for you. He has something he wants to tell you. And don't worry I won't scare the girls in the back. No stunt flying today."

Jerrica giggled as Jetfire turned on the monitor. The familiar face of Optimus Prime was again before her for the second time that day. "Hello again Ms. Benton, I apologize for any troubles we may have caused you, but I want to get to the point. I wanted to tell you what I was about to tell you before I saw that the Decepticons were on their way." He waited a minute for Jerrica to settle into the cockpit seat. "Your father made Synergy from Cybertronian technology."

TO BE CONTINUED IN "MAGIC CARPET RIDE"

PART 3 OF INSTRUMENTS OF DESTRUCTION