From the secret files of Teletraann 2...sorry, I couldn't help myself. Hope you guys like this little bonus chapter. I thought I'd try something unusual. So here it is, from the 'borrowed' data pad of Autobot Medic Ratchet. All current data on the Maximals. Note: edited 3/15/22
Earth Date: April 19, 2013
Overview:
It has been just over a week since our human allies were exposed to the combination of raw cyber matter from the Omega Lock and energy from the Enigma of Combination. A little less for the kidnapped civilian juveniles who were subsequentially experimented on. Between myself, Wheeljack, and Nurse Darby we've examined the Maximals' as they are currently being called as thoroughly as possible without harming them and noted any and all data relevant to their care, health, and potential treatments. To that end, I am writing down what we've learned starting with what all the Maximals have in common then followed up with individual profiles.
Biology:
Digestive system:
Starting here seemed highly relevant. Somehow the Maximals are able to convert 100% of consumed organic matter into energon which powers their bodies, as well as additional weapons and abilities. There seems to be no discrimination between plant or carrion based organic matter. During my scan of their systems, I noticed that they have some form of converter that sits where the "small intestine" was that breaks down ingested matter on an atomic level and restructures it from there. Afterwards it seems to be stored in a reservoir where the "large intestine" resided. (Sidenote: See Sierra) In addition the Maximal bodies don't seem have fat stora;lgnf;las, storage. (Sidenote: Apologies when I mentioned the inability to become 'fat' as humans put it, the femmes all rushed and hugged me unexpectedly.)
Note: This converter system bears closer examination. If possible, this could be replicated and installed into our own bodies, freeing us of our dependence on energon or giving us more flexibility with the limited amounts we have.
Circulatory System:
From the fuel reservoir, the energon is spread through their bodies via a network that, from what I can gather, used to be their arteries and veins. This Energon is moved about by pulses from their sparks, similar to how their human hearts moved blood around their bodies. Incidentally, prolonged physical activity/combat and excessive use of their weapons and abilities drain this reservoir faster like Cybertronians. Once below a certain level they will revert back into beast mode to conserve energon and be unable to transform until they "refuel". It is unknown if there is an override to this.
Immune system:
Examining the energon the maximals possess I discovered that they have a type of self-replicating, energon resistant nanites that, upon testing, destroyed all foreign substances introduced. Unknown at this time if they are immune to human diseases. In addition, it appears that when a Maximal needs to heal, reverting to their beast mode seems to accelerate it.
Respiratory system:
The Maximals still need to breath to supply the organic parts of their body's oxygen. However, my scans indicate that there is a conversion system similar to the one in their digestive system, somewhere near the bronchi, that'll allow them to breath most any gas. Meaning that they could survive on Earth, Cybertron, or almost any other planets' atmosphere. It is also theoretically possible that they could breathe underwater for limited amounts of time. Admittedly, I am not eager to test that theory.
Nervous system:
The Maximals' new nervous system seems comprised of booth their human nervous systems, comprising of brain, spinal column, and nerves and most of the human endocrine system. Apparently, there is an information loop between brain and spark, like Cybertronians, and from there it feeds through the Endocrine system, amplifying it, to the rest of the body in either form. Upon closer inspection I've noticed that their nerves are more Cybertronian than human. Meaning that if a nerve is severed, it is possible to repair and reconnect it like ours.
Skeletal System:
The Bones of the Maximals (Excepting Sierra) are composed of a dense alloy with properties similar to electrum. While I'm not about to try and break their bones, I believe that the Maximal body is capable of taking heavy hits with minimal damage. (Sidenotes: See Sierra, Miko, Vincient, and Allison)
Integumentary system:
From what I can analyze, the outer layers of the Maximals (Fur, skin, bark, or feathers) are interlaced with microcircuitry to replicate the human sensation of touch. Said outermost layers seem to slough off and replenish themselves like our outer techno matter. Only much faster. A process that can take years for us, could take hours for them.
Muscular system:
Upon closer inspection, the Maximals' techno-organic musculature give them an edge in servo-to-servo combat. The microcircuitry in their organic muscle tissue seems to add power to any muscle movement. Something like the synergist motors near our transformation cogs.
Transformation system:
Speaking of transforming. It seems that the way Maximals transform is quite different from ours. Where our bodies use the T-cog, theirs seems to be part of their muscular system. The microcircuitry in their bodies reposition, compress, and expand the size of the necessary organs and or bones of the mode they aren't using. Simply put, transforming is just as instinctive to them as it is to us. (Sidenote: See Vincent)
Reproductive System:
In spite of my, initial aversion, to analyzing this system and the patients' collective embarrassment, I examined the reproductive capabilities of the Maximals. From what I can ascertain from my scans, the "womb" of the maximal femme is lined with Sentio Metallico, albeit inert. The "component", as I have been asked to call it, of the Mechs on the other servo, possess a link directly to their spark chamber. However, the Maximal Mechs spark alone isn't powerful enough to create the necessary hot spot for a protoform to form. There may be something about their reproduction process we don't know about yet. We shall have to wait and see. (Sidenote: Why the pit was everyone so embarrassed when I talked about it? It was just basic biology.)
Individual Profiles:
Subject: Jackson Alexander Darby
Gender: Mech
Alt mode: Techno Organic Lion
Aliases: Jack, Leobolt, Jackrabbit (Miko)
Notes:
While Jacks' Maximal body is lacking much weaponry in bot-form, it makes up for it in speed and strength. His claws, usable in both modes, proved capable of cutting through a steel beam with one swipe. His whip, when deployed, contains a relatively small amount of energon from his reservoir. The energy of it can cut through most materials as easy as his claws and can stretch for up to 100 feet and spinning a length of it can also generate a shield that can block various types of attacks. In beast mode he can deploy micro thrustors to increase his land speed or jumping distance.
(Side Note: At present, I'm unsure of how Jacks' link to Vector Sigma effects his overall health and have no way to test it.)
Subject: Miko Nakadai
Gender: Femme
Alt Mode: Techno Organic Peregrin Falcon
Aliases: Wingsaber
Notes:
Mikos' bot-form seems to be centered around speed and agility. Her body is unusually light owing to a hollow skeletal structure common in birds. In bot-form she wields dual swords (katanas she calls them) and can generate smaller throwing knives called kunai. From our tests she can generate up to 50 at a time before having to transform to replenish them. Said kunai can be set to detonate on impact or at her command (usually a snap of her fingers)
From field reports from their last mission, I have confirmed that Miko is indeed an outlier. Her teleportation ability could be vital to future missions as I have yet to find an upper limit to her range. However, this ability has the same restrictions as space/ground bridge travel. For example, while all the Maximals have been on the Nemesis, she cannot teleport onto it without its' exact coordinates. And trying to teleport into a moving vehicle would be extremely dangerous.
Subject: Rafael Jorge Alfonse Esquivel
Gender: Mech
Alt Mode: Techno Organic Rhinoceros
Aliases: Raf, Rhinox
Notes:
Rafaels' increase in mass has led to a massive increase in strength. His musculature is denser than the other Maximals, perhaps a side effect of being roughly half of Magnaboss' body. In contrast to his newfound size and strength he has been equipped with a full cache of medical tools and equipment. Among them are a null beam for localized anesthesia, a laser scalpel, a spot welder, and most interestingly a cellular regeneration (CR) pulse in his palm that accelerates the natural healing process exponentially. In addition to his medical equipment his primary weapons are his twin chain guns built into his forearms. At full power they can fire roughly 500 rounds per minute, piercing through inch thick armor plating.
(Side Note: I really need to begin young Rafaels' Medical training in the near future. It would have to be his choice, but it'd be a shame to let such potential go to waste)
Subject: Vincient Edward Raider
Gender: Mech
Alt Mode: Techno Organic Bat
Aliases: Vince, Vinnie (Sierra and Allison)
Notes:
My analysis of young Vincient remains incomplete, primarily due to his current inability to transform. From what I can tell his bone structure is similar to Mikos' in the fact that their bones are hollow. According to my scans there's nothing physically wrong with him. I theorize that he's suffering from a case of cog block brought on by something in his subconscious mind. However, his flight capabilities are on par with Mikos'. In addition, his hearing has a wider range than even most Cybertronians. Honestly, I think only the likes of Soundwave or Blaster could match it.
Subject: Sierra Isabelle Krosney
Gender: Femme
Alt Mode: Techno Organic Plant (Unable to discern exact species)
Aliases: Siri (Allison, Mr. Blackrock)
Notes:
Sierra is the most unusual of the Maximals to date. Her plant based "Beast Mode" is entirely unique. Her ability to harness solar energy in addition to processing organic matter makes her the most energy efficient of the Maximals. Her Skeletal structure changes the most, going from virtually nonexistent in beast mode, to fully formed in bot-mode. In bot-mode she has two types of weaponry. One is a type of "seed grenade" that rapidly grows to ensnare and constrict whatever it comes into contact with. In addition, she can deploy two flower pods near her wrists that fire a highly caustic sap. In plant mode she moves on a single foot covered in millions of hair-like cilia underneath.
(Note: Who the pit is Morticia Addams?)
Subject: Allison Caroline Blackrock
Gender: Femme
Alt Mode: Techno Organic Horse (Unicorn?)
Aliases: Allie (Vince, Sierra, Mr. Blackrock)
Notes:
Allison, the last Maximal, could potentially be the most dangerous of them. This is due mostly to the fact that we've discovered her skeleton is laced with crystalized Nucleon. This little-known substance is often used to disrupt our natural biosystems. Effects vary from triggering and locking ones T-cog, to full on paralysis that can last years. During her examination she slammed her fist down on a console that shorted it out. (I needed that!) However, this seemed to be triggered by her temper at hers and her sisters' circumstances. I believe this could be remedied with basic psychological help. In addition to her "Nuclepunch" as she calls it the "Unicorn horn" on her right forearm seems able to extend into a saber capable of channeling the Nucleons energy over short distances. In beast mode she has unparalleled endurance. She ran 200 miles in an hour nonstop and wasn't even winded!
Conclusion:
Everything we've analyzed about the Maximals to date makes me think that they could very well be a new direction in Cybertronian evolution. The combination of our species physiology with humans and other Earth lifeforms makes for an organism that could survive in most any environment. Their ability to internally create energon from organic material is a marvel. What I've read in the recent mission reports about Shockwaves' new type of Predacon also leads me to believe that "reformatting" existing Cybertronians into these new bodies is a viable possibility. Theoretically, this could fundamentally change the course of life for our species as we know it. However, any further debate about this will have to wait until the war has ended.
A/N- I have to admit, writing from Ratchets' perspective was an interesting exercise. Hope all my readers have a Happy Holiday, whichever ones you observe, if any. Next up will be a bit of a "Team bonding" chapter with the Maximals before we have a catch-up chapter with the Decepticons to move the plot forward. Now, to put this simply, I need a shortish break to cool off from work and holiday related stress. I'll be back towards the end of January with the next chapter. Until then please enjoy and review.