Instruments of Destruction

Part 5

Human Touch

By Nick Maro

The heavy rain pelted Techrat as he walked along the gravel pathway. He pulled his trenchcoat tighter around his body, preventing the rain water from seeping inside. He looked around. It was nearly noon but looked more like dusk thanks to the unseasonable thunderstorms. Slowly he kept walking up the deserted pathway until the lightning overhead silhouetted two forms before him. Techrat stopped unfazed in his tracks. "I better not have flown all the way out here just to catch pneumonia."

The taller of the two figures walked forward with hand extended in greeting. "Hello to you too, Techrat, Yukio and I were wondering when you'd show up. Although your delay was expected once this ungodly storm began. Come on, the Arashikage Clan's fortress isn't much further. You'll be able to get a hot meal and something to drink there. Not to mention we can show you on the map where we think the Nightbird was buried." Kyoko turned around and guided her friend further up the path.

On the way up, Yukio gave Techrat a welcoming hug which he reluctantly returned. It had been several months since he had seen either woman. The dirt path had long since turned to mud. Techrat was glad he had bought a pair of hiking boots before his trip. The walk up the path wasn't as hard as he had thought it would have been in the mud. He wished inside that Clash had agreed to come with, but she had responsibilities at their studio. She was also helping out Riot and Minx search for their missing third member, Rapture.

"So David and The Misfits are where again, Techrat?"

"Last I heard they were somewhere in Oregon. They went there with Jerrica, The Holograms and the Starlight Girls. Jerrica wanted Clash, Video and I to join them, but we're too busy. Besides if what she said is true, whoever is after her won't bother to come after us. I'm not doing that running away from threats crap. I have my own life." Techrat shrugged the rainwater off of his trenchcoat.

Yukio listened to the conversation silently. She owed David her life and swore to protect him. Now his life was in danger and she wasn't near to fulfill that oath. She felt a twinge of guilt and shame, but tried to not let it show. She was shaken from her own thoughts when her companions stopped in front of the familiar wooden gate of the Arashikage Clan's stronghold. She followed Techrat inside slightly bowing to the guard who held the door open for her. "Kyoko, I'm heading up to my room to meditate."

The young woman was gone before Kyoko could answer. "The Master will see you in his chambers. He is the one who can tell you where to find the Nightbird." She guided Techrat through the practice grounds where a few of the Arashikage warriors were practicing despite the thunderstorm. Techrat always admired their devotion and dedication to the art. It was one of the reasons why he respected David so much.

Staying close to Kyoko, he followed the stone path between the practice field and the barracks. Techrat looked inside the windows of one of the ancient buildings. Inside were children as young as three practicing martial arts. The future of the Arashikage Clan lay within these children. He continued following when Kyoko gave his sleeve a light tug. She led him to a building that looked like the rest except for a two man guard unit who were standing by the entrance.

Opening the doors for Kyoko and Techrat the guards stood to the side. Kyoko waited near the entrance to the building and let Techrat enter alone. Inside the chamber knelt an old man with long white hair and beard. Techrat couldn't help but think that the old man before him looked like an old master from any martial arts movie he'd seen on television. "Master Arashikage," Techrat said softly and bowing in respect.

The old man looked up and smiled. "Ahhh, you must be Techrat, yes?" the old martial arts master said in perfect English and with happiness in his voice. "I have heard many stories about you and your companion Clash. I'm sorry I couldn't meet her today." The master stood to his full height. He was taller than he looked. "But we're not here to tell stories. You're here for the Nightbird that was put under our protection not too long ago." Techrat simply nodded.

The nausea that she first felt upon arriving on Cybertron was all but gone. Carly called it jump lag which was like an interstellar version of jet lag. Pizzazz was surprised that Stormer didn't suffer from the symptoms of jump lag seeing how she was the most sensitive of the group. She was beginning to adapt to the gravity and atmosphere on the robotic planet. The oddest thing that she found was the sterile smell of the atmosphere. She wondered how it felt for the Autobots to be on Earth.

Pizzazz felt the fabric of her jumpsuit and was just amazed at how it felt like cloth even though it was woven metal. She slipped on the jacket that Spike had given her earlier. It was made of the same metal material. Hot Rod and Hound were going to take The Misfits and their friends out of the Autobase to show them a little of the planet. Ultra Magnus and Prowl were still searching for possible locations where the rest of Synergy's hologram technology could be hidden. They needed the jackets to stay warm outside of Autobase. Cybertron was not a very warm surface planet.

She was finishing her dinner when David and Kaori entered her room. Pizzazz figured that both Carly and Daniel must've been getting sick of eating soup almost all of the time. "So, you two ready to be explorers?"

"Yeah, but Kimber and Stormer aren't going to go with. Kim wants to stay behind to keep Carly company and Stormer is writing new music." David put his arm around his girlfriend. "I'm kind of torn myself. On one hand I want Kaori to stay here." Upon hearing his words Kaori made a face at David. "But then again I don't want to deny her this chance. I mean how often do you get to explore an alien planet?"

"I did agree to stay behind when you go look for the hologram thing. It's a long English technical term that I can't remember. You know what I'm talking about." Kaori gave a slightly embarrassed smile. "I am trying to find a way to put this into my manga. Maybe I'll just create a new one."

Pizzazz groaned to herself. "Great just what the world needs a manga about The Misfits and their wacky ass adventures. Okay, let's get going." Leaving her room Pizzazz spotted Jetta and Roxy. She waited for them to catch up and they all headed to where the two Autobots were waiting. David and Kaori went with Hot Rod while the three Misfits rode with Hound. Pizzazz let Roxy and Jetta take the front two seats. "Y'know, now I wish I had brought my camera." She stretched out on the backseats of Hound.

"That's no problem for me, Pizzazz. I can take some optical shots for you and print them out back at Autobase or back at the Ark." Hound rolled out of the dock bay they were in and through the door. "I know that Bumblebee was supposed to go with you guys, but Magnus wanted him to go on a scouting mission. Hope you don't mind going with me."

"Think nothin' of it, luv," Jetta said cheerfully. "I don't think none of us here mind, just as long as we see the sights and all."

"Yeah, you seem like you'll make a great tour guide through the wilds of Cybertron. Besides you get to spend time with three of Earth's hottest women." Roxy laughed and leaned back in her seat. The other two Misfits let out a small chuckle.

Hound chuckled and took a different path than Hot Rod was following. The three Misfits all let out a gasp of awe when Hound came to the surface of the planet. It was the first time they got to truly enjoy and marvel at the planet before them. It looked so alien yet so familiar to them.

Sitting outside of the operating room Jerrica waited with Rio in silence. Ratchet was operating on Sparkplug Witwicky, Spike's father. He was injured in the most recent Decepticon attack on the Ark. A piece of shrapnel from the stage that the Autobots were setting up for Jem and The Holograms got lodged in his throat and side. The Autobot medic was now attempting to stabilize his friend's life. The injury in his ribs was easy to fix, it was his throat that Ratchet worried about.

The wound to Sparkplug's throat was centimeters away from his aorta. Any slip up and Sparkplug would bleed to death. He had already lost so much blood that Ratchet had sent Chip and Aja to the nearest blood bank for help. Perceptor was helping by acting as an assistant for Ratchet by magnifying the injury and displaying it on a monitor.

Jerrica sat in tense silence holding back her tears. She had just met Sparkplug not too long ago, yet she felt close to him. He didn't deserve to be hurt like this. His blood still stained her clothing and skin. She had refused to leave her seat ever since he had been brought into the operating room. Jerrica stared at the blood on her hands. It was now dried, crusting and flaking off. She let out a deep sigh and looked at the closed door.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee brought her out of her thoughts and sorrow. Rio smiled as he handed it to her. "You've been up for hours, hon. Drink this. I know it'll be pointless of me to try and talk you into going to bed. So I might as well try and help to keep you awake." He sat next to her and sipped his own mug. Jerrica leaned her head on his shoulder.

"He'll be okay won't he?" Jerrica asked quietly. "I just have to have faith that the Autobots can and will take good care of him. I mean Ratchet is a robotic surgeon. That should mean something. I know that I haven't been fair in judging the Autobots, but from what I've seen hasn't been very positive."

"I know, Jer. I'm trying to keep an open mind as well, but I was basically kidnapped by Kaori and David. Not that I can stay angry at them. They did do it with the best intentions in mind." Rio sipped his coffee again. "Anyway, why did the Decepticons attack the stage? They didn't go after the Autobot City construction site. Nor did they attack the Ark itself. It doesn't make much sense."

Jerrica glanced up at Rio with an amused look on her face. "Giant sentient robots don't make much sense, so why should the motives of the Decepticons?" Rio opened his mouth to answer, but quickly closed it when he couldn't think of an answer. Jerrica smiled for what felt to be the first time in ages. "I just wish I knew how Sparkplug was doing. I hate having to sit out here in the dark. This reminds me so much of when Kimber was shot."

"Oh yeah, that's just the memory you want to dwell on right now." Rio set his drink down and hugged his fiancée with the arm that was around her. "So changing subjects, have you given any thought to my moving in?"

"I don't want to talk about that right now. Let's wait until all of this craziness is behind us and everything." She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "Right now the future is too weird and scary for me to think about for too long. We'll talk about it later, I swear." Jerrica cuddled against Rio's side.

An hour passed slowly as they sat in silence. The door to the room where the surgery was being performed finally opened. Jerrica and Rio quickly stood and looked up at Ratchet anxiously. The Autobot surgeon bent down so he didn't tower so much over them. He spoke in a very soft and gentle tone. It was something that Jerrica had expected him to do. "The good news is that Sparkplug is alive. However, he is in very critical condition. Perceptor and I almost lost him a few times on the table in there. Hopefully Chip and Aja will return shortly with the extra blood."

Rio and Jerrica both let out a breath of relief at the news of Sparkplug. Jerrica looked at her hands and clothing, as if finally noticing the blood on her. "I think I'm going to go get cleaned up. I look like a serial killer here." She began to walk away when she turned and smiled at Ratchet. "Thank you. I know you did the best you could." She walked away holding back her tears of joy and relief. She was beginning to show some faith in the Autobots.

Deep inside the Decepticon's underwater base, Starscream paced the command center floor. His leader Megatron had ordered the Decepticon jets to make a single strafing run attack on the Ark where the human females were making a stage. It didn't make any sense to him and it felt like a waste energy and resources. He was in the middle of letting Megatron know this. "The energon we just used to attack those fleshlings could've been used to crush our true enemies, the Autobots. Maybe this is a sign you're not fit to be leader anymore."

"I wouldn't jump to those conclusions so quickly, Starscream. It wasn't energon squandered like you would like to have everyone believe." Megatron pressed a few buttons on the control panel before the main display screen. Stills from the attack began to show. "What I was merely doing was testing the Autobots reaction time to protecting those bags of flesh they so love and cherish. They make the best weakness more than any structural flaw could. Do we understand now?"

"Yes. Yes, I do Almighty Megatron." Starscream smirked and looked at his rival. "We send two groups out. One to attack the humans and distract the Autobots while a Decepticon or a raiding party break into Teletran-One and steal the rest of the hologram code. Ingenious." Starscream began to walk away.

"Don't let your sarcasm blind you. Keep in mind that I am your leader and you will do as I command. Be thankful that I don't sacrifice you for the Decepticon cause." Megatron sneered at his ambitious second in command. "However making you a martyr is too good for you. Think about what we've discussed here today."

Starscream turned away from the fearsome Decepticon leader and stormed down the hallway. He went into the shooting gallery and began to firing at the target before him. He started mumbling to himself, gradually growing louder. "Who does he think he is? Talking down to me like that. I'm Starscream. I'm the decorated hero of Polyhex Seven. I've destroyed Autobots with my bare hands. Yet he treats me like I'm a child."

Out of the corner of his optic sensor, Starscream spotted Frenzy trying to sneak away. He quickly lunged and grabbed the smaller Decepticon by his head and started applying pressure. Frenzy struggled in Starscream's grip. "Hey! Let go! I wasn't doing anything! I didn't hear nothin' either." He continued to struggle to get free.

"If you repeat what you've heard in here, you little turborat," Starscream said quietly, squeezing the other's head slowly. "I'll tear you apart from servo to microchip. Not even the legendary planet of Junk will take you as scrap. Do you understand me?" Frenzy nodded as best as he could in Starscream's grip. "Just as long as we understand one another." Starscream let go of Frenzy who scrambled quickly out of the room.

Starscream went back to shooting at the targets feeling a bit better.

Beginning to feel the control of his skid take effect Hound set up a force barrier around himself to protect Roxy, Jetta and Pizzazz. He lost control going down the slope of the hill. Debris from the explosion rained down around him. Finally getting control Hound straightened himself out and rolled down the slope into the darkness. A second explosion ignited under him flinging him and The Misfits forward a few yards. Hound was thankful that his field stayed in place as he rolled down the hill. He finally stopped at the bottom.

Consciousness returned to him a while later. He checked his internal clock and saw that a few Earth hours had passed. He found the three women sitting close by him each holding a flashlight. "Is everyone okay?" They each nodded they were. Hound was already transformed into robot mode. He stood and switched on the headlights on chest and a light on his forehead. "Great. I have no idea where we're at. Have you tried to get in touch with Autobase?"

"All we got was static. Either our communicators are busted or we're just too deep in the planet." Pizzazz pointed off into the darkness. "Roxy and I started scouting around to get our bearings and possibly find a way back up the hill. We were ready to give up when we spotted some light. That's when we decided to head back here and wait for you to come back online. Jetta stayed behind because she smacked her head and wasn't feeling up to the walk. I don't think it's a concussion. She looks fine now."

"For the last time I'm okay, Pizzazz." Jetta smiled at her band leader. "I've taken much worse smacks on me brain pan and still was ready to take was ever the world was goin' to throw me way. I'm chalkin' it up to the planet messin' with me head."

Hound projected a hologram of the area they were in when he rolled over the first booby trap. He studied the possible routes they could've fallen down the steep slope. "As long as you're okay, Jetta, it's not my goal to bring back a broken human. I've been yelled at by Carly before and that was just for bringing Daniel home late for dinner. Can't imagine what it would be like if I brought one of you guys back injured." He glanced away from the projection and smiled at Jetta.

"I don't want to sound whiny, but I'm getting hungry here." Roxy gave her friends a slight shrug. "Well what do you expect? I didn't pack any lunch for a picnic. I thought it was just going to be seeing the sights and come back. Not hit a landmine, roll down a hill and have lunch." She paced a bit and blew into her hands. "Not too mention I'm cold here."

"Wow, Rox, someone is extra bitchy today." Pizzazz reached in her pocket and tossed the bassist a package. "Here's some crackers. That should hold you over." She turned back to Hound and muttered under her breath. "Like taking care of a child at times. So I was thinking maybe we should head to where we saw that light. It just felt like the right direction. I dunno maybe I'm getting used to how the magnetic poles work here."

Quickly transforming in his Jeep mode Hound answered Pizzazz's question. The three musicians climbed on and took their seats. Hound drove off into the darkness where Pizzazz and Roxy had scouted before. This time it was much faster to reach the unknown light. Roxy figured it had only taken five minutes to reach it. Hound pulled to a stop and the three Misfits hopped out. Hound transformed and he recognized where they were. "Well, I'll be. It's a transference conduit."

"A whozits whatzits?"

"A transference conduit, an oxygen maker. Kinda." He gave the women a confused look. "Look I don't know exactly what it does. I'm not a scientist. All I do know is that Wheeljack had one near one of his labs." Hound walked up to a terminal and read the monitor. "Well, the good news is that we now know where we are exactly. We're close to the Autobase just under it in the sub-tunnels. Bad news is that this isn't the conduit near Wheeljack's lab, but I think I can access the map of the location of the other conduits in the area." Hound began to check while The Misfits leaned against a pipe and waited.

Ultra Magnus sat in his command seat tapping his metal fingers on the tabletop. David found it amusing how the Autobots acted so much like humans. He saw the reflection of both annoyance and concern in the large Autobot's face. Hound, Pizzazz, Roxy and Jetta were all missing. Hot Rod had taken David and Kaori to a different area of Cybertron than Hound had gone. He was worried about his twin and his friends, but he knew they would be okay.

"David, I don't want to sound rude but could you please leave me alone?" Ultra Magnus turned his chair away from David who was studying a map of Cybertron.

"Sure thing, Magnus, I'm going to try getting in touch with them on the comms again." David left the room when Ultra Magnus gave a slight grunt. He walked out of the operations room and spotted the Autobot Arcee. "Hey Arcee! Wait up a second." The pink and white robot slowed her pace for David. "I was just wondering if you're ever gone to Earth."

Arcee shook her head. "No, but I hope to soon. I keep hearing stories from Carly and Spike about it. It sounds like a lovely planet. Did you know that Daniel has never been there? He was born here on Cybertron. The first human to be born here. I guess that makes him the first human Cybertronian." She went quiet for a moment then spoke before David could. "Listen I know that you're worried about your sister and friends, but I'm sure they're okay. I don't really know Hound, but I know his reputation."

Smiling at her kind words David ran a hand through his unruly hair. "Thanks, but I know they're fine. But my mind is more focused on finding this data that Wheeljack said is here somewhere. We don't even know what we're really looking for or where to hide it. Meanwhile, Kimber's sister is back on Earth at the Ark in possible danger. I know we're trying to help her with this whole Synergy thing, but I'll be the first to admit we're in the dark." He stopped at the hallway that led to his quarters.

"Spike gave me a few copies of your sister's albums. I liked them." Arcee's communicator beeped before she could continue. "I gotta go. Next time I'll take you and Kaori out, okay?" She hurried down the corridor when David nodded and turned down the hall to his quarters and walked inside. Kaori was with Stormer and Kimber in their room.

David sat on the edge of his bed and picked up his communicator and pressed the talk button. "Pizzazz. Roxy. Jetta. Hound, if you're receiving this let me know. Ultra Magnus has reported some increased Decepticon activity and wants you to be extra careful. Just let us know at Autobase that you're okay. We're looking for you. I love you, Misfits." He sat and waited for a response. After a few minutes he got up and knocked on the door to Stormer's quarters.

"Come on in, David." Stormer said loud enough for him to hear. David entered and was about to question her. "Before you ask how I knew it was you, I know your knock." She then saw the look of concern on his face. "Still nothing, huh? I can tell you right now they're okay. My sense hasn't gone off warning of any danger. Of course I'm surprised I'm not in constant pain being on a strange planet." She let herself laugh at her private joke as Kimber rolled her eyes.

"[Let's go for a walk, hon, we'll find a nice quiet spot and I'll give you that nice special massage you like.]" Kaori wrapped her arms around David's shoulders and let out a small giggle in his ear. "[Come on, baby. Everything is fine. I'm worried too, but I'm not going to let that get me totally down. I know how resourceful your sister and friends are. Not to mention they're with an Autobot. This is his planet. It's his element. Just like how you're in your element on Earth.]"

"[Yeah, maybe a walk will do us some good. Spike told me of a nice spot that he takes Carly to watch the stars.]" David looked at his half sister and his ex-girlfriend. "I'll have my communicator with me in case anything happens. You're all right, they're okay." He smiled and left the room with his arm around his girlfriend.

The lift that Hound and the three Misfits were on continued it's decent into the unknown depths of the planet Cybertron. Roxy looked at the equally confused Misfits and shrugged. Hound had taken them to the lift after accessing the conduit panel. He only mentioned something of great importance was nearby. "So just what do you expect find at that conduit?" Roxy asked.

Hound looked at the white haired woman. "It's important, but we have to hurry because the Decepticons also know about it. They're on their way now as well, thankfully we're closer and it would take too long to head back to Autobase and get back up. The conduit is connected to the inner planet of Cybertron. At the center of the planet is a supercomputer called Vector Sigma. It knows everything that's going on. I may just be a scout, but I know my way around the Cybertronian network and a few shortcuts."

The lift stopped with a slight jerk and Hound left the lift platform first. He put his hand out behind him and did a quick scan of the area first. When he was satisfied that it was clear of any danger he signaled for The Misfits to follow him. They walked slowly toward a light coming from an open room. The Misfits unconsciously held each other's hands as they neared the opening. Hound readjusted the grip on his pistol as they got closer.

Finally reaching the room after a few tense minutes, Hound looked around. It was a small cramped room with a single monitor and access jack. He quickly walked up to the monitor and began accessing the information. He stopped when he heard The Misfits each yelp in terror. He turned around and brought his pistol up, pointing it at a Decepticon Seeker. He glanced down at The Misfits. "Run. I'll cover you."

"If they move Autobot, they die." The Decepticon warrior pointed his arm gun at the three Misfits. "Now move out of the way. The hologram technology will belong to us. There's no use trying to hide it."

Hound smirked and moved to the side then turned his weapon toward the monitor and fired. "Now it belongs to no one, Decepticon." He smiled wider at the stunned reaction from the Decepticon Seeker.

TO BE CONCLUDED IN "A SPACE ODDITY"

PART 6 OF INSTRUMENTS OF DESTRUCTION